https://nursing.ouhsc.edu/programs-academics Parent Page: Programs & Academics id: 35945 Active Page: Clinical Nurse Specialist id: 35946 Portal ID: 254

The Clinical Nurse Specialist program will prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed to function as an advanced practice nurse to meet the needs of adult-geriatric patients. 

Graduates are prepared to apply and sit for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Adult Gerontology certification exam.  CNSs are equipped to advance quality of care, integrate evidence into practice, develop and lead clinical innovations, and improve patient and system outcomes. 

 Full-time

Hybrid Program

Average Median Salary

$132,050 per year

( source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics )

Curriculum

Program format and/or delivery. 

  • Didactic vs. clinical/lab time. 
  • CERT—CNS REQUIREMENTS (31 credit hours)  
  • Didactic for MSN Administration/Management: 15 credit hours 
  •  Clinical/Practica/Didactic: 16 credit hours and 768 hours of clinical 

Degree/credit requirements 

  • Total Hours for Degree – 31  
  • Total Clinical Hours –768 
  • Courses, concentrations, tracks CERT: Clinical Nurse Specialist  

* New 26-27 catalog coming soon!

View the Course Catalog

Admission Requirements

  • Completion of a master’s degree in nursing from a United States regionally accredited institution.
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Oklahoma or compact state by the time of enrollment in the first semester. 
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA for 3.0 in all college coursework at the time of application and at the time of enrollment. 
  • Resume or CV.
  • The most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.
  • Please Note: The LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP programs in the OU College of Nursing are hybrid and/or online or part-time programs. The F-1 visa regulations require in-person courses, and these programs do not meet those requirements. Thus, international students are not accepted for these programs (LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP). International students are only eligible to apply for the ABSN and TBSN pathways as they have in-person requirements.
  • All applicants should refer to the professional licensure disclosure information for the programs. 

Applying for Admission  

Please use a personal email address when setting up your NursingCAS account. School email addresses may expire before you receive your admission decision, which could disrupt communication. Using a personal email ensures we can always contact you.  

If after reviewing the qualifications for this program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact Nursing@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.    

Complete the NursingCAS application 

  • Undergraduate programs: $60 for the first program; $45 for each additional program 
  • Graduate programs: $80 for the first program; $50 for each additional program 

Click here for detailed NursingCAS application instructions  

Program Details

Location Offered

Hybrid

Acquired

Certificate inClinical Nurse Specialist

Admissions

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