Graduation Checklist
Congratulations!
As you are finishing up your program, we want to provide you with next steps to help you make a smooth and easy post-graduation transition. Review the checklist below and use this as a resource over the coming weeks:
- Allow 3-4 weeks after the last course session before ordering official transcripts to ensure your degree is conferred.
- Complete the Grad Application (for mailing of your diploma).
- A digital and physical diploma will be issued 60-90 days after degree conferral.
- Ensure you still have access to the D2L classroom for licensing paperwork submission.
- Continue to check USU email for future updates and announcements including commencement information.
- Check-in with the Collections Specialist to review any outstanding charges or balances on your account, Kaye Smith, 845-290-9991 or kaye.smith@usuniversity.edu, studentfinance@usuniversity.edu
- Visit the USU Commencement Information page for up-to-date information
- Ensure you have paid your Graduation Fee and complete the Graduation Application
- You will receive emails with important information leading up to and after your graduation. Please ensure you are checking your USU email regularly and reach out to appropriate departments should you have questions.
- As a USU graduate, you have access to your USU email indefinitely.
- Official transcript requests can be made by following the transcript ordering services.
- Students must use the Document Request Form for any documentation other than an official transcript. Examples of documents may consist of enrollment verifications, grade reports, etc.
- For additional information refer to the Office of the Registrar information page.
- Career & Alumni Services provides many job search and career-related resources which can be accessed on the Career Resources webpage.
- As a student and graduate of USU, you have access to Career & Alumni Services for free for life. You can visit the website or schedule a 1:1 appointment here.
- Recently employed or accepted an offer? Submit your employment update by taking a quick survey via 12Twenty, USU’s career management platform.
- If you are having difficulties accessing the system, please reach out to Career & Alumni Services by emailing careerservices@usuniversity.edu.
- Alternatively, you can complete the Employment Verification Form and email it to Career & Alumni Services and we will verify your employment on your behalf.
- If you received a federal student loan you must complete exit counseling at https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/.
- Exit counseling is a mandatory information session that explains your loan repayment responsibilities and when repayment begins.
Additional Items for Specific Student Populations:
Teacher Credential Students:
- Have you passed your EdTPA? If yes, keep your scores as you may need them in your induction program. If no, please reach out to Professor Curiel at mcuriel@usuniversity.edu to help get your retake scheduled.
- This was an assignment in Week 8 of your student teaching/internship courses that must be signed by your University Supervisor, your Site Supervisor/Cooperating Teacher, and yourself. This document is required for you to go through New Teacher Induction training at the district you will be employed at. Download a copy and save it.
- Have you verified with the Office of Educational Placements and Partnerships that you have all documents in and are ready to be submitted for your teaching credential? Reach out to OEPP@usuniversity.edu if you have questions about your documents.
Nursing Students:
BSN
Public Health Nurse (PHN) Certification, State of California
- USU BSN graduates who enrolled in USU on or after 8/30/22 and/or completed a total of 90 clock hours of clinical (45 hours in NUR 378, Global/Community Nursing, and 45 hours in NUR 499, the last capstone course), who meet the California Board of Registered Nursing (CA. BRN) eligibility requirements may apply for PHN certification in the state of California. Eligibility requirements, fees, and the application form are available at the link below from the CA. BRN website.
Applicants need to read the CA BRN eligibility requirements carefully to assess one’s eligibility before applying. The initial application fee of $300 is not refundable if an applicant is found to be ineligible by the CA. BRN. Please refer questions regarding the Public Health Nurse application process to the California Board of Registered Nursing Advanced Practice Unit in Sacramento, CA. at (916) 322-3350.
Credentialing by: American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader Certification (CNML)
- Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
Credentialing by: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Credentialing by: National League for Nursing
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- To maximize your chance of success on your certification exam you need to prepare yourself sufficiently and you need the right exam prep strategy. How much time do you plan to devote to studying in a day? How much study material do you need to go through? If you work and prepare to take an exam, you should start preparing a few months ahead.
- It is recommended graduates complete their chosen certification exam within 2-3 months of program completion.
- You are strongly encouraged to refer to your state's Board of Nursing for specific board information, documents, and resources.
There are two organizations offering national certification, however only one certification is needed.
Every state is different and it is your responsibility to review your state board or certifying exam application carefully to ensure you obtain and provide proper documentation and application materials.
- Most forms for licensure will be located on your state board and national certification websites.
- It is the student’s responsibility to provide all up-to-date nursing application verification forms to the Registrar’s Office for processing. Please locate and download all necessary documents from state board and certification websites as the Registrar’s Office is unable to provide any blank nursing application and verification forms.
Submit Your Important Documents for USU Approval and/or Signatures
- Please submit all nursing application verification forms to be processed and signed by the FNP Program Director to the Registrar’s Office State License/National Board/Other Forms for USU Approval Dropbox
- Make sure ALL documentation is filled out before submitting forms to the dropbox link
- Processing time: ~Within 6 weeks after graduation
- Should you have questions or concerns regarding nursing licensure documentation, please reach out to the Registrar's Office.
USU does not endorse, guarantee, or promote one particular board review product (or their success rate claims) over the other, though USU currently uses the APEA online course review and other resources to assist our student’s readiness for their certification exam. Please check your access to see what you already have with APEA.
We generally do not encourage using multiple resources at the same time, but if you like to explore review options, linked below are other review companies and their websites, listed in alphabetical order:
It is recommended to check with your employer first as some employers assist with this process. If not, it is recommended that you apply for an NPI number while seeking employment.
Applying to your State Board is usually done after the completion of your national certification but often can be done concurrently. It is important to refer to your state’s board of nursing for steps and requirements.
- You can also review the AANP site with all state boards of nursing and their APRN practice laws.
In some states, this is included in the APRN/NP application, while in other states (e.g. California) it is a separate application. Refer to your state’s board of nursing for details.
Apply for your DEA License
- You will need to obtain a DEA registration number in order to prescribe controlled substances. While the DEA is operationalized at the federal level, through the Department of Justice (DOJ), you will need to have a registration for each state in which you wish to prescribe controlled substances. Make sure you use the address of your place of employment on the application. This can be an expensive registration ($888 for a three-year registration as of June 2024) so it is recommended to check with your employer to make sure this is needed as many positions do not require prescription of controlled substances.
- DEA Forms & Applications
Controlled Substance Registry
- Most states have a registry or a system to monitor prescriptions for certain scheduled controlled substances. Providers prescribing a controlled substance (CS) usually need to have access to and check this registry first. For example, in California, providers check CURES before prescribing scheduled medication. Check with your state and employer to see if this is needed.
Immunization Registry
- Each state has its own system for tracking immunizations. Providers routinely ordering and administering vaccines usually need access to their state’s registry. Check with your employer and your state first.
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
- In order to complete Department of Transportation (DOT) or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) health certifications for commercial drivers, you will need to be certified through NADME. There is training, and you will need to take a proctored exam. We advise only completing this if your employer requires it, but you could also do this to make you more desirable for the positions you are seeking
Other Certifications
There are many other certifications and additional licenses you could consider depending on your state and your practice, such as a buprenorphine waiver certificate, death certification training, and many more. Your employer should guide you as to what additional certifications will be desirable.
MSN Nurse Educator
Credentialing by: National League for Nursing
MSN Healthcare Leadership
Credentialing by: American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader Certification (CNML)
- Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
Credentialing by: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
DNP
Update Professional Credentials
- Update your resume/CV, LinkedIn profile, and other professional profiles to reflect your new DNP credentials.
- Visit the Career & Alumni Services page for templates, resources, and more information.
- Consider setting up an appointment to discuss career objectives with our specialist, or an appointment to review your resume/CV.
- Look for leadership, advanced clinical, or academic positions that require or prefer a DNP degree.
- Review the Career & Alumni Services page for specific job search resources and consider setting up an appointment for further support.
- Join professional organizations such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) or specialty-specific associations, and participate in conferences and networking events.
- Utilize LinkedIn to network and take advantage of the USU Alumni tool to connect with other DNP graduates.
- Join or Form a DNP Peer Group and engage with other DNP graduates to share experiences, challenges, and solutions in advanced practice nursing.
- If interested in academia, seek out teaching opportunities or faculty positions in nursing programs.
- Seek out relevant research or projects related to your areas of interest.
- Get involved in healthcare policy-making, advocacy, and leadership roles within professional organizations or community groups.
- Stay up-to-date on federal regulatory and state governmental changes.
Mentorship and Preceptorship
- Offer to mentor or precept MSN or DNP students, contributing to the education and development of future nurse practitioners.
- Apply to be a Mentor for current MSN or DNP students at USU! Visit the Career Resources website for more information on the EmpowerU Mentoring Program.
Contribute to Healthcare Improvement
- Use your advanced knowledge to contribute to healthcare quality improvement initiatives, patient safety programs, and evidence-based practice projects.
Publish and/or Present Scholarly Work
- Submit your DNP project for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present at professional conferences.
- AANP or your state’s NP chapter are always looking for presenters at conferences
- Sigma Theta Tau International - national or regional conferences
- Sigma - your local USU chapter would be thrilled to host a presentation to members and faculty
Apply for Grants and Funding
- Explore opportunities for research grants and funding to support further research or practice innovations.
Pursue and Maintain Continuing Education
- Attend workshops, webinars, and continuing education courses to stay updated with the latest advancements in healthcare and nursing practice.
Create a Professional Development Plan
- Create a long-term career development plan, setting goals for future roles, skills to acquire, and contributions to the field of nursing.
International Students:
- If you are requesting for a friend/relative to attend the Commencement ceremony, invitation requests can be made by completing a document request and sending to registrar@usuniversity.edu.
- At the completion of your program, you are granted a 60-day grace period. Students may:
- Work in the U.S. (Post-OPT-if approved).
- Apply for another program at USU and change degree levels.
- Transfer to another institution.
- Depart the U.S.
- Change status
- For more information refer to Study in the States or USCIS.
- All students must ensure their contact information is up to date. Any changes need to be made in your student portal within ten (10) days of the change.
If you have any questions, please contact your Academic Advisor or reach out to the USU Registrar.