2026 Best Minnesota Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

The University of Minnesota's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care specialty certificate provides advanced practice registered nurses a transformative pathway to specialize in pediatric acute care. Designed for experienced professionals, the program prepares nurses to manage complex healthcare needs of children and young adults up to age 21 across emergency, inpatient, and subspecialty settings. Collaborative training with top pediatric hospitals like Children's Minnesota and M Health Fairview ensures comprehensive, culturally competent care. The flexible post-graduate certificate can be completed in three semesters, offering options for nurses with or without a DNP degree.

• Three-semester post-graduate certificate
• Care for patients up to 21
• Multiple hospital partnerships
• Advanced practice nurse specialty
• Interprofessional team training
• Emergency and inpatient focus
• Options with/without DNP

The University of Minnesota's Nurse-Midwifery DNP program prepares advanced healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive women's health services. With a rigorous three to four-year curriculum, students gain expert skills in primary care, prenatal support, gynecological treatment, and newborn care. The program emphasizes women-centered, culturally sensitive approaches, combining intensive on-campus sessions with extensive clinical training. Graduates develop leadership skills to transform women's healthcare, preparing for national certification and independent midwifery practice across diverse healthcare settings.

• Fully ACNM Accredited Program
• 3-4 Year Program Option
• 82 Total Credit Hours
• 1,000 Clinical Training Hours
• $1,100 Per Credit Cost
• 3.0 Minimum Admission GPA
• Hybrid Learning Format
• Twin Cities Campus
• Doctorate Level Credential
• US Citizens Only Eligible

The Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certificate at the University of Minnesota is a specialized post-graduate program designed for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses seeking to enhance their clinical expertise. In just three semesters, nurses can expand their skills in managing complex acute health conditions for adults and older adults across various care settings. The program prepares graduates to practice in high-demand specialties like cardiovascular care, critical care, and hospital settings, with opportunities to perform advanced clinical procedures. With flexible online and hybrid learning formats, the certificate requires 13-16 graduate credits and includes comprehensive clinical experiences coordinated by the university.

• Post-graduate certificate for DNP nurses
• One-year, three-semester program
• 240-600 clinical hours
• Hybrid learning format
• Prepares for national certification
• Focuses on acute care specialties
• Clinical experiences in Twin Cities hospitals

The University of Minnesota's Post-Graduate Certificate in Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner offers experienced nursing professionals an opportunity to expand their clinical expertise. This hybrid program enables advanced practice nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice or Master's degree to gain specialized skills in adult and geriatric primary care. Designed for licensed APRNs, the certificate provides comprehensive training to enhance patient care across diverse age groups. Graduates develop advanced clinical competencies, evidence-based intervention strategies, and culturally sensitive healthcare approaches. With a cumulative GPA requirement of 3.0, the program demands academic excellence and prepares nurses for specialty certification examinations.

• Hybrid program delivery
• Specialty certification preparation
• 3.0 GPA minimum requirement
• Advanced practice nursing focus
• Multiple nursing specialty options

Minnesota State University Moorhead offers a dynamic Post-Master's Graduate Certificate in Nurse Education designed for passionate registered nurses seeking advanced teaching capabilities. This 16-credit online program prepares nurse educators to excel in academic and clinical settings, emphasizing innovative teaching strategies, curriculum development, and assessment techniques. Tailored for working professionals, the certificate provides flexible learning pathways with potential full master's degree integration. Admission requires a nursing bachelor's degree from an accredited program, current RN licensure, and a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

• Online-exclusive program delivery
• 16 total graduate credits
• 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
• Current RN license required
• Accredited nursing program prerequisite
• Credits apply to MS degree
• Focus on nursing education skills
• Prepares for academic teaching roles

The Nurse Administration and Organizational Systems Leadership (NAOSL) Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate at Minnesota State University Moorhead is designed for early career and current nurse leaders. This program focuses on essential leadership skills needed to navigate complex healthcare systems effectively. Credits from this certificate can be applied towards a Master of Science in Nursing with an NAOSL emphasis, offering a pathway to further graduate education. The program is tailored for those aiming to enhance their leadership capabilities in nursing and healthcare settings.

• Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate
• Focus on nursing leadership
• Credits applicable to MS in Nursing
• Designed for early career leaders
• Emphasizes healthcare system navigation
• Enhances leadership capabilities
• Tailored for nursing professionals
• Pathway to graduate education
• Focus on organizational systems leadership
• Prepares for complex healthcare challenges

The Nurse Administration and Organizational Systems Leadership (NAOSL) Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate at Minnesota State University Moorhead is designed for early career and current nurse leaders. It focuses on essential leadership skills for navigating complex healthcare systems. Credits from this certificate can be applied towards a Master of Science in Nursing with an NAOSL emphasis. This program is ideal for those looking to advance their leadership roles in nursing and healthcare. It offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing graduates for the challenges of healthcare leadership.

• Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate.
• Focus on healthcare leadership.
• Credits applicable to MS in Nursing.
• Prepares for complex healthcare systems.
• Ideal for early career nurse leaders.
• Emphasizes practical leadership skills.
• Designed for current nurse leaders.
• Blend of theory and practice.
• Enhances leadership in nursing.
• Supports career advancement in healthcare.

The College of Saint Scholastica's Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program offers advanced nursing professionals an opportunity to specialize in three critical healthcare domains: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health. With flexible hybrid learning combining online coursework and clinical training, nurses can enhance their expertise across 40-43 credits and 900-1080 supervised patient care hours. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, providing a rigorous pathway for career advancement. Tuition is competitively priced at $925 per credit, with program completion time varying based on individual background.

• Three APRN specialization options
• Hybrid online/clinical format
• 40-43 total credits
• 900-1080 supervised hours
• CCNE accredited program
• $925 per credit tuition
• 3-4 semester completion
• Minnesota Board approved
• Minimal on-campus meetings

The College of St. Scholastica's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post-Graduate Certificate is an advanced practice program designed for experienced nurses seeking specialized mental health expertise. This comprehensive certificate requires 40 credits and 960 clinical hours, preparing nurses to provide holistic psychiatric care across diverse populations. Ideal for current nurse practitioners, the program integrates rigorous online theory, on-campus lab simulations, and extensive clinical experiences. Graduates develop advanced skills in mental health assessment, intervention, and evidence-based practice, with a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0.

• 40 total program credits
• 960 clinical practice hours
• Online theory with on-campus labs
• Advanced practice nurse focus
• Comprehensive psychiatric care training
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Covers adult and child psychiatry
• Theoretical and practical coursework
• Multiple clinical practicums
• Advanced pharmacology included

The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Certificate provides advanced practice nurses an opportunity to specialize in acute care for adult and geriatric patients. This comprehensive post-graduate program integrates online theory with on-campus skills training and clinical experiences. Designed for licensed advanced practice registered nurses, the certificate can be completed in 12-18 months, featuring 42 total credits and 840 clinical hours. Graduates develop expertise in complex healthcare management, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced clinical practice across diverse healthcare settings.

• Post-graduate APRN certificate
• 42 total program credits
• 840 clinical hours
• Hybrid learning format
• Online theory courses
• On-campus skills training
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Precepted clinical experiences
• Advanced nursing specialization