Post-Master's Cert. or Master's Program

hi,

i would really really love to go for my master's in nurse anesthesia here in the next few years, but i am curious as to the difference between getting your masters in nuse anesthesia or getting a post-master's certificate in the same thing. is one longer then the other? are there any curiculum (sp?) differences? and if a school offers one, does it typically offer the other?

thank you for your help!

i cut and paste this from the boston college program. it only makes sense if you already have a msn.

this option is available for applicants who have already completed a master of science degree in nursing. the curriculum is identical to the master's degree curriculum with the exception that students may be exempt from taking some of the core courses provided they can demonstrate that previous coursework was the same or similar to the course at boston college. each student's transcript is evaluated individually along with other appropriate documentation such as course syllabi. the time to completion of the program remains 27 months. admission requirements are identical to that for the master's degree format. the additional specialty option has been approved by the council on accreditation of nurse anesthesia educational programs as a post-master's certificate.

Post Masters Certificates are for those nurses who have already earned a MSN(non anesthesia)- and since schools often will not grant a second MSN it gives them an option to offer to those nurses. Makes no sense to earn an non-anesthesia MSN and then go for the post masters- the total time is greater than the anesthesia program alone.:typing