Online Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Programs – What’s the Best FNP Graduate Certificate Program for You?

It’s not uncommon for master’s-prepared nurses to add or change a nurse practitioner specialty. As a nurse who has already earned a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN), you can now obtain a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) post-master’s graduate certificate. This type of advanced certificate — which might also be called a post-graduate certificate — is designed to provide you with specialized knowledge geared toward the family nurse practitioner concentration. This program pathway often requires that the student hold an active, unencumbered RN license (and sometimes APRN certification) in order to enroll.

Compare the 2023 Top Ranked Online FNP Post-Master's Certificate Programs

For advanced-practice RNs who wish to switch or add a specialty as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), the post-master's certificate route is an increasingly popular pathway. Choosing the right program, however, is an important consideration. With online certificate programs popping up all over the country, prospective students need to pick wisely. Below, we've ranked the best online FNP Post-Master's Certificate programs to help you find the right school for you. For more information on how we developed our rankings, visit our Methodology page.

1.

Pennsylvania Western University Clarion

Clarion, PA

Overview:

Current nurses with a master’s degree can gain the education and credentials to practice independently when they receive their Family Nurse Practitioner, Post Master's Certification from Pennsylvania Western University Clarion. The cert gets students ready to test for national certification.

Highlights:

• 45 hours including 600 hours of clinical practice are required
• Students can transfer 9 credits from an MSN
• This FNP post master’s cert is only offered online

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online

2.

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Overview:

Master’s degree-prepared nurses looking to specialize in Family Practice can obtain their FNP Post Master's Certification from Grand Canyon University. Students can choose to focus on chronic disease or acute care. Health promotion and disease prevention are key components of the program.

Highlights:

• An online and on-campus learning model
• A total of 37 credit hours and 600 clinicals are needed
• The program readies graduates to test for national certification

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-Master Of Science In Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online

3.

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA

Overview:

Sonoma State University offers an FNP, Post Master's Certification to current nurses with a master’s degree. The blended online and in-person program prepares grads for national certification and to work with greater autonomy with this population.

Highlights:

• The 36-credit program can be completed in 2 years
• California’s smallest public university.
• Only open to Northern and Central California residents

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Nursing Post-Master's FNP Certificate Program Online

4.

Herzing University

Madison, WI

Overview:

Nurses with an advanced degree can broaden their range of practice when they complete an online FNP, Post Master's Cert from Herzing University, a school dedicated to serving adult students. Students gain the experience and expertise to test for national certification.

Highlights:

• Students can finish the program in less than 2 years
• A total of 33 credit hours and 585 clinicals are needed
• Students are supported in finding local preceptors and clinicals

Graduate Certificate Programs

• FNP Online

5.

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, IN

Overview:

Indiana State University offers a 33-credit hour online FNP, Post Master's Cert for nurses with advanced degrees. From family nurse theory to practice via completion of preceptors and clinicals, the program readies nurses to expand into this new role.

Highlights:

Certificates are not eligible for financial aid.
Applications are accepted in the Fall and Spring.
The Post Master's Cert can be finished in less than 3 years.

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner (Certificate) Online

Why Get an FNP Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate?

While a family nurse practitioner MSN provides you with a broad and generalized scope of knowledge, the FNP post-master’s certification is more specialized and takes your prior education into account. Obtaining a post-grad certificate also allows you to add another specialty to your expertise, opening up even more employment opportunities. The careers that are open to you as a family nurse practitioner with a post-master’s grad certificate are similar to those who have an MSN in the field. FNPs are commonly employed in:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Primary care offices
• Private practices

Let’s take a closer look at why you may wish to pursue this type of program.

Pros

• Great option for an MSN-prepared nurse who wants to enter FNP the specialty without enrolling in a longer full degree program
• Most nurses can keep working while they pursue their FNP post-grad certificate
• More cost-effective than a DNP

Cons

• Not available for nurses with undergrad nursing degrees
• Culminates in a certificate and not a degree
• Nurses who wish to enter administrative or other indirect patient care roles within family care may find the DNP a better fit

How to Choose an Online FNP Post-Master’s Certificate Program

Though online options for family nurse practitioners to obtain their post-master’s certificate are becoming more common, it’s important to understand that some programs are actually a hybrid. These might allow you to complete much of the coursework online, but also require that you appear on campus a certain number of times. Students can also choose between full-time or part-time study options.

Prospective students can narrow down their choices by focusing on accredited FNP post-graduate certificate programs only, which are usually required for credentialing purposes.

Because of the wide range of certificates that you can choose to obtain, the number of credits that are required varies. This could also differ depending on the school you attend; most range from 12 to 36. The required clinical hours also increase the length of time that is needed to complete the certificate of your choice.

FNP Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum

Prior to starting a family nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate program, you’ll likely be required to complete advanced pharmacology, advanced physical assessment, and advanced pathophysiology. The rest of the curriculum involves core nursing courses and FNP-related specialty courses. These courses may include:

• Adult-Gerontology Health Care
• Pediatric/Family Health Care
• Professional Role Development

Clinical hours with hands-on patient care are also a part of the FNP post-grad certificate curriculum. Over 700 clinical hours may be required, though this can vary. Online students can arrange a clinical preceptorship in their local area, as long as it is approved by their school.

List of Online Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate Programs

Search our listings below to find online and hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate programs near you.