Post-graduate nursing certificates prepare nurses for advanced specialized knowledge. These programs, also known as post-master’s nursing certificate programs, offer advanced career growth and open doors to opportunities for the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), providing specialized education in a specific field of nursing. Post-grad nursing certificate programs attract RNs who already hold a Master’s Degree in Nursing. Read on to find out how to obtain a Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing in the state of Colorado.

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

RegisteredNursing.org presents the top online Post-Master's Graduate Certificate schools in Colorado, highlighting exceptional distance learning opportunities for advanced nursing professionals. These virtual programs offer nurses critical pathways to specialize and enhance their clinical expertise without compromising current work commitments. Colorado's nursing education landscape provides robust online options that enable registered nurses to pursue advanced practice roles, specialized certifications, and expanded career opportunities through flexible, high-quality academic programs. Nurses can select from comprehensive certificate tracks that align with their professional goals, ranging from nurse practitioner specialties to leadership and educational roles. These online programs represent a strategic approach for nurses seeking professional growth while maintaining their current clinical responsibilities. Our comprehensive ranking methodology ensures a thorough and transparent evaluation of these exceptional educational opportunities.
#1

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Denver, CO - Public 4-Year - ucdenver.edu

Graduate Certificate - Nursing Education Graduate Certificate

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus offers a transformative Nursing Education Graduate Certificate, strategically designed for nurses passionate about teaching. This innovative hybrid program blends online coursework with immersive in-person sessions, preparing educators to excel in patient, student, and community education settings. Spanning just one year, the 9-credit curriculum emphasizes evidence-based teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and emerging pedagogical practices. Notably, graduates become eligible to sit for the prestigious Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam. The program uniquely welcomes nurses with undergraduate degrees, providing an accessible pathway to specialize in nursing education without requiring a complete master's degree.

  • Hybrid online format
  • 1 year to complete
  • Prepares for CNE exam
  • Open to non-degree seekers
  • 9-credit program
  • Focus on curriculum design
  • Emphasizes evidence-based teaching
  • Optional immersion practicum
  • Colorado residents tuition $7,065
  • Nonresidents tuition $11,457

Graduate Certificate - i-LEAD Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems Certificate

Online Learning - Visit Website

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's i-LEAD Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems Certificate represents a cutting-edge online professional development opportunity for healthcare professionals. This comprehensive graduate-level program offers diverse specialization tracks including Adult-Gerontology, Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Informatics, and Veteran and Military Health Care. Ranging from 9-18 credits, the certificate strategically combines rigorous didactic coursework with extensive clinical practicums. Designed for working professionals, the program enables participants to enhance clinical skills, develop advanced leadership capabilities, and expand career opportunities without disrupting current employment.

  • Multiple nursing specialty tracks
  • Post-masters and graduate certificates
  • Online and flexible learning formats
  • Extensive clinical practicum hours
  • Advanced practice specialization options

Graduate Certificate - Graduate Certificate Health Care Informatics

Online Learning - Visit Website

The Health Care Informatics Graduate Certificate from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus represents a sophisticated online program bridging healthcare and technology. Completed in 1-1.5 years, this 16-credit certificate targets professionals seeking to revolutionize patient care through advanced technological integration. The curriculum comprehensively covers decision support systems, semantic representation, and information systems lifecycle, complemented by elective courses in knowledge management and digital health tools. With an estimated tuition of $12,560, the program welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, including non-nursing disciplines. Participants gain critical skills in leveraging technology to enhance patient safety and improve healthcare outcomes.

  • 100% online format.
  • 1-1.5 years to complete.
  • 16-credit program.
  • Focuses on healthcare data and technology.
  • Open to non-nursing degree students.
  • Core courses in decision support.
  • Electives in digital health tools.
  • Estimated tuition $12,560.
  • Scholarships and financial aid available.
  • No nursing background required.
Show 2 More Programs ˅
#2

Regis University

Denver, CO - Private 4-year - regis.edu

Graduate Certificate - Post-Graduate Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner

Online Learning - Visit Website

Regis University's online Post-Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner delivers a comprehensive 36-credit advanced nursing program tailored for experienced nurses. Designed exclusively for master's degree holders with minimum two years clinical experience, this remote learning track emphasizes holistic family healthcare preparation. Students explore critical domains including health promotion, disease prevention, and advanced patient assessment. The CCNE-accredited curriculum strategically positions graduates for national certification examinations, enabling expanded clinical roles with significant professional development opportunities. Flexible online format allows working nurses to enhance their specialized skills while maintaining current employment.

  • Remote online learning format
  • 36 total credit hours
  • Advanced clinical assessment focus
  • CCNE accredited program
  • Requires master's nursing degree
  • Minimum two years nursing experience
  • Prepares for certification exams
  • Clinical hours in diverse settings
  • Leadership and ethics training
  • Health policy curriculum included

Graduate Certificate - Post-Graduate Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Online Learning - Visit Website

Regis University's online Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner addresses critical mental healthcare workforce needs through a specialized 26-36 credit program. This advanced practice nursing curriculum comprehensively prepares practitioners in psychiatric assessment, psychotherapy techniques, and pharmacological interventions. Students benefit from a flexible online learning environment that integrates professional development, evidence-based practice, and leadership training. Graduates become eligible for national certification and can potentially obtain prescriptive authority, positioning themselves within high-demand mental health service sectors. The program offers professional integration opportunities and advanced clinical skill enhancement.

  • Online program format
  • 26-36 total credit hours
  • National certification eligible
  • Advanced practice nursing
  • Psychopharmacology focus
  • Professional integration curriculum
  • CCNE accredited program
  • Colorado practice authority
  • Leadership skills development
  • Evidence-based practice training
Show 1 More Programs ˅
#3

Colorado State University Pueblo

Pueblo, CO - Public 4-Year - csupueblo.edu

Graduate Certificate - Nursing: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Post Masters Certification

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Colorado State University Pueblo offers a cutting-edge Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certification program designed for experienced nurses seeking advanced mental health specialization. This hybrid online and in-person program provides a comprehensive 585-hour clinical training experience, focusing on evidence-based mental health care across patient lifespans. Eligible candidates must hold a master's or doctoral nursing degree, maintain an active RN license, and possess a minimum 3.0 GPA. The individualized curriculum prepares nurses for national certification, emphasizing advanced clinical skills and professional development in psychiatric nursing. Military-friendly and strategically structured, the program equips nurses to address complex mental health challenges with expertise and compassion.

  • Post Masters Certification
  • Individualized Study Plan
  • 585 Clinical Training Hours
  • Evidence-Based Mental Health Care
  • National Certification Eligible
  • 3.0 GPA Requirement
  • Active RN License Needed
#4

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO - Public 4-Year - unco.edu

Graduate Certificate - Nursing Education Graduate Certificate Program

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Northern Colorado's online Nursing Education Graduate Certificate Program provides a strategic pathway for experienced nurses to transition into educational roles. Spanning just 9 credits, this hybrid program offers exceptional flexibility for working professionals. Candidates must possess both BSN and MSN degrees from accredited institutions, maintaining a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Uniquely positioned as a no-GRE requirement program, it emphasizes practical teaching skills and pedagogical approaches specific to nursing education. Applicants submit a comprehensive personal statement, professional resume, and active RN license. The curriculum prepares nurses to become effective educators in academic and clinical environments, supporting career advancement in nursing education. Military-friendly features enhance the program's accessibility for diverse nursing professionals.

  • 9 credits required
  • Fully online program
  • BSN and MSN required
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.00+
  • No GRE scores needed
  • Personal statement required
  • Resume submission needed
  • Copy of RN license required
  • Prepares for nursing educator roles
  • Flexible for working professionals
*IPEDS 2023, U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Admission Requirements in Colorado

While admissions requirements will vary depending on the school, many post-master’s nursing certificate programs will have similar requirements. The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs sets the following admission requirements:

  • Grade level B or higher in all nursing courses
  • Completion of the certificate within six years
  • Completion of 25-34 credits at the graduate level
  • Completion of an accredited master’s degree in nursing
  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume
  • 3.0 GPA minimum of cumulative previous courses
  • Passing scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language
  • Unrestricted RN license
  • Submission of all application materials by posted deadlines

Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Classes and Courses 

Post-grad nursing certificate courses are usually centered around a specific nursing specialty. For example, the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus includes the following courses:

  • Integrated Behavioral Health Care and Common Psychiatric Presentations Across the Lifespan
  • Advanced Assessment, Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology
  • Diagnosis and Management of Adults for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychotherapy, Behavior Change and Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan

Program Length

While the length of post-grad nursing certificate programs can vary based on many factors, most can be completed in just a few semesters of study (1-2 years). Most programs offer full-time and part-time options, which will impact how long it takes a student to graduate. Many post-master’s nursing certificate programs are designed with working RNs in mind, making them flexible enough to work around a career.

Tuition and Cost of Attendance

The location (city) of the school, whether it’s private or public, expenses other than tuition costs, and technology fees all have a bearing on post-graduate certificate in nursing program costs in Colorado. Check into the possibility of taking a program part-time and if there is any financial aid help associated with the programs. The Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate through the University of Northern Colorado, for example, costs $640 per credit hour.

Online Post-Master’s Nursing Certificate Programs in Colorado

Online learning has become increasingly popular. Some important questions to ask while looking into online programs include:

  • Do online Colorado post-grad nursing certificate programs offer 100 percent online education?
  • Does this program offer minimal visits on campus?

Making sure the online program is accredited and reputable should be a top consideration. Online learning is not for every nurse, and the student taking online education needs to be very structured and motivated with no procrastination or missing assignments. Online education offers great flexibility, does not interfere with job duties, saves time and money, and allows the student to work at a chosen pace.

Featured Online School

The University of Northern Colorado offers a flexible, online post-master’s nursing certificate in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty. Highlights include:

  • This program takes about 20 months to complete with 540 hours of clinical training
  • Offers credentials and national certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
  • Advanced expertise in assessment, promotion, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and coordination of care in the critical patient
  • 500 hours of supervised clinical instruction
  • Builds practical, clinical, and leadership skills

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Career Pathways in Colorado

Post-master’s nursing certificates only stand to improve patient outcomes due to the nurse broadening his or her skills. Some program specialties and careers available include:

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Salary & Job Outlook

Salaries for RNs with post-master’s nursing certificates vary depending on educational specialty, city, and employer. All states are declaring a shortage of doctors, and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are filling this gap in most states. The NP is increasingly in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, NPs earn an average salary of about $113,930 annually, or roughly $54.78 per hour.

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

RNs in Colorado ready to take the next step in their careers by earning a post-graduate nursing certificate can peruse the comprehensive list of schools and programs below.

Jump to City:

Denver, CO

Regis University

  • Graduate Certificate - Post-Graduate Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online program format
    • 26-36 total credit hours
    • National certification eligible
    • Advanced practice nursing
    • Psychopharmacology focus
    • Professional integration curriculum
    • CCNE accredited program
    • Colorado practice authority
  • Graduate Certificate - Post-Graduate Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner

    Online Learning - Website

    • Remote online learning format
    • 36 total credit hours
    • Advanced clinical assessment focus
    • CCNE accredited program
    • Requires master's nursing degree
    • Minimum two years nursing experience
    • Prepares for certification exams
    • Clinical hours in diverse settings

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

  • Graduate Certificate - Graduate Certificate Health Care Informatics

    Online Learning - Website

    • 100% online format.
    • 1-1.5 years to complete.
    • 16-credit program.
    • Focuses on healthcare data and technology.
    • Open to non-nursing degree students.
    • Core courses in decision support.
    • Electives in digital health tools.
    • Estimated tuition $12,560.
  • Graduate Certificate - Nursing Education Graduate Certificate

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid online format
    • 1 year to complete
    • Prepares for CNE exam
    • Open to non-degree seekers
    • 9-credit program
    • Focus on curriculum design
    • Emphasizes evidence-based teaching
    • Optional immersion practicum
  • Graduate Certificate - i-LEAD Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems Certificate

    Online Learning - Website

    • Multiple nursing specialty tracks
    • Post-masters and graduate certificates
    • Online and flexible learning formats
    • Extensive clinical practicum hours
    • Advanced practice specialization options

Greeley, CO

University of Northern Colorado

  • Graduate Certificate - Nursing Education Graduate Certificate Program

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 9 credits required
    • Fully online program
    • BSN and MSN required
    • Cumulative GPA of 3.00+
    • No GRE scores needed
    • Personal statement required
    • Resume submission needed
    • Copy of RN license required

Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo

  • Graduate Certificate - Adult/Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate

    Campus Based - Website

    • Post Masters Certification Program
    • 585 Total Clinical Hours
    • Advanced Nursing Practice Focus
    • Dual Certification Opportunity
    • Minimum 3.0 GPA Required
    • 16 Postgraduate Credit Hours
    • Active RN License Mandatory
    • Interprofessional Collaboration Emphasis
  • Graduate Certificate - Adult/Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner, Post-Masters Certificate

    Concentration: Adult Gerontology Acute Care - Campus Based - Website

    • Post-Masters Certification Program
    • Dual Nurse Practitioner Certification
    • 585 Clinical Practice Hours
    • 3.0 GPA Minimum Requirement
    • Advanced Evidence-Based Practice
    • Comprehensive Patient Care Focus
    • Interprofessional Collaboration Training
  • Graduate Certificate - Adult/Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner, Post-Masters Certificate

    Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Website

    • Post-Masters Nursing Certification
    • Evidence-based Patient Care
    • Comprehensive Clinical Training
    • National Certification Eligibility
    • 585 Total Clinical Hours
    • 47 Total Credit Hours
    • Minimum 3.0 GPA Required
  • Graduate Certificate - Nursing: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Post Masters Certification

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Post Masters Certification
    • Individualized Study Plan
    • 585 Clinical Training Hours
    • Evidence-Based Mental Health Care
    • National Certification Eligible
    • 3.0 GPA Requirement
    • Active RN License Needed
*Credit: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2023.