2025 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.

2026 Best Online Nursing Post-Master's Graduate Certificate Schools in Idaho

RegisteredNursing.org presents its comprehensive ranking of the Best Online Nursing Post-Master's Graduate Certificate Schools in Idaho, highlighting exceptional programs that empower advanced practice nurses to expand their professional capabilities. These virtual nursing certificate programs offer critical opportunities for registered nurses seeking specialized training without geographical constraints. Online education has become increasingly vital in nursing, allowing professionals to enhance their skills while balancing work and personal commitments. Our carefully evaluated rankings consider factors like academic reputation, clinical preparation, faculty expertise, and student support services. These distance learning programs enable nurses to pursue advanced specializations such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse educator certifications with flexibility and accessibility. View our comprehensive ranking 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 transforms experienced registered nurses into innovative educators. Tailored for professionals seeking advanced teaching roles, this program delivers comprehensive training in curriculum development and evidence-based pedagogical strategies. Without requiring a GRE for admission, nurses can efficiently transition into academic and clinical educational environments. Meeting National League for Nursing (NLN) certification requirements, the program emphasizes practical skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating nursing curricula. With a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and opportunities for professional scholarships, nurses can strategically advance their career trajectory in nursing education.

• Graduate-level nursing education certificate
• Prepares nurses for teaching roles
• No GRE required for admission
• 3.0 GPA minimum requirement
• Current RN license needed
• Professional interview possible
• Online program available
• Meets NLN certification requirements
• Scholarship opportunities exist
• Fall 2025 admissions open

Graduate Certificate - FNP to PMHNP Certificate

Online Learning - Visit Website

Idaho State University's online FNP to PMHNP Certificate provides a specialized pathway for Family Nurse Practitioners seeking mental health expertise. Designed for experienced clinicians with two years of direct practice, this post-master's program enables professionals to expand their scope of practice into psychiatric care. The curriculum prepares nurses to provide comprehensive mental health services across diverse populations, with no GRE required for admission. Candidates must hold current FNP certification and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Focusing on individual, family, and community mental wellness, the program positions graduates to sit for PMHNP certification while benefiting from resident tuition rates and potential scholarship opportunities.

• Post-Master's Certificate Program
• Requires 2 years FNP experience
• No GRE required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Current FNP certification needed
• Over $100k in scholarships
• Online graduate program
• Resident tuition rates
• Prepares for PMHNP certification
• Focuses on rural populations

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#2

Boise State University

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

Graduate Certificate - Graduate Certificate

Concentration: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Boise State University's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate offers an advanced online hybrid program targeting experienced nursing professionals. Specifically designed for certified nurse practitioners, this comprehensive 19-credit program provides intensive training in acute care settings. Students complete 512 clinical hours, including 448 supervised direct patient care hours, with two immersive on-campus summer sessions. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and prepares nurses for specialized acute care certification. Military-friendly and strategically structured, the program enables practitioners to enhance their clinical expertise in complex healthcare environments, focusing on advanced practice techniques for adult and gerontological patient populations.

• Online graduate certificate program
• 512 total clinical hours
• Specialized adult-gerontology acute care focus
• 2-6 credits per semester
• Designed for certified nurse practitioners
• Two on-campus summer intensive sessions
• Prepares for certification and licensure
• Evidence-based practice emphasis

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

Concentration: Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Boise State University's Post-Master's Graduate Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care delivers a dynamic one-year hybrid program for licensed nurse practitioners seeking specialized community-based care skills. Requiring 19 credit hours, the program prepares advanced practice nurses to provide comprehensive healthcare for teens, adults, and elderly patients across diverse settings. Applicants must possess an accredited master's nursing degree, active NP licensure, and maintain a 3.0 graduate GPA. The flexible curriculum includes summer intensive sessions and individualized study plans, positioning graduates for successful roles in community health centers, specialty clinics, and private practices. This military-friendly program emphasizes professional practice expansion and multi-state eligibility.

• One-year hybrid certificate program
• 19 maximum credit hours
• Two summer intensive sessions
• Community-based clinical settings
• Individualized study plans
• Licensed NP prerequisite
• 3.0 minimum graduate GPA
• Multiple state eligibility
• Professional practice expansion

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*Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2023, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education.

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.