Nursing
Post-Graduate Certificate Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Online Program
- Next Start Dates
- July 01, 2024
- January 06, 2025
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.
On this page:
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.
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Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
You Bring
- A passion for improving and promoting health for patients from adolescence to elderly
- A drive to help patients and their caregivers navigate the challenges that come with adult healthcare needs
- An interest in personal patient care
You'll Study
- Disease management of complex adult-gerontology disorders of the endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, hematological and neurological systems
- Health promotion and prevention for aging adults
- Conducting age-appropriate patient assessments, including collecting subjective and objective data
- Diagnosing age-related illnesses and conditions using data, laboratory findings and tests
- Prescribing medication and treatments when appropriate
- E-prescribing, telehealth and managing a practice
Career Settings
- Work independently in your own practice
- Provide leadership and administration in settings like hospitals, clinics or care centers
Specialization Courses
- Foundations of Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Practice // NGR 6011
- Gain knowledge in the roles, scope and standards of practice of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners. Analyze how ethical, legal, social and cultural factors impact primary care from adolescence to old age.
- Advanced Primary Care of the Adult and Older Adult I // NGR 6640
- Learn strategies in primary care management of adult-gerontology patients with complex health disorders, including collecting data, laboratory findings and therapeutic interventions.
- AGPC Practicum I
- Participate in adult-gerontology primary care, including health promotion and disease management. Identify the appropriate care, intervention and education for the patient, family and caregivers.
- AGPC Practicum II
- Apply skills in primary care ranging from adolescent to adult. Identify the appropriate care, intervention and education for the patient, family and caregivers.
- AGPC Practicum III
- Apply skills in primary care for aging adult and frail elderly patients. Identify the appropriate care, intervention and education for the patient, family and caregivers.
- AGPC Practicum IV
- Interact with patients within a chosen sub-population or clinical area of interest to refine your skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning within your population focus.
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Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
You Bring
- An interest in serving patients and families throughout their lifespan
- A passion for health promotion and health education
- A passion for treating people of diverse ages and backgrounds
You'll Study
- Health promotion, health restoration and disease management of families across the lifespan, including reproductive disorders
- Conducting age-appropriate patient assessments, including collecting subjective and objective data
- Diagnosing age-related illnesses and conditions using data, laboratory findings and tests
- Prescribing medication and treatments when appropriate
- E-prescribing, telehealth and managing a practice
Career Settings
- Work independently in your own practice
- Provide leadership and administration in settings like hospitals, clinics or care centers
Specialization Courses
- Foundations of Family Nurse Practitioner Practice // NGR 6001
- Gain knowledge in the roles, scope and standards of practice of Family Nurse Practitioners. Analyze how ethical, legal, social and cultural factors impact primary care across the lifespan.
- Reproductive Health of the Family // NGR 6234
- Analyze the male and female reproductive system, including health promotion and disease prevention, family planning, pre-conception care, and pregnancy and postpartum management.
- FNP Practicum I
- Apply skills on health promotion and disease management of patients with reproductive disorders and the childbearing family. Identify the appropriate care, intervention and education for the patient.
- FNP Practicum II
- Participate in evaluation, treatment and management of pediatric and young adult patients. Identify the assessment, treatment and education for the patient and their family.
- FNP Practicum III
- Participate in the evaluation and treatment of adults, aging adults and frail elderly patients. Identify appropriate care, intervention and education for patients and caregivers.
- FNP Practicum IV
- Interact with patients within a chosen sub-population or clinical area of interest to refine your skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning within your population focus.
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Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP)
You Bring
- A passion for making a difference in the lives of children and their families
- An interest in treating children and educating them and their families on health-related topics
- An interest in personal patient care
You'll Study
- Primary care for children with complex health disorders of the immunologic, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and more
- Conducting age-appropriate patient assessments, including collecting subjective and objective data
- Diagnosing age-related illnesses and conditions using data, laboratory findings and tests
- Prescribing medication and treatments when appropriate
- E-prescribing, telehealth and managing a practice
Career Settings
- Work independently in your own practice
- Provide leadership and administration in settings like hospitals, clinics or care centers
Specialization Courses
- Foundations of Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Practice // NGR 6021
- Gain knowledge in the roles, scope and standards of practice of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Analyze how ethical, legal, social and cultural factors impact primary care of patients ranging from birth to young adult.
- Principles of Pediatric Primary Care // NGR 6330
- Analyze specialized healthcare of children within a family unit, from birth to young adult. Focus on growth and development, health promotion, health restoration and health maintenance.
- PPCNP Practicum I
- Apply skills in the primary care of the well-child. Identify the appropriate care, intervention and education for the patient and their families.
- PPCNP Practicum II
- Apply skills in primary care for patients ranging from birth through pre-school. Identify the appropriate care, intervention and education of disorders in increasing complexity in pediatric patients.
- PPCNP Practicum III
- Participate in primary care for patients from school age through young adult. Identify the appropriate care, intervention and education of disorders in increasing complexity.
- PPCNP Practicum IV
- Interact with patients within a chosen sub-population or clinical area of interest to refine your skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning within your population focus.
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Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
You Bring
- A passion for providing mental and behavioral healthcare to diverse populations
- An interest in mental health as a holistic practitioner and expert clinician
- A passion for the art of balancing patient care and the science of psychiatric mental health
You'll Study
- Development of mental health disorders based on nature and nurture components
- Conducting age-appropriate patient assessments, including collecting subjective and objective data
- Diagnosing mental health disorders and conditions throughout a patient’s lifespan using data, laboratory findings and tests
- Prescribing medication and treatments when appropriate
- E-prescribing, telehealth and managing a practice
Career Settings
- Work independently in your own practice
- Provide leadership and administration in settings like hospitals, clinics or care centers
Specialization Courses
- Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practice // NGR 6262
- Gain knowledge in the roles, scope and standards of practice of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. Analyze how ethical, legal, social and cultural factors impact mental health across the lifespan.
- Psychopathology and Neurobiology of Mental Health Disorders // NGR 6462
- Analyze the neurobiology and psychopathology of mental health disorders. Explore the development of mental health disorders based on nature and nurture components.
- PMHNP Practicum I
- Apply skills in child, adolescent and family care. Identify the appropriate care, intervention and education for the patient, family and caregivers.
- PMHNP Practicum II
- Participate in therapeutic interviewing, evaluation and formulation of treatment plans for adults with psychiatric disorders.
- PMHNP Practicum III
- Participate in therapeutic interviewing, evaluation and formulation of treatment plans for aging adults with psychiatric disorders.
- PMHNP Practicum IV
- Interact with patients in your setting or area of interest to advance skills in therapeutic interviewing, assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning.
"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 $26,525.4
$425 cost per NP specialization credit
x 53 total credits
_______________________
$22,525 total tuition
+ $4,000 total fees
_______________________
$26,525 estimated total program cost
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 $26,125.5
$425 cost per NP specialization credit
x 53 total credits
_______________________
$22,525 total tuition
+ $3,600 total fees
_______________________
$26,125 estimated total program cost
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