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Deadlines

Graduate certificate applications are due at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the following dates:

  • October 15 to begin study in Winter
  • January 15 to begin study in Spring
  • May 1 to begin study in Autumn

Eligibility to apply

1. Track availability

Before starting a graduate certificate application, contact Women’s Health CNS track lead, Ellen Solis (ecsolis@uw.edu), to ask if this graduate certificate program is currently accepting applications.

2. Previous or concurrent graduate degree

To apply to a graduate certificate, you must meet one of the following criteria:

  1. Already have a graduate degree in nursing, with an appropriate specialization (required for all nursing advanced practice graduate certificates: Adult Geriatric NP, Midwifery, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, Women’s Health CNS)
  2. Already have a graduate degree in another appropriate field, when applicable (required for Advanced Practice Environmental and Occupational Health and Palliative Care)
  3. Currently enrolled or have applied to be admitted and enrolled at the University of Washington in an appropriate graduate degree program and would complete the graduate certificate concurrent with this degree (graduate certificates cannot be awarded until a degree is completed).
    • This requirement applies to international applicants. Unless you are in the U.S. on an H visa (work visa), if you do not meet these criteria you cannot apply to a graduate certificate.

If you are bachelors prepared RN and do not meet one of the above criteria, you should apply to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program instead.

Current UW PhD or DNP Students

Current UW PhD in Nursing Science or Doctor of Nursing Practice students do not need to complete a full application.  To apply, please complete our online survey.

Application checklist

We do not require the GRE for any of our graduate program applications.

All application materials must be submitted by the posted deadline:

  • Online Graduate Certificate application
  • Order transcripts from each college or university you have ever attended
    • We accept unofficial transcripts, but you must submit official transcripts if you are admitted and enroll in the DNP program
    • If you earned a degree from a school, that degree must appear on the transcript with the date it was conferred
    • If you earned a degree from a school outside of the United States, upload an official transcript translated to English and include a detailed credential/transcript evaluation
    • You do not need to include a foreign transcript if you attended a foreign university through a study abroad program and the credits appear on your school’s transcript
  • Resume
  • 2024 admissions essays (prompts are subject to change)
    1. Purpose
      • Identify a major health/clinical problem of personal concern or interest to you. 
      • Describe how the graduate certificate to which you are applying will help prepare you to address this issue as a healthcare provider or professional.
    2. Diversity
      • Give a specific example of your personal or professional experience with individuals/communities of a different background than your own. 
      • Indicate how this experience and your attitudes towards diversity may influence your ability to practice as a healthcare provider or professional.
  • Nurse licensure
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Proof of English proficiency if English is not your first language
  • Optional statement