2026 Best Louisiana Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Are you an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who is interested in another practice area that is not covered by your degree? If so, a post-graduate certificate in nursing can help you gain a second APRN certification and expand your role in nursing, leading to a more satisfying nursing career.

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

If you are a nurse with a master's degree looking to advance your career in Louisiana, finding the right online program is key. At RegisteredNursing.org, we have ranked the best online nursing post-master's graduate certificate schools in the state to help you make an informed choice. Our rankings highlight programs that offer flexible distance learning options, allowing you to balance your studies with work and family life. These remote programs are important because they provide access to specialized education without requiring you to travel, making it easier to gain new skills and advance in your nursing career. For details on how we create our rankings, visit our methodology page at https://www.registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/.

#1

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA - Public 4-Year - louisiana.edu

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

Online Learning - Visit Website

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers an online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-MSN Certificate for experienced nurses seeking advanced mental health specialization. This 100% online program requires 20 credit hours and 510 direct patient care hours, focusing on diagnostic skills, psychopharmacology, and holistic psychiatric care. With a flat-rate tuition of $480 per credit and total costs around $9,600, it prepares graduates for national certification. Applicants need an MSN from a CCNE-accredited program and a minimum 3.0 graduate GPA. No entrance exam is required, and the program can be completed in four semesters, featuring clinical preceptor experiences for practical training.

• 100% Online Graduate Certificate
• 20 Total Credit Hours
• 510 Direct Patient Care Hours
• Flat-rate Tuition $480/Credit
• Requires Prior MSN Degree
• 4 Semester Completion Track
• National Certification Eligible
• Advanced Practice Specialization
• Minimum 3.0 Graduate GPA
• Clinical Preceptor Experiences

#2

Loyola University New Orleans

New Orleans, LA - Private 4-year - loyno.edu

Graduate Certificate - Post-Master's Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Loyola University New Orleans offers a Post-Master's Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery, designed for advanced practice nurses with MSN or DNP degrees seeking specialization. This hybrid program combines synchronous online coursework with 910 supervised clinical hours, focusing on comprehensive women's health care across the lifespan. Students develop expertise in gynecologic, reproductive, and primary care through an individualized curriculum. The program is pre-accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education and does not require an entrance exam, providing a flexible pathway for career advancement.

• Synchronous online coursework
• 910 supervised clinical hours
• Individualized study plan
• Pre-accredited program
• Advanced practice focus

#3

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA - Public 4-Year - nsula.edu

Graduate Certificate - Post Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers a Post-Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner through a hybrid format, combining online coursework with in-person components. This program prepares experienced registered nurses to deliver specialized acute care to adult and geriatric patients, focusing on complex medical interventions, differential diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment strategies. Graduates are equipped to manage acute health conditions, prescribe interventions, and pursue national certification. The flexible curriculum can be completed in as few as four semesters, with personalized planning based on prior graduate education. No entrance exam is required for this post-master's level program.

• Advanced practice nurse preparation
• Hybrid program format
• Personalized curriculum planning
• National certification preparation
• Acute care nurse practitioner focus

#4

Grambling State University

Grambling, LA - Public 4-Year - gram.edu

Graduate Certificate - Post Master’s FNP

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Grambling State University offers an online Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program with a hybrid format that combines online coursework with on-campus weekly classes. This 21-month program requires 49 graduate credit hours and includes over 700 clinical training hours under professional preceptors, focusing on advanced primary care and family health dynamics. It emphasizes rural and community health perspectives to prepare graduates for diverse healthcare environments and national certification. No entrance exam is required for this master's-level program.

• 21-month graduate program
• 49 graduate credit hours
• 700+ clinical training hours
• On-campus weekly classes
• Advanced primary care focus
• National certification preparation
• Rural health emphasis
• Flexible clinical experiences
• Post-Master's options available

*Postsecondary data from: IPEDS 2024, NCES. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Admission Requirements in Louisiana

Admission requirements for post-graduate nursing programs in Louisiana are more or less the same, regardless of which school you choose. For example, the admissions requirements for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are:

• Enrollment in or completion of an MSN or DNP program
• Certification and licensure as a nurse practitioner
• Transcripts
• Resume
• Letters of Recommendation

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Classes and Courses

The curriculum for a post-master’s nursing certificate can vary greatly. Programs designed specifically for students who are registered Advanced Practice Registered Nurses tend to be shorter. For example, at Grambling State University, the general Family Nurse Practitioner program, consisting of 31 credit hours and 668 clinical hours, is much longer than the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner to FNP program, which requires 16 credit hours and 420 clinical hours.

The PNP to FNP program at Grambling State University requires the following nursing courses:

• NP: Advanced Health Management I
• NP: Advanced Health Management II
• Health Policy for Families & Communities
• NP: Advanced Health Management IV
• Comprehensive Examination

Program Length

Most post-graduate nursing certificates require 16-30 credits and take two years to complete. Programs that take fewer credits still require courses to be taken in a certain order, which tends to keep the program around two years in length.

Tuition and Cost of Attendance

Tuition and fees vary widely from one school to another. Public colleges and universities are usually much cheaper than private schools. For example, tuition and fees at McNeese State University are $8,400 per year, while at Franciscan University the tuition alone is $29,720 per year. Financial aid is also a factor. Some students may qualify for scholarships and grants, which reduce the financial burden of their education.

Online Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Programs in Louisiana

Most online nursing programs are designed to be flexible enough to accommodate a working nurse's schedule. Online programs are a convenient way for students to advance their education—and their careers.

Featured Online School

The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate from McNeese State University is a good example of an online post-graduate nursing certificate program in Louisiana. This program requires just 20 credits, and the courses are available online, to be accessed at the student's convenience.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Career Pathways in Louisiana

Most post-grad nursing certificates lead to an Advanced Practice Registered Nursing designation, such as Family Nurse Practitioner. There may also be licensing requirements that must be completed after finishing the program. The following are just a few of the post-graduate certificate in nursing programs available in Louisiana:

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (Acute & Primary Care)
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Salary & Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earned a median wage of $113,930 in May 2018. The highest-paid nurse practitioners earned over $182,750. The job prospects for APRNs are expected to grow 26% between 2018 and 2028, which is much higher than the growth rate for most occupations.

List of Louisiana Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Check out the Louisiana schools listed below for more information about their post-graduate nursing certificate programs.