2026 Best Maine Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Husson University's online Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate is designed for practicing nurse practitioners seeking to expand into primary care across the lifespan. Delivered entirely online and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the program requires between 18 and 48 credits depending on prior MSN coursework. Core curriculum areas include family health for adults and older adults, family-centered care for women, infants, and children, and integrating primary care into practice. Faculty are experienced, actively practicing clinicians. Graduates qualify to sit for the ANCC or AANP Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam, and Husson boasts an impressive 95% national certification exam passage rate.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• 3 concentration options
• 95% licensure pass rate
• ANCC or AANP Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam
• 100% online program
• Primary care setting focus
• Cares for patients across lifespan
• 18-48 credits depending on MSN
• Traditional, nontraditional, culturally diverse families

Husson University's 100% online Post-Master's APRN Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver mental healthcare across all age groups, from childhood through older adulthood. Accredited by CCNE and based in Bangor, Maine, the program requires 18 to 51 credit hours, varying based on prior MSN background. Coursework includes Diagnosis and Pharmacologic Management of Psychiatric Illness, advanced mental health assessment, and family psychiatric nursing. Graduates are eligible for the ANCC psychiatric-mental health certification exam. Faculty remain actively engaged in clinical practice, and the program maintains a 95% national exam passage rate. Prospective students should verify state authorization eligibility prior to enrolling.

• 100% online delivery.
• Post-Master's APRN Certificate.
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner focus.
• Eligible for ANCC certification exam.
• 18-51 credit hours required.
• Depends on MSN program background.
• Accredited by CCNE.
• Experienced faculty in practice.
• Courses include clinical components.
• Focus on mental healthcare access.

Husson University's Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate is a 12-month hybrid program combining online coursework with substantial hands-on clinical training, totaling 688 internship hours. Tailored for family and adult nurse practitioners holding a master's degree in a healthcare-related discipline, the program requires 21 credit hours focused on women's health from adolescence through menopause. Key areas of study include reproductive and gynecologic health, well-woman care, contraceptive counseling, and prenatal services. The hybrid format accommodates working professionals seeking career advancement. Graduates gain specialized clinical competencies and become eligible to pursue national certification exams in women's health, broadening their scope of advanced practice.

• 12-month program duration
• Hybrid online and classroom format
• 21 credit hours required
• 688 internship hours included
• For family and adult nurse practitioners
• Master's degree prerequisite required
• Focus on women's lifespan health
• Emphasis on reproductive health
• Gynecologic health specialization
• Well-woman care training

Husson University's 100% online Post-Master's Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner equips MSN-prepared nurses with advanced clinical expertise in acute care environments for adult and geriatric populations. Accredited by CCNE, the program requires between 18 and 48 credit hours, with requirements adjusted based on prior graduate nursing education. The curriculum integrates clinical coursework emphasizing evidence-based acute care nursing practice, taught by faculty who remain active in clinical settings. Graduates are prepared to sit for the ANCC or AACN certification exams. With a strong focus on building upon existing MSN qualifications, this program opens expanded career pathways in acute care nursing specialization.

• 100% online program.
• 18-48 credit hours.
• CCNE accredited.
• Prepares for certification exams.
• Expert faculty in practice.
• Focus on acute care settings.
• Clinical courses included.
• Builds on MSN degree.
• Adult-gerontology concentration.
• Flexible credit requirements.

The University of Southern Maine's online Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Education is a 21-credit, seven-course program designed for nurses seeking to transition into academic or clinical teaching roles. Remarkably, the program can be completed in as few as six months through accelerated online coursework, with six annual start dates offering maximum scheduling flexibility. The curriculum addresses educational foundations, instructional methods, curriculum development, and assessment strategies. A culminating in-person practicum provides hands-on teaching experience. No GRE is required, and most applicants pay no application fee. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National League of Nursing Certified Nurse Educator exam, and credits earned can be applied toward a full Master's in Nursing Education.

• No entrance exam required
• Exams: GRE, MAT
• Test optional
• 6-Month program
• 21 total credit hours
• 7 total courses
• 6 start dates per year
• Starts spring/summer/fall
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 45 clinical hours

Designed for practicing nurses ready to step into leadership roles, the University of Southern Maine's online Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Administration and Leadership requires just 18 credit hours and can be completed in as few as six months. With six start dates per year and reduced e-tuition rates, the program is both accessible and affordable. Applicants must hold a master's degree in nursing, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and hold active RN licensure — notably, no GRE is required. The curriculum emphasizes leadership principles and financial management, complemented by a hands-on practicum. Graduates are positioned for roles such as nurse manager and may pursue national certification upon completion.

• Accelerated online program.
• Complete in six months.
• 18 credit hours required.
• Affordable e-tuition rates.
• Six start dates yearly.
• No GRE required.
• Master's degree prerequisite.
• 3.0 GPA minimum.
• RN licensure needed.
• Includes practicum component.

The University of Southern Maine offers a comprehensive online Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Administration and Leadership, requiring 18 credit hours completable within six months. Six annual start dates and affordable e-tuition make this program highly accessible, including for out-of-state students. No GRE is required, and many applicants face no application fee. Prerequisites include a master's degree in nursing, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and active RN licensure. Coursework spans information technology, quality improvement, nursing theory, organizational behavior, evidence-based practice, and financial management. An in-person practicum builds real-world competency. Earned credits may count toward a master's degree, and graduates qualify for roles such as director of nursing or nurse manager, with pathways to national certification.

• Online accelerated program.
• Post-master's certificate.
• 18 credit hours required.
• Finish in 6 months.
• Six start dates yearly.
• No GRE required.
• Affordable e-tuition rates.
• In-person practicum included.
• Master's degree in nursing required.
• 3.0 GPA minimum.

The University of Maine's Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education is a fully online, 11-credit program designed to prepare registered nurses for educator roles in academic and clinical settings. Notably, no entrance exam is required for admission, though applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit at least two letters of recommendation. The curriculum emphasizes curriculum design, teaching-learning methods, clinical simulation, and educational technology. Students complete 500 practicum hours across two nursing education experiences, with some onsite days required for the advanced health assessment lab. The program meets criteria for the NLN Academic Novice Nurse Educator Certification Exam and is accredited by both CCNE and NLN. Credits may transfer toward the Master of Science in Nursing Leadership degree.

• CCNE, NLN accredited
• No entrance exam required
• 11 total credit hours
• Rolling admissions
• Full-time and part-time options
• Asynchronous online classes
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• 500 clinical hours
• Work experience required

Designed for nurses already holding an MSN or DNP, the University of Maine's Certificate of Advanced Study in Family Nurse Practitioner is a hybrid program blending online coursework with individually arranged clinical experiences. Requiring a minimum of 33 semester hours, this post-master's certificate builds upon prior graduate-level education to meet national FNP certification standards. Applicants must hold a 3.25 graduate GPA and current Maine RN licensure. A distinctive feature of this program is its emphasis on rural and underserved community health across the lifespan, reflecting Maine's unique healthcare landscape. No international student applications are accepted, and admissions operate on a rolling basis. Clinical placements are tailored to each student's individual circumstances.

• Certificate of Advanced Study program.
• Hybrid online and classroom format.
• Minimum 33 semester hours required.
• For nurses with MSN or DNP.
• Focus on rural health issues.
• Prepares for national certification.
• Clinical experiences arranged individually.
• Requires Maine RN licensure.
• Minimum 3.25 graduate GPA.
• Rolling application deadline.

The University of Maine's Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership offers an 11-credit hybrid format that combines online learning with some required on-site components, focusing on a Nursing Educator concentration. This post-master's certificate targets nurses prepared to take on teaching roles in both academic and healthcare environments, covering instructional methods, program design, and curriculum evaluation. Applicants must hold a BSN or MSN from an accredited institution, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and possess current Maine RN licensure. Prerequisite coursework in statistics and research methods is also required, along with a pre-admission meeting. Accredited by CCNE, the program operates on rolling admissions, and completed credits may be applied toward the Master of Science in Nursing Leadership.

• 11-credit graduate certificate.
• Hybrid online and on-site format.
• Nursing Educator concentration.
• Requires BSN or MSN degree.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required.
• Maine RN licensure needed.
• Courses may transfer to MSNL.
• Focus on teaching roles.
• Includes practicum experiences.
• Pre-admission meeting required.