School Nurse Credential + Master’s Degree in Nursing
Program Features
At-a-Glance
- Prepares participants to obtain the Clear School Nurse Services Credential
- Program completion in one calendar year.
- Courses are offered in a hybrid format.
- Participants can continue working in their school nurse positions while completing the program.
- Courses are taught by full-time and part-time nursing faculty.
- Completers of the school nurse credential have the option to complete an additional four courses and earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Overview
In California, school nursing is considered to be a highly specialized area of nursing practice requiring additional education and clinical preparation. The College of Continuing Education, in partnership with the Sacramento State School of Nursing, is offering the School Nurse Credential (SNC) program. The SNC program began in 1966 and is academically based in the nursing graduate program at Sacramento State.
This program is certified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to issue the required credential, School Nurse Services, which allows a registered nurse to practice within a public school setting. The program is recognized nationally as a leader in school nurse preparation. Graduates have gone on to become school nurse leaders, president of California School Nurses Organization (CSNO) and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), as well as nurse educators, Directors of Health Services, and recipients of the CSNO’s School Nurse of the Year awards.
Audience
The one-year credential program is designed for registered nurses who have completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field and are interested in becoming effective health practitioners in the California school system. This program greatly enhances school nurses’ skills by providing comprehensive coursework, which will enable them to support and advance student success, learning and lifelong achievement.
Format
The credential program is completed in one calendar year using a hybrid format that includes live Zoom classes, typically one evening per week, and one required on-campus weekend per term (spring, summer, and fall).
Course content and assignments are delivered through Canvas, Sacramento State’s learning management system, and are designed to meet the needs of full-time school nurses.
Prerequisites
Applicants must meet the Admission Requirements listed in the How to Apply section.
Course Offerings
Students are required to take the courses listed below PLUS an audiology certificate course (available at several universities in California).
Core Offerings
(7 courses, 22 units required)
NURS 213C Seminar in Specialized Nursing Processes: School Nursing I (NURS 213C)
4.0 Academic Credits | Spring
Provision and application of concepts needed for nursing practice in the schools. Focuses on the three major competencies of school nursing practice: providing health and wellness services, providing direct client care services for school age children (pre-k through age 22), and professional management of school nursing services. Emphasis is on the foundations of school nursing practice, legal and ethical issues, special education services, and management of episodic illness and chronic health conditions.
Prerequisite: Admission to School Nurse Credential Program.
NURS 213D Seminar in Specialized Nursing Processes: School Nursing II (NURS 213D)
4.0 Academic Credits | Summer
Provision and application of concepts needed for nursing practice in the schools. Focuses on the three major competencies of school nursing practice: providing health and wellness services, direct client care services for school age children (pre-k through age 22), and health service program coordination and management. Emphasis is on ethical issues and federal laws addressing education for students with disabilities, health promotion programs, issues of adolescent health, and behavior assessment and management including considerations for students receiving special education services.
Prerequisite: NURS 213C.
NURS 214 Educational Program Development in Nursing (NURS 214)
3.0 Academic Credits | Spring
Introduction to curriculum development and instructional design concepts in preparation for the role of educator in an educational institution or health care setting. Emphasis will be on instructional design, instructional strategies, and measurement of learner outcomes. Lecture three hours.
Note: FOCUS alternates between K-12 and higher education.
Prerequisite: NURS 209 and NURS 210 or instructor’s permission
NURS 215 Community Health Services and Policy (NURS 215)
3.0 Academic Credits | Summer
Examines issues of health policy, financing, and the organization and delivery of health services at the local, national, and global levels. Health promotion will be defined and the influence of community on the individual, group, and family’s health will be explored. Epidemiological data bases will be identified. These data bases will be critiqued and used to develop a health promotion program.
Prerequisite: Admission to graduate program or instructor permission.
NURS 216 Vision and Scoliosis Screening (NURS 216)
1.0 Academic Credit | Fall
Theory and practice of detecting idiopathic scoliosis, and visual disorders resulting from inadequate refraction, ocular mal-alignment, and color deficiency in the school setting. The pathophysiology of said conditions will be presented, the nursing role delineated, and opportunities for paired screening practice provided.
NURS 232A Advanced Physical Assessment: Infant, Child, Adolescent (NURS 232A)
3.0 Academic Credits | Fall
Seminar designed to present techniques related to the physical assessment, in the school or home setting, of the child, age birth through 18 years. Emphasis is on the common morbidities and mortalities of these age groups including interrelationship of the physical, emotional and socioeconomic causes of health problems and illnesses. Availability of an otoscope and stethoscope required. Individual practice required outside of class. Lecture three hours.
Prerequisite: Admission to graduate program or instructor permission.
NURS 293D Practicum in Specialized Nursing Processes: School Nursing (NURS 293D)
4.0 Academic Credits | Fall
Application of a planned sequence of supervised clinical experiences in one or more California public school districts offering nursing services to infants, children and adolescents for the purpose of developing a clinical leadership role in school nursing. Focuses on the three major competencies of school nursing practice: providing health and wellness services, providing direct client care services for school age-children (pre-k through age 22, including students with special health care needs), and professional management of school nursing services.
Prerequisite: NURS 213C. Corequisite: NURS 213D.
Master of Science in Nursing Option
(4 courses, 12 units required)
NURS 207 Research as the Foundation for Advanced Nursing
3.0 Academic Credits
In-depth exploration of research methodologies and evidence-based practice to inform advanced nursing roles across diverse healthcare settings. Critical analysis and synthesis of current research and other sources of data to identify gaps, inform clinical decision-making, and recommend best practices.
NURS 209 Advanced Role Development in Nursing
3.0 Academic Credits
Investigation of emerging issues in healthcare and how these issues shape nursing practice. Includes consideration of current issues and challenges confronting nurse leaders, through analysis of the literature, examination of personal values, rights, and obligations, and the application of ethical decision-making processes.
NURS 223 Seminar in Organizational and Systems Leadership
3.0 Academic Credits
Applies advanced concepts in nursing leadership, with a focus on quality improvement (QI) and patient safety, to diverse healthcare settings with an emphasis on community-based settings. Explores systems thinking, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaboration by nurse leaders to drive transformational change and optimize health outcomes across populations.
NURS 500 Culminating Experience
3.0 Academic Credits
The Culminating Experience is in the form of a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination is an original scholarly paper that reflects an in-depth problem-solving proposal or a business proposal. Students that wish to do a thesis or project as the culminating experience must petition the Division of Nursing Graduate Committee and will be approved on an individual basis.
Prerequisite: Advanced to candidacy for the Master’s degree and must be in the final semester of the program.
Employment Outlook
Participants of the SNC + MSN program are currently working as school nurses in a California school district using a preliminary credential. Upon completion of the program, the preliminary credential is cleared through the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This allows the registered nurse to continue to practice within a public school setting. Completion of the Master’s portion of the program allows nurses to potentially move up at their respective school district salary scale.
Licensure / Credentialing
Please note: Candidates may be disqualified to complete the program for a variety of reasons. Those candidates who are disqualified may receive an application refund.
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or tax payer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check.
Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements.
Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements are available from Dr. Kirsten Munk, Coordinator, School Nurse Program.
In addition, please see the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for specific school nurse credential requirements.
Applicants who determine that they may not be able to meet licensure or credentialing qualifications and no longer wish to be admitted into these programs may have their application fees refunded.
Costs
School Nurse Credential
- $495/unit for 22 units
- Estimated Total Program Cost = $10,890
Master of Science in Nursing
- $495/unit for 12 units
- Estimated Total Program Cost = $5,940
Costs are subject to change.
How to Apply
Upcoming Dates
New cohorts for the SNC program only begin in the spring semester. We do not admit in the fall semester. The application window to apply for Spring 2027 is July 1 – Aug. 31, 2026, with a priority deadline of Aug. 15. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by the Office of Graduate Studies during the fall semester.
Admission Requirements
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field from an accredited institution
- Possess a current registered nursing (RN) license in California
- Have an overall GPA of 3.0 for the bachelor’s degree (strongly recommended)
- Be currently working as a school nurse and possess a Preliminary School Nurse Credential
Submission Steps
Applying to the School Nurse Credential program entails a two-part process:
- Submit the SNC Application online during the application window of July 1 – Aug. 31, 2026, with a priority deadline of Aug. 15. A $50 Application-processing fee will be collected after eligibility has been determined.
- Submit a CSU Apply application between July 1 and Aug. 31, 2026. CSU Apply application and supporting documentation listed below must be submitted by Aug. 31, with a priority deadline of Aug. 15.
All applicants who have not earned an MSN degree must apply as Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students. Even if you’re unsure you will be continuing to complete the MSN after completing the credential, you must apply as an MSN student. You will not be penalized in any way if you do not continue into the MSN program. MSN students may qualify for financial aid, depending on need, in the form of student loans. If you already have an MSN degree, you will need to apply as a Credential Only student. Credential Only students are not eligible for financial aid.
Please follow the steps below when submitting the CSU Apply Application:
- Visit the CSU Apply website, click on the drop-down box, and select Spring 2027 as the term to apply for. Then click “Apply Now.”
- Click “Create an Account” or sign in using your current account, if one already exists.
- Select “Don’t Copy, Start a New Application” then click “Next.”
- For Educational Goals:
- Select Second Bachelor’s Degree and Beyond (e.g., Master’s, Teaching Credential, Certificate, Doctoral)
- Select Graduate (e.g., Master’s, Doctoral) or Professional’s Degree. If you already have an MSN degree, you must apply as Credential Only. You will select Teaching and Service Credential Only (e.g., Single or Multiple Subject, Special Education, PPS, Librarian, Admin, CalStateTEACH)
- Answer questions 1a – 3 as appropriate.
- Click “Save Changes”
- Add Programs
- In the filters area, select campus as “Sacramento State.” Under Sacramento Extension, select “MS Nursing with School Nurse Cred – CCE”. If applying as Credential only, under Sacramento Credential, select “School Nurse.”
- Click “Continue.”
- Review your program selections. Please make sure you selected the correct track. You will not be able to change the track you are on once you submit your application.
- Click “Continue To My Application.”
You will then move forward to complete the rest of the application. Please answer the questions to the best of your ability.
The following materials will need to be uploaded via CSU Apply:
- Letter of Purpose. This one-page, single-spaced letter will be evaluated for proper grammar and spelling, and should include:
- Why you want to get your school nurse credential
- How do your previous academic and professional experiences contribute to your success in a rigorous credential program
- What are your future goals for improving and expanding your school nursing role
- Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic record and professional capabilities.
- Letters should be from two current or previous supervisors or professors from previous academic programs. These letters may not be written by colleagues. The letters should be current (dated within the last two months) and include specific examples supporting the applicant’s academic skills or school nursing strengths.
- For confidentiality, letters of recommendation must be submitted directly by the persons of reference. Applicants will be prompted to provide the email addresses of their persons of reference when filling out the CSU Apply application. The two persons of reference whose emails are entered in the application will receive a link to upload the letter of recommendation for the applicant once the application has been submitted. Letters should be submitted by the deadline of August 31. The CSU Apply application will close Aug. 31 and cannot be reopened.
- Please address letters to Kirsten Munk, SNC Faculty Coordinator.
- Updated resume
- Proof of RN licensure: This can include a copy of the BRN Licensure Details document, a screenshot from the BRN licensure verification webpage or a copy of RN license.
- Official Transcripts: Official transcripts will be submitted directly to the Office of Graduate Studies. Keep in mind, transfer credit listed on one transcript does not suffice, and you will need to submit official transcripts from EACH school attended after high school. Your official transcripts must show a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university (required by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing).
- Official transcripts can be submitted electronically (preferred method) to gradtranscripts@csus.edu or by mail to:
California State University, Sacramento
Office of Graduate Studies
Riverfront Center 215, MS 6112
6000 J St Sacramento, CA 95819
- Official transcripts can be submitted electronically (preferred method) to gradtranscripts@csus.edu or by mail to:
- $70 non-refundable application-processing fee for the University
Applicants with Foreign Documents
If you have completed any coursework or have a degree from an international institution outside of the U.S., you are required to:
- Submit an educational evaluation from World Education Services (WES), Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI), or Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE), directly to the Office of Graduate Studies upon submission of a CSU Apply application.
- Students who earned a degree from an Institution located in a nation where English is not the official Language must take TOEFL or IELTS or PTE.
- Please refer to the Office of Graduate Studies website under ”Applicants with Foreign Documents” for specific guidelines on submitting documents.
Master of Science in Nursing Option
Qualified matriculated students who complete the School Nurse Credential Program have the option to continue towards a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Students will need to be classified as a Master’s student and successfully complete 4 additional courses:
Spring
- NURS 207 (3 units) Research as the Foundation for Advanced Nursing
- NURS 209 (3 Units) Advanced Role Development in Nursing
Summer
- NURS 223 (3 Units) Seminar in Organizational and Systems Leadership
Fall
- NURS 500 (3 Units) Culminating Experience
The MSN program courses are offered in a hybrid format, including two mandatory in-class meetings per term with synchronous and asynchronous online meetings. Students will complete the MSN program in one calendar year.
Special Teaching Authorization in Health (STAH) Credential
The STAH credential allows credentialed school nurses to teach health education independently across K–12 and adult settings. Eligibility is limited to credentialed school nurses or participants currently enrolled in the credential program at Sacramento State.
In the STAH program, you will:
- build on the concepts from NURS 214 – Educational Program Development in Nursing
- plan and implement a five-day unit of teaching on a health-related topic using the California Health Education Content Standards
There will be no F2F classes, only online (synchronous) classes.
STAH Course Offerings
Fall – NURS 214C: Educational Program Development in Nursing II, 3 units
Meeting requirements: Three to five online classes.
Course description: Introduction to curriculum development and instructional design concepts in preparation for the role of educator in an academic institution or health care setting. Continues emphasis on instructional design, related to curriculum development and implementation, instructional and learning theory, and educational assessment.
Course requirements: You will be responsible for finding a mentor teacher who will help you develop the teaching topic and curriculum.
Please note that your mentor teacher must be different than your mentor teacher from NURS 214. For example, if your NURS 214 mentor teacher was an elementary teacher, your NURS 214C mentor teacher needs to be a middle or secondary teacher.
Course assignments: You will interview a director of curriculum and submit a paper describing the interview. You will do a classroom observation and submit your analysis of the observation. You will also work on and submit an outline of your teaching plan.
Spring – NURS 294: Practicum Educational Program Development in Nursing, 3 units
Meeting requirements: You must meet with your faculty advisor at least four times, either in person or virtually. You must also meet with the mentor teacher at least three times to develop a curriculum. You are also responsible for coordinating with your faculty advisor so they can observe your teaching session, either in person or virtually.
Course description: Learning experiences in this course are designed to provide an opportunity for application and analysis of the theories and concepts of instruction, learning, curriculum, assessment and evaluation while practicing in the role of an educator in an educational setting. The practicum focuses on the application of concepts and theories from the 214C and 214 courses in Educational Program Development in Nursing. The Special Teaching Authorization in Health (STAH) candidate functions in the role of the educator under the guidance of a mentor teacher in a selected practicum setting.
Course requirements: You will work with your mentor teacher to plan and deliver a five-day unit of teaching in a health-related topic.
Course assignments: You will do a classroom observation and submit your analysis of the observation. You will work on and submit a completed lesson plan. Your mentor teacher and faculty advisor must also complete evaluations.
For questions on course content or format, please contact Dr. Kirsten Munk.
For registration information, please contact Emily Mendoza.
CSAD 129: Audiometry and Hearing Screening for School Nurses
Course Overview
This course is an introduction to the field of audiology for school nurses. The course covers the principles of sound, the anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, audiometry and testing interpretation, considerations for pediatric assessment in schools, and practical pure-tone audiometry. (3 units)
This course meets the requirements for the CA Department of Health Services school audiometrist certificate, and the prerequisite for nurses applying to clear their School Nurse Credential through the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Cost: $425/unit ($1275 total)
Course Format
This is a hybrid course, primarily online with one in-person meeting. The first week is a mandatory synchronous online meeting. The remaining weeks will be asynchronous recorded learning modules on Canvas. The course meets once in person for synchronous screening skills practice and check-off at the end of the course.
Course content and assignments are primarily delivered asynchronously via Canvas. Readings, assignments, quizzes, and tests will be organized into weekly self-learning modules.
Practical Checkoff
Students will complete a practical hearing assessment with a licensed audiologist at the end of the semester. Students will be expected to demonstrate screening procedures and an understanding of instrumentation and interpretation. Students will complete the practical in person on campus.
Requirements
Requirements
- Internet connection with access to Canvas, SacLink e-mail, and TurnItIn
- Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat Reader (available for download for Sac State students)
- All readings are available online (no textbook requirements)
Course Schedule
The six-week course is scheduled to be offered:
- Dates: Oct. 19 – Dec. 5, 2026
- In-person meetings for screening skills practice and practical check-off will be on the last Friday and Saturday of the course, Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec 5.
Instructor Office Hours
The instructor will be available every Monday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. for review and to address questions.
How to Enroll
Please fill out the CSAD 129: Audiometry and Hearing Screening for School Nurses Course Fall 2026 Registration form to enroll in the course. The deadline to register is Oct. 9, 2026.
Contact Emily Mendoza for registration information.