Clinical Nurse Specialist Option

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) option enables the student to acquire advanced knowledge of health care for individuals, families, and aggregate populations and to develop the skills needed to engage in a specific advanced practice or advanced-level nursing role. On admission, students select a specific program of study that will prepare the graduate for recognition and/or certification as a clinical nurse specialist or advanced-level nurse in a designated health care area.

The following specialties may be selected within the CNS option: Adult Health, Gerontology, Clinical Trials Research, Community Health (either advanced practice CNS or advanced-level), Nursing Administration (advanced-level), or students may also elect to include courses in their program of study that support sub-specialty practice (e.g., cardiac care, diabetes care, or other specialized areas of practice).

Degree Requirements

A. M.S. Program Core (9 credits)

Advanced Practice Core (9 credits)
(Adult, Gerontology, Clinical Trials, Community CNS)

C. CNS Core (8 credits)

D. Additional Courses Based on Specialties

Gerontology/Gerontology Education (Minimum 40-44 credits)

Clinical Trials/Research (Minimum 47-50 credits)

Community Health (Minimum 37-49 credits)

Nursing Administration (Minimum 37-40 credits)

E. MS Capstone Experiences (11-14 credits)

For more information

Please contact Judith E. Hupcey, Ed.D., CRNP, Professor-in-Charge, Graduate Programs in Nursing, 717-531-4211 or jxh37@psu.edu.

Post-Master’s Geriatric Nursing Education Certificate

The Post-Master's Certificate in Geriatric Nursing Education program serves students who are seeking additional certification in geriatric nursing and nursing education.