Online Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certificate Programs
Overview

Earn an online post-master’s NP certificate for your goals, on your schedule
Ready to take your next brave step in nursing? Start here. Choose one of Maryville University's online post-master's certificates and prepare to broaden your skills or specialize your nursing career as an NP.
- 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.
- Get started quickly with no waiting list once you’re accepted.

Do I 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.





Maryville University is also recognized as one of the best online nursing school master’s programs for 2023 by The Princeton Review and one of the best online master’s in nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report.
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. We designed our post-master's NP certificate programs to help you build the skills, knowledge, and credentials to grow in this booming field.
Choose from five high-demand NP specialty areas:

Focus your nursing career on your terms
We built our 100% online NP certificate programs to offer you a flexible, supportive, and convenient way to prepare for NP certification. With a robust, practical curriculum designed to help you develop real-world nursing skills and experience, you can earn a dynamic nursing education and build relevant skills that you can apply to your practice immediately. Best of all, you can do it on your schedule in our convenient online learning environment.
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

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 for 2025. It also ranks NPs No. 1 in both “Best STEM Jobs” and “Best Health Care Jobs.”
That’s great news for the more than 290,000 nurse practitioners practicing in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects career growth to remain strong due to the aging baby boomer population, shifts in legislation, and an increased focus on preventive care, among other factors.
With Maryville’s online post-master’s NP certificate programs, you can gain the skills and experience to take full advantage of these opportunities.

What can you do with your online post-master's NP certificate?
You don’t have to limit your nursing practice to one specialization. A post-master's NP certificate can be a valuable credential for nurse practitioners looking to change or add to their specializations with certification in another area.
In addition, earning a post-master's NP certificate can result in career advancement and higher pay.
By earning your post-master's NP certificate online, you’ll become eligible to pursue national board certifications in your specialty area of choice.

Why earn a second nurse practitioner certificate online?
Earning additional post-master's NP certificates online is a cost-effective way to expand your knowledge into other clinical specialties, increasing your value to employers and enabling you to provide high-quality care for wider range of patients — or provide expanded services to existing patients.
Each post-master's NP certificate you earn will broaden your knowledge base and afford you more opportunities for career growth.

Post-master's NP certificate careers
Completing your post-master's NP certificate online at Maryville can qualify you for roles such as:

Post-master's NP certificate work settings
Depending on your area(s) of specialization and the specific nursing work you choose to pursue, your post-master's NP certificate can qualify you to work in a diverse range of settings, including the following.
- Hospitals and clinics
- Behavioral health clinics
- Community health centers
- In-home care
- Long-term care facilities
- Nursing research facilities
- Pediatric clinics
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Retirement homes
- Telehealth clinics

Your NP certificate can qualify you to pursue careers with median annual salaries* such as these:
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP): $108,000
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP): $108,000
- Family nurse practitioner (FNP): $105,000
- Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP): $103,000
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP): $123,000
NP-prepared nurses also may choose to pursue careers outside of the standard practice environment, such as research, management, consultation, administration, education, and forensic nursing.

Prepare for further NP certification
Our five concentrations are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to take certification exams from organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP), and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Maryville’s nursing graduates consistently surpass national pass rate averages for certification exams across all specialties.

What is the career outlook for NPs?
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job openings for NPs to increase by 46% between 2023 and 2033, more than 10 times the average growth for all careers.
- The median annual pay for nurse practitioners was $129,210 in 2024, according to the BLS.
- Psychiatric, pediatric, family, and gerontological NP all are ranked among the 11 highest-paying nursing roles, according to Indeed.
- The ongoing shortage of NPs and primary care physicians means newly educated nurse practitioners have more opportunities than ever to make a difference, especially in underserved areas.
Testimonials
“With the price, program, and flexibility, Maryville really stood out — they had the exact program I wanted. After talking with enrollment advisors from each of the schools about how long it would take, how much it would cost, how much of my time is invested — Maryville came out on top.”
— Krystal D., Maryville NP Certificate Grad (PMHNP)
“Maryville offered a variety of learning methods ... I found it a much more interactive online experience. I worked full time the entire time. So even as a nurse practitioner student, I worked two jobs. Still, I work full time for the Department of Health and I work part time for the Joint Commission, and I was able to keep those up while still going to Maryville.”
— Kathryn F., Maryville NP Certificate Grad (AGACNP)
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
The total number of credits required, including core coursework and concentration courses, varies slightly depending on the concentration you choose:
- AGPCNP: 35 credit hours
- AGACNP: 35 credit hours
- FNP: 35 credit hours
- PNP: 35 credit hours
- PMHNP: 38 credit hours
Graduate Nursing Core Courses (6 credit hours)
Nurse Practitioner Core Courses (11 credit hours)
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 (18 credit hours)
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 (18 credit hours)
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 (18 credit hours)
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 (18 credit hours)
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 (21 credit hours)
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
Professional licensure and certification regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Students are encouraged to visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for the state in which they intend to practice to verify specific licensure requirements which includes ensuring the program of interest meets the licensure requirements prior to enrolling. Students may visit the professional licensure page or reach out to our team of enrollment advisors for guidance.
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
- At least one year of professional nursing experience
- Current, unencumbered licensure as an RN in the U.S.
- Official transcripts from every post-secondary school where you earned a degree or completed any graduate-level coursework
- Transfer credit request form

Admission notes
Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement will be required to submit a personal statement explaining the low grades and outlining plans for improvement.
The acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Maryville University. View our transfer credit policy here.
Maryville’s online MSN and BSN-DNP programs require students with an international education background to have their BSN from a CCNE/ACEN accredited program. Please reach out to an enrollment advisor for more information.
Interested in earning your NP certificate?

University details
Founded in 1872 — top-rated today
Maryville University is proud to be recognized as one of America’s best colleges by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.
At Maryville, we invite future nursing leaders to be brave and expand their potential. Let’s be brave together.
Online NP Certificate Programs: Meet Our Faculty
Mykale Elbe, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Director of the online MSN and Nurse Practitioner Programs and Assistant Professor of Nursing
“At Maryville University, we are educating the future of nursing. Our graduates are tasked with serving patients with compassion, competency-based healthcare, and advocacy. Our faculty strives to ensure students are challenged to rise to the top, think critically, and be leaders in the profession. We hope to support our students in the fulfillment of their educational pursuits.”


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.

What advice would you give to someone studying nursing?
Time management is essential to success as you continue in your educational endeavors toward advanced practice.
Communication is also key, as faculty members can’t know you need help unless you speak up. We’re here to help you learn. We want to know when you’re struggling, so we can find additional resources to support you.
Having passion — for your patients and yourself — is also important, as this is what drives us all to do what we love in nursing.
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:
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
- Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP)
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
Find out more about career opportunities for post-master's NP graduates.
According to data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for nurse practitioners was around $129,000 in 2024. This figure accounts for all NPs, whether they’ve only earned an MSN or pursued multiple NP certifications — but those with multiple certifications can pursue a wider variety of work and may be stronger candidates for leadership roles that often come with higher pay.
Salaries can vary widely depending on factors like location, level of education, work setting, and years of experience.
Maryville’s online post-master’s NP certificate programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a leading independent agency that evaluates and recognizes top-tier nursing programs.
Additionally, Maryville University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1941, reflecting its long-standing commitment to excellence.
Earning your post-master's certificate at Maryville equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue nurse practitioner certification in your chosen specialty. Our five concentrations prepare you to sit for certification exams offered by organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP), and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Maryville nursing graduates consistently outperform national pass rate averages on certification exams across all specialties.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a critical role in today’s healthcare system, particularly amid nationwide shortages of nurses and physicians.
Depending on your specialization and state regulations, nurses certified to work as NPs are enjoying greater autonomy as primary care providers, often performing duties similar to those of doctors. As an NP, you can diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe and manage medications, conduct physical exams, order tests, and more.
Maryville’s online post-master’s nurse practitioner concentrations give you the opportunity to specialize your education in one of five areas:
Online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification Careers
