2025 Best Hawaii Post-Graduate Certificate Programs in Nursing

Chaminade University of Honolulu offers a Post-Doctoral Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Certificate designed for advanced practice nurses aiming to specialize in pediatric care. This hybrid program combines online coursework with an annual on-campus immersion, spanning 12 months and requiring 18 credit hours. It focuses on primary care for patients from birth through adolescence, including 630 clinical hours. The program is tailored for doctorally-prepared nurses, emphasizing healthcare delivery, technology integration, and population health management. Priced at $1,135 per credit hour, it requires an APRN license and national board certification. Notably, it's CCNE accredited and military-friendly, with no entrance exam mentioned.

• 100% Online Program
• 12 Month Duration
• 18 Credit Hours Total
• 630 Clinical Hours
• Doctorally Prepared Nurses
• $1,135 Per Credit Hour
• Annual Campus Immersion
• APRN License Required
• National Board Certification
• CCNE Accredited Program

The Post-Doctoral Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate at Chaminade University of Honolulu is a hybrid program for advanced nursing professionals seeking to broaden their clinical expertise. Over 12 months, students complete 18 credit hours online, supplemented by an annual on-campus immersion, focusing on comprehensive primary care across all patient lifespans. The program includes 630 clinical hours, preparing nurses to manage acute, chronic, and complex health conditions. At $1,135 per credit hour, it's designed for doctorally-prepared nurses with an APRN license and national board certification. The program is military-friendly and does not specify an entrance exam requirement.

• 100% Online Program
• 12 Month Duration
• 18 Total Credit Hours
• 630 Clinical Hours
• Doctorally Prepared Nurses
• APRN License Required
• National Board Certification
• $1,135 Per Credit Hour
• Annual On-Campus Immersion
• Focus on Diverse Populations

Chaminade University of Honolulu's Post-Doctoral PMHNP Certificate is a hybrid program for advanced nurse practitioners looking to specialize in psychiatric and mental health care. This 12-month program offers 18 credit hours online with an annual campus immersion, focusing on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions across all life stages. Students engage in 560 clinical hours, gaining skills in complex patient care and evidence-based practice. The cost is $1,1335 per credit hour, requiring an APRN license and national board certification. This military-friendly program emphasizes a specialized mental health focus without mentioning an entrance exam.

• 100% Online Program
• 12-Month Certificate
• 18 Total Credit Hours
• 560 Clinical Hours
• Doctorally Prepared Nurses
• APRN License Required
• National Board Certification
• Specialized Mental Health Focus
• Annual Campus Immersion
• $1,1335 Per Credit Hour

The University of Hawaii at Manoa offers a hybrid Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education, perfect for RNs aiming to transition into academic roles. This 15-credit, part-time program is tailored for BSN-prepared nurses or graduate nursing students, focusing on innovative teaching strategies, curriculum development, and leadership. With fall admissions only, the program is designed to be completed in two years, aligning closely with the Master of Science in Nursing Education and Leadership. It prepares nurses for national nursing educator certification, making it an excellent choice for those looking to advance in nursing education without the need for an entrance exam.

• 15-credit part-time program
• Fall admission only
• For RNs with BSN/graduate nursing students
• Two-year completion timeline
• National nursing educator certification

University of Hawaii at Manoa's online Post-Master's in Organizational Leadership is designed for RNs with a master's degree, focusing on nursing leadership within healthcare. This part-time program requires a minimum of 29 credits and 1,000 practicum hours, emphasizing evidence-based practice, healthcare technology, and policy. Tailored to individual career goals, it offers a flexible curriculum pathway leading to a DNP project, preparing nurses for leadership roles in improving healthcare delivery. No entrance exam is required, making it accessible for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills in complex healthcare environments.

• Part-time online cohort program
• Minimum 29 total credits
• Focuses on nursing leadership
• Requires 1,000 practicum hours
• Tailored individual curriculum pathway
• Integrates evidence-based practice
• Develops healthcare leadership skills
• Flexible credit requirements
• DNP project-centered curriculum
• Meets statewide nursing workforce needs

Hawaii Pacific University's online Post-Master's Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is tailored for advanced practice registered nurses aiming to specialize in family care across all ages. This 100% online program, spanning 16 months and 24 credits, offers flexible scheduling with three start dates annually. It includes over 500 clinical hours and prepares graduates for national certification exams. Unique for being Hawaii's first online post-master's nursing program, it also provides dedicated clinical placement assistance, making it ideal for working professionals seeking to enhance their skills in primary care settings without the need for entrance exams.

• 100% Online Coursework
• 16-month Program Length
• 24 Total Credits
• Three Annual Start Dates
• 500+ Clinical Hours
• Preparation for Certification Exams
• Flexible Class Scheduling
• First Online Post-Master's Nursing Program in Hawaii
• Dedicated Clinical Placement Assistance

The online Post-Master's Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) at Hawaii Pacific University is designed for nurses looking to specialize in acute care for adults and the elderly. This 14-month, 24-credit program is entirely online, featuring flexible scheduling and three start dates each year. With over 600 clinical hours, students gain hands-on experience in acute care settings, preparing them for AGACNP licensing exams. The program stands out for its focus on advanced acute care skills and expert faculty guidance, catering to professionals aiming to advance their careers without the requirement of entrance exams.

• 100% online coursework
• 14-month certificate program
• 24 total credits
• Three annual start dates
• 600+ clinical hours
• Prepare for AGACNP licensing
• Flexible scheduling
• Expert faculty guidance
• Advanced acute care skills