2026 Best Maryland Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Johns Hopkins University's hybrid Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate delivers intensive 17-credit, 500-clinical-hour training for advanced practice nurses pursuing mental health specialization. This program develops comprehensive skills for evaluating and treating mental health and substance use conditions across all life stages, emphasizing evidence-based integrated care. Graduates are prepared for diverse settings from behavioral health centers to primary care, with eligibility for American Nurses Credentialing Center certification. No entrance exam is required for this hybrid program, which combines online coursework with in-person clinical components.

• 17-credit post-master's certificate
• 500 total clinical hours
• Covers lifespan mental health care
• Prepares for ANCC certification
• Focuses on integrated care approach
• Evidence-based curriculum design
• Practice across multiple healthcare settings

The online Post-Master's Certificate in Healthcare Organizational Leadership at Johns Hopkins University equips advanced nursing professionals with 16 credits and 504 clinical hours of part-time study focused on healthcare management excellence. Students develop expertise in leadership theory, evidence-based practice, and strategic healthcare management, including organizational culture and health policy analysis. This fully online program offers flexible clinical placements and serves as a pathway to the DNP Executive Track, requiring no entrance exam for admission to its distance learning format.

• Part-time online certificate
• 16 total credits
• 504 clinical hours
• Diverse clinical placement settings
• Prepares for DNP Executive Track
• Leadership and management focus
• Health policy analysis skills
• No advanced practice license required

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing's hybrid Certificate in Advanced Forensic Nursing provides a 12-credit executive-style program blending online and limited on-site coursework for experienced nurses seeking forensic specialization. This program prepares professionals for leadership roles in forensic nursing practice, research, and policy development within one of nursing's fastest-growing specialties. With tuition at $2,500 per course and fall or spring start options, the certificate explicitly requires no GRE and offers a potential DNP pathway through its hybrid delivery model combining digital and in-person elements.

• 12-credit graduate forensic nursing certificate
• Online and on-site coursework
• No GRE required
• DNP degree pathway possible
• Tuition: $2,500 per course
• Fall or spring semester start
• Leadership-focused curriculum

Stevenson University's online Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Nursing Education provides BSN-prepared registered nurses with a 15-credit, fully online program focused on developing advanced teaching skills. This CCNE-accredited program requires a 3.0 GPA, current RN license, professional recommendations, and a personal statement for admission, with no entrance exam mentioned. At $635 per credit, the curriculum includes four core nursing courses, and credits are transferable to a Master's in Nursing, offering a flexible pathway for career advancement in nursing education.

• Fully online 15-credit program
• For BSN-prepared RNs
• Credits transferable to MSN
• Per credit tuition $635
• 4 core nursing courses
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement
• CCNE accredited program
• Professional recommendation needed
• Personal statement required
• Current RN license mandatory

Stevenson University's online Graduate Certificate in Population-Based Care Coordination is a 15-credit program designed for BSN-prepared RNs to address healthcare coordination needs under the Affordable Care Act. Delivered entirely online, it emphasizes population health through five specialized courses, requires a 3.0 GPA and valid RN license for admission, and does not specify an entrance exam. Priced at $635 per credit, the program allows credits to apply toward a Master's in Nursing, supporting flexible skill enhancement in public health coordination.

• 15-credit online graduate certificate
• For BSN-prepared RNs
• Entirely online coursework
• Credits applicable to MSN
• Per credit cost $635
• 3.0 GPA required
• RN license in good standing
• Five specialized nursing courses
• Population health focus

Salisbury University's online Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate of Advanced Study is designed for D.N.P. graduates seeking FNP certification. This competitive program focuses on meeting educational requirements for the FNP exam and licensure, emphasizing advanced clinical skills, patient care, and healthcare leadership. Admissions are selective, and while the program is rigorous, it does not require an entrance exam. Delivered entirely online, it offers flexibility for working professionals aiming to specialize in family practice.

• For D.N.P. graduates
• Prepares for FNP certification
• Competitive admissions
• Focus on advanced nursing practices
• Enhances clinical skills
• Leadership in healthcare
• Selective admissions process
• Specialization in family practice
• Rigorous curriculum
• Educational requirements for licensure

Notre Dame of Maryland University offers an online Post-MSN Certificate in Nurse Education, designed for MSN, DNP, or PhD holders seeking to advance as educators. This 12-credit hybrid program blends online coursework with practical experiences, focusing on curriculum design, teaching methodologies, and educational assessment through a caring science approach. It requires an active RN license and a 3.0 GPA but does not mandate an entrance exam. Students complete practicums in diverse settings, preparing them for roles in academic and clinical education. Scholarships are available, and the program is military-friendly, emphasizing real-world application without religious requirements.

• 12-credit Post-MSN Certificate program
• Requires MSN, DNP, or PhD
• Caring science educational approach
• Practicum in various educational settings
• Focuses on nursing education skills
• GPA requirement of 3.0
• Requires active RN license
• Scholarship opportunities available
• Curriculum includes teaching and technology courses

The University of Maryland, Baltimore offers an online Nursing Informatics Certificate program designed for nurses seeking to specialize in healthcare technology integration. This 36-credit program can be completed in as little as two years and includes 500 practicum hours, providing hands-on experience in healthcare systems. The curriculum focuses on information systems, data analytics, and project management to enhance patient care delivery. No entrance exam is required for this online program, which offers both full-time and part-time options. Graduates are prepared for high-demand roles in nursing informatics with competitive in-state tuition and nationwide practicum site availability.

• 36 credit hours online
• As little as 2 years
• 500 practicum hours
• Competitive in-state tuition
• Practicum sites nationwide
• Free certification prep
• Full-time and part-time options
• Advanced technology focus
• Healthcare systems leadership
• ANCC Certification preparation