Maryland Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Maryland nurses who have already completed an MSN program may choose to continue their graduate studies with a post-graduate certificate in a specialized nursing field. Many nurses select a specialty while earning their master's degree, but there are advantages to adding another specialty to their credentials.

For example, a post-graduate nursing certificate program can help a nurse transition into an educator, research or administrative role. Some nurses may choose to switch specialties mid-career while others need multiple specialties to maximize opportunity for their practice. There are many possibilities for nursing careers in Maryland, and certificate programs are one of the fastest and most affordable ways for nurses to customize their experience.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Admission Requirements in Maryland

A master's degree in nursing is the basic qualification for all post-graduate nursing certificates in Maryland. Some programs may specify types of MSN degrees that are acceptable. For instance, nurses need an entry-level master's degree in nursing or a non-specialty MSN degree to qualify for the Post-Master's Certificate in Health Systems Management program at John Hopkins School of Nursing.

Other qualifications for entry into that program include:

• MSN GPA of at least 3.0
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Resume/CV
• Goal statement
• Current nursing license from an authorized state
• TOEFL or IELTS, if applicable

Students must also interview with a member of the school's faculty, which is a common requirement for many post-MSN nursing certificate programs. Some programs may also require additional testing scores or a specific amount of clinical experience.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Classes and Courses

Every post-graduate certificate in nursing for Maryland students will have its own curriculum. The courses required for completion and the number of clinical hours will depend on the program's specialty. Each Maryland nursing school will specify a goal or intended outcome for students, and that goal guides the curriculum.

As an example, consider the following list of required courses for the Nursing Education Post-MSN Certificate offered at the main campus of Notre Dame of Maryland University:

• NUR 512 – Trends in Nursing Education and Policy
• NUR 513C – Nursing Curriculum Development and Evaluation Grounded in Caring
• NUR 605C – Teaching in Nursing Education Seminar and Practicum
• NUR 502 – Technology in Nursing Education

Program Length

Most Maryland post-graduate nursing certificate programs allow students to attend part-time and are completed in less than two years. Some programs from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing may take up to four years to complete. The required credit hours for all post-grad nursing certificate programs in Maryland can range from 12 to 17. Some programs require more than 100 clinical hours for successful completion.

Tuition and Cost of Attendance

The total cost of completing a post-MSN certificate program in nursing includes tuition and school fees plus personal expenses like travel, room and board, books and supplies. Every school will have a list of required expenses for each nursing certificate offered.

As an example of post-graduate nursing certificate program cost of attendance, consider the list of billed expenses for students completing the Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in 2023-2024:

• Total Tuition – $28,645 ($1,888 per credit hour)
• Matriculation Fee – $500 (one-time fee)
• Health Insurance – $4,675 total (optional, but health coverage is required)

This program also requires other additional expenses, including $2,100 for books and supplies.

Online Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs in Maryland

Online post-graduate certificate in nursing programs are offered by Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Maryland students may also consider online programs offered at other schools across the country, but that may require more travel expenses and time away from the student's home state. Some online courses are hybrid programs that require some time on campus, and some programs specify acceptable locations for the completion of clinical hours.

Online post-MSN certificate programs allow students to learn from the comfort of their homes or offices with less time spent commuting. Since most students hold full-time jobs and have ambitious career goals, online studies are the best way to incorporate advanced studies into an already hectic schedule.

Featured Online School

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers the following online post-graduate nursing certificate programs:

• Health Systems Management
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Educator

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Career Pathways in Maryland

Upon completion of a post-graduate nursing certificate in Maryland, students may qualify for higher-paying positions within their established career fields or transition to jobs in education, research or administration. While every student will have their own goals and future career titles, some options include Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator and Nurse Informaticist.

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Salary and Job Outlook

Many Maryland nurses work as nurse practitioners after completing advanced studies. As of mid-2023, the average salary for nurse practitioners in Maryland was just under $126,000. That's comparable to the average salary for nurse practitioners nationwide. Nurses who complete at least one certificate program may earn more than average annually.

List of Maryland Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

The following nursing programs in Maryland currently offer post-graduate certificate programs in nursing specialties.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.