Certificate Programs

Download: Bereavement Studies Certificate Fact Sheet
Download: Bereavement Studies Newsletter Spring 2011

The Bereavement Studies Certificate Program is designed to educate in the complex process of dying, to guide in coping with grief and loss, and to empower by teaching spiritual practices conducive to healing and well-being of body, soul and spirit.

“I came here to Maria College wanting to be a nurse ~ and I took Bereavement Studies as well and emerged a better person!”
~ Kim McClintock

Note: 3 additional elective credits are required

Download: Gerontology Certificate Fact Sheet

The Gerontology Certificate Program provides an overview of the aging process for professionals and paraprofessionals employed in the delivery of services to the aged, for those who hope to enter the field, for allied health students who will be working with this population, and for any wishing to gain knowledge of the aging process.

Note: 6 additional elective credits are required

Download: Paralegal Certificate Fact Sheet

The Paralegal Certificate Program is designed for students who have an associate or bachelor’s degree; however, students without prior college background may be admitted if they have appropriate work experience and otherwise meet college admission requirements.  Online courses are an integral part of the business program in that they offer students a broad range of up-to-date business competencies, including written communication, time management and planning, as well as a strong foundation in computer technology. 

Completion of Introduction to Computers (CSC 100) or a comparable course at another institution is a prerequisite for entering the Paralegal Certificate Program.

The LPN Certificate (or Practical Nurse Certificate, PNC), a program within the Department of Nursing, is a 48-credit certificate program with up to 32 transferable nursing credits to the ADN program at Maria College. Upon successful completion of the required coursework, students are eligible to sit for the New York State National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Passing the licensure exam will make the graduate eligible for LPN positions in the health field.

The LPN Certificate Program is offered through Weekend College and can be completed within six semesters by the qualified applicant. The program consists of 47-48 credits (29 nursing and 18-19 liberal arts). It is recommended that at least 13-14 liberal arts credits be completed prior to the first nursing course. Admissions priority is given to those applicants who have successfully completed the science requirement.

To enter the LPN Certificate Program, the applicant must provide evidence of a completed high school program or the equivalent. Applicants who do not have previous college credit or do not meet SAT cutoff scores will be required to take a placement test to determine the appropriate level of mathematics and language arts. Those scoring below a cutoff score will be required to complete remedial course work before admittance into the program so that they will be prepared to complete the program. A complete physical examination, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification (CPR) are required before they will be allowed to take clinical courses.

To be admitted to the Practical Nurse Program, Human Biology and/or Anatomy and Physiology must be completed within 7 years and can be repeated only once. This includes transfer credits and withdrawal from course.

LPN Certificate Course Info

The PNC courses are offered only on the weekend and consist of a sequence of four sememsters or about 15 months. The first course, PNC 101, which begins in May of each year, has lecture and lab classes during the summer Weekend College, which is generally every other weekend. The college success seminar for PNC (PRD 103) must be taken concurrently with PNC 101.

The remaining Nursing courses (PNC 102, 103 and 104) are clincal courses and require student participation every weeekend from September through August of the next year. Lecture and lab classes are during Saturday and Sunday of Weekend College. Clinical experience is required off-site at a clinical facility during Saturday and Sunday or the opposite weekends.

A grade of “C” or better is required for all courses required in the PNC Program. Transition to Nur 240 must be within three years of graduating from the PNC Program. If out of the nursing program for more than three years, the LPN will need to take the PN-RN Transition Course. Those who wish to reenter the program after three years must start with PNC 101.

The PNC program is offered in two tracks:

Track One

Track One allows a student to complete the Certificate on a part-time basis during the weekend in 47 credits. Of those, 22 to 25 will transfer to the ADN Program at Maria College (15 Nursing and 9-12 Liberal Arts). This track is designed for the student whose interest is to begin working as an LPN after completing the Certificate.

Track Two

Track Two allows a student to complete the Certificate on a part-time basis during the weekend in 48 credits. Of those, 32 will transfer to the ADN Program at Maria College (15 Nursing and 17 Liberal Arts).

PNC Program Outcomes

NCLEX-PN results for 2010: 25 took the Licensing Exam and 92.00% passed.

Download: Teaching Assistant Certificate Fact Sheet

The Teaching Assistant Certificate allows students to meet the training Level III for Teaching Assistants established by New York State.  Completion of the certificate will enable the graduate to assist the classroom teacher in public school settings, to provide direct instruction to students under the supervision of a New York State licensed educator, and to work with small groups of children in order to help the regular teacher discover the strengths and needs of the students in the use of various instructional resources.  The course work can also be applied to the 64-credit hour Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education at Maria.