Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-graduate Certificate

Overview

If you are a post-master’s or DNP accredited primary care nurse practitioner with a family or adult-gerontology population focus, this program is built for you.
The eight-course (21 credit hours) program is spread across five semesters and includes two semesters of didactic coursework and three semesters (540 hours) of clinical experiences. Clinical opportunities may be available in your region. The program is financial-aid (student-loan) eligible, with competitive scholarships available for post-graduate certificate students. The application is available after the first semester.

Sample Plan:

2023–2024

Learning Outcomes
  • Practice interprofessionally in an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner specialty role
  • Affirm the dignity of life and human diversity
  • Advocate for quality and safety outcomes for persons / families experiencing acute, critical, or chronically-critically ill situations
  • Demonstrate professionalism, ethical leadership, and faithful service in their role and setting
  • Facilitate translation of research and evidence into practice
  • Utilize healthcare and information technology to impact best practice

Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant

Overview

Anesthesiologist assistants are highly educated allied health professionals who work under the direction of an anesthesiologist to help implement the anesthetic plan as prescribed by the anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologist assistants are trained through master’s degree professional programs in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care as well as advanced patient monitoring techniques. Anesthesiologist assistants can be thought of as similar to physician assistants, except that they work exclusively with anesthesiologists and practicing independently or in a primary care setting is NOT included in the Anesthesiologist assistants' scope of practice. Anesthesiologist assistants usually practice in a hospital setting that uses an Anesthesia Care Team approach and are always supervised by anesthesiologists. This track requires selection of a major.

Addendum

Viterbo University offers pre-health advising programs with majors in biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience. These three majors have been determined to best satisfy the pre-health professional admission requirements of most professional schools in a four-year major curriculum. See the Pre-Professional Handbook for more specific information about each pre-professional program.

Pre-Genetic Counselor

Overview

Genetic counselors are professionals who have specialized education in genetics and counseling to provide personalized help patients may need as they make decisions about their genetic health and how genetic conditions may affect their families. Genetic counselors have advanced training in medical genetics and counseling to interpret genetic test results to guide and support patients. Genetic counselors typically receive a bachelor's degree in biology, social science or a related field, and then go on to receive specialized training via a Master's degree in genetic counseling. This track requires selection of a major.

Addendum

Viterbo University offers pre-health advising programs with majors in biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience. These three majors have been determined to best satisfy the pre-health professional admission requirements of most professional schools in a four-year major curriculum. See the Pre-Professional Handbook for more specific information about each pre-professional program.

Pre-Audiologist

Overview

Audiologists examine individuals of all ages and identify those with the symptoms of hearing loss and other auditory, balance, and related sensory and neural disorders. They then assess the nature and extent of the dysfunction and assist patients in the treatment and management of their disorder. Audiologists earn the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree, as this is the entry level degree for clinical practice. This track requires selection of a major.

Addendum

Viterbo University offers pre-health advising programs with majors in biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience. These three majors have been determined to best satisfy the pre-health professional admission requirements of most professional schools in a four-year major curriculum. See the Pre-Professional Handbook for more specific information about each pre-professional program.

Master of Science in Community Medical Dietetics - RDNs

Overview

This 30 credit hour pathway was designed to support dietetic/nutrition professionals with the advanced skills, knowledge and behaviors to grow within the field. This is an evidence-based program placing emphasis on disease prevention and management, while offering electives that allow you to focus in areas such as sports nutrition, a systems approach to obesity, nutrigenomics, or one that accentuates your current work. The variety of electives, and subsequent research project, offer you the flexibility to enhance your current practice or develop the expertise in a specific area of personal interest.

Policy

Grades
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all coursework, with no individual course grade lower than a C.

Transfer Credit
Individual consideration will be granted in the awarding of transfer credits. Up to six graduate level credits may be transferred into the Master of Science in Community-Medical Dietetics degree, if equivalent. Credits must have been earned from a regionally accredited program, taken within the last seven years, have an earned grade of B or better, and be equivalent to the course it is replacing in the requirements at Viterbo. Coursework older than seven years may be waived or given credit based on individual review. Students who wish to transfer credits need to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for details on the process. Courses will be evaluated for equivalency and written notification of acceptance of transfer credit will be provided to the student by the director. Transfer credit is only eligible for coursework taken prior to enrollment and petitioned for prior to matriculation.

Learning Outcomes
  • Facilitate inter- and intra-professional teamwork and collaboration.
  • Design, conduct, analyze, and defend research applicable to practice setting.
  • Apply leadership principles to practice positions in nutrition and dietetics.
  • Demonstrate competence in the interpretation and critique of scientific health care literature using an evidence analysis approach; apply and integrate findings into practice settings.
  • Interpret results of a comprehensive nutrition-focused physical assessment relative to nutritional well-being using nutritional diagnostic reasoning and standardized language.

Master of Science in Community Medical Dietetics - Dual Master’s with Dietetic Internship

Overview

The Dual MS with Dietetic Internship (MS & DI)  is designed for students with a degree in dietetics from an ACEND accredited DPD program.  Students will complete a dietetic internship and also further their nutritional knowledge and skills through graduate-level coursework.  Candidates for the master's with internship path may apply through DICAS or directly to Viterbo University.  Candidates applying through DICAS should complete the Viterbo dual MS & DI application once matched.

 Select the master's pathway that will meet your professional goals:

  • Non-thesis clinical focus (48 credits).  The clinical emphasis provides intensive supervised practice hours for students wanting additional patient care experience.
  • Thesis track (39 credits). The thesis track meets accreditation requirements for supervised practice hours while providing students with experience working one-on-one with a research advisor and conducting their own research.

 Students will have the option of numerous electives in order to cater their degree to their particular area of interest.

Policy

Grades
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all coursework, with no individual course grade lower than a C.

Transfer Credit
Individual consideration will be granted in the awarding of transfer credits. Up to six graduate level credits may be transferred into the Master of Science in Community-Medical Dietetics degree, if equivalent. Credits must have been earned from a regionally accredited program, taken within the last seven years, have an earned grade of B or better, and be equivalent to the course it is replacing in the requirements at Viterbo. Coursework older than seven years may be waived or given credit based on individual review. Students who wish to transfer credits need to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for details on the process. Courses will be evaluated for equivalency and written notification of acceptance of transfer credit will be provided to the student by the director. Transfer credit is only eligible for coursework taken prior to enrollment and petitioned for prior to matriculation.

Learning Outcomes
  • Facilitate inter- and intra-professional teamwork and collaboration.
  • Design, conduct, analyze, and defend research applicable to practice setting.
  • Apply leadership principles to practice positions in nutrition and dietetics.
  • Demonstrate competence in the interpretation and critique of scientific health care literature using an evidence analysis approach; apply and integrate findings into practice settings.
  • Interpret results of a comprehensive nutrition-focused physical assessment relative to nutritional well-being using nutritional diagnostic reasoning and standardized language.

Master of Science in Community Medical Dietetics - Initial RDN License Prep/Direct Entry

Overview

This 63 credit hour pathway is designed for students that require foundational coursework to become a registered dietitian.  Further, students will obtain advanced nutrition skills through graduate coursework with an emphasis in their particular area of interest.  In addition, this track includes supervised practice, providing students with all experiences needed to take the registration exam to become a registered dietitian.

Policy

Grades
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all coursework, with no individual course grade lower than a C.

Transfer Credit
Individual consideration will be granted in the awarding of transfer credits. Up to 15 graduate level credits may be transferred into the Master of Science in Community-Medical Dietetics Direct Entry degree, if equivalent. Credits must have been earned from a regionally accredited program, taken within the last seven years, have an earned grade of B or better, and be equivalent to the course it is replacing in the requirements at Viterbo. Coursework older than seven years may be waived or given credit based on individual review. Students who wish to transfer credits need to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for details on the process. Courses will be evaluated for equivalency and written notification of acceptance of transfer credit will be provided to the student by the director. Transfer credit is only eligible for coursework taken prior to enrollment and petitioned for prior to matriculation.

Learning Outcomes
  • Facilitate inter- and intra-professional teamwork and collaboration.
  • Design, conduct, analyze, and defend research applicable to practice setting.
  • Apply leadership principles to practice positions in nutrition and dietetics.
  • Demonstrate competence in the interpretation and critique of scientific health care literature using an evidence analysis approach; apply and integrate findings into practice settings.
  • Interpret results of a comprehensive nutrition-focused physical assessment relative to nutritional well-being using nutritional diagnostic reasoning and standardized language.

Master of Science in Nursing-Direct Entry

Overview

This Master of Science in Nursing (Direct Entry - DE MSN) degree at Viterbo University received approval from The Higher Learning Commission to launch in fall 2021.

The DE MSN program is a 63-credit-hour program that blends online coursework with residential clinical experiences.  Designed in an accelerated full-time format the program is a lock-step sequence cohort model.

Delivery:

  • 46-credits of Nursing and Scholarly Research Project coursework online
  • 17 -credits of Clinicals and Skills Labs in-person in the La Crosse region throughout each semester
Policy

Nursing (Direct Entry Master’s Degree [DEMSN]) Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. In addition, prior to enrolling in NURS 501 students must complete a Developmental Psychology course and 3 credits of Statistics. And, within seven years of acceptance into the DEMSN, students must have completed, 4 credits of Chemistry, 8 credits of Anatomy and Physiology with labs, and 3 credits of Microbiology with a lab, all with C’s or better.

Additional requirements to enroll in Clinical Graduate NURS Courses, which are in the second semester:

  • Current CPR for health professionals (must be American Heart Association)
  • Caregiver Criminal Background Check  
  • Current Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification, from any state
    • Licensed Practical Nurses, who are currently practicing in this role, will qualify to request a waiver for the CNA certification. Prospective international students, who practiced in a foreign country as a certified health professional, may also qualify for a waiver and request that the DEMSN committee review their qualifications.
  • Physical exam report
  • Health insurance
  • Record of up-to-date immunizations including:  
    • Tetanus and Diphtheria within last 10 years
    • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella - 2 vaccinations or positive titers
    • Varicella zoster or positive titer
    • Two-step Tuberculosis
    • Hepatitis B vaccination series - three shot series or blood tests to show immunity
    • Flu Shot (completed annually)
    • COVID-19 vaccination (complete series)

It is required that the student’s health file and CPR certification remain current throughout the course of the program. Failure to comply will mean the student will not be allowed to continue in practicum experiences.

Federal and state statutes require that criminal background checks be completed for all persons who provide nursing care for others or who

have access to people who receive care.

Clinical agencies prohibit the placement of students with criminal histories of specific crimes and offenses that have been identified as bars to employment or licensure (such as abuse, assault, or neglect). The School of Nursing requires that all students complete a background information disclosure statement and a criminal history search prior to acceptance into the DEMSN program. Students also are required to complete background information disclosure statements at the beginning of each year of the program to ensure that requirements continue to be met. In addition, clinical agencies may have other specific requirements that students must meet prior to placement. Individuals whose background check identifies bars to the provision of care in contracted agencies or places restrictions on client contact will not be allowed to progress in the program.

Viterbo University School of Nursing utilizes a wide variety of community agencies to assist students in meeting the nursing curriculum objectives. Each student is responsible for his/her own transportation to and from these clinical agencies.

Students will be required to purchase their own liability insurance for any clinical experiences occurring outside of the university semester dates.

Additional requirements related to the professional program can be found in the current DEMSN student handbook.

Progression in the DEMSN Nursing Sequence

Students must establish then maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher throughout the program. Per the university financial aid policy, graduate students whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 may not qualify for federal financial aid. For all financial aid questions, we direct you to the financial aid office. Furthermore, to remain in the program your cumulative GPA must increase each subsequent semester until it is above 2.75, which is where it must remain until the completion of the program.

Clinical/Practicum Progression

Prescribed numbers of clinical hours have been incorporated into the plan of study. Courses with a clinical component must be taken in sequence. Students must maintain this rigorous plan or may face dismissal.  A ratio of four clock hours to one didactic hour per week is used; therefore, one credit of practicum credit is 30 hours of clinical/practicum. Therefore, it is important to consider working only part-time or not at all during the nursing program.

Readmission to the School of Nursing 

An individual previously dismissed from the School of Nursing seeking readmission shall be required to complete a readmission packet. The guidelines shall be obtained from the DEMSN Program Director. The completed readmission packet will be evaluated on an individual basis by a readmission board.

Policy and Guidelines Applying to Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disabilities 

The School of Nursing supports the Viterbo University policy and guidelines relating to the non-exclusion of qualified students from university programs solely by reason of disability. To meet the requirements of and to successfully participate in the graduate nursing program at Viterbo University, a student must be able to perform skills which are essential to entry-level nursing roles. While Viterbo University will provide reasonable accommodations in certain course requirements to assist a special needs student to meet certain course outcomes, there are some essential skills for which there are no known substitutes. The applicant to the graduate nursing program and the student throughout the program must be able to meet these requirements. Accordingly, these specific requirements may vary somewhat.

Transfer Credits

Up to six credits may be transferred to the DEMSN program, if equivalent. In order to be considered for transfer, the grade earned must be at least a B. Transfer credits must be graduate credit taken from an accredited institution of higher education completed within the last five years and equivalent to the course it is replacing in the requirements at Viterbo. Courses older than five years may be given credit based on individual review. Students who wish to transfer credits must have an official transcript sent to the director of the DEMSN program. Courses will be evaluated for equivalency and written notification of acceptance of transcript credit will be provided to the student by the director.

Students who have completed any graduate-level courses may be eligible to transfer up to six credits to satisfy various curriculum requirements and will be assessed on an individual basis.

Transfer Credits after Admission

The DEMSN program has been carefully planned and developed to meet the needs of the graduates. In view of the connection of the curriculum to the desired outcomes and the quality of the graduate, once a student has begun classes as a degree-seeking student in the Viterbo University DEMSN program, all classes must be taken at Viterbo University.

Time for Completion

Six credits per semester is considered full-time study; however, some semesters contain more credits in the 18-month plan of study. It is expected that students will complete the program in five semesters. Time spent as a non-degree student does not count toward the completion period, but students will be subject to the catalog/curriculum requirements in effect at the time they become degree-seeking. All full-time degree-seeking students who have not been granted a leave of absence must register each semester until all degree requirements are completed.

Learning Outcomes
  • Provide holistic relationship-based care that is congruent with the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all persons, families, communities, and society.
  • Partner effectively with clients, health team members, and community stakeholders to achieve health equity for all persons.
  • Synthesize knowledge from the liberal arts, the sciences, health information technologies, and the discipline of nursing to provide professional holistic nursing care.
  • Demonstrate safe, evidence-informed clinical reasoning in designing and providing professional holistic nursing care to achieve quality health outcomes for all persons.
  • Integrates nursing values, standards, and ethical principles to advocate for health policies, practice, and equitable access to healthcare for all.
  • Construct a professional holistic nursing identity through reflective practice, self-care, and scholarly inquiry.
     

Master of Science in School Counseling

Overview

At Viterbo, we are committed to your success. A program faculty advisor is assigned to work with you throughout the program, and we offer professional development throughout the academic year, including day-long conferences and workshops. Student organizations  provide social activities, philanthropic opportunities, and community-based advocacy.

Additional school counselor degree highlights include:

  • Hands-on learning. Experiential learning allows you to develop the skills necessary to work with K–12 students. Counseling skills labs are an essential part of the learning experience.
  • Real experiences. Course highlights include working with students in schools during your practicum and internship and creating projects targeted at counseling interventions.
  • Faculty. Our fully licensed, clinically experienced faculty are professionally active and engaged—many have specialty certifications in play therapy, for example.
  • Learning environment. Our supportive, caring learning environment is supported by small class sizes that allow you to form professional relationships with faculty and peers.
Policy

Grades

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all MSSC coursework, with no individual course grade lower than C.

Attendance 

All graduate students are expected to attend all class meetings. If a student is unable to attend a class, the student must contact the instructor and take responsibility to meet the class objectives. This makeup will ordinarily require additional written work. It is the duty of the student to make arrangements for missed work. If more than one class meeting is missed within a course, the student shall contact the instructor and the MSSC program director in advance to discuss whether the student should enroll in the course at another time.

Transfer Credit

Individual consideration will be granted in the awarding of transfer credits in order to ensure that the student meets the licensure requirements as a Professional School Counselor. Up to 15 credits may be transferred from another CACREP accredited program.

Requirements

All students are required to complete 60 credits and maintain a 3.0 grade point average to be awarded the Master of Science in School Counseling degree. Those credits include the school counseling curriculum, field based experiences and research activities. Initial contact with one’s academic advisor will focus on developing an academic plan.

Research Project Requirements

All students will complete an action research project prior to graduation. This advocacy and research project will be completed in conjunction with an internship experience. This research project will address an issue, need, or problem relevant to the school counseling profession. The student will develop an action research proposal based upon the unique needs identified during internship and designed to inform the school counseling program at the internship student’s school site. Student will develop a methodology for the identification, collection, and analysis/synthesis of project data. Students are required to present their project and outcome data to the public.

School Counseling Requirements

Students are required to complete 60 credit hours for the MSSC program. For those students who hold a teaching license EDUC 613 and EDUC 619 will be waived. Students will then select 6 credit hours of electives that match with their educational goals. These electives are required to be graduate courses and may include courses in the Doctorate in Education in Counselor Education and Supervision program.

Learning Outcomes
  • Students will learn and demonstrate ethical practice.
  • Students will demonstrate awareness of how their values, beliefs, cultural perspectives, and experiences impact the counseling process and professional relationships with clients and colleagues.
  • Students will demonstrate creativity and flexibility in implementing developmentally and culturally responsive prevention and interventions in the K-12 school environment for individuals, small groups and in classrooms.
  • Students will evaluate and integrate theory and research in their counseling practice.
  • Students will demonstrate effective professional counseling relationships with K-12 students, their families and stakeholders within the school setting.
  • Students will engage in academic and career planning with K-12 students to develop comprehensive career development programming.
  • Students will demonstrate the development and evaluation of a comprehensive counseling program and program evaluation techniques grounded in research and measurement.
  • Students will demonstrate the use of current and emerging technologies to assist with comprehensive program development, program evaluation and management in order to assist students in reaching their academic, career development and social/emotional goals
     
Addendum

Accreditation

The Master of Science in School Counseling was approved by the Higher Learning Commission in January of 2021.

MSSC Pathway to Ed.D.

MSSC students may enroll in a maximum of four doctorate level courses (12 credits) that will meet the requirements. Due to licensing requirements for the state of WI in school counseling, these courses will be considered electives added to a student’s program of study. Recommended courses are: COUN 710: Introduction to Counselor Education; COUN 772: Ethics; and COUN 715: Supervision Foundations.

Accelerated Coordinated Master's Dietetics (ACMD) Program

Overview

Viterbo’s ACMD Program is a pathway program to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) in just one year. Students will complete 1,200 supervised practice hours (clinicals) concurrently with online courses after completion of their undergraduate studies. Because the coursework is fully online, students can complete their clinicals anywhere in the country.

More on the ACMD

Policy

Grades
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all coursework, with no individual course grade lower than a C.

Transfer Credit
Individual consideration will be granted in the awarding of transfer credits. Up to six graduate level credits may be transferred into the Master of Science in Community-Medical Dietetics degree, if equivalent. Credits must have been earned from a regionally accredited program, taken within the last five years, have an earned grade of B or better, and be equivalent to the course it is replacing in the requirements at Viterbo. Coursework older than five years may be waived or given credit based on individual review. Students who wish to transfer credits need to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for details on the process. Courses will be evaluated for equivalency and written notification of acceptance of transfer credit will be provided to the student by the director. Transfer credit is only eligible for coursework taken prior to enrollment and petitioned for prior to matriculation.

Learning Outcomes
  • Facilitate inter- and intra-professional teamwork and collaboration.
  • Design, conduct, analyze, and defend research applicable to practice setting.
  • Apply leadership principles to practice positions in nutrition and dietetics.
  • Demonstrate competence in the interpretation and critique of scientific health care literature using an evidence analysis approach; apply and integrate findings into practice settings.
  • Interpret results of a comprehensive nutrition-focused physical assessment relative to nutritional well-being using nutritional diagnostic reasoning and standardized language.
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