Nursing Specialty, Advanced Certificate

Advance Your Level of Nursing Care
Our Nursing Specialty Advanced Certificate program — for registered nurses graduated with at least a baccalaureate degree — enables students to complete courses in wound, ostomy, and /or foot and nail.
The program also prepares nurses to take the Certification Board exams and become certified as a wound care nurse (CWCN®), an ostomy care nurse (COCN®), a foot care nurse (CFCN®), or a wound ostomy nurse(CWON™).
Program Information
Modality
Hybrid
Program Length
2 or 3 semesters · 10-15 units
Cost Per Unit
$4,542* per 5-unit course
Applications Open
August 1 – May 1 for Fall start · July 1 – November 1 for Spring start
Start Terms
Fall · Spring
How to Apply
General Requirements
-
Be a registered nurse (RN) with a Baccalaureate degree or; have a Bachelor’s with a major in nursing or; be an RN with a Bachelor’s degree in another field.
-
An undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5.
-
Current clinical nursing experience or completion of a nurse refresher course or a clinical performance examination within five years prior to application
Out-of-State Eligibility
-
If you live outside of California, check whether our program is approved to accept an application from you.
-
International students are not eligible for this certificate.
Completion Requirement
-
Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all advanced certificate coursework, with no less than the grade of “C” in any course.
-
To view the program's courses, roadmap, and more, visit the Nursing Specialty Advanced Certificate catalog webpage.
-
Apply between August 1 and May 1 for Fall admissions.
-
Apply between July 1 to November 1 for Spring admissions.
-
Apply through Cal State Apply and submit the required documents.
-
Pay the program-specific application fee. All three of the specialty certification care programs require a $100.00 application fee — in addition to the Cal State Apply submission fee — once accepted.

Valuable Learning Experiences
All the courses in the Nursing Specialty Program follow a curriculum blueprint outlined by the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Society (WOCN) Accreditation Manual.
Featured Courses

What can you do with a nursing specialty advanced certificate?
Our foot and nail course will prepare you to take the Certified Foot Care Specialist (CFCS) competency exam offered by the American Foot Care Nurses Association to become a Certified Foot Care Specialist (CFCS).
Additionally, the program prepares nurses to take the Certification Board exams and become certified as a wound care nurse (CWCN®), an ostomy care nurse (COCN®), a foot care nurse (CFCN®), or a wound ostomy nurse(CWON™).

Get the Spartan Edge
Gain momentum through intentional learning, meaningful support, and real opportunity. Whether you’re starting your journey, advancing your education, or expanding your professional skills, SJSU helps you go further.

Graduate Admissions
Review our admission requirements and utilize our Graduate Program Coordinators.
View Admissions Info
Costs and Financial Aid
What you need to know about tuition, fees, financial aid and cost per unit.
See Cost and Aid
More Graduate Programs
Find the right degree program, certificate or credential for your goals.
Find Your Program