2026 Best Tennessee Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Vanderbilt University's online/hybrid Post-Master's Certificate program offers advanced specialization for nurses with a master's degree, featuring multiple specialties like Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The program requires 4-5 full-time semesters or 7-8 part-time semesters, includes over 500 supervised clinical hours, and emphasizes high licensure pass rates and a 97% employment rate. As a post-master's program, it does not require entrance exams. Accredited by CCNE, it provides individualized study plans and federal financial aid eligibility.

• Online/hybrid format available.
• 4 to 5 full-time semesters.
• 7 to 8 part-time semesters option.
• 500+ supervised patient care hours.
• High licensure pass rates.
• 97% employment rate post-graduation.
• Expert, practicing faculty.
• 13 clinical nursing specialties.
• 2 non-clinical specialties.
• Accredited by CCNE.

Vanderbilt University's Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner program is delivered in a hybrid format, focusing on comprehensive women's healthcare across the lifespan. This five-semester curriculum includes 1,190 clinical practice hours and prepares graduates for dual specialty certification and national exams. No entrance exams are required for this post-master's level program. It features small, collaborative classes and diverse clinical settings, equipping nurses for roles in primary care and specialized clinics.

• Five full-time semesters
• Online/hybrid learning format
• 1,190 clinical practice hours
• Dual specialty certification
• Small collaborative classes
• National certification preparation
• Diverse practice settings
• Comprehensive patient care focus

The online Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Informatics at Vanderbilt University is an 18-credit, part-time program designed for graduate-prepared nurses. It focuses on healthcare technology, analytics, and integration without a practicum requirement, completing in four semesters. No entrance exams are needed for this post-master's program. Tailored for working professionals, it enables career advancement in informatics through a flexible, technology-driven curriculum.

• 18-credit part-time program
• No practicum required
• Six total courses
• Four semester completion
• Graduate nurse focused
• Analytics-focused curriculum
• Technology integration training

Vanderbilt's hybrid Post-Master's Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery, ranked #1, provides specialized training in women's healthcare, including primary care, pregnancy, and childbirth. The program requires five full-time semesters and over 840 clinical hours, with no entrance exams for this post-master's level. It uses a hybrid learning model with clinical sites nationwide, preparing graduates for national certification and holistic care in diverse settings.

• Number 1 Nurse-Midwifery Program
• 840+ Clinical Practice Hours
• Hybrid Learning Format
• Comprehensive Women's Healthcare Training
• 5 Full-time Semesters
• National Certification Preparation
• Low Faculty-to-Student Ratio
• Clinical Sites Across U.S.

Union University's online Post-Graduate Certificate in Nurse Education is designed for registered nurses with a master's or doctoral degree seeking specialization in educational roles. This hybrid program combines online flexibility with on-campus components, offering full-time and part-time tracks for working professionals. It features a cohort-based model starting each August, fostering collaborative learning. While no entrance exam is specified, admission requires an advanced nursing degree. The curriculum emphasizes Christ-centered excellence, equipping graduates with skills to impact nursing education. Military-friendly and accommodating various schedules, it's ideal for career advancement in academic or clinical teaching environments.

• Blended online and on-campus learning.
• Full-time and part-time tracks available.
• Cohort-based program starting each August.
• Designed for registered nurses with advanced degrees.
• Focus on Christ-centered nursing education.
• Equips nurses for educational roles.
• Specialized skills for career advancement.
• Collaborative learning environment.
• Flexible scheduling options.
• Emphasis on excellence in nursing vocation.

Union University's online Post-Graduate Certificate Nurse Practitioner Track with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares advanced nursing professionals for expanded clinical roles. This hybrid program includes 560 clinical hours and a curriculum focused on comprehensive patient care across life stages. Tuition is $739 per credit hour, totaling $13,302-$15,519. Admission requires an MSN degree, current RN licensure, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a NursingCAS application with references and a personal statement; no entrance exam is mentioned. Offered annually in the fall, it combines online learning with hands-on experience, making it suitable for nurses aiming to specialize in family practice in a military-friendly setting.

• Two specialized nurse practitioner tracks
• 560 total clinical hours
• Comprehensive advanced nursing curriculum
• Tuition $739 per credit hour
• MSN degree prerequisite
• Unencumbered RN licensure required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA needed
• NursingCAS application process
• Fall semester admission
• Professional reference letters mandatory

Union University's online Post-Graduate Certificate Nurse Practitioner Track with a Psychiatric Mental Health concentration targets experienced nurses seeking to enhance clinical expertise in mental health care. This hybrid program involves 26-29 credit hours and 560 clinical hours, emphasizing advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and specialized management. Tuition ranges from $13,302 to $15,519. Admission mandates an MSN degree, current RN licensure, and a 3.0 GPA, with no entrance exam specified. Admitting once annually, it blends online coursework with practical training, preparing graduates for advanced roles in psychiatric nursing within a military-friendly, faith-based environment.

• Two specialized NP tracks
• 560 total clinical hours
• $739 per credit hour
• Admits once annually
• 3.0 minimum GPA required
• 26-29 total credit hours
• Advanced health assessment focus
• Comprehensive clinical training
• Requires current RN license

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Pediatric Primary Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate is a hybrid online program designed for master's-prepared nurses seeking specialization. This program requires 840 direct patient care hours and focuses on comprehensive pediatric primary care across diverse populations. The competency-based curriculum emphasizes advanced clinical skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and high-fidelity simulation training. No entrance exam is required for admission. Students must complete mandatory on-site clinical sessions while benefiting from a holistic admissions process aligned with national nursing standards.

• 840 direct patient care hours
• Four specialized nursing tracks
• Master's degree prerequisite
• Advanced clinical skills training
• Mandatory on-site clinical sessions
• High-fidelity simulation center
• Competency-based curriculum
• Holistic admissions process
• National nursing standards aligned

At The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, the Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate offers online hybrid education for experienced nurses with master's degrees. This program provides specialized training in family healthcare across diverse populations, requiring 840 clinical hours and emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. The curriculum focuses on advanced clinical skills, critical thinking, and competency-based learning through both online coursework and mandatory on-site sessions. No entrance exam is needed for admission, and the program supports military-friendly applicants while maintaining alignment with national nursing standards.

• 840 hours direct patient care
• Four specialty certificate options
• Master's degree required
• State licensure prerequisites
• Mandatory clinical on-site sessions
• Advanced clinical skills training
• Interdisciplinary collaboration focus
• High-fidelity simulation center
• Holistic admissions process
• Competency-based curriculum

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate delivers hybrid online education for certified primary care pediatric nurse practitioners. This program specializes in acute care for critically ill children, requiring 840 clinical practice hours and advanced training in complex medical interventions. Designed for master's-prepared nurses, it combines online learning with mandatory on-site sessions without requiring an entrance exam. The curriculum focuses on specialized pediatric acute care skills, preparing graduates for high-quality healthcare delivery in pediatric settings.

• Hybrid program format
• 840 clinical practice hours
• Advanced practice nursing focus
• Specialized pediatric acute care
• Requires prior pediatric certification

East Tennessee State University's online Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate offers flexible, 100% online coursework with in-person clinical components, ideal for working professionals. This program requires no GRE and provides 12-32 credit hour options at competitive per-credit rates ($646-$1,487). CCNE-accredited, it prepares nurses for national certification with specialties in mental health, gerontology, genetics, and administration, featuring clinical placement support and terminal degree faculty.

• 100% Online Nursing Certificates
• No GRE Required
• 15-32 Credit Hour Options
• CCNE Accredited Programs
• Specialties: Mental Health, Gerontology
• Designed for Working Professionals
• Competitive Per-Credit Rates
• Multiple Nursing Concentrations
• Terminal Degree Faculty
• Clinical Placement Support

East Tennessee State University's online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate delivers specialized expertise through 100% online coursework, requiring no GRE. Designed for working professionals, this 15-32 credit hour program includes clinical experiences and competitive tuition ($646-$1,487 per credit). CCNE-accredited, it prepares nurses for national certification exams in psychiatric mental health, building on prior nursing degrees for career advancement in critical healthcare areas.

• Multiple nursing certificate specializations
• 100% online coursework available
• No GRE required
• 15-32 credit hours
• CCNE accredited programs
• Designed for working professionals
• Competitive per-credit tuition rates
• Prepare for national certification exams
• Requires prior nursing degree
• Clinical experiences included

East Tennessee State University's online Post-Graduate Nursing Administration certificate provides 100% online coursework with flexible clinical placement, tailored for working professionals. With no GRE required, this 12-32 credit hour program covers genetics, gerontology, and mental health at affordable rates ($646-$1,487 per credit). CCNE-accredited, it prepares for national certification and requires MSN or DNP prerequisites, enhancing leadership skills in healthcare administration.

• 100% Online Nursing Certificates
• 12-32 credit hours
• No GRE Required
• Multiple Specialization Areas
• Working Professional Friendly
• CCNE Accredited Programs
• Flexible Clinical Placement
• National Certification Preparation
• $646-$1,487 per credit
• DNP and MSN Prerequisites

East Tennessee State University's online Post-DNP Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certificate offers a 32-credit, 100% online program for DNP-prepared nurses. It requires no GRE and focuses on comprehensive care from adolescence to elderly, preparing for national certification with tuition from $646-$1,487 per credit. Ideal for working professionals, it promotes community health leadership and clinical skill enhancement in primary care settings.

• 32 credit hour program
• 100% online coursework
• Prepares for national certification
• Requires existing DNP degree
• Flexible for working professionals
• Multiple practice setting options
• Promotes community health leadership

Tennessee Technological University's online Post Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education is designed for master's-prepared nurses seeking to advance into teaching roles. This 16-credit program, which can be completed in three semesters, focuses on classroom and clinical education to address the nursing faculty shortage. It prepares graduates for national certification exams without requiring a second master's degree. No entrance exam is mentioned as required for this online program, which is also military-friendly.

• 16 credit hour post-graduate certificate
• For masters-prepared nurses
• Completed in 3 semesters
• National certification exam eligible
• Classroom and clinical education focus
• Addresses nursing faculty shortage
• No second master's degree required

Tennessee Technological University offers a fully online Post-Graduate Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification for registered nurses with a master's degree. This 23-credit program, completed in about four semesters, includes specialized coursework and local clinical preceptorships to prepare for advanced practice licensure. With an estimated cost of $17,000-$21,000 and a 3.0 GPA requirement, no entrance exam is specified as required. The flexible, online format supports balancing professional commitments, and the program is military-friendly.

• Fully online certification program
• 23 credit hour curriculum
• 4 semester completion timeline
• Flexible course load
• Local clinical hour preceptorships
• Master's degree prerequisite
• 3.0 GPA requirement
• $17,000-$21,000 estimated cost
• Graduate nursing faculty instruction
• Advanced practice licensure preparation