2025 Best Iowa Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

The University of Iowa's Online Post-Master's Graduate Certificate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Acute Care delivers a specialized 21-semester-hour program targeting experienced Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. Focused exclusively on acute pediatric care, this hybrid program combines rigorous didactic coursework with intensive clinical practicums. Students develop advanced diagnostic skills, specialty pharmacology training, and evidence-based clinical expertise. With a minimum 2.50 GPA requirement, the curriculum provides comprehensive training through gap analysis, enabling nurses to acquire specialized competencies in pediatric acute healthcare environments. Military-friendly and featuring hospital-based learning opportunities, this program prepares nurses for advanced pediatric acute care specialization.

• Post-master's APRN certificate
• 21 semester hours total
• Minimum 2.50 GPA required
• Clinical and didactic courses
• Advanced pediatric acute care focus
• Gap analysis determines coursework
• Multiple clinical practicums
• Specialty pharmacology training
• Advanced diagnostic procedures
• Evidence-based clinical training

The University of Iowa's Online Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate offers a comprehensive 26-semester-hour program designed for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses seeking expanded clinical capabilities. This hybrid curriculum provides evidence-based training covering patient care across all life stages, from infants to older adults. Emphasizing inclusive and compassionate healthcare delivery, the program integrates specialized diagnostic procedures and pharmacology coursework. Admission requires an existing master's nursing degree, with individualized coursework determined through personalized gap analysis. Military-friendly and featuring hospital-based learning, the program equips nurses with advanced skills to deliver high-quality, comprehensive patient care.

• 26 semester hours total
• Post-master's APRN program
• Minimum 2.50 GPA required
• Comprehensive clinical practicum
• Advanced patient care focus
• Covers infants to older adults
• Evidence-based clinical training
• Specialized diagnostic procedures
• Pharmacology specialty courses

The University of Iowa's Online Post-Graduate Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate presents a transformative hybrid program preparing nurses for advanced psychiatric practice. With a 100% certification exam and job placement rate, this program offers a comprehensive curriculum leading to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Limited to 24 students, the three to four-year program combines rigorous didactic and clinical experiences, focusing on leadership in psychiatric-mental health environments. CCNE-accredited and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing, the program provides flexible learning for diverse students seeking versatile healthcare roles in mental health settings.

• Hybrid online & on-campus delivery.
• 3-Year/4-Year Plan of Study.
• Class size limited to 24 students.
• 100% certification exam pass rate.
• 100% job placement rate.
• Accredited by CCNE.
• Approved by Iowa Board of Nursing.
• Focus on leadership in healthcare.
• Comprehensive didactic & clinical experiences.
• Prepares for advanced psychiatric practice.

The University of Iowa's Online Post-Baccalaureate Nurse-Midwifery Education Program offers a distinctive five-semester hybrid certificate for nurses passionate about women's healthcare. With an exclusive four-student cohort, the program provides extensive clinical training at UI Hospitals & Clinics, which manages over 10,000 outpatient encounters and 600 births annually. Emphasizing health disparities and multidisciplinary learning, students prepare for AMCB certification through diverse clinical experiences. The program focuses on rural and urban healthcare settings, enabling nurses to develop advanced reproductive health management skills and serve vulnerable populations with comprehensive midwifery expertise.

• Post-baccalaureate midwifery certificate
• Five-semester hybrid program
• Limited 4-student cohort
• AMCB certification preparation
• Diverse clinical learning sites
• Rural and urban healthcare focus
• Multidisciplinary academic environment
• Emphasis on health disparities

Morningside University's Clinical Nurse Leader Certificate is a robust 26-credit online program designed for nurses seeking advanced leadership roles. This comprehensive curriculum blends advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment with strategic leadership training. Students complete 500 clinical practicum hours, divided into 200/300 hour segments, enabling deep practical experience. The flexible online format supports working professionals, preparing graduates for diverse roles like clinical nurse leader, patient care coordinator, and healthcare system analyst. At $655 per credit, the program offers an accessible pathway to enhanced nursing expertise and career advancement.

• 26 total credit program
• Fully online delivery
• $655 per credit cost
• 500 clinical practicum hours
• Advanced nursing leadership focus
• 9 required specialized courses
• Prepares for multiple nursing roles
• Practicum includes 200/300 hour segments

Morningside University's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate provides a specialized post-master's pathway for experienced nurses targeting acute and critical care environments. This 35-credit online program incorporates 750 clinical practicum hours, emphasizing advanced patient care for critically ill populations. With two onsite residencies and comprehensive training in pathophysiology and pharmacology, graduates are positioned for ANCC certification. The program's strategic curriculum prepares nurses to deliver expert care across complex healthcare settings, with a competitive tuition rate of $655 per credit and four-semester completion timeline.

• 35 total credit hours
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• $655 per credit cost
• Fully online program
• Two onsite residencies
• Prepares for ANCC certification
• Post-master's certificate
• Four semester completion
• Advanced nursing practice
• Acute and critical care focus

Morningside University's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate offers a comprehensive 35-credit online program focused on adult and elderly patient care. Designed for experienced nurses, the curriculum integrates intensive didactic training with 750 clinical practicum hours, emphasizing advanced health assessment and geriatric care complexities. Students gain specialized skills preparing them for national certification through ANCC or AANP. With two onsite residencies and 100% online flexibility, the program enables healthcare professionals to expand clinical expertise in primary care for aging populations at $655 per credit.

• 35 total credit hours
• 100% online program
• $655 per credit
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• Prepares for national certification
• Post-Master's certificate option
• Two on-site residencies
• Specializes in aging population care

Clarke University's Nursing Education Certificate offers a specialized online pathway for nurses aspiring to transition into academic teaching roles. Designed as a flexible post-master's credential, the program requires 12 credits and includes 250 clinical hours, preparing graduates to potentially become Certified Nurse Educators. Students can pursue this certificate as a standalone program, integrate it with a Doctor of Nursing Practitioner concentration, or use it as a bridge program. The curriculum equips nurses with advanced pedagogical skills essential for collegiate nursing instruction, emphasizing comprehensive educational strategies and professional development in academic settings.

• 12 credits required
• Online course format
• 250 clinical hours
• Eligible for CNE exam
• Standalone post-master certificate
• Add to DNP concentration
• Bridge program option
• Focus on nursing education
• Prepares for collegiate teaching
• Flexible program options

Clarke University's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) hybrid certificate program provides advanced practice nurses a comprehensive pathway to specialize in mental health care. Blending online coursework with limited campus visits, the program offers flexible learning for working professionals. Spanning three years full-time or five years part-time, students complete 81 total credit hours and 1000 clinical hours. The curriculum comprehensively covers symptom management, psychotherapeutic treatments, and psychopharmacology, positioning graduates for diverse roles in private practice, clinical settings, community mental health centers, and public health research.

• 81 total credit hours
• Hybrid online/campus program
• Three years full-time option
• Five years part-time option
• 1000 clinical hours
• Only 8 campus visits required
• Post-graduate certificate available
• Small class sizes (20 students)
• Simulation Lab training
• Faculty are practicing DNPs

Briar Cliff University's online Post-Graduate ARNP Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) provides a robust pathway for experienced MSN-prepared nurses seeking advanced specialization. This part-time program spans two years, requiring 750 clinical hours and offering comprehensive mental health training. CCNE-accredited and competitively priced at $525 per credit, the program demands a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and 2,000 RN clinical hours prerequisite. Students develop expertise in holistic psychiatric care, evidence-based interventions, and advanced patient assessment across diverse mental health settings. The flexible online format enables nurses to balance professional development with current clinical responsibilities.

• Online part-time graduate program
• 750 minimum clinical hours
• Three specialized NP tracks
• CCNE accredited program
• 3-year program duration
• Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA required
• Requires prior MSN degree
• 2,000 RN clinical hours prerequisite
• Competitive $525/credit tuition
• Minimal on-campus requirements

Briar Cliff University's online Post-Graduate ARNP Certificate in Adult/Gerontology Primary Care delivers a comprehensive 53.5-credit program for MSN-prepared nurses. Designed to transform experienced clinicians into specialized Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, this two-year track provides extensive training across healthcare environments. Students complete 750 clinical hours, gaining advanced diagnostic, assessment, and treatment skills focused on adult and geriatric populations. The program features veteran faculty mentors, flexible online coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences. Priced at $525 per credit and CCNE-accredited, this certificate offers an accessible pathway for nurses seeking to expand their professional capabilities and healthcare impact.

• Online part-time graduate program
• 750 minimum clinical hours
• 53.5 total program credits
• $525 per credit tuition
• CCNE accredited program
• Requires prior MSN degree
• Veteran faculty mentors
• Clinicals in diverse settings