Nursing
Post-Graduate Certificate Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Online Program
- Next Start Dates
- July 07, 2025
- January 05, 2026
CCNE accredited post-graduate APRN certificate program2
Online courses add flexibility for working nurses
Expand Your Reach as a Nurse Practitioner
Promote optimal health and well-being for another population of patients. A Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate allows qualified nurses to add a new specialization. That means registered nurses (RNs) with a graduate degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, can focus on the courses in their desired NP specialization.
To gain the advanced experience you need to treat patients with confidence, you’ll experience:
- Online Empowered Learning® which allows you to learn by doing real-world projects and mange your own pace
- Three elective courses to expand on diagnostic techniques, practice management, and complementary and alternative medicine/therapies3
- Doctorally-prepared Nursing faculty with a wealth of experience and connections
- Local clinical settings tailored to your career interests
Currently, this program is not eligible for participation in Title IV federal student aid programs. This program is not available in all states.
Add a Nurse Practitioner Specialization
Specialized nurse practitioners are essential for their deep understanding of their field and the compassion they bring to every case. There are a variety of patient groups to choose from that you’ll learn to diagnose and treat, such as kids in pediatrics, 13 and older in adult-gerontology, the full lifespan in family practice, behavioral well-being in mental health or those simply seeking excellent primary healthcare.
"Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates are great options for nurses that already have an MSN and are looking to expand their expertise in a new specialized field. The certificate can be accomplished in a relatively short time frame, focusing solely on those courses that are relevant to one’s area of interest."
Sheri Hartman, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
Assistant Vice President of Nursing Systems
Built for Working Nurses
You can continue working while you earn your Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate. Check in on your smartphone and complete tasks on your tablet or laptop. With two start dates per year, you can start when it works for you.
Learning on Your Schedule
Online Empowered Learning courses allow you to learn by doing and manage your pace. Go faster when you can, and slower when you need to with no weekly deadlines.
Support at Every Turn
From 24/7 tech support, experienced faculty, graduate services advisors and career services to library and learning services with over 400,000 ebooks and electronic reference materials, we’re dedicated to a robust learning community.
Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!
Your Nursing Career Path
With the many Nursing programs at Rasmussen University, you can easily move from one level to the next, saving you time and money. In order to enroll for your Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate with a Nurse Practitioner specialization, you’ll need a graduate degree, such as an MSN, MSN-NP or DNP degree. If you don’t have one yet, let us help you get started.
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Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate
Next step if:
You want to pursue a new area of interest as a nurse practitioner, increase your mobility between specialties and care for more patient groups.
Choose the specialization that best aligns with your interests and career goals:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Finish in as few as:
21 months1
Career Opportunities:
- Hospitals
- Emergency departments, clinical or private practice
- Schools
- Behavioral health facilities
- Academia
Tuition & Savings
We are committed to providing affordable tuition. Let’s break down the numbers so that you can see that your goals are achievable.
Currently, this program is not eligible for participation in Title IV federal student aid programs. This program is not available in all states.
Do the Math
FNP, AGPCNP and PPCNP
With two start dates per year and a total of 12 courses, full-time students can finish their Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate in as few as 21 months1 for an estimated $27,596.4
$442 cost per NP specialization credit
x 53 total credits
_______________________
$23,426 total tuition
+ $4,170 total fees
_______________________
$27,596 estimated total program cost
The Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates are currently NOT eligible for participation in Title IV federal aid programs.
Explore our Tuition Estimator Tool
Do the Math
PMHNP
With two start dates per year and a total of 11 courses, full-time students can finish their Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate in as few as 21 months1 for an estimated $27,176.5
$442 cost per NP specialization credit
x 53 total credits
_______________________
$23,426 total tuition
+ $3,750 total fees
_______________________
$27,176 estimated total program cost
The Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates are currently NOT eligible for participation in Title IV federal aid programs.
Explore Our Tuition Estimator Tool
Other Ways to Save
Higher education should be a manageable investment. Talk to an admissions advisor and learn how our online Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates can be more affordable. Military grants are available for those who quality. Your employer may also provide tuition support or reimbursement to help you fund your education.
Request More InformationEntrance Requirements
Students must hold a graduate degree in the discipline of nursing from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher, possess a current unencumbered RN license that is valid in the United States and provide two professional letters of reference. This program is not available to residents of all states. Please speak with an admissions advisor to determine your eligibility for enrollment. A cleared background check will be required for participation at practicum sites.
What Should I Know Before I Enroll?
Help Paying for College
You’re not alone figuring out how to pay for college. Our admissions advisors can help you find ways to save through scholarships and more.
Support at Every Turn
You’ll find the support you need to grow as a nurse from mentors and faculty in this program. Our library services, academic support and career planning teams are ready to help.
Dedicated Career Services
Job-search strategies, resume building, interview practice and employer networking—online and available anytime.
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The post-graduate APRN certificate program at Rasmussen University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street, NW
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
202-887-6791