Overview
Dr. Cynthia Ricci McCloskey, Program Director
Mission of the Wegmans School of Nursing Graduate Program
The mission of the educational programs leading to the Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing at St. John Fisher College is to provide a stimulating milieu of academic and clinical excellence that challenges the professional nurse to acquire the theoretical and clinical scholarship needed to assume expanded nursing roles in interdisciplinary health care and/or academic settings upon graduation.
The school offers two degree programs at the master’s level:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), which qualifies the graduate to seek certification and employment as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), which qualifies the graduate to seek certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in a Maternal/Child or Adult/Gerontology clinical specialty.
Post master’s certificate programs are also available for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). The Nurse Educator (N.E.) track is transitioning to an on-line post master's certificate in the future and students are not being accepted into the program at this time.
Study of any of these programs prepares the student to continue on to doctoral study, if that is a career goal. The Wegmans School of Nursing offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program, which builds upon the FNP and CNS master’s programs.
Admission Requirements
Applicants who present satisfactory evidence of their ability to perform at the graduate level are considered for admission to the graduate nursing program at St. John Fisher College. The Enrollment Management Committee of the graduate nursing program and the graduate program director judge the qualifications of the applicants.
In addition to the materials and credentials outlined in the general admission requirements, the following are required:
- Two letters of recommendation must be submitted by individuals who are qualified at the master’s or higher level. Please ask these individuals to note their highest degree with their signature.
- Official transcript showing completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program. The only exception to this is for students in the B.S./M.S. accelerated program. Applicants who do not possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing should meet with the Graduate Program Director or Program Chair to discuss terms for completion of the degree and the accelerated B.S./M.S. program.
- Evidence of current licensure as a registered professional nurse in New York (copy of the registration certificate from the University of the State of New York Education Department Office of the Professions). The only exception to this is for students in the B.S./M.S. accelerated program.
- Official transcript indicating an undergraduate GPA of a minimum of 3.3 Due to a large applicant pool, only exceptional students with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.3 will be considered for admission.
- Official transcript indicating successful completion of undergraduate courses in statistics, nursing research, and undergraduate health assessment (physical examination) with grades of “B” or higher.
- A completed Health History and Immunization form submitted to the College Health & Wellness Center. Health information must be current and valid for the academic year in which the student intends to enter St. John Fisher College. Prior to beginning their first clinical course, students must document and maintain current CPR certification and submit the passing score achieved on the hospital R.N. Medication Administration Competency exam. Students will not be assigned a preceptor until they are in compliance with all of these clinical documentation expectations.
- Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional; taking the GRE may strengthen a graduate application.
- Post-master’s certificate students must present evidence (official transcript) of completion of a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program.
For more information regarding application and admission to the Advanced Practice Nursing program, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (585) 385-8161 or by email at grad@sjfc.edu.
For specific information regarding the Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing, please contact the Graduate Program Director, Dr. Cynthia Ricci McCloskey, at (585) 385-8471 or cmccloskey@sjfc.edu.
Scholarships are available for full- or part-time study.