Post-Master’s NP Certification Online Programs
Overview

Why earn your post master’s NP certification?
- Access coursework 100% online with no campus visits required.
- Apply with no GMAT, GRE, or statistics needed.
- Choose from five concentrations.
- Complete clinicals locally in your preferred setting.
- Enjoy no waiting list once you’re accepted.

Do you need a post-master's NP certificate?
You’re already a master’s-prepared nurse. Now is the time to focus on your career in a specialization that urgently needs experienced nursing leaders.
Enroll in one of Maryville University’s online post-master's nurse practitioner certificate programs and gain the clinical skills and knowledge you need to earn your nurse practitioner (NP) certification in one of five critical areas: family practice, adult-gerontology primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, pediatric primary care, and psychiatric mental health.

Why choose Maryville for your post-master's NP certificate online?
- Graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Enjoy the convenience of a 24/7 online learning model that allows you to plan time for work, life, and family.
- Study important topics that can pave the way to a better future.
- Conduct research via clinical inquiry courses that challenge assumptions.
- Learn from experienced faculty and nursing leaders who share their goals for public health and the nursing profession.





Program Details

Five online nurse practitioner (NP) post-master's certificate programs
As the healthcare system evolves, new opportunities in holistic nursing leadership are steadily emerging. Now is the time to build on your current success and prepare for tomorrow with your choice of five online post-master's NP certificate programs.

Why earn your post-master's nurse practitioner certificate online?
Focus your nursing career on a high-demand specialization.
At Maryville, we’ve designed our 100% online NP certificate programs to offer you a flexible, supportive, and convenient way to pursue NP certification in family practice, adult-gerontology primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, pediatric primary care, or psychiatric mental health. You’ll never have to come to campus, although we’d love to see you walk at graduation.

Keep working as you continue learning
Careers

What can you do with your online post-master's NP certificate?

Why earn a second nurse practitioner certificate online?

Post-master's NP certification careers
Completing your post-master's NP certificate online at Maryville can qualify you for roles such as:
- Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP)
- Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP)
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)

Post-master's NP certification careers
In settings such as:
- Educational institutions
- Hospitals and clinics
- Private practices
- Outpatient care centers
- Long-term care facilities

What is the typical salary for an online post-master's nurse practitioner certificate recipient?
According to PayScale, your NP certificate can qualify you to pursue careers with median annual salaries such as these:
- Family nurse practitioner (FNP): $97,000
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP): $90,000
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP): $96,000
- Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP): $92,000
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP): $112,000

Post-master's NP certification job outlook
Certified nurse practitioners are in high-demand. U.S. News & World Report currently ranks “nurse practitioner” No. 1 on its "100 Best Jobs in America" list. It also ranks NPs No. 1 in “Best STEM Jobs,” No. 1 in “Best Health Care Jobs,” and No. 23 in “Best-Paying Jobs.”
That’s great news for the more than 220,000 nurse practitioners practicing in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects career growth to remain strong due to aging baby boomers and an increased focus on preventive care.
With Maryville’s online post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate programs, you can gain the skills and experience to take full advantage of these opportunities.

What is the career outlook for NPs?
- The BLS projects job openings for nurse practitioners to increase by a massive 52% between 2020 and 2030.
- Psychiatric NP, general NP, and gerontological NP rank among the 15 highest-paying nursing careers, according to Nurseslabs.
- The Association of American Medical Colleges expects the need for nurse practitioners to increase steadily due to an anticipated shortage of between 54,000 and 139,000 primary and specialty care physicians by 2033.
- The median annual pay for nurse practitioners was $111,680 in 2020, according to the BLS.
Testimonial
Curriculum
Online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certificate Curriculum
If you’ve already earned your master’s degree in nursing and want to go further, specialize, or pivot in your nursing career, then a post-master’s certificate may be for you.
At Maryville University, we understand the breadth of the nursing profession and the specialization it takes to be a bold leader in the field. That’s why we designed our curriculum so you have five post-master’s certificate options to help you expand your nursing career and practice where you want.
You can complete these certificate programs 100% online — the perfect format for working nurses who want to take their careers further and apply what they’ve learned on the job right away.
Graduate Nursing and Nurse Practitioner Core Courses
Post-NP Certificate | Credits by Concentration
AGPCNP 29 Credit Hours, AGACNP 35 Credit Hours, FNP 35 Credit Hours, PNP 32 Credit Hours, PMHNP 38 Credit Hours
Graduate Nursing Core Courses
This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care.
Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615
Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615
This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens of illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Also included are illness prevention, non-pharmacological and legal implications for prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner.
Note: Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed.
AGACNP Concentration Curriculum
This is the first didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Focus is on individuals experiencing illness seen in the acute care setting. Students will analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 641 or NURS 641C
First practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in NURS-640 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in acute care practice settings.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 640
This course is the second didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Students will continue to expand on knowledge, decision making and management of acute and emergent physiological alterations in health. Students will analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management.
Prerequisite: NURS 640 and NURS 641 or NURS 641C
Corequisite: NURS 643 or NURS 643C
This is the second practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 642 with focus on comprehensive health care to complex, acute and critically ill patients in a clinical, preceptored practicum experience.
Prerequisite: NURS 640 and NURS 641
Corequisite: NURS 642
This is the final didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will continue to analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management in complex symptomology.
Prerequisite: NURS 640, NURS 641 or NURS 641C, NURS 642 and NURS 643 or NURS 643C
Corequisite: NURS 645 or NURS 645C
This is the final practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. The student will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-644 with focus on comprehensive health care to complex, acute and critically ill patients in a clinical, preceptored practicum experience.
Prerequisite: NURS 642 and NURS 643
Corequisite: NURS 644
AGPCNP Concentration Curriculum
This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this first of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 621 or NURS 621C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice nurse and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 620
This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this second of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621 or NURS 621C
Corequisite: NURS 624 or NURS 624C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice provider and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of adults with chronic and acute health problems in a primary care setting.
Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621
Corequisite: NURS 623
The care of adults experiencing acute, chronic, and complex health problems are studied in this course specifically for students in the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner program. The course expands on current research-based interventions unique to adults of varying ages, from wellness to illness. Individual, family, group counseling, and education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary, and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisites: NURS 620, NURS 621, NURS 623, and NURS 624
Corequisite: NURS 627C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical, and role components of care by an advanced practice nurse are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of adults with chronic and acute health problems in a primary care setting.
Prerequisites: NURS 620, NURS 621C, NURS 623, and NURS 624
Corequisite: NURS 626
FNP Concentration Curriculum
This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this first of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 621 or NURS 621C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice nurse and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 620
This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this second of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621 or NURS 621C
Corequisite: NURS 624 or NURS 624C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice provider and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of adults with chronic and acute health problems in a primary care setting.
Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621
Corequisite: NURS 623
This course prepares Family Nurse Practitioner students to develop expertise and assume responsibility for health promotion, maintenance, and management of chronic and acute illness of children and women’s health. Emphasis is placed on the child within the framework of the family.
Prerequisite: NURS 623 and NURS 624 or NURS 624C
Corequisite: NURS 630 or NURS 630C
This course provides the student with an opportunity to assume responsibility for the primary health care services of individuals and families under clinical supervision. The student is expected to assume increasing responsibility for planning and implementing therapeutic processes and for documenting and evaluating outcomes of care. The role of the FNP in health care promotion and management and collaboration with health professionals.
Prerequisite: NURS 623 and NURS 624
Corequisite: NURS 629
PNP Concentration Curriculum
This course focuses on growth and development and milestones of pediatric patients using theories and evidence based practice. Students will learn anticipatory guidance techniques, health promotion and illness prevention concepts within the pediatric population, incorporating individual, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual preferences.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 615 and NURS 612 (may also be taken concurrently)
Corequisite: NURS 655C
This course is the first in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, NURS 615 & NURS 650
Corequisite: NURS 652 or NURS 652C
This is the first practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-651 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings.
Prerequisite: NURS 650
Corequisite: NURS 651
This course is second in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents.
Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 or NURS 652C
Corequisite: NURS 654 or NURS 654C
This is the second practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 653 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings.
Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652
Corequisite: NURS 653
This practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program focuses on primary care setting and the preventative well child visit. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 650 with a focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings around pediatric health promotion.
Prerequisite: NURS-612
Corequisite: NURS-650C
PMHNP Concentration Curriculum
This course will cover assessment and identification of discrete aspects of cognition, psychopathology, affect and behavior in the diagnosis and treatment planning of psychiatric illness across the life span. Also included is the appropriate use, monitoring and evaluation of prescribing psychotropic medication, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612 and NURS 615
In this course theories and models will be used to develop an understanding of the etiologies of acute and chronic mental health disorders among adults and older adults. Selection of appropriate treatment strategies including individual and group psychotherapies will be discussed.
Prerequisite: NURS 660
Corequisite: NURS 662 or NURS 662C
This practicum course is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to adult and older adult patients with psychiatric illness. A variety of psychotherapeutic strategies will be explored.
Prerequisite: NURS 660
Corequisite: NURS 661
This is the first of two didactic courses designed to assist the student in development of the advanced practice nursing role with the care and management of individuals with a mental health disorder across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 661 and NURS 662 or NURS 662C
Corequisite: NURS 664 or NURS 664C
This practicum is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to patients with psychiatric illness across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 661 and NURS 662
Corequisite: NURS 663
This is the second of two didactic courses designed to assist the student in development of the advanced practice nursing role with the care and management of individuals with a mental health disorder across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 663 and NURS 664 or NURS 664C
Corequisite: NURS 667 or NURS 667C
This practicum is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to patients with psychiatric illness across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 663 and NURS 664
Corequisite: NURS 665
Admission Requirements

- MSN degree from a regionally accredited institution and CCNE/ACEN/CNEA accredited nursing program
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all college work
- Have at least one year of professional nursing experience
- Hold current, unencumbered licensure as an RN in the U.S.
- Official transcripts from every post-secondary school where a degree was earned and any graduate-level coursework
- Transfer credit request form

- Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement will be required to submit an addendum.
- The acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Maryville University, click to view our transfer credit policy.
- Maryville’s online nursing programs require students with an international education background to have their BSN from a CCNE/ACEN accredited program for the MSN and BSN-DNP programs, and their MSN from a CCNE/ACEN accredited program for the Post-Master’s Certificate, DNP, and DNP-NP programs. Please reach out to an enrollment advisor for more information.
Interested in this degree?

University Details
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Online NP Certificate Programs: Meet Our Faculty


In your opinion, what are the benefits of earning a post-master’s certificate online?
A post-master’s NP certificate allows for expansion of career opportunities and further training to better prepare students for areas they may already be practicing in that are outside of their original role.
Why should students choose to complete this program online at Maryville?
An online NP certificate program gives students more flexibility than in-person programs, which is especially beneficial to practicing nurses and NPs.

What can post-master's nursing students do to ensure that patient-centered care is at the forefront of their practice?
Students can continue to learn and educate themselves to stay up to date with the latest evidence-based practices, which will help ensure better patient outcomes.
In your opinion, what are some of the trending areas of focus in the nursing industry?
With COVID-19, we have a rising need for nurse practitioners in acute care and psychiatric mental health settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nurse practitioners who have earned a post-master’s NP certification online may pursue roles in a variety of settings, serving a wide range of patients. Completing your online post-master’s certificate in nursing can prepare you for careers such as:
- Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP)
- Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP)
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
Find out more about career opportunities for post-master's NP graduates.
Maryville’s online post-master’s nurse practitioner concentrations give you the opportunity to specialize your education in one of five areas:
- Family NP
- Adult-gerontology primary care NP
- Adult-gerontology acute care NP
- Pediatric NP
- Psychiatric mental health NP
Online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification Careers
