A premature baby's feet.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

Post-master's certificate

  • Graduates are eligible for the NNP certification exam administered by NCC
  • Guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni
  • Application deadline: January 5

The UVA School of Nursing is dedicated to providing exceptional, affordable education guided by AACN and NANN standards, preparing neonatal nurses as leaders, scholars, and expert licensed independent practitioners in the care of neonates and children up to age two.

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Admission Requirements

To be considered for the certificate, applicants must:

  • Submit a completed application
  • Possess an active state license and certification to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse at program start
  • Have a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school (CCNE or ACEN)
  • Have completed three separate comprehensive graduate-level courses in: advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
  • Hold an unencumbered RN license in the US at the time of application.  All matriculating students who are not active-duty military nurses must have a Virginia RN license before the first day of classes.
  • Have at least 1 year of full-time RN practice
  • Submit three satisfactory recommendations (academic, professional, and clinical), one of which should be from an APRN
  • Submit a resume or CV
  • Be available for an interview, if requested
  • International applicants have additional admissions requirements

GRE: we no longer require GRE scores as a component of the application.

Financial Aid

Click here for tuition information.

Students in the certificate programs at UVA are ineligible for scholarship assistance or student loans. University aid is restricted to those who are enrolled in degree programs (MSN, DNP, PhD, etc).

Classes

Classes meet in a hybrid format.

Required classes:

  • GNUR 6730 Genetics, Embryology & Developmental Physiology (2 credits)
  • GNUR 6621 NNP Seminar I: Theory and Management of the Transitioning Neonate (3 credits)
  • GNUR 6622 NNP Seminar II: Theory and Management of the High-Risk Neonate (3 credits)
  • GNUR 6623 NNP Seminar III: Theory and Management of the High-Risk Neonate (3 credits)
  • GNUR 6624 NNP Practicum I (1 credit)
  • GNUR 6625 NNP Practicum II (5 credits)
  • GNUR 6626 NNP Practicum III (5 credits)

Clinicals

Students complete 600 clinical hours in the NNP track. Clinical placement sites are established with collaboration between the student and faculty and are assigned based upon optimal learning experiences, students' requests, and availability.

All clinical/practicum activities are generally conducted within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Clinical/practice activities may be conducted outside Virginia if the University is authorized to place students in that state and pending faculty approval.

Plans of Study

Technology Requirements

All graduate nursing students are required to have a laptop; information about these requirements will be sent to enrolling students before classes begin. Please see the School of Nursing Computing Policies for more guidance on laptop ownership requirements.

State Authorization and Professional Licensure Disclosures

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).  

Upon completion of this certificate, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).

Spring 2024 classes will be held on: January 23, February 20, March 12, April 9, and April 30

Summer 2024 classes will be held on: May 28, June 11, June 25, July 9, and July 30

The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record is the official repository for academic program requirements.