2026 Best Idaho Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

A Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate is extremely useful to advance your nursing career in Idaho. These advanced nursing certification programs, also known as post-master’s certificates, usually require either one or two years of additional study and are for those nurses who have already earned a master's degree in nursing and want to specialize in advanced niche areas of nursing practice such as becoming a Nurse Practitioner certified in either Family Medicine, Acute Care, Mental Health, Forensic Medicine or Informatics.

2027 Best Online Nursing Post-Master's Graduate Certificate Schools in Idaho

Registerednursing.org ranks the best online nursing post-master's graduate certificate schools in Idaho. Online programs provide the flexibility working nurses need to advance skills without stepping away from their jobs. Many schools offer hybrid or partially online formats, and we consider those online too. This opens doors for nurses in rural communities who might otherwise face long commutes or relocation. Through distance learning, students can access top-tier faculty and clinical placement support from anywhere in the state. We evaluate each program for accreditation, curriculum quality, and student outcomes. To see exactly how these rankings are determined, visit our methodology page at https://www.registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/.

#1

Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID - Public 4-Year - isu.edu

Graduate Certificate - Graduate Nursing Education Certificate

Online Learning - Visit Website

Idaho State University's online Graduate Nursing Education Certificate prepares registered nurses for clinical and academic educator roles. Coursework covers educational theories, curriculum development, evidence-based teaching methods, learning needs assessment, and curriculum evaluation. This CCNE-accredited program meets graduate-level course requirements for the NLN Certificate in Nursing Education, enabling graduates to become nurse educators, clinical instructors, or staff development specialists. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, a valid unencumbered RN license, and two professional references. No GRE is required. Online students qualify for resident tuition rates, and scholarships are available. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with preference given to those submitted by December 1.

• CCNE accredited
• No entrance exam required
• Rolling admissions
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Prepares for NLN Certificate in Nursing Education
• Online programs qualify for resident tuition
• Assesses learning needs and evaluates curricula

Graduate Certificate - FNP to PMHNP Certificate

Online Learning - Visit Website

Idaho State University offers an online FNP to PMHNP Certificate designed specifically for licensed Family Nurse Practitioners seeking to expand into psychiatric mental health care. The curriculum builds on existing FNP expertise to deliver evidence-based, comprehensive mental health services across wellness-illness continuums, focusing on clinical outcomes and acute/primary mental health needs. Completion leads to PMHNP certification eligibility. Admission requires current FNP licensure and national certification, two years of FNP experience, and a master's in nursing with a 3.0 GPA. No GRE is required. The program includes an on-campus orientation, possible preadmission interview, rolling admissions, and requires three references, a professional essay, and official transcripts. State restrictions may apply.

• Online program delivery.
• For licensed FNPs only.
• Leads to PMHNP certification.
• Requires FNP national certification.
• Two years FNP experience needed.
• Master's degree in nursing required.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required.
• Resident tuition rates apply.
• Professional fees assessed.
• No GRE required.

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#2

Boise State University

Boise, ID - Public 4-Year - boisestate.edu

Graduate Certificate - Post-Master's Graduate Certificate Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (Primary Care)

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Boise State University offers a post-master's graduate certificate in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, designed for licensed nurse practitioners seeking specialization in community-based primary care for teens, adults, and the elderly. This hybrid, one-year, 19-credit program combines online coursework with two required on-campus summer intensives in Idaho. Clinical hours are arranged by the program in approved settings. Tuition is per credit hour with no out-of-state fees, though students cover books, software, lodging, and travel. Admission requires a master's or doctoral nursing degree, active RN and NP licenses, national NP certification, a 3.0 GPA, and practice in an eligible state. No entrance exam requirement is specified.

• Post-Master's Graduate Certificate program
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care concentration
• One-year program length
• 19 credit hours maximum
• Clinical hours in program-arranged settings
• Hybrid delivery format
• Two on-campus summer intensives
• Tuition per credit hour
• No out-of-state fees
• No professional program fees

*Source: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/, IPEDS 2025 release.

Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Admission Requirements in Idaho

Typical admission requirements for a post-master's nursing certificate program in Idaho, such as this example from Duquesne University, may include:

• A BSN and master's degree in nursing from an accredited College or University
• A grade point average in their Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) program of at least 3.0
• An updated and current resume
• A 2-page "Goals" statement
• An official Nursing School transcript for both their BSN and MSN programs
• 2 professional letters of recommendation (one required to be from a direct supervisor)
• The successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate course in statistics with a passing grade of at least a C
• The completion of the number of clinical hours required by the program for admission
• A current and unrestricted RN license
• Completion of courses such as Advanced Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Advanced Health Assessment

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Classes and Courses

To get a feel for the typical post-master’s nursing certificate curriculum, the following are courses from Boise State University’s Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Certificates:

• Foundations of Family Care: Women (Note: 75 precepted hours required)
• Foundations of Family Care: Infants, Children & Adolescents (Note: 150 precepted hours required)
• Foundations of Family and Individual Care I (Note: Campus residency for 25 lab hours and 200 precepted clinical hours required.)
• Foundations of Family and Individual Care II (Note: 225 precepted hours required)
• Transitioning to Advanced Practice Nursing
• Clinical Prevention & Population-Based Health Promotion
• Physical Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing (Note: Includes 25 hours on-campus residency and 50 precepted hours)
• Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing
• Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing

Program Length

The average length of a post-grad nursing certificate program in Idaho is between one and two years (from 12 to 36 credits) requiring 512 clinical hours needed to graduate.

Tuition and Cost of Attendance

The average tuition and cost of attendance for a post-graduate nursing certificate in Idaho is $37,000 plus fees ($750 per credit hour). Keep in mind that aside from tuition, students are responsible for additional costs such as textbooks, required materials, and mandatory fees.

Online Post-Master’s Nursing Certificate Programs in Idaho

There are a number of online post-graduate nursing certificate programs in Idaho. These programs allow for completing requirements online without having to drive frequently to campus and also give additional access to many more nursing specialties.

Featured Online School

Maryville University has excelled in providing higher education courses for over 150 years. It provides an excellent online post-graduate nursing certificate program that prepares students to become nurse practitioners in a variety of specializations, including Psych/Mental Health, Pediatrics, and more.

Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Career Pathways in Idaho

For those Post-MSN students in Idaho, there are several basic post-master’s certificate specialty tracks that can lead to a niche nursing career, including:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Salary and Job Outlook

The median salary nationally for those with post-graduate nursing certificates is $$113,930 per year or $54.78 per hour, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The median salary in Idaho for RNs with post-graduate nursing certificates is $143,270 per year.

The job outlook for all with post-graduate nursing certificates is excellent both in Idaho and nationally.

List of Idaho Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Programs

There are a number of programs available in Idaho for achieving a post-graduate certificate in nursing. These all provide excellent opportunities to advance a nursing career.