2026 Best Massachusetts Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Northeastern University's online Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate offers Advanced Practice Registered Nurses a flexible pathway to expand clinical expertise across patient lifespans. This hybrid program requires 19-29 semester hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA and prepares nurses for national FNP certification through comprehensive coursework. The curriculum focuses on life-span healthcare across diverse clinical settings including private practices, community centers, and long-term care facilities. No entrance exam is required for this graduate-level program, which is military-friendly and offers tailored options for nurses from various specialty backgrounds.

• Advanced Practice RN Pathway
• 19-29 Total Semester Hours
• Minimum 3.0 GPA Required
• Multiple Specialty Entry Options
• National Certification Preparation
• Comprehensive Clinical Training
• Life-Span Healthcare Focus
• Diverse Clinical Settings

Northeastern University's hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate specifically designed for licensed pediatric nurse practitioners provides specialized training in comprehensive family healthcare. This online-accessible program requires 19-29 semester hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA and prepares pediatric specialists for national FNP certification. The curriculum emphasizes pharmacology, adult/pediatric patient care, and women's health, enabling nurses to deliver holistic care across diverse healthcare settings. No entrance exam is required for this graduate certificate program, which is military-friendly and tailored for experienced pediatric nursing professionals.

• Hybrid program delivery
• 19-29 total semester hours
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• For licensed pediatric nurses
• National FNP certification preparation

Northeastern University offers a hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate specifically for licensed nurse midwives seeking to expand their clinical scope. This online-accessible program prepares Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to provide comprehensive healthcare across all life stages through 19-29 semester hours of coursework requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA. The curriculum includes intensive clinical training and specialized coursework in pharmacology, family care, and women's healthcare. No entrance exam is required for this graduate certificate program, which is military-friendly and designed for experienced nurse midwives pursuing FNP certification.

• Hybrid learning format
• 19-29 semester hours
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Advanced Practice Nurse focused
• Multiple specialized course options

Endicott College's Post-Master's Nursing Educator Certificate is a 15-credit hybrid program designed for advanced nursing professionals pursuing educational roles. This online-focused program emphasizes curriculum development, teaching strategies, and professional leadership, preparing graduates to educate in academic and clinical environments. Students develop expertise in diverse learning styles and instructional technologies through a flexible, technology-enhanced curriculum. The program includes individual internship placements and focuses on ethical dimensions of nursing education. No entrance exam is required for this post-master's level certificate program.

• 100% online format
• 15 total credits required
• Integrated professional leadership training
• Individual internship placements
• Focus on diverse learning techniques
• Develop instructional technology skills
• Advanced nursing education curriculum

Endicott College's Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate is a 27-credit hybrid program that prepares experienced nurses for primary care roles across patient lifespans. This comprehensive program focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, and holistic patient management through a blend of online and evening courses. Students complete 600 clinical hours and gain advanced clinical skills while maintaining professional flexibility. Graduates become eligible for national certification and state licensure. This ACEN-accredited program requires no entrance exam for admission to this post-master's certificate.

• 27 total credit post-master's certificate
• Hybrid learning model
• $870 per credit
• Total program cost $23,490
• 600 clinical hours required
• ACEN accredited program
• Prepares for national certification
• Holistic patient care approach
• Covers lifespan patient care
• Prerequisites: Masters nursing courses

Endicott College's Nursing Administrator Certificate is a 100% online post-master's program that prepares nurses for leadership roles in healthcare settings. The 15-credit curriculum focuses on organizational management, strategic planning, financial skills, and human resource management essential for nurse leaders. Students gain expertise in healthcare economics, legal issues, and quality assurance through coursework and an internship for real-world experience. This ACEN-accredited program offers flexible scheduling and requires no entrance exam for admission to this advanced certificate program.

• 100% online format.
• 15 credits required.
• Focus on leadership theories.
• Includes internship course.
• Covers healthcare economics.
• Strategic planning skills.
• Human resource management.
• Legal and ethical issues.
• Quality assurance training.
• Tailored internship placements.

Endicott College's Nursing Administrator Certificate is a 100% online post-master's program that develops critical leadership skills for healthcare management roles. This 15-credit program focuses on organizational competencies, strategic management, and administrative skills through a flexible online curriculum. Students gain expertise in healthcare economics, regulatory standards, risk management, and human resource strategies, preparing them for complex leadership positions across diverse healthcare settings. The program includes a six-credit internship experience and requires no entrance exam for this accredited nursing certificate program.

• 100% Online Delivery
• 15 Total Credits Required
• Focuses on Nursing Leadership
• Prepares for Multiple Healthcare Settings
• Six-Credit Internship Experience
• Develops Strategic Management Skills
• Accredited Nursing Program
• Post-Master's Certificate Option

University of Massachusetts-Amherst's online Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education prepares registered nurses for teaching roles through a flexible, four-course curriculum. This program includes a capstone teaching practicum and readies graduates for National League for Nursing Certification. Designed for working professionals, it is fully online and does not require an entrance exam.

• Online graduate certificate program
• Four-course (12-credit) curriculum
• Flexible learning schedule
• Prepares nurses for teaching roles
• Capstone teaching practicum included
• Open to DNP/PhD students
• NLN Certification preparation
• Courses fully online

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Online Certificate at University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a 28-30 credit program focused on mental health and substance disorder treatment. It prepares experienced nurses for ANCC certification with clinical practice in diverse settings. This fully online program does not require an entrance exam and supports nationwide licensure.

• 28-30 credit online program
• Post-master's certificate option
• Prepares for ANCC certification
• Clinical practice in multiple settings
• Designed for experienced nurses
• Covers psychiatric and substance disorders
• Meets licensure requirements nationwide

Simmons University's online Post-Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed for licensed RNs with a BSN, offering flexible full-time, part-time, and extended tracks. This CCNE-accredited program provides comprehensive clinical placement support and predictable scheduling, with 97% of graduates passing board certification exams on their first attempt. No GRE is required, and the program features three annual start dates and dedicated academic advising to help working nurses advance their careers in providing patient care across all life stages.

• CCNE-accredited MSN-FNP program
• Flexible scheduling options
• No GRE required
• Clinical placement support
• Three annual start dates
• 97% board exam pass rate
• Online program format
• Designed for working RNs
• Predictable course schedules
• Dedicated academic advising

Simmons University's online Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program prepares RNs to address mental healthcare gaps through advanced clinical training. Students complete 47 credits and 672 minimum clinical hours, focusing on health equity and holistic care across patient lifespans. This CCNE-accredited program offers full-time and part-time options, with full-time completion in 24 months, and includes live online class sessions and clinical placement support. No entrance exam is required, and the program prepares graduates for ANCC certification in psychiatric mental health.

• Online MSN-PMHNP program
• 47 total credit hours
• 672 minimum clinical hours
• Full/Part-time options
• CCNE accredited program
• RN with BSN required
• Three annual start dates
• Live online class sessions
• Clinical placement support
• Prepares for ANCC certification

MCPHS University's online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies—Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is a two-year, part-time program delivered fully online with local clinical rotations. It focuses on comprehensive family healthcare across the lifespan, including OB/GYN, pediatric, adult, and geriatric care, requiring 540 clinical practicum hours. The program prepares graduates for the Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Exam and offers advanced pharmacology and telemedicine training. No entrance exam is required for this online program, which has flexible start terms in fall, spring, and summer, making it ideal for experienced nurses advancing their careers in primary care settings.

• Two-year, part-time online program
• Fully online coursework with local clinical rotations
• Focus on comprehensive family healthcare
• 540 total clinical practicum hours
• Prepares for national board certification
• Multiple start terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
• Advanced pharmacology and telemedicine training

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies at MCPHS University is a two-year, part-time online program designed for working nurses. It specializes in diagnosing and managing psychiatric conditions like dementia, depression, and anxiety, with 450 clinical training hours in community-based settings. Graduates are eligible for the Family Nurse/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam, entering a high-demand field. No entrance exam is required for this fully online program, which includes advanced pathophysiology training and offers start terms in fall, spring, and summer, providing a flexible pathway to mental health specialization.

• Online part-time two-year program
• 450 clinical training hours
• Flexible start terms: Fall/Spring/Summer
• Advanced pathophysiology training
• Certification exam preparation
• Median salary $120,680
• Community-based clinical opportunities