2026 Best Virginia Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

The University of Virginia's online Family Nurse Practitioner certificate program prepares advanced nursing professionals to become primary care providers across patient lifespans. This hybrid program requires 23 credit hours and 616 clinical training hours, focusing on family and individual healthcare in diverse settings including rural and underserved communities. The curriculum covers child health, women's care, and multiple clinical practicums, preparing graduates for ANCC/AANP certification exams. No entrance exam is required for admission to this post-master's level program.

• 23 total credit hours
• 616 clinical training hours
• Prepares for ANCC/AANP exams
• Covers child and family health
• Multiple clinical practicums
• Primary care provider focus
• Rural healthcare preparation
• Comprehensive practitioner training

University of Virginia's online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate program offers advanced practice nurses specialization in mental health care through a hybrid learning format. This post-master's program provides comprehensive training with 500-600 clinical hours per track and part-time options for working professionals. The curriculum prepares graduates for specialty certification exams, with no GRE requirement for admission. The program collaborates with top-ranked UVA Health and guarantees admission for UVA alumni, requiring an active APRN licensure and completion of advanced nursing courses.

• Six specialty post-master's certificate tracks
• Hybrid learning format
• Part-time options for working nurses
• Preparation for specialty certification exams
• 500-600 clinical hours per track
• No GRE score requirement
• Guaranteed admission for UVA alumni
• National program ranking (#7 public MSN)
• Unencumbered RN license required

Shenandoah University's online Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate equips MSN-prepared RNs with advanced primary care skills in just five semesters. This fully synchronous program requires 600 clinical hours and emphasizes serving rural and underserved populations. Graduates are prepared for national certification and can pursue roles with average salaries around $110,000. No entrance exam is required, and the program offers flexible clinical site options with weekly virtual meetings.

• Fully online synchronous format
• 600 total clinical hours
• 5 semester program length
• National certification preparation
• For MSN-prepared RNs
• Primary care focus
• Rural healthcare emphasis
• $110k average salary potential
• Flexible clinical site options
• Weekly synchronous meetings

The Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate at Shenandoah University is a hybrid program blending online synchronous classes with clinical training. Designed for MSN-holding RNs, it spans 5-7 semesters and includes 600 clinical hours focused on psychotherapy and medication management across all age groups. Students prepare for ANCC or AANP certification without an entrance exam requirement, gaining expertise in behavioral neuroscience and complex mental health care through interprofessional collaboration.

• 600 total clinical hours
• Fully online synchronous format
• 5-7 semester completion time
• National certification preparation
• Covers lifespan psychiatric care
• For current RNs with MSN
• No part-time option available
• Recommended 3.0 GPA
• Advanced practice nursing focus
• Interprofessional dialogue emphasis

Shenandoah University's hybrid Nurse-Midwifery Post Graduate Certificate combines one on-campus week per semester with online coursework for MSN-prepared RNs. This three-semester, 26-credit program involves 720 clinical hours in women's health, covering primary care, gynecology, and perinatal management. Graduates become eligible for national midwifery certification with no entrance exam needed, focusing on reproductive healthcare across the lifespan in a CCNE-accredited format.

• Three-semester certificate program
• 26 total program credits
• 720 clinical training hours
• Hybrid learning format
• National certification preparation
• Advanced practice nursing focus
• Women's healthcare specialization
• CCNE accredited program

Old Dominion University's online Graduate Certificate in Nurse Education is designed for nurses with a graduate degree, transforming them into skilled educators through a 12-credit curriculum. The program focuses on professional ethics, instructional methods, and curriculum design, and includes a hands-on practicum for real-world application. It is delivered entirely online with flexible scheduling and does not require an entrance exam, making it accessible for working professionals. Virginia residents benefit from a competitive in-state rate of $620 per credit, preparing graduates to shape future nursing professionals effectively.

• Online Graduate Certificate
• 12 total credit hours
• Designed for graduate nurses
• Includes teaching practicum
• Virginia in-state rate $620/credit
• Four graduate-level courses
• Flexible online learning environment

Old Dominion University's Post-Professional Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner is a hybrid program for APRN MSN holders seeking board certification in family care. It spans four semesters, emphasizing advanced primary care skills, patient diagnosis, and holistic management across the lifespan. The program combines online and on-campus components and does not require an entrance exam, offering competitive tuition rates from $620 for Virginia residents to $1,486 for non-residents. With limited seats, it focuses on evidence-based care and clinical assessment to expand professional capabilities and earning potential.

• 4-semester completion time
• Graduate-level certificate program
• On-campus delivery mode
• Prepares for board certification
• Advanced primary care skills
• Limited number of seats available
• For nurses with APRN MSN
• Lifespan patient care focus
• Advanced clinical assessment
• Evidence-based care approach

Virginia Commonwealth University's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate is a hybrid program designed for advanced practice registered nurses with master's or doctoral degrees to specialize in primary care across all patient lifespans. This two-year part-time program combines four weekly in-person lectures with clinical courses in professional settings, requiring no personal preceptor. It prepares graduates for national certification, enabling independent assessment, diagnosis, and treatment from children to older adults. As a post-master's program, no entrance exam is required. The hybrid format offers flexibility while maintaining in-person components for hands-on learning.

• Two-year part-time hybrid program
• For existing advanced practice nurses
• Four in-person lecture courses weekly
• Clinical courses in professional settings
• No personal preceptor required
• Expand nursing practice abilities
• National certification preparation
• Primary care across lifespan

Virginia Commonwealth University's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate is a hybrid program for master's or doctorate-prepared nurses, focusing on lifespan mental health care. The 21-credit curriculum includes psychotherapy, pharmacology, and clinical practicum, preparing graduates for certification and state licensure. It requires an active RN license, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and must be completed within six years. As a post-master's program, no entrance exam is needed. The hybrid delivery blends online learning with in-person elements, emphasizing advanced skills in diagnosis, management, and holistic patient care from infancy to geriatrics.

• 21 graduate credit hours
• Lifespan mental health focus
• Certification exam preparation
• Master's/Doctorate prerequisite
• Advanced practice nursing skills
• Active RN license required
• Clinical practicum included
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Six-year completion window
• Psychotherapy and pharmacology training

Virginia Commonwealth University's Care Coordination Graduate Certificate is a hybrid program delivered 95% online, with minimal in-person weekend sessions, ideal for registered nurses and other health professionals. This 12-credit program focuses on interprofessional collaboration, healthcare infrastructure, and patient empowerment to manage complex needs and improve outcomes. It requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, a capstone project, and completion within five years, with a minimum B grade in courses. As a post-master's program, no entrance exam is required, offering a flexible, predominantly online format for advancing care coordination skills.

• 12-credit graduate certificate
• 95% online delivery
• Health professionals only
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• In-person weekend sessions
• Capstone project required
• Five-year completion window
• Minimum B grade in courses

George Mason University's online Nursing Education Graduate Certificate prepares licensed RNs with graduate degrees for educational roles in academic and clinical settings. This 15-credit hour hybrid program offers flexible part-time scheduling and includes 6 credits of practicum experience with expert preceptors. Students must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA while developing advanced teaching skills. The program does not require an entrance exam and can be completed concurrently with MSN, DNP, or PhD programs, focusing on comprehensive preparation for diverse healthcare education environments.

• 15 credit hour certificate
• Part-time scheduling options
• Post-master's certification available
• 6 credits practicum experience
• Minimum 3.00 GPA requirement
• Academic and clinical education preparation

George Mason University's online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate equips students for advanced practice psychiatric nursing, emphasizing serious mental illness treatment. This 23-credit hybrid program prepares graduates for prescriptive authority, medication management, and psychotherapy, with eligibility for ANCC national certification. Part-time study is available, requiring a minimum 3.00 GPA and additional credits for non-certified nurse practitioners. No entrance exam is required, and the program includes clinical components, focusing on practical skills for mental health care delivery in various settings.

• 23 graduate credits required.
• Minimum GPA of 3.00.
• Part-time study available.
• Eligible for ANCC certification.
• Focus on serious mental illness.
• Prepares for prescriptive authority.
• Includes medication management training.
• Psychotherapy skills development.
• Additional credits for non-certified NPs.
• U.S. RN license required.