Training Program FAQ

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Where is the training program located?
The Graduate Certificate Program in Infant Mental Health (GCP-IMH) is under the larger umbrella of the Graduate Certificate Programs in Advanced Practice Nursing (GCPAPN) in the School of Nursing (SON) at the University of Washington, Seattle (UW). The training program's first and second year courses are held on campus while the clinical placements during the second year happen on-site in community agencies.
What is the deadline for admissions?
The deadline for submission of all materials is January 15th for entrance in the following fall. Cohorts are admitted on an every other year basis (starting with our first cohort in the fall of 2009). There is an online application and applicants must submit official transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation as well as complete a background check. After reviewing applications, we will invite candidates for an interview in late winter/early spring. Final decisions will be made shortly thereafter.
Do I need a graduate degree?
Yes, you do need a graduate degree (completed or currently enrolled in a graduate program) to enroll as a GCPAPN student. Furthermore, a graduate degree must be completed to receive the graduate Certificate. However, you do not need to have graduate status to take first year courses "a la carte" as a graduate non-matriculated (GNM) student. Please contact us for more information on GNM admissions requirements.
What is the infant observation requirement?
Infant observation is a community-based course offered through COR Northwest Family Development Center and Family Services. This course provides a unique opportunity to observe an infant with his/her caregiver in the first year of life and witness early development as it unfolds. Students may take infant observation either prior to or concurrently with first and/or second year of training.
Do I have to set up my own clinical placement for the second year?
No, placements for each pathway will be arranged by the IMH program for each enrolled student. To the best of our ability, placements will be matched to individuals' training backgrounds as well as future professional development objectives. We are currently in the process of ascertaining sites for future placements. Students may contact us individually if they think their current work site might be an appropriate training site for us to consider.
What is the cost of the program?
The cost of the program is based on annual tuition rates for graduate professional students in the School of Nursing (MN/DNP rates). This is the case for all Certificate programs housed in the School of Nursing.

Once you are officially accepted and enrolled as a GCPAPN student you pay those SON tuition rates for all of your graduate courses. PLEASE NOTE — This is the case even if you are a student in another department with different (often lower) tuition levels.

If you are a graduate student OR a community professional you may want to consider timing your "official" entry into the program to reduce overall costs. Please contact us directly for more information.
What is the most cost effective way to complete the program if I am already a UW graduate student in a department with lower tuition rates?
You would defer official program entry until the second year of clinical training. Register for first year courses as you normally would any courses, and pay the tuition rate of your home department/school.

Once you enroll in the certificate program (for the second clinical training year), you must pay tuition at the GCPAPN rate.

Please note, per university policy this is the rate you will pay until you complete your requirements for the Certificate program and your home graduate program. Thus, if GCPAPN tuition rates are significantly higher than your home school rates, it might make fiscal sense to enter the Certificate program closer to the end of your graduate training.
What is the most cost effective way to do the program if I am a community professional?
Defer official program entry until the second year as outlined above. Register for first year courses as a graduate matriculated student. Once you "officially" enroll in the certificate program (for the second clinical training year), you pay tuition at the GCPAPN rate. This delayed GCPAPN entry provides some cost savings to students coming from the community.
I am a graduate student at another university (non-UW). How do I get involved in the training?
In most cases, students at other universities enroll as community professionals (see above). Please talk to us individually if you think your university may have a different process for taking coursework externally.