Why you should consider this program

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is proud of its record of service to New Jersey, the nation, and the globe. We receive national accolades for our rigorous, personalized, and affordable academic programs. Each year, TCNJ graduates serve communities around the world, including some via the Peace Corps, and we are eager to welcome returning PC volunteers to our graduate nursing program.

Our Department of Nursing faculty, chair, and dean work globally, partnering with non-government organizations and seeing firsthand the strengths PCVs bring to an organization. Coverdell Fellows will find their perspectives welcomed. With 93-100% pass rates for our pre-licensure and graduate national certifications, our nursing program is strong. We attribute this to small class sizes, individualized attention, and broad student engagement – TCNJ hallmarks. We are involved in the surrounding Trenton/Ewing community. We work with underserved populations, such as our Title IX clinical/academic partners, the Henry J. Austin Clinic and Christina Seix Academy. Our students work closely with faculty on research, publications, and presentations – building a strong career portfolio. Our graduate students can focus their capstone experience on underserved populations. In short, the experience of PCVs with marginalized populations, and our program’s community commitment, will position returning PCVs for success.

Benefits for Coverdell Fellows

	Tuition/fees for Complete Program	Value of Coverdell Fellowship	Net cost *
In state	$ 19,986	$ 4,996	$ 14,990
Out of state	$ 19,986	$ 4,996	$ 14,990

* Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing—see the first point below for more details.

Where the cost savings value of the Coverdell Fellowship comes from

The program highlighted above is the Master of Science in Nursing for Nursing Education.

The College of New Jersey offers 25% off tuition + fees for the following Master of Science in Nursing tracks: Neonatal, Nursing Education, School Nurse, Family Across the Life Span Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Gerontology Primary Nurse Practitioner.

Any applicant who indicates and demonstrates financial need will be given an application fee waiver.

Fellowships awarded per year (average)

2

Other benefits or opportunities

Fellows will be guided and mentored by the Coverdell Fellowship Coordinator, Dr. Sharon Byrne, and will be warmly welcomed to campus at a reception with faculty and staff RPCVs.

Annual cost of living (estimated)

$ 25,979

Application fee waived?

No

Internship

The Coverdell Coordinator and nursing faculty will work closely with the student to attain an internship with an underserved population. This same process is used for clinical rotations throughout the graduate program. Students work on quality improvement projects within the clinical/community agency. Projects address pain management, health disparities, developmental and family-centered care for neonates, palliative care, and COVID-related issues such as vaccine hesitancy, trauma, stress, and resilience. If the student knows of an agency they are interested in then the faculty and Coverdell coordinator will work to try and secure that site. Our Title IX clinical partner, the Henry J. Austin Clinic, and our Christina Seix Academy partner, both engage underserved communities and are eager to receive Coverdell Fellows.

Other details

Program length

2 years including summer semesters. Most classes are in the evenings, with some offered online and some in hybrid format.

Application requirements

• All returned Peace Corps Volunteers must submit their Description of Service (DOS). Current Peace Corps Volunteers should submit a letter of support from their Country Director specifying that the applicant is in good standing until the DOS is available. (this will appear in your website).
• Admission Requirements:
  Preadmission interview (contact the program coordinator at 609-771-2509).
  Applications should be submitted online.
  An official transcript is required from each college you have attended other than The College of New Jersey. Official transcripts should be requested for The College of New Jersey from each institution you have attended and must arrive prior to the appropriate deadline.
  Applicants must be RNs and present a Bachelor in Nursing degree from an NLN or CCNE accredited program, and pre-requisite courses must include an undergraduate statistics course and an undergraduate health assessment course or an approved equivalent.
  Applicants are required to take the GRE unless they meet criteria of the waiver policy.
  Recommendations are required to come from a healthcare professional in a supervisory position, not a peer. For example, a recent faculty member, nurse practitioner, physician, unit educator, charge nurse, or managing clinician. A Master’s degree or higher is preferred from the recommender.
  A student essay and resume/CV are also required.

Admissions process

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. RPCV applicants submit their official Peace Corps Description of Service (DOS) or Country Director’s letter of good standing along with their application. Coverdell Fellowship awards will be announced by June 15.

Program begins

May, June, July, August, January

Non-traditional options

• Option to pursue degree part time while receiving the Coverdell Fellowship
• Low residency or distance learning

Most classes are in the evenings, many are in-person, with some online and some available in hybrid formats.

Year Coverdell Fellows partnership started

2022

---

Contact

Sharon Byrne, DrNP, APN, RN, NP-C, CNE, CGNC, Associate Professor, Nursing & Public Health