NP Certificate Programs – Post-Master’s Certs

NP Certificate Program & School Accreditation

There are two types of accreditation: programmatic and institutional. 

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are responsible for accrediting nurse practitioner programs at the programmatic accreditation level. The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes the CCNE and the ACEN as national accreditation agencies. 

The CCNE programmatic accreditation process involves a comprehensive review of nurse practitioner programs to ensure that they meet specific standards and criteria the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN) set forth. The standards for accreditation address student learning outcomes, faculty qualifications, program resources, curriculum content, clinical experiences, and institutional support. The CCNE accreditation process is designed to protect the public by ensuring that nurse practitioner programs prepare graduates who are competent and able to provide safe and effective patient care.

Institution accreditation refers to the approval of a college or university. Institutional accreditation differs from university accreditation, which focuses on whole institutions rather than professional nursing programs. The US Department of Education has a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) that recognizes seven regional institutional accrediting bodies, for example.

Finally, when looking into online programs, it’s essential to verify the NC-SARA status, which is a state authorization status. Students wanting certificates that will qualify them for work requiring state licensure should ensure their educational institution meets state licensing standards before enrolling in an NP certificate degree program.

Typical Admissions Requirements for NP Certificate Programs

Admissions requirements for nurse practitioner certificate programs vary depending on the school and program, but some general conditions apply universally across programs. 

Most NP certificate programs require one or more of the following: 

• A master of science in nursing (MSN)
• Application and fee
• Current and unencumbered RN license 
• GRE scores (waived for some programs) 
• Interview
• Letters of recommendation
• One year or more of clinical experience
• Personal essay 

Meeting all admissions requirements does not guarantee acceptance into a nurse practitioner certificate program, as many programs are very competitive. However, having all the necessary qualifications will increase an applicant’s chances of being accepted into an NP certificate program.

Supervised Hour Requirements for NP Certificate Programs

Supervised hour requirements for nurse practitioner certificate programs vary by state. Many CCNE-accredited MSN programs require a minimum of 500 clinical hours, but unless explicitly stated, there are no minimum clinical hours needed for accredited NP post-master’s programs. Students can complete supervised hours in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.

Featured Online NP Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Maryville University – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The Maryville University adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner certificate program is a unique NP program that does not require campus visits. The program is offered online, and students can complete the program in 2-3 years. The program is designed for working nurses looking to advance their careers without sacrificing their busy schedules. 

The program is also flexible, allowing students to complete the coursework at their own pace. In addition, the program does not require a GRE for admission. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be currently licensed RNs to be considered for admission. Unfortunately, the program is not available to students living in New York.

• Location: St. Louis, MO
• Duration: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) 
• Tuition: $813 per credit

University of Missouri – Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist 

The University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing offers a 22.5-credit pediatric clinical nurse specialist nurse practitioner (NP) certificate program that students can complete in two to three years. 

The NP certificate program is designed for RNs who already have a master’s degree in nursing and are interested in becoming certified as pediatric NPs. Students can complete the program online, and no campus visits are required. Additionally, the GRE is not required for admission, and students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible for graduation. Clinical preceptorships are completed locally in approved states, with no state authorization restrictions. 

• Location: Columbia, MO
• Duration: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $470.50 per credit

Texas Tech University – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certificate program at Texas Tech University requires six campus visits and 29 credits. There is no GRE required for admission. The program is entirely online, and clinical hours are completed in the student’s area of residence. 

Due to state authorization limitations, the program cannot accept students living in Arizona, California, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, or Washington. After finishing the required coursework, graduates of the post-master’s track are allowed to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam.

• Location: Lubbock, TX
• Duration: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) 
• Tuition: $265 per credit (residents); $673 per credit (non-residents)

Regis College – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – for MSN-prepared non-NPs

The certificate of advanced graduate study program in nursing at Regis College is designed for MSN-prepared non-primary care nurse practitioners who wish to expand their scope of practice to include primary care pediatrics. The program consists of 37 credits, which students can complete online without requiring campus visits. 

Additionally, the GRE is not required for admission. However, due to regulatory restrictions, students living in Louisiana, New York, Oregon, or Tennessee are not eligible to apply. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to sit for certification exams and provide high-quality care to pediatric patients. 

• Location: Weston, MA
• Duration: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 
• Tuition: $980 per credit

University of Southern Indiana – Family Nurse Practitioner 

The University of Southern Indiana’s family nurse practitioner (FNP) certificate program is an excellent option for those pursuing a career in advanced nursing. The program is comprised of 24 credits, and students are required to complete three campus visits. 

The FNP program is designed to prepare students for various roles within the medical field, including patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention. To be accepted into the program, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, the program is only available to residents of certain states.

• Location: Evansville, IN
• Duration: Two years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) 
• Tuition: $480.68 per credit

Eastern Kentucky University – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) certificate program at Eastern Kentucky University is a 25-34 credit hour program that students can complete in 24 months. There are three start dates throughout the year, and no campus visits are required. The program is designed for working nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a current RN license. Students in the PMHNP program will take coursework in advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and psychiatric mental health theory and practice. 

In addition, they will complete clinical rotations in various settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatric units, and community mental health centers. Students will be eligible to sit for the national NP certification exam after completing the program. Please note that Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington students are not eligible to apply to this program.

• Location: Richmond, KY
• Duration: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)  
• Tuition: $669 per credit 

University of Alabama at Birmingham – Nurse Educator 

The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a nurse educator certificate program for those who wish to pursue a career in nursing education. The program consists of four campus visits, begins in the summer, and requires 15 credit hours. 

A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required, as well as a GRE score; however, the GRE requirement may be waived if the student has a GPA of 3.2 or higher or if they have an exceptionally high score on the GRE, GMAT, or MAT. The NP certificate program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is an excellent way to prepare for a career in nursing education.

• Location: Birmingham, AL
• Duration: Three years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)  
• Tuition: $656 per credit

Duke University Medical Center – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

The Duke University Medical Center offers an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) certificate program for nurses who want to specialize in care for older adults. The 30-credit program requires three campus visits, and the GRE is not required. However, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Unfortunately, the program cannot accept students living in Alabama, Louisiana, North Dakota, New York, and Wyoming. 

• Location: Durham, NC
• Duration: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)   
• Tuition: $1,910 per credit

Drexel University – Dual Pediatric Primary Care/Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Drexel University’s NP certificate program offers qualified students the opportunity to earn a dual pediatric primary care/pediatric acute care nurse practitioner degree. The program is designed for working professionals and requires two campus visits. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, and applicants must have a current NP certificate. Students can complete the 44-credit program in as little as 20 months, and no GRE requirement exists. 

Additionally, the program is offered entirely online, and students can learn at their own pace. Unfortunately, the program cannot accept students living in Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, or Wyoming.

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Duration: 2.5 years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) 
• Tuition: $1,026 per credit

University of Cincinnati – Family Nurse Practitioner

The family nurse practitioner (FNP) certificate program at the University of Cincinnati is a post-master’s NP certificate program that students can complete in 2-3 years. The 20-credit FNP program has three start dates per year and does not require campus visits. 

Applicants must also have a master of science in nursing (MSN) from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Unfortunately, students living in Arizona, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Tennessee cannot be considered for admission. 

• Location: Cincinnati, OH
• Duration: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)  
• Tuition: $746 per credit (residents); $761 per credit (non-residents)

Jobs for NP Post-Master’s Certificate Graduates

Jobs for NP post-master’s certificate graduates are vast and varied. Many NPs go to work in primary care, either in traditional family practices or specialized clinics. Others find positions in hospital settings or jobs in pediatrics, ERs, women’s health, OB/GYN clinics, and community health clinics. Others work in various specialty areas, including cardiology, pulmonology, and oncology. 

But, no matter where they end up working, by completing an NP post-master’s certificate program, graduates gain the skills and knowledge needed to be successful NPs. Here are three possible jobs for NP certificate graduates. 

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM)

A nurse midwife or certified nurse midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse who has completed additional training in obstetrics and gynecology. 

Nurse midwives care for women throughout their reproductive years, from adolescence through menopause. They also provide well-woman care, including annual exams and screening tests. In addition, nurse midwives offer family planning services and counseling. Nurse midwives are experts in normal pregnancy, labor, and delivery. They also have the skills to manage complications that may arise during pregnancy or childbirth. Nurse midwives work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Many nurse-midwives also teach childbirth classes and provide support to new parents.

According to the BLS (May 2021), nurse midwives earned an average annual salary of $114,210.

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP)

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide comprehensive primary healthcare services to individuals of all ages. FNPs must complete a master’s or doctoral degree program in nursing and obtain national certification before they can begin practicing. 

Family nurse practitioners provide a wide range of services, including conducting physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and providing patient education. FNPs often serve as the primary healthcare provider for their patients and may also provide care in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. In addition, many states are expanding scope-of-practice laws to allow FNPs to practice independently. This opens up even more opportunities for FNPs to start their practices or work in other settings such as retail clinics or urgent care centers.

Per self-reported data from Payscale.com (Dec. 2022), family nurse practitioners earned $98,563 based on 6,967 salary profiles. 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP)

Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary care (medical, developmental, and mental health) services to infants, children, adolescents, and families. PNPs can practice independently or in collaboration with a physician. They must complete a master of science in nursing (MSN) program and earn national certification to practice. 

PNPs provide a wide range of services, including well-child visits, immunizations, management of acute and chronic illnesses, and promoting healthy lifestyles. They also offer guidance and support to parents and families. In addition to seeing patients in clinics and hospitals, pediatric nurse practitioners work in schools, camps, daycare centers, homes, and other community settings. Pediatric nurse practitioners typically have regular office hours; however, they may also be available for after-hours and weekend or evening appointments.

According to Payscale.com (Dec. 2022) pediatric nurse practitioners earned $94,841 based on 818 self-reported salary profiles.