The School Nurse Program is designed for the student who desires a PA Department of Education K4-12 School Nurse Certification.  This program is offered as a stand-alone post-baccalaureate School Nurse Certification or as part of the MSN-School Nurse curriculum.  In order to achieve certification, students progress through courses that incorporate online instruction and experiential learning activities in a public school setting.  All course content and time offerings are designed to meet the needs of the student as well as Pennsylvania standards for School Nurse Certification. For students who do not reside in Pennsylvania, it is possible to complete the MSN in school nursing degree, but only students completing the 100 practicum hours in a Pennsylvania K-12 school district will be eligible for the PDE PK-12 certification.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Science in Nursing in School Nursing program are referred to the Admission Requirements section for general criteria and guidelines for admission to the University.

Specific criteria required by the Wehrheim School of Nursing include:

1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited (ACEN, CNEA, or CCNE) school of nursing.
2. Undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. When GPA is below this, probational acceptance may be considered if the candidate demonstrates graduate study potential by other means.
3. Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate statistics course (equivalent to MATH 130 Elements of Statistics 1), physical assessment course, and a research course in nursing.
4. Computer literacy and access to a computer and internet service.
5. Three current academic and/or professional references.
6. Licensure as a registered nurse in Pennsylvania or in the state where clinical practice or internship is to be arranged.
7. Successful completion of a personal interview with the Nursing Admissions Committee.
8. Current résumé and statement of intent.
9. Verified academic transcripts.

Clearances are required for practicum courses NURS 610 and NURS 611 only: 

• ACT 34 - PA State Police Criminal Background Check
• ACT 114 - FBI Fingerprint Clearance (Federal Criminal History Background Check)
• ACT 151 - PA Child Abuse History Certification 
• Negative TB Test or Chest X-Ray