2025 Best Alabama Post-Graduate Certificate Programs in Nursing

Samford University's online Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate is designed for registered nurses holding a master's or doctoral degree, aiming to advance their practice in primary care. This 5-semester program combines asynchronous online coursework with 2-3 on-campus intensives, offering flexibility for working professionals. Students engage in clinical hours across the U.S., preparing for national certification with a 100% AANP pass rate. Admission requires a 3.5 graduate GPA, unencumbered nursing licensure, and a strong academic background. The program stands out for its nationally ranked nursing curriculum and personalized clinical placement support.

• Online post-graduate certificate
• 5-semester program length
• 2-3 on-campus intensives
• 100% AANP certification pass rate
• Clinical hours across US
• Requires MSN or DNP
• 3.5 minimum graduate GPA
• Asynchronous online courses

The online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate at Samford University equips advanced practice nurses with specialized skills in mental and behavioral health care. This 1.5-year program, delivered via the Canvas learning platform, includes 660 clinical hours and one on-campus session, preparing graduates for PMHNP national certification. Admission is competitive, requiring a master's in nursing, current NP certification, and a 3.5 graduate GPA. The program offers flexible clinical placements nationwide, supported by experienced faculty, making it ideal for nurses seeking to expand their expertise in psychiatric care without relocating.

• 1.5-year online certificate program
• Online via Canvas learning platform
• 660 clinical hours required
• Clinical experiences nationwide
• One required on-campus session
• National PMHNP certification eligibility
• Minimum 3.5 graduate GPA
• Current NP certification required
• Flexible clinical placement options

The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a Post-Graduate APRN Certificate with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner, ideal for MSN-prepared nurses aiming to specialize further. This hybrid program blends online coursework with practical experiences, requiring 27 credit hours. It's designed for flexibility, catering to working professionals with distance-accessible learning options. The curriculum focuses on evidence-based practice, interprofessional leadership, and population health, preparing graduates for certification in family nurse practitioner roles. No entrance exam is required, emphasizing accessibility for qualified candidates. The program stands out for its multiple nurse practitioner specialties and part-time study options, making it a top choice for advancing nursing careers.

• Distance-accessible program format
• Multiple nurse practitioner specialties
• 27 total credit hours
• Requires existing MSN degree
• Prepares for certification exam
• Focuses on evidence-based practice
• Interprofessional leadership emphasis
• Flexible part-time study options

For nurses looking to step into leadership roles, the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Nurse Executive Certificate program offers a hybrid learning experience. This program is tailored for MSN degree holders, focusing on enhancing leadership and management skills in healthcare settings. It requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and does not mandate an entrance exam, making it accessible for eligible professionals. The curriculum is delivered through a distance-accessible format, allowing part-time study. Highlights include preparation for certification and a focus on evidence-based practice, equipping graduates to lead with confidence in various healthcare environments.

• Multiple nurse practitioner specialties
• Distance-accessible learning format
• 27 total credit hours
• Part-time study option
• Requires prior MSN degree
• Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
• Prepares for certification

The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is a hybrid program designed for MSN-prepared nurses. It specializes in acute care for adult and geriatric populations, requiring 27 credit hours for completion. The program combines online learning with clinical practicums, offering flexibility for working professionals. With tuition at approximately $702 per semester hour, it provides an affordable pathway to specialization. No entrance exam is required, focusing instead on prior MSN achievement. Graduates are well-prepared for certification and advanced clinical roles in acute care settings.

• Hybrid distance-accessible format
• 27 total credit hours
• Post-MSN certification pathway
• Specialty focus: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
• Multiple clinical practice courses

The University of North Alabama's online Post-Masters Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner Track is tailored for nurses pursuing advanced practice roles, requiring 23-32 credit hours and 600 clinical hours, including two on-campus intensives. Prerequisites include recent completion of Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology. This program emphasizes comprehensive family care, blending theoretical knowledge with practical experience to prepare nurses for specialized family practice roles.

• 23-32 credit hours.
• 600 clinical hours required.
• Two on-campus intensives.
• Advanced Health Assessment prerequisite.
• Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology prerequisite.
• Advanced Pharmacology prerequisite.
• Focus on family nurse practice.
• Prepares for advanced practice roles.
• Blend of theory and practice.
• Comprehensive family care focus.

Offering a hybrid Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, the University of North Alabama caters to advanced nursing professionals seeking specialization. With a tuition of $495 per credit hour and scholarships available, the program requires a master's in nursing, a 3.0 GPA, an active RN license, and clinical experience. It focuses on preparing nurses for certification through rigorous coursework and clinical experiences, supported by state-of-the-art simulation labs and experienced faculty.

• Online flexible program formats
• $495 per credit hour
• 4 specialized nursing tracks
• Clinical hours included
• CCNE accredited program
• Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA
• Practitioner certification preparation
• Nationwide clinical placement
• State-of-the-art simulation labs
• Experienced faculty preceptors

The University of North Alabama provides an online Post-Masters Certificate in Nurse Leadership, designed for nurses aspiring to leadership roles. This 12-13 credit hour program offers clinical or non-clinical tracks, focusing on business concepts, leadership, and quality improvement in nursing. Admission requires a master's degree in nursing, aiming to enhance management skills and evidence-based practice for impactful healthcare leadership.

• 12-13 credit hours
• Clinical or non-clinical track
• Focus on leadership and management
• Business concepts for nurses
• Quality improvement in nursing
• Evidence-based practice focus
• Master's degree required for admission
• Prepares for leadership roles
• Enhances management skills
• Tailored to career goals

The University of Mobile's Nurse Educator Certificate is a hybrid program tailored for master’s or doctoral students aspiring to shape the future of nursing education. This 12-credit hour program, entirely online, emphasizes pedagogy, curriculum development, and evaluation, equipping students to tackle the nursing faculty shortage. Unique mentorship opportunities with seasoned educators and eligibility for the CNE Examination set graduates apart. No entrance exam is required, making it accessible for busy professionals seeking to transition into academic or healthcare educator roles.

• 12 total credit hours.
• All courses offered online.
• Prepares for CNE Examination.
• Focus on pedagogy, curriculum development.
• Mentorship with expert educators.
• Eligible for master’s or doctoral students.
• Addresses nursing faculty shortage.
• Specialized instruction in testing, evaluation.
• Role Synthesis course with field activities.
• Prepares for healthcare, academic educator roles.

Designed for advanced nursing professionals, the University of Mobile's Post-Master APRN Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner combines online coursework with on-campus intensives. This hybrid program requires 660 clinical hours, focusing on advanced patient care across family settings. With state-of-the-art simulation labs and expert faculty, students gain hands-on experience in diagnosis and treatment. A minimum 2.75 GPA and an MSN degree are prerequisites, but no entrance exam is needed, streamlining the path to national certification and expanded clinical roles.

• Four-semester FNP certificate program
• 660 total clinical hours
• Online with 3 on-campus intensives
• Advanced simulation technology
• Experienced healthcare professional faculty
• Minimum 2.75 GPA requirement
• MSN degree prerequisite
• Prepares for national certification
• Advanced health assessment focus
• Mentorship-driven learning approach

The University of Mobile offers a Post-Master APRN Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a hybrid program blending virtual didactic courses with 540 clinical hours. Aimed at licensed nurse practitioners, it requires a 3.0 GPA and prepares graduates for national certification in mental health. The program’s focus on comprehensive mental healthcare training, without the need for an entrance exam, makes it an ideal choice for NPs looking to specialize in this high-demand area.

• Virtual didactic courses
• 3-semester certificate program
• 540 clinical training hours
• 24 total credit hours
• Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
• Existing NP certification required
• Local clinical placement partnerships
• Professional faculty mentorship
• Prepares for national certification

The University of South Alabama offers an online Post-Graduate Certificate in Executive Nursing Administration, tailored for nurses aiming to lead in healthcare settings. This program requires a 3.0 GPA and is designed for those with an MSN or doctoral degree, focusing on advanced nursing practice without the need for graduate core research courses. It features 14 specialty options, including Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health NP, with clinical hours completed locally. The program is accredited, military-friendly, and emphasizes flexible, web-based coursework to accommodate working professionals. No entrance exam is mentioned, highlighting its accessibility for qualified candidates.

• Online program for post-licensure nurses
• 14 specialty concentration options
• Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA required
• Clinical hours in home community
• No graduate core research courses
• Requires 2+ years clinical experience
• Clinical Skills Intensive on campus
• Accredited nursing program
• Current RN license mandatory
• Flexible web-based coursework

University of South Alabama's hybrid Advanced Forensic Nursing Care Post-Graduate Certificate specializes in training nurses for roles as sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs). This program blends online didactic learning with mandatory on-campus clinical skills intensive, focusing on trauma-informed care for sexual assault victims. It prepares graduates for national SANE certification in both adult and pediatric populations, emphasizing pharmacologic and supportive care post-assault. Admission is open to current graduate students or post-graduate certificate seekers, with no mention of an entrance exam, making it accessible for advanced practice nurses looking to specialize in forensic nursing.

• Prepares for SANE certification.
• Includes trauma-informed care education.
• Offers clinical skills simulation.
• Focuses on sexual trauma care.
• Combines didactic and clinical education.
• Prepares for adult and pediatric SANE.
• Emphasizes pharmacologic care post-assault.
• Supports care for comorbidities.
• Requires mandatory on-campus skills intensive.
• Offers practicum experiences.