Program Basics and Deadlines
The Post-Master’s Certificate in Oncology will expand knowledge and provide specialized training for advanced practice nurses to care for cancer patients and assist their families. Classes are taught by prestigious faculty who focus on evidence-based and patient-centered practices.
The post-Master’s certificate prepares advanced practice nurses for the care and treatment of cancer patients. The hybrid, 18-credit program encompasses the various facets of cancer at the biologic level as well as the patient and family experience. These include the management of physical, psychological, and social problems resulting from cancer - the prevention, early detection, active treatment, survivorship, and end of life issues, as well as the cellular and biological changes of cancer. It also includes the role of genetics, the immune system and lifestyle choices in oncogenesis, and epidemiology, pathology, and treatment of cancer types.
The program is available to those that hold at least an MSN and are board certified ARNP.
This post-Master’s certificate is relevant to those who wish to expand their practice area.
Career Opportunities
Advanced practice oncology nurses have a myriad of career opportunities including providing care in large health care organizations and in the community. Graduates of the program are prepared to function independently and collaboratively with team members to provide comprehensive healthcare that will maximize patient care outcomes.
Certification and Accreditation
Completion of the program provides eligibility for certification by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)/Oncology Nursing Society as an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP).
Additionally, all certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Admissions
This program prepares graduates to function independently and collaboratively with healthcare team members to provide comprehensive healthcare that will maximize patient care outcomes. Graduates are eligible to take the AOCNP certification exam offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)/Oncology Nursing Society.
Note: All clinical experiences must be within the State of Florida so applicants must be able to complete their preceptorships within the State.
Application Portal
Applications for this program must be submitted through NursingCAS at http://www.nursingcas.org/. Simply create an account, search for this program for your intended semester of entry, and complete the required steps to apply online.
The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies only reviews completed applications. Be sure to monitor the status of your application by checking the “View My Notifications” and “Check Status” sections of NursingCAS and following up or responding appropriately to ensure all admission materials are submitted by the application deadline.
Questions about the NursingCAS application portal should be directed to NursingCAS.
Admission Requirements
1. Bachelor’s and Graduate (Master’s or DNP) degrees from regionally accredited institutions (Note: This must be able to be obtained prior to Orientation)
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the Bachelor’s and graduate (Master's or DNP) degree
3. Minimum prerequisite coursework
8. Current, unrestricted APRN license to practice nursing in the State of Florida (Note: This must be able to be obtained prior to Orientation)
Admission Process: Rolling Admission
Applications are processed and reviewed on a continual basis. Admission personnel start processing applications as soon as they are received, and they release decisions as they are made by the admission committee. Please note this process takes time. While applications are processed on a rolling basis, we cannot guarantee an immediate admission decision; however, we guarantee that all applicants will receive an admission decision and that all applicants who apply by the specified deadline will be considered for a spot in our program.
Interviews
Interviews may be scheduled at the discretion of the faculty. Interviews may be in person or via telephone or webcam. Applicants are responsible to cover all associated travel expenses.
Additional Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens and Non-U.S. Residents
Applicants must upload a copy of their passport in the “Documents” tab under “Other.”
Please note that the part-time nature of our part-time MSN/part-time MSN-to-DNP/Post-Master’s Certificate program may not meet the federal government’s Visa guidelines. International applicants who must maintain full-time enrollment status to meet their Visa requirements are recommended to apply to our full-time MSN/full-time MSN-to-DNP program instead.
Additional Requirements for International Transcripts
Applicants (international and domestic) who have attended a college or university outside of the United States must request a course-by-course degree evaluation, complete with degree equivalency and GPA calculation information, by submitting all international transcripts and diplomas (if applicable) to one of the following approved evaluation services:
Complete evaluations must be sent by the evaluation company directly to NursingCAS. Copies of all official transcripts and diplomas must be included by the evaluation company when the evaluation is sent to NurisngCAS.
Applicants who use WES can request their completed evaluations be sent electronically to NursingCAS to post to their application. Students who choose to send their complete evaluation to NursingCAS by mail must request it be sent directly by the evaluation company to NursingCAS, P.O. Box 9201, Watertown, MA 02471.
Note: Any foreign documents received by the School of Nursing and Health Studies become the property of the University of Miami and will not be returned to the applicant or sent to a third party, including third party evaluation services.
Additional Requirements for Applicants for whom English is not the Native Language
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit passing Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores--click here to view passing score. TOEFL scores should be sent directly to NursingCAS using code #B506. IELTS should be sent directly to the following address: University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Office of Student Services, P.O. Box 248153, Coral Gables, FL 33124-3850.
Note: Students whose native language is not English but who attended and earned a degree from a regionally-accredited higher education institution in the United States are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.
Additional Application and Admission Guidelines
Applicants are only permitted to apply to 1 program at the SONHS per application cycle (i.e., the same semester).
Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to submit a $1,500 non-refundable deposit within two weeks of admission as outlined in the admission letter. The deposit will be applied to tuition in students’ first semester of study.
Admission is contingent upon completion of all requirements outlined in the Certificate of Admission. This includes a mandatory online pre-immersion course, valid immunizations, a negative drug test, clearance of an FBI background check, and a BLS & ACLS certifications from the American Heart Association, among others. Clinical rotations are a component of the nursing program and require that students have a background report without any infractions. If a student’s background report contains any infractions, regardless of how they were resolved or adjudicated, his/her offer of admission will be rescinded.
Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Faculty of the SONHS reserve the right to waive any requirement or request additional information at any time.
Cost of Study
2025 – 2026 academic year
Cost per credit: $1,500/credit
Course | Course Title | Credits |
NUR 714 | PATHOBIOLOGY OF NEOPLASIA IN ADVANCED ONCOLOGY NURSING PRACTICE | 6 |
NUR 715 | ONCOLOGY TREATMENT AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT | 6 |
NUR 716 | CARING FOR INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE CANCER CONTINUUM |
6 |
Total Hours | 18 |