2026 Best Ohio Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Kent State University's online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate prepares advanced practice nurses for specialized mental health care. This 25-credit, CCNE-accredited program requires a master's or doctoral nursing degree, 3.0 GPA, and active RN license. With Ohio resident tuition around $14,900, it offers flexible part-time/full-time options and multiple practicum experiences. Graduates are equipped to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders and qualify for national certification. No entrance exam is required for this online program.

• 100% Online Program
• 25 Total Credit Hours
• CCNE Accredited
• Prepares for National Certification
• Ohio Resident Tuition ~$14,900
• Advanced Practice Nursing Focus
• Multiple Practicum Experiences
• Master's Degree Required
• Minimum 3.0 Graduate GPA

Kent State University offers various online Post-Master's nursing certificates, including Adult Gerontology, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Psychiatric Mental Health specialties. These programs build on existing master's education, providing advanced practice specialization paths with potential credit transfers to reduce duration and cost. Admission requires a master's degree in nursing and syllabus review for transferable credits. CCNE-accredited and fully online, they support career development without requiring an entrance exam.

• Multiple nursing specialty certificates
• 100% online options available
• Builds on existing master's education
• Advanced practice specialization paths
• CCNE accredited nursing program
• Prepares for advanced nursing roles
• Supports professional career development

Kent State's online Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate specializes in holistic care across women's lifespans, including reproductive health and prenatal care. This 21-credit, CCNE-accredited program requires a master's nursing degree, 3.0 GPA, and active RN license. Tuition is $12,500-$12,700, with part-time options and multiple practicum courses preparing for national certification. No entrance exam is required for this online advanced practice pathway.

• 100% Online Program
• 21 Total Credit Hours
• CCNE Accredited Program
• 3.0 Minimum Graduate GPA
• Must Hold Master's Nursing Degree
• Active RN License Required
• Per Credit Hour: $594-$605
• Multiple Practicum Courses
• Prepares for National Certification
• Advanced Clinical Skills Training

The University of Cincinnati's Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate focuses on acute care for infants, children, and young adults with complex, life-threatening conditions. This hybrid online program requires at least one year of pediatric RN experience and offers clinical training in Greater Cincinnati pediatric centers. Graduates are eligible for the Pediatric Nurse Certification Board exam and can pursue careers in emergency departments, specialty clinics, hospitals, and intensive care units. The program is limited to residents of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana and does not require an entrance exam. It includes one-on-one clinical preceptorships for hands-on experience.

• Post-Master's Certificate Program
• Pediatric Acute Care Focus
• Requires 1+ Year Pediatric RN Experience
• PNCB Certification Exam Eligible
• Greater Cincinnati Clinical Training
• Limited to OH, KY, IN Residents
• One-on-One Clinical Preceptorship

University of Cincinnati's Post-Master's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate is a fully online program that can be completed in 16 months. It prepares nurses to diagnose, treat, and manage psychiatric conditions across diverse populations, with a 96% certification pass rate. Graduates gain prescribing and psychotherapy skills for roles in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, with a median annual wage of $140,592. The program, taught by doctorally prepared faculty, offers three start dates annually and a virtual two-day intensive, and it does not require an entrance exam. It is CCNE accredited and provides nationwide career opportunities.

• Fully online program
• Completed in 16 months
• 96% certification pass rate
• Taught by doctorally prepared faculty
• Three annual start dates
• Virtual two-day program intensive
• Career opportunities nationwide
• Prescribing and psychotherapy skills
• Advanced practice nursing focus
• CCNE accredited program

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-MSN Certificate at the University of Cincinnati is a hybrid online program for licensed nurses with a master's degree. It focuses on treating complex medical conditions in patients aged 13 and older in acute care settings like hospitals and ambulatory facilities. The program includes weekly on-campus labs and clinical experiences, preparing graduates for specialized certification exams. Limited to Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana residents, it does not require an entrance exam and offers expanding career opportunities in critical care nursing through practical skill development.

• Hybrid program format
• For students 13+ patient care
• Weekly on-campus labs
• Limited to OH, KY, IN residents
• Certification exam preparation

University of Cincinnati's Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate is a hybrid online program designed for experienced nurses seeking primary care expertise for patients aged 13 and older. It features a personalized curriculum based on prior master's coursework and a 100% AANP certification pass rate. Clinical placements are tailored to career goals, allowing experience in diverse primary care settings. The program is limited to Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana residents and does not require an entrance exam, offering flexibility and targeted learning for advanced practice roles in gerontology nursing.

• Hybrid program format
• Serves patients 13+ years
• 100% AANP certification pass rate
• Personalized curriculum plan
• Limited to OH, KY, IN residents

Ohio University's online Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate is a 20-credit program for MSN-prepared nurses, focusing on comprehensive primary care skills. It includes 750 clinical hours covering advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diagnostic reasoning, preparing graduates for roles with potential earnings over $120,000. No GRE/GMAT is required, and the CCNE-accredited program offers resident tuition at $674 per credit, with two annual starts and a total cost of $13,480.

• Online, 20-credit certificate program
• 750 hours clinical experience
• CCNE-accredited program
• No GRE/GMAT required
• Resident tuition $674 per credit
• Requires MSN degree
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Two program starts yearly
• Total estimated cost $13,480
• 40% job growth projected

The online Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate at Ohio University provides 20 credits of advanced mental health training, emphasizing psychotherapy, emergency psychiatric care, and evidence-based treatments. Designed for registered nurses, it prepares graduates for over 300,000 job opportunities with salaries exceeding $120,000, focusing on culturally sensitive care and psychopharmacology. No entrance exam is mentioned, and the program is delivered entirely online.

• 20-credit post-masters certificate
• Online program format
• Advanced psychotherapy training
• Emergency psychiatric care skills
• Over 300,000 job opportunities
• Average salary over $120,000
• Primary care focus
• Diverse clinical settings
• Comprehensive mental health expertise

Ohio University's online Nursing Leadership Post-Master's Certificate is a 21-credit program for MSN graduates, focusing on strategic planning, financial management, and organizational leadership. It requires no GRE/GMAT, a 3.0 GPA, and RN licensure, with Ohio resident tuition at $508 per credit. The program includes 500 practicum hours, prepares for roles like Nursing Manager with a $96,915 salary potential, and is CCNE-accredited, starting once yearly in the fall.

• 21 credit hours
• $508 per credit (Ohio resident)
• 100% online coursework
• No GRE/GMAT required
• 5 semesters to complete
• MSN degree required
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• Valid RN licensure needed
• Focus on leadership skills
• Strategic planning included

The online Post-Graduate Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate at Ohio University offers 20 credits over three semesters, specializing in care for acutely ill patients. It includes 750 clinical hours, requires no GRE/GMAT, and has a 3.0 GPA admission standard. With resident tuition at $518 per credit and a total cost of $10,360, this CCNE-accredited program targets 45% job growth by 2029, preparing nurses for national certification in acute care settings.

• 20 total credit hours
• 3 semester program length
• $518 per credit (resident)
• Online flexible format
• 750 clinical experience hours
• No GRE/GMAT required
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement
• Nationally accredited program
• Expert faculty mentorship
• 45% projected job growth

The University of Akron Main Campus offers a hybrid post-master's certificate program for Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, blending online coursework with in-person clinical requirements. This program equips experienced nurse practitioners with advanced skills in psychiatric and mental health care across all life stages, preparing them for ANCC certification. Admission requires an MSN, active RN license, minimum 3.0 GPA, and 2-3 years of clinical experience. The curriculum includes 26 credit hours covering mental health assessment, psychopharmacology, and individual/group modalities, with multiple clinical practicums. No entrance exam is required for this graduate-level program.

• Post-master's certificate program
• 26 total credit hours
• ANCC certification preparation
• 3.0 MSN GPA requirement
• 2-3 years clinical experience
• Lifespan psychiatric focus
• Multiple clinical practicums
• Advanced mental health assessment
• Psychopharmacology training
• Individual and group modalities

Cedarville University's online Post-Master's Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education equips experienced MSN-prepared nurses with advanced teaching strategies for academic and healthcare settings. This flexible program focuses on pedagogical skills and prepares graduates for Nurse Educator certification, integrating a biblical worldview. No entrance exam is required, and it offers part-time completion options at a low cost, making it ideal for working professionals seeking career advancement in nursing education.

• Online certificate program
• For nurses with existing MSN
• Prepares for Nurse Educator certification
• Flexible part-time completion
• Biblical worldview integration
• Low-cost graduate option

Cedarville University's online Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership is a 12-credit program that can be completed in two semesters, designed for MSN-holding nurses to enhance leadership skills in healthcare. It emphasizes quality, safety, organizational behavior, and strategic decision-making through a biblical worldview. No entrance exam is required, and the program provides financial aid and flexible scheduling for working professionals, fostering career growth in leadership roles with evidence-based practices.

• 12-credit online program.
• Completion in two semesters.
• Biblical worldview foundation.
• Focus on leadership skills.
• Flexible for working professionals.
• Courses on quality and safety.
• Organizational behavior studies.
• Strategic decision-making focus.
• Admission requires MSN degree.
• Financial aid available.