Post Master's Forensic Nursing Certificate

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Overview
Admission
Tuition and Fees
Overview
Already have your MSN degree? This certificate will prepare you to become a leader in forensic nursing.
Xavier’s online Post-Master’s Certificate in Forensic Nursing provides experienced nurses with advanced-level preparation in the principles of forensic nursing. At the completion of this 15-credit-hour certificate program, you’ll be prepared for legal matters which deal with patients ranging from issues such as sexual assault to patients needing intense clinical care. .
Admission

Applications are accepted throughout the year. Applicants are notified of the admission decision as soon as possible.

  • Application Deadline: July 1, 2026 (for Fall Semester start)
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 5, 2026 (for Spring Semester start)

To receive acceptance into the online Forensic Nursing Certificate program, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a registered nurse with an unencumbered United States RN license in the state where practicum experiences are to be completed. A minimum of 1 year of nursing experience is required, a strong candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience.
  • Hold a MSN and a be a graduate of an accredited college or university’s nursing program (the College of Nursing will verify accreditation to ensure it meets requirements). Transfer credits are accepted only from regionally accredited institutions.
  • Free Online Application
  • Official Transcript
    • One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
      • Xavier University
        ATTN: Admission Processing Center
        3800 Victory Parkway
        Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131
      • For electronic transcripts, send to:
        xuadmit@xavier.edu
  • 3 Professional References
    • Please provide contact information for recommenders in the online application. An electronic form will be sent via email.
    • A strong candidate will provide:
      • At least one reference from a direct manager or supervisor who evaluates their clinical work.
      • Two references will be from someone with a masters or doctoral degree
  • Resume and Personal Essay
    • Current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining all professional nursing experience, including facility/organization name & location, position and employment dates.
    • A 3-page goal statement that addresses the following points:
      • Why are you applying to Xavier University?
      • What MSN track are you applying for and why? How do you plan to use the degree and specialty?
      • What experiences have prepared you for graduate study? (or have influenced your desire to pursue graduate studies)
      • Graduate school is challenging and a large time commitment, especially with working, family, other responsibilities. What are your plans and strategies for being successful in your graduate program?
      • We also consider the writing quality of this essay. If writing is a challenge for you, also address strategies to help you in this area.
Due to state regulations regarding the delivery of distance education, as well as requirements of each individual state board of nursing, Xavier is not currently able to accept applications from all states into all of its online programs.

View the complete list of approved states on the State Authorization page.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition

  • MSN..............$739

Fees

  • Student ID Fee..............$15
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking full-time..............$15 (per semester)
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking part-time..............$10 (per semester)
The amounts listed are for the 2026-2027 academic year, and include classes from Fall 2026 through Summer 2027. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated.
For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.
Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.
100%
Online Format
15
Credit Hours
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Why Choose Xavier Online?

At Xavier, we don’t just teach nursing; we cultivate leaders. Our program is one of only 17 in the U.S. endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation.

A Holistic Edge

Integrate medical management with a deep understanding of recovery-oriented, culturally sensitive care.

Jesuit Values

Experience an education rooted in Cura Personalis (care for the whole person) and a commitment to changing the world for the better.

Small Classes, Big Impact

Benefit from personalized attention from faculty who are active practitioners in the field.

Curriculum (15 credit hours)

Our 15 credit hour Forensic Nursing Certificate is designed to fit the schedule of a working RN while ensuring you meet the highest clinical standards.
A comprehensive examination of the behavior, emotional responses, and cognitive decision-making of both victims and perpetrators of crime. Elements of victimology, as well as the psychosocial ramifications of the criminal act on the person, the family and the community will be explored. The expanded role of the psychiatric forensic nurse will be explored.
This course provides an evidence-based practice (EBP) framework for nursing care of the forensic population, their families as well as communities impacted by acts of violence and/or traumatic events. The EBP framework incorporates empirical and theoretical aspects from a multidisciplinary perspective in the planning and delivering nursing care. This course is intended to prepare nursing graduate students for further studies in various clinical roles such as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Forensic Psychiatric Nurse, Legal Nurse Consultant, Forensic Nursing Death Investigator and/or Nurse Coroner.
This course is designed for application of theory and principles from all previous courses, with particular emphasis in education. Individually modified course objectives, supervised experiences, periodic seminar discussions, and written practicum logs are methods used to facilitate the learning experience.
This course is designed for application of theory and principles from all previous courses, with particular emphasis in education. Individually modified course objectives, supervised experiences, periodic seminar discussions, and written practicum logs are methods used to facilitate the learning experience.
Inter-professional care recognizes a culture of respect, concisely clear communication, interdependent care for client-centered outcomes, and integration of services through shared decision making. This course will provide students with an opportunity to practice across disciplines in teams to meet the needs of individuals, families and the community.

This course examines forensic nursing through the lens of interprofessional collaboration and population health. Students will explore the intersection of criminalistics—including crime scene analysis, DNA, and death investigation—and the criminal justice system.

The curriculum focuses on using evidence-based practices to care for victims of trauma and violence. Graduates will be prepared to apply the nursing process to legal proceedings and scientific investigations involving abuse, liability, and criminal activity.

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Ready to Lead in Forensic Nursing?

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