2026 Best Pennsylvania Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Thomas Jefferson University's online Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education focuses on academic nursing, preparing registered nurses for teaching roles with competencies in curriculum design and student assessment. This 9-credit program includes 224 hours of experiential learning through preceptor-facilitated practicums and follows an NLN competency-based curriculum. No entrance exam is required, and it offers a potential pathway to an MSN. The online format provides flexibility for working professionals, with military-friendly support and access to an on-campus hospital.

• Online graduate certificate program
• 9 total graduate credits
• Preceptor-facilitated practicums
• 224 hours experiential learning
• Minimum bachelor's degree required
• NLN competency-based curriculum
• Potential MSN pathway

Thomas Jefferson University's hybrid Post-Graduate Certificate in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specializes in primary care, equipping advanced practice nurses to deliver healthcare to infants and children. The 18-credit program combines online coursework with on-campus elements at the Center City campus, emphasizing evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration. Graduates are prepared for the CPNP-PC exam, with no entrance exam required. It includes clinical training in multiple healthcare settings and is military-friendly, leveraging the on-campus hospital for enhanced learning.

• 18 graduate certificate credits
• Online program format
• Center City campus
• Prepares for CPNP-PC exam
• Advanced pediatric nursing practice
• Multiple healthcare settings
• Comprehensive patient care focus
• Evidence-based curriculum
• Interprofessional collaboration skills

Thomas Jefferson University offers a hybrid Post-Graduate Family-Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner Certificate, focusing on comprehensive primary care from infancy to adulthood. This 18-credit program blends online learning with campus activities, highlighting family-centered care and interdisciplinary strategies. No entrance exam is needed, and graduates can pursue certification through ANCC or AANPCB. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based clinical training and advanced nursing practice, supported by military-friendly policies and an on-campus hospital for practical experience.

• 18 graduate credits
• Online program format
• Center City campus
• Two certification pathways
• Family-centered care approach
• Primary care focus
• Interdisciplinary curriculum
• Advanced nursing practice
• Evidence-based clinical training

The hybrid Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate at Thomas Jefferson University provides specialized training in psychiatric care, including substance use disorders and integrated health practices. With 36 credits delivered online and on-campus, it prepares graduates for the ANCC certification exam without requiring an entrance exam. The program focuses on evidence-based practice, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration, offering clinical opportunities across various settings. It is military-friendly and benefits from an on-campus hospital, ensuring culturally-appropriate care concepts.

• Online format.
• 36 credit hours.
• Focus on substance use disorders.
• Clinical opportunities across settings.
• Prepares for ANCC certification exam.
• Emphasizes integrated health care.
• Leadership and collaboration focus.
• Evidence-based practice training.
• Interprofessional communication skills.
• Culturally-appropriate care concepts.

Thomas Jefferson University's hybrid Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate Program trains nurses in comprehensive primary care for young adults to older populations. This 18-credit program combines online and in-person elements at the Center City campus, with no entrance exam required. It offers two certification pathways through ANCC and AANPCB, focusing on holistic patient care and evidence-based practice in outpatient settings. Military-friendly and supported by an on-campus hospital, it enhances clinical management skills for diverse health spectrums.

• 18-credit graduate certificate
• Online and hybrid format
• Center City campus location
• Two certification options
• Comprehensive primary care focus
• Advanced practice nursing preparation
• Outpatient clinical settings
• Evidence-based curriculum

Villanova University's online Post-Master's Nurse Educator Certificate enables experienced master's or doctoral nurses to advance their teaching careers through a flexible 12-credit curriculum focused on curriculum development and instructional design. This program, offered entirely online or hybrid, requires no entrance exam and can be completed in one to five years, preparing graduates for academic or clinical teaching roles with synchronous online learning options.

• Post-Master's Certificate Program
• 12 total credit hours
• Online and hybrid options
• One-year minimum completion
• Five-year maximum completion
• Core courses in curriculum development
• Elective courses in teaching strategies
• For master's/doctoral nurses
• Synchronous online format
• Professional teaching preparation

Villanova University's hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate equips nurses with advanced primary care skills across all life stages, featuring 25-35 credits and 750 clinical hours. The program includes online support courses and on-site clinical training, with no entrance exam required, and allows up to five years for completion, fostering independent or collaborative practice in holistic patient care.

• 25-35 credit program
• 750 total clinical hours
• 1.5 year minimum completion
• Online support courses
• On-site clinical training
• Advanced pathophysiology focus
• Lifespan patient care preparation
• Five-year maximum completion time

Villanova University's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate, delivered in a hybrid format, provides specialized training in behavioral health with 25-35 credits and 750 clinical hours. No entrance exam is needed for this program, which combines online and on-campus courses over 1.5 to 5 years, preparing nurses for advanced psychiatric assessment and intervention across patient lifespans.

• 25-35 total credits
• 750 clinical hours required
• 1.5-5 year completion window
• On-campus and online courses
• Supports career advancement
• Lifespan psychiatric care focus
• Advanced clinical training

Villanova University's fully online Nurse Manager Certificate Program offers 48 contact hours through six modules, integrating design thinking and AI applications for nursing leaders. At $1,549, it includes emotional intelligence training and a digital badge, with no entrance exam required, and supports ANCC certification preparation via synchronous and asynchronous learning methods.

• Online Professional Certificate Program
• 48 Contact Hours Awarded
• Six 4-Week Modules
• $1,549 Total Cost
• Digital Badge Earned
• Pre/Post Competency Assessments
• Emotional Intelligence Training
• CliftonStrengths Assessment
• Synchronous/Asynchronous Learning
• Prepare for ANCC Certification

Villanova University's hybrid Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate focuses on adult and geriatric healthcare with 25-35 credits and 750 clinical hours. This post-graduate program requires no entrance exam, blends online support courses with in-person clinical training, and can be completed in at least 1.5 years, enhancing skills for high-quality primary care delivery.

• 25-35 credit post-graduate certificate
• 750 total clinical hours
• Minimum 1.5 years completion time
• On-campus and online support courses
• In-person clinical training
• Multiple clinical practice settings
• Advanced nursing skills development
• Supportive physician and NP preceptors

Drexel University's online Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver comprehensive mental health services across patient lifespans. This 52-quarter-credit program includes 640 clinical hours and mandatory on-campus intensives for hands-on simulation training. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, it enables graduates to take the ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Certification Examination. The program focuses on diagnostic and treatment approaches, offering flexibility for working professionals with online learning and targeted campus experiences. No entrance exam is required for this online program.

• Online PMHNP Master's Degree
• 52 quarter credits total
• 640 clinical practice hours
• Accredited nursing program
• Mandatory on-campus intensives
• Lifespan mental health focus
• Advanced practice preparation
• State-of-art simulation lab
• ANCC certification eligible

Drexel University's online Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management equips registered nurses with strategic healthcare management skills. This 13.5-credit program focuses on organizational problem-solving, decision-making, and healthcare system transformation, providing graduate-level credits applicable toward an MSN degree. Designed for nurses with a bachelor's degree, it covers healthcare economics and operations management. The program is NLN/CCNE accredited and requires a 2.75 minimum GPA. No standardized test is required for this online certificate program.

• Graduate-level online certificate
• 13.5 total credits
• For registered nurses
• Bachelor's degree required
• NLN/CCNE accredited program
• 2.75 minimum GPA
• Credits applicable to MSN
• Four 10-week quarters
• Leadership skills focus
• No standardized test required

Drexel University's online Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate offers advanced practice nurses specialized skills in comprehensive women's healthcare. This 37-credit program prepares nurses to deliver expert care across women's lifespans, focusing on reproductive health and gender-related needs through synchronous online learning and clinical preceptorships. Graduates are eligible for Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Certification. The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and is CCNE accredited. No entrance exam is required for this online program, which includes part-time study options over 1.5 years.

• Graduate Level Post-Master's Certificate
• 37 Total Credit Hours
• Online and Campus Options
• Part-time Study, 1.5 Years
• Synchronous Interactive Learning
• CCNE Fully Accredited Program
• Clinically Active Faculty
• National Certification Eligible
• Minimum 3.0 GPA Required
• Clinical Preceptorships Available

Drexel University's online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate specializes in acute care for adult and geriatric populations. This 29-credit program prepares master's-prepared nurses to manage complex medical and critical care needs, emphasizing diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making. Graduates become eligible for ANCC/AACN certification. The program requires a minimum 3.5 GPA and offers part-time study completion in approximately one year, with up to 800 clinical hours. No entrance exam is required for this online program, which uses interactive e-learning methods.

• Online and campus delivery options
• 29 credit post-graduate certificate
• Part-time study completion
• Prepares for ANCC/AACN certification
• Master's degree prerequisite
• Minimum 3.5 GPA required
• Interactive e-learning method
• Working professionals friendly
• 800 potential clinical hours
• Quarterly academic calendar

Penn State's Online Graduate Certificate in Nurse Education revolutionizes healthcare training for registered nurses. This targeted 9-credit program enables nurses to become transformative educators, focusing on curriculum development, innovative teaching methodologies, and assessment design. Ideal for BSN-prepared professionals, the program offers complete online flexibility without campus visits. Requiring a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, students can enhance their pedagogical skills through an optional 4-credit practicum. With a competitive per-credit cost of $1,027, graduates are empowered to advance nursing education careers across diverse healthcare settings.

• Online graduate certificate program
• 9 total graduate credits
• $1,027 per credit
• Optional 4-credit practicum
• Requires BSN degree
• Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
• No campus visits required

Penn State's Online Graduate Certificate in Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner provides an advanced clinical pathway for experienced nurses. This comprehensive 22-38 credit program prepares healthcare professionals to deliver holistic care across all age groups. Designed for nurses with existing graduate nursing degrees, the program emphasizes developing sophisticated clinical skills and cost-effective patient management. CCNE-accredited and requiring a Pennsylvania nursing license, students receive rigorous training preparing them for family nurse practitioner certification. The flexible online format allows practicing nurses to expand their expertise while maintaining professional commitments.

• Online graduate nursing certificate
• 22-38 total credits required
• $1,027 per credit cost
• CCNE accredited program
• Pennsylvania nursing license required
• Post-master's certification option
• Comprehensive patient care training
• Preparation for NP certification
• Designed for practicing nurses

Penn State's Online Graduate Certificate in Nurse Administrator equips registered nurses with strategic leadership capabilities. This concise 9-credit program delivers comprehensive training in healthcare policy, organizational dynamics, and workforce management. Tailored for BSN-prepared professionals, the curriculum explores critical administrative competencies including economics, human resource strategies, and healthcare leadership. With a flexible online format and optional 4-credit practicum, nurses can enhance their administrative skills without interrupting their current roles. Stackable toward an MSN and priced at $1,027 per credit, the program prepares nurses for advanced leadership positions across healthcare environments.

• Online graduate nursing certificate
• 9 total graduate credits
• For licensed RNs with BSN
• $1,027 per credit
• Flexible online learning
• Optional 4-credit practicum
• Stackable toward MSN
• CCNE-accredited program
• Leadership-focused curriculum
• Prepares for advanced roles

Penn State's Online Graduate Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner provides specialized training for advanced practice nurses. This comprehensive program prepares licensed nurses to deliver sophisticated medical interventions for older adult patients in acute healthcare settings. Spanning 22-37 credits, the curriculum focuses on complex patient assessments, targeted treatment planning, and critical care management. With a tuition of $1,027 per credit, students gain extensive expertise preparing them for national certification examinations. The online format enables nurses to enhance their clinical capabilities while maintaining professional commitments.

• Online graduate nursing certificate
• 22-37 total credits required
• $1,027 per credit tuition
• CCNE Accredited program
• Prepares for national certification
• For licensed PA nurses
• Focuses on acute gerontology care

Penn State's Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate offers specialized geriatric healthcare training. This 20-35 credit online program prepares experienced nurses to provide comprehensive primary care for older adult populations. Designed for licensed nurses with graduate nursing degrees, the curriculum emphasizes advanced diagnostic skills, holistic assessment techniques, and targeted treatment strategies. Priced competitively at $1,027 per credit, the CCNE-accredited program enables nurses to expand their clinical expertise while preparing for professional certification examinations in geriatric care.

• Online graduate certificate program
• 20-35 credit curriculum
• $1,027 per credit tuition
• CCNE accredited program
• Requires PA nursing license
• Prepares for certification exam
• Practitioner-focused courses
• Comprehensive geriatric care training

Carlow University's Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program delivers comprehensive mental health training through a flexible, fully online curriculum. Spanning 28 months, the program enables working nurses to advance their careers with advanced skills in mental health assessment, counseling, and medication management. Students can specialize in pediatric, family, or substance abuse populations, with an impressive 97-100% certification board pass rate. Designed for licensed professionals, the program offers 19 total courses and maintains a competitive per-credit cost of $918. International students are welcome, and the curriculum emphasizes national certification preparation.

• 100% online graduate program
• 28-month completion timeline
• $918 per credit
• 19 courses for MSN
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement
• 75 years nursing education experience
• Specialization in patient populations
• National certification preparation
• International students accepted

Carlow University's Post-Graduate Certificate in Women's Health Nurse Practitioner provides an extensive 35-credit online program preparing advanced nursing professionals for specialized women's healthcare. Students complete 525-600 comprehensive clinical hours, meeting board certification requirements across patient lifespans. The program welcomes both licensed and non-licensed nurse practitioners, offering flexible learning with a $918 per credit cost. Graduates can anticipate competitive career opportunities, with women's health nurse practitioners averaging $96,601 annually. CCNE-accredited and designed for completion within 3-7 semesters, the program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• CCNE-Accredited Program
• 35 Total Credit Hours
• 525-600 Clinical Hours
• $918 Per Credit
• Online and Campus Options
• Licensed NP Preparation
• Board Certification Track
• Comprehensive Clinical Experience
• 3-7 Semester Completion
• Minimum 3.0 GPA Required

Carlow University's Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program with a Pediatric Concentration addresses critical mental health treatment gaps for children. The 100% online curriculum prepares healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive mental health assessment, counseling, and medication management for pediatric populations. Completing in as few as 28 months, the program costs $918 per credit and requires a 3.0 GPA for admission. With a remarkable 97-100% certification board pass rate, students gain specialized skills to treat young patients, leveraging 75 years of nursing education expertise and preparing for national certification.

• 100% online program
• 28-month completion time
• $918 per credit
• 19 courses for MSN
• Pediatric concentration available
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement
• 75 years nursing education
• National certification preparation

Carlow University's Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program featuring a Family Mental Health Concentration equips healthcare professionals to address complex mental health challenges. The 100% online format allows working nurses to complete the program in 28 months at $918 per credit. Students explore comprehensive family mental health strategies, focusing on advanced assessment and treatment approaches. With a 3.0 GPA admission requirement and a 97-100% certification board pass rate, graduates can transfer up to 18 post-Masters credits and prepare for national certification in family mental health specialization.

• 100% online delivery
• As few as 28 months to complete
• $918 per credit
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement
• Concentration in Family Mental Health
• 97-100% certification board pass rate
• 19 courses for MSN program
• Accepts international students
• Transfer up to 18 post-Masters credits

Carlow University's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program with a Substance Abuse Concentration offers a transformative online learning experience for nurses seeking advanced mental health specialization. The 100% online curriculum enables students to complete the program in 28 months, addressing critical gaps in substance abuse treatment. Priced at $918 per credit with a 3.0 GPA admission requirement, the program prepares graduates to provide comprehensive mental health care. Featuring 19 MSN courses and a 97-100% certification pass rate, students gain specialized skills to tackle nationwide mental health challenges.

• 100% online program
• 28-month completion time
• $918 per credit cost
• Substance abuse concentration
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement
• 19 courses for MSN
• 97-100% certification pass rate
• Designed for working nurses
• National certification preparation