State Licensure Disclosure by Program
Several of Immaculata University programs lead to professional licensure in the state of Pennsylvania. Professional licensure requirements may vary by state. The following information is provided for these programs, organized by academic department. Immaculata strives to maintain current information for the licensure information provided on this website by reviewing and updating the data at least annually.
All prospective and current IU students in professional programs who plan to work/pursue licensure in a state or territory outside of Pennsylvania should regularly check the state licensure board where they plan to work to stay abreast of current licensure requirements. Note that while Immaculata’s programs and associated professional credential may qualify someone for licensure, many professional licenses require applicants to have passed a national credentialing examination. Also state licensure/certification processes often require application and associated fees and could include ancillary requirements, such as background checks, fingerprinting, a specified number of post-degree professional practice hours, professional liability insurance coverage, and/or additional state examinations. Links to both the state licensing board and the licensure information for each state are available under each program.
Students seeking to transfer to a professional program in another state should have a conversation with their academic advisor to understand how their transfer might impact their career and educational goals.
Accounting
To become a CPA in Pennsylvania, one must pass all four parts of the state's CPA examination. Each candidate must also have a bachelor's degree, 150 college credits, and at least 1,600 hours of relevant professional experience. Note that, once achieved, CPA licensure may be transferable state to state if those states are considered “substantially equivalent” by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. In addition to completion of the CPA exam, please see the CPA Licensure by State form below to determine other licensure requirements by state. If seeking licensure outside of Pennsylvania, students are strongly recommended to contact the relevant state licensing agency and verify the application requirements before beginning a program and throughout their time of study as such requirements may change over time.
Athletic Training
The Master's in Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Graduates of this program are eligible to take the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and apply for licensure as an Athletic Trainer in states that regulate the profession. At this time, graduates from our M.S. in Athletic Training program who successfully achieve passing BOC exams and licensure may practice as an Athletic Training in any state. Please see the ATC Licensure by State form below to determine licensure requirements by state.
However, most states require Board-certified Athletic Trainers to be licensed through the appropriate state regulatory agencies. Those licensures may require additional information, such as but not limited to: background checks, medical clearances, recommendations, state-specific documentation, and licensure fees. Students in the Athletic Training program are strongly recommended to contact the appropriate state licensing agency (see chart below) and verify the application requirements before beginning a program and throughout their time of study as such requirements may change over time.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
The MS in Clinical Nutrition with Dietetic Internship and Dietetic Internship programs the student learning outcomes required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Upon completing the internship, students are eligible to take the National Registration Exam for Dietitians (NRED) administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and can then apply for licensure in states that regulate the profession. Achievement of this credential generally means the candidate is eligible for licensure. However, please see the RDN Licensure by State form below to determine licensure requirements by state. Students planning to seek licensure outside of Pennsylvania are strongly recommended to contact the appropriate state licensing agency for guidance and to verify requirements both before beginning the program and throughout their studies as such requirements may change over time.
Education Preparation
Immaculata University is authorized to offer Education Preparation Programs that lead to certification or licensure in Pennsylvania. Although we actively monitor certification and licensure regulations across states, these requirements may change without prior notice. Students seeking certification or licensure outside of Pennsylvania are strongly recommended to contact the relevant state licensing agency for guidance and to confirm requirements both before starting the program and during their time of study as such requirements may change over time.
Be aware that some states may require the completion of the edTPA, a performance-based assessment, as part of their certification or licensure process. Immaculata University has evaluated its programs to determine whether the curriculum meets the requirements of other states. Once certified in PA, educators may be eligible for certification in certain other states through the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact (ITMC). The ITMC is a legally binding agreement that facilitates interstate licensure mobility. Educators with a compact-eligible license can apply for licensure in another Compact Member state and receive the closest equivalent license without needing to submit additional materials, take state-specific exams, or complete extra courses.
Find more information about the ITMC and see which states are a part of ITMC
Additionally, the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) provides a comprehensive list, by state, outlining the particular types of educator certificate s(teachers, administrators, etc.) will be accepted. By clicking on any state in this interactive map, users can determine what types of certifications a particular state will accept from other states.
Music Therapy
As an AMTA approved program, Immaculata’s music therapy degree options prepare students to take the national board certification exam to obtain the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist - Board Certified) necessary for professional practice. While many states do not require a state license or certification to practice music therapy, those that do so require application to the state for licensure as well as documentation of MT-BC credentials. Therefore, Immaculata’s program does prepare students to act as a music therapist in any state. Please see the Music Therapy (BC-MT) by State form below to determine licensure requirements by state. Students seeking licensure outside of Pennsylvania are strongly recommended to contact the relevant resources - such Certification Board for Music Therapists and American Music Therapy Association - for guidance and to confirm requirements both before starting the program and during their studies as such requirements may change over time.
Music Therapy and Counseling
In addition to the program’s AMTA approval (preparing graduates to take the national board certification exam to obtain the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist - Board Certified) necessary for professional practice), the degree program includes sufficient counseling coursework to allow students to seek licensure to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania.
Registered Nurse
The B.S.N. in Nursing program is accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) and is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Exam) and to apply for licensure in states that regulate this discipline. If applying for an initial license in a given state, apply through examination; if applying after securing a PA license, apply through endorsement. Please see the Licensure/Certification Disclosure – by State form below to determine licensure requirements by state. Students seeking licensure outside of Pennsylvania are strongly recommended to contact the relevant state licensing agency for guidance and to confirm requirements both before starting the program and during their studies as such requirements may change over time.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Immaculata University’s MSN and Postmasters Nurse Practitioner program is approved by the PA State Board of Nursing as an accredited, Board-approved master's or postmaster's nurse practitioner program.
An Immaculata CRNP graduate receives sufficient clinical experience to provide depth and breadth in a given specialty or with designated populations, geared to nurse practitioner practice. Clinical hours must meet at least national certification requirements with a minimum of 500 hours. Additional hours must be provided for specialties that provide care to multiple age groups (for example, family CRNPs) or for those who will practice in multiple care settings. When defining additional clinical hours, the complexity of the specialty content, as well as the need for clinical experience to enhance retention and skills are considered. Students who complete this program are then eligible to take the ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) board certification examination, successful completion of which leads to the FNP-BC® credential. Most states require this national certification or a similar certification in order to apply for licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (often referred to as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse – or APRN – licensure).
Please see the Licensure/Certification Disclosure – by State form below to determine licensure requirements by state. Students planning to seek licensure outside of Pennsylvania are strongly recommended to contact the appropriate state licensing agency for guidance and to verify requirements both before beginning the program and throughout their studies as such requirements may change over time.
Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)
Immaculata’s APA-accredited Psy.D. program prepares students to perform at the highest professional level as a clinical psychologist. The ASPPB (Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board) lists state-by-state requirements for licensure. Additionally, each state has specific requirements to attain licensure to practice in the state. Please see the PsyD Licensure by State form below to determine licensure requirements by state. Students in the PsyD program are strongly encouraged to check the state requirements before starting the program and during their studies as such requirements may change over time.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Professional Counselor Licensure
Licensed professionals who specialize in the application of principles and practices of counseling, mental health and human development to evaluate and facilitate human growth and adjustment throughout the lifespan and to prevent and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated stresses which interfere with mental health and normal human growth and development. Individuals seeking PA Professional Licensure must hold a Master's degree or Doctoral degree in counseling or a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of professional counseling from an accredited educational institution and complete an exam as outlined by the state of PA. For additional information, see the Professional Counselor Licensure Snapshot.
Students completing the CACREP-accredited CMHC program are eligible to take the National Counselor Exam (NCE) through the Board of Certified Counselors (www.nbcc.org), a passing score on which is required for most states’ licensure eligibility. In addition to completion of the NCE, please see the PLC Licensure by State form below to determine licensure requirements by state Several states also require post-master's experience/supervised hours, offering a temporary permit/license to allow applicants to achieve those hours before obtaining final licensure. Students in the CMHC seeking licensure outside of Pennsylvania are strongly encouraged to check the state requirements (through the relevant state licensing agencies) before starting the program and during their studies as such requirements may change over time.