Forensic Nursing Certificate Program
Program Objectives
This program provides an opportunity for advanced practice nurses who hold a master's degree in nursing from accredited programs to acquire specialization in forensic nursing. Forensic nursing is the application of nursing science to public or legal proceedings and the integration of the forensic aspects of health care with the bio-psycho-social education of the professional nurse. Students are prepared to deal with the prevention, scientific investigation, and treatment of victims of trauma and/or death as well as the investigation and treatment of perpetrators of abuse, violence, criminal activity and traumatic accidents.
Program Description
The student in forensic nursing:
- is cross-trained in the principles and philosophies of nursing science, forensic science, and criminal justice
- assumes a mutual responsibility with law enforcement agencies and the courts in protecting the legal, civil and human rights of victims of violent crimes, as well as the rights of perpetrators
Admissions Standards and Criteria
To apply for enrollment in the Forensic Nursing Certificate Program, a student must submit documents as outlined in the graduate admissions section as well as:
- An official transcript of a master's degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Three letters of recommendation documenting a minimum of one year of recent successful clinical practice or part-time equivalent
- A current U.S. RN license
- Written two-part essay to include:
Part I (no more than 300 words): Your reasons for wishing to attend graduate school or your reason for pursuing a post-master's certificate in a specialty area.
Part II (at least 1200 words): Your specific interests, the type of work you would like to pursue in this field, and how you intend to pursue employment or volunteer work in this area.
- CORI-Criminal Offense Record Investigation may be required by certain clinical agencies; the cost of funding a CORI may be at the student's expense
Program Requirements
The program consists of specialized courses in forensic nursing and related courses for a total of 21 credits. Four of the nursing courses contain a clinical/laboratory component, including a more extensive practicum.
Program of Study
A. Required cognates in the Forensic Nursing track
CJ 8410 Criminal Law: Substantive and Procedural 3 S.H.
CJ 9640 Technology and Legal Limitations 3 S.H.
Subtotal 6 S.H.
B. Required nursing courses in the Forensic Nursing track
NURS 8000 Introduction to Forensic Nursing 3 S.H.
NURS 8130 *Scientific Foundations for Forensic
Nursing Interventions 3 S.H.
NURS 8200 *Forensic Nursing: Caring for Victims
and Perpetrators I 3 S.H.
NURS 8300 *Forensic Nursing: Caring for Victims
and Perpetrators II 3 S.H.
NURS 9500 *Practicum in Forensic Nursing 3 S.H.
Subtotal 15 S.H
Total for Certificate 21 S.H.
* These courses have a clinical component for a total of 360 hours.
Health Requirements and Liability Insurance
Health Requirements and Records - These should be sent to the graduate program chair and must be received prior to the commencement of any graduate nursing courses with clinical components
- Annual physical exam documentation
- Annual PPD (TB test) and proof of a negative chest X-ray if the PPD test was positive
- Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or serologic proof of immunity
- A booster dose of TD within the last 10 years
- Three (3) doses of hepatitis B vaccine and a copy of dated immune titer and Proof of chicken pox or immunization
Personal Liability Insurance
Students must have professional malpractice coverage if enrolled in any clinical course. Currently, the College provides this personal liability coverage for all nursing students. If this College coverage should change, students will be responsible for purchasing their own professional liability insurance.
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