Completing the requirements to obtain a Montana Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing gives MSN-prepared nurses the opportunity to advance their careers and increase their salaries. Nurses gain the required skills for a career in their preferred nursing specialization.

Although Montana has several outstanding nursing programs, the state does not have many physical options for a Montana Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing. All online programs listed herein are SARA states. This means that nurses can practice nursing in Montana after completing the online program.

2027 Best Online Nursing Post-Master's Graduate Certificate Schools in Montana

Registerednursing.org ranks the best online nursing post-master's graduate certificate schools in Montana. These programs let registered nurses expand their expertise without putting their careers on hold. Online learning brings flexibility that campus-based programs often cannot match, which matters for busy professionals. Hybrid and partially online options also count as online, giving nurses even more ways to fit education into their lives. Whether through distance learning or virtual coursework, students can gain advanced skills while staying in their communities. We evaluated each school carefully to help nurses make smart choices. See how these rankings were determined: https://www.registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/
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Montana State University

Bozeman, MT - Public 4-Year - montana.edu

Graduate Certificate - Certificate in Nursing Education

Online Learning - Visit Website

Montana State University's online Certificate in Nursing Education is a 10-credit graduate certificate designed for BSN-prepared RNs and current graduate nursing students seeking nurse educator roles. The curriculum comprises four theory courses delivered via distance learning with both synchronous and asynchronous components, including monthly video conferences. No entrance exam is listed among admission requirements. Applicants need current RN licensure, a preferred 3.0 GPA, and completion of undergraduate research and statistics courses. The program prepares graduates for the Certified Nurse Educator national certification exam and offers flexible full- or part-time study, with no thesis or capstone required. Open to students residing in MT, UT, WY, ID, CO, or AK, this military-friendly certificate minimizes travel while advancing professional opportunities.

  • 1-Year program
  • 10 total credit hours
  • Full-time and part-time options
  • Synchronous and asynchronous options
  • 3.0 GPA minimum
  • Work experience required
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • No thesis or capstone required
  • Prepares for Certified Nurse Educator national certification exam
  • Distance delivered via video conference

Graduate Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Montana State University offers a Post-graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate for certified APRNs seeking to expand their practice. This 36-credit hybrid program combines distance delivery with synchronous video conferences and asynchronous online activities, requiring minimal travel to Bozeman. Admission demands a graduate nursing degree, APRN licensure, and a preferred 3.0 GPA, along with background checks, drug screening, three essays, and three professional references. The curriculum prepares graduates for national certification in psychiatric mental health and can be taken as a stackable credential. Applications are accepted September 15 through December 15 for summer admission, with costs detailed in the MSU catalog. No entrance exam is specified. Students must reside in MT, UT, WY, ID, CO, or AK.

  • 36 credits for graduation.
  • Hybrid distance delivery format.
  • For certified APRNs only.
  • Requires location in six states.
  • 3.0 GPA preferred for admission.
  • APRN licensure required.
  • Graduate nursing degree needed.
  • Background check and drug screen.
  • Three personal essays required.
  • Three professional references needed.
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*Data retrieved from: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2025.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Admission Requirements in Montana

It is the responsibility of nurses to know the admission requirements for Montana Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing programs. If nurses pursue an online option, they have to meet the admission requirements for the out-of-state school, and make sure that it meets the nursing requirements for Montana nurses.

Montana State University offers the Certificate in Nursing Education. The university offers the program to all graduate nursing students, along with nurses that have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Admission requirements for the program include:

  • Minimum of a BSN degree in nursing with prior supervised clinical practice in a variety of nursing settings
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Current unencumbered RN licensure
  • Completion of the Montana State University Graduate School application
  • Favorable recommendation from the College of Nursing admissions committee

It’s important to keep in mind that most traditional post-graduate nursing certificate programs will require, at minimum, an MSN degree.

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Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Classes and Courses

The courses and classes required in a post-graduate certificate in nursing program likely vary among the different schools, and sometimes among the various post-master’s certificate in nursing programs at the same college or university.

The University of North Dakota offers online post-graduate certificate in nursing programs, including the Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program.

The required program courses include:

  • NURS 532 – Family Centered Advance Practice Nursing
  • NURS 534 – Management of Health Conditions Primary Care I
  • NURS 540 – Management of Health Conditions Primary Care II
  • NURS 559 – Maternal and Child Health in Primary Care
  • NURS 597A – Advanced Clinical Practicum I
  • NURS 597B – Advanced Clinical Practicum II
  • NURS 597C – Advanced Clinical Practicum III

Program Length

There is no set program length for Montana Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing programs. The program length depends upon the requirements set by each graduate school of nursing.

Program length also depends upon the specific program. One example is the fact that the South Dakota State University Post-Graduate Clinical Nurse Leader Certificate, and the Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate program are both 14 credit hour programs. Compare this to the fact that the Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate program requires completing 18 credit hours.

South Dakota State University offers these programs online, and makes them available to Montana nurses.

Tuition and Cost of Attendance

The cost of tuition at universities offering Montana Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing programs vary among different schools, and possibly different programs. South Dakota State University tuition is $465.80 per credit hour.

Tuition covers only the cost of attendance. It does not cover books, supplies, required malpractice insurance, or fees.

Online Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs in Montana

Nurses that pursue an online post-graduate certificate in nursing have the freedom to continue taking care of family responsibilities and working.

When considering an online program, nurses want to learn whether the college or university offers the program entirely online.

Featured Online School

North Dakota University offers three online post-graduate certificate in nursing programs. The programs are offered 100 percent online, making them ideal for Montana nurses who wish to pursue a post-master’s certificate in nursing in a specialty area of care.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Career Pathways in Montana

Nurses have many career pathways when they complete a post-graduate certificate in nursing program. Some career pathways include:

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Salary and Job Outlook

Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists in Montana enjoy a fantastic job outlook, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics listing the job growth for these professionals as ‘much faster than average.'

The 2018 mean annual salary for Montana nurse practitioners is $103,510. The Montana nurse anesthetist mean annual salary is $246,310.

List of Montana Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

There are few Montana Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Program options. Online programs offer Montana nurses the opportunity to pursue a post-master’s certificate in nursing that increases their scope of practice.

Browse Our List of Programs

Browse our list of programs to find the right fit. The table below shows each school, its city and state, program highlights, and a link to learn more. Use this list to compare options and explore what each program offers. We update this list regularly to keep it accurate. Click any link to go directly to the school's program page and get the details you need.

Bozeman, MT

Montana State University

  • Graduate Certificate - Certificate in Nursing Education

    Online Learning - Website

    • 1-Year program
    • 10 total credit hours
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • Synchronous and asynchronous options
    • 3.0 GPA minimum
    • Work experience required
    • Prerequisite courses required
    • No thesis or capstone required
  • Graduate Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 36 credits for graduation.
    • Hybrid distance delivery format.
    • For certified APRNs only.
    • Requires location in six states.
    • 3.0 GPA preferred for admission.
    • APRN licensure required.
    • Graduate nursing degree needed.
    • Background check and drug screen.
*Credit: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2025.