Online Post-Master's PNP Certificate Program
Overview
Earn an online post-master’s NP certificate for your goals, on your schedule
Ready to take the next brave step in your career and specialize in pediatric nursing? Start here. With Maryville University, you can develop the skills and expertise to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, caring for patients from newborns to adolescents and making a difference in their lives.
- Access coursework 100% online with no campus visits required.
- Apply with no GMAT, GRE, or statistics needed.
- Complete clinicals locally in your preferred setting.
- Study pediatric nursing with expert faculty.
- Get started quickly with no waiting list once you’re accepted.
What is the online PNP certificate program?
The PNP certificate is for master’s-prepared nurses who want to expand their skill set or pivot toward working with children. Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs), sometimes called pediatric primary care nurse practitioners, work with children across a number of environments from infancy through young adulthood.
This concentration focuses on building the critical skills needed to assess, educate, diagnose, and manage the care of pediatric patients in a primary care setting. This includes addressing acute and chronic conditions, promoting preventive care, and supporting overall growth and wellness.
Do I need a post-master's NP certificate?
As a master’s-prepared nurse, now is the perfect time to advance your career in a field that aligns with your passion for pediatric care.
A post-master's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) certificate can enable you to specialize in pediatric care, take on a role as an advanced practice nurse, transition into a child-focused area, or expand your expertise in caring for younger patients. This certificate program provides the skills and knowledge needed to deliver comprehensive care for children and adolescents at every stage of development.
Why choose Maryville for your post-master's PNP certificate online?
- Earn your certificate with confidence from a CCNE-accredited program.
- Take advantage of a flexible 24/7 online learning model designed to fit into your busy lifestyle.
- Dive into key topics in pediatric care and build the skills needed for leadership roles in nursing.
- Participate in clinical inquiry and hands-on training to deliver outstanding care to families in real-life scenarios.
- Learn from seasoned faculty and industry experts who bring practical, real-world knowledge to every course.
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
Focus your nursing career on your terms
Our fully online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) certificate program offers the flexibility, support, and convenience to help you prepare for certification. With a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum, you’ll have the opportunity to build practical skills in pediatric care that you can apply immediately to your practice.
Even better, the program allows you to study at your own pace through an easy-to-use online platform.
Keep working as you continue learning
Our online nursing programs are designed to fit into your busy schedule, so you can keep working while earning your PNP certificate. The program comprises 35 credit hours, with 18 dedicated to advanced pediatric care concentration courses.
After completing the program, you’ll be ready to pursue diverse career opportunities in pediatric-focused settings and to take the PNP national certification exam.
Want to explore a different nursing specialization?
Earn your PNP certificate online with Maryville and specialize in child-focused care, or choose from four other concentration areas to expand your expertise and achieve your professional goals.
Careers
Post-master's NP certification job outlook
U.S. News & World Report has ranked nurse practitioner as the No. 1 job on its "100 Best Jobs in America" list for 2025, as well as the top career in both STEM and healthcare.
Further, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong growth in the field, particularly in pediatric nursing, driven by factors like an increased focus on preventive care and a high need for advanced practice pediatric nurses. A recent survey by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board shows that fewer than 1 in 4 pediatric nurses holds a graduate degree or better.
What can you do with your online post-master's NP certificate?
A post-master's PNP certificate is an excellent choice for nurse practitioners looking to specialize in pediatric care or transition to a new focus. This certification can also lead to greater career opportunities and higher earning potential.
Earning your post-master's PNP certificate online helps prepare you for national board certification in pediatric care, enabling you to provide dedicated, rewarding care to children and adolescents.
Post-master's PNP certificate work settings
Your Pediatric NP certificate can qualify you to work with children and young adults across a wide range of settings, including the following.
- Hospitals and clinics
- Colleges and universities
- In-home care
- K-12 schools
- Long-term care facilities
- Nursing research facilities
- Rehabilitation facilities
What is the typical salary for certified PNPs?
According to research from career site Indeed, pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) rank among the highest-paid specialties in the field, with a national average salary of approximately $115,000 as of January 2025.
Data compiled by PayScale shows slightly lower figures, with a median salary for PNPs around $103,000, but it also shows great growth potential. The top 10% report earnings of more than $131,000. Salaries can vary based on factors such as location, education, and experience.
Prepare for further NP certification
Graduates of this program are eligible to pursue certifications related to PNP practice, such as the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (PPCNP-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (CPNP-PC) credential from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Graduating classes from Maryville’s MSN programs consistently beat national pass rate averages for certification exams across disciplines.
What is the career outlook for NPs?
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for nurse practitioners (NPs) are expected to grow by 46% between 2023 and 2033, significantly outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations.
- The BLS reported a median salary of $129,210 for NPs in 2024.
- Psychiatric, pediatric, family, and gerontological NPs are among the top 11 highest-paying nursing specialties, as highlighted by online career resource Indeed.
- The current shortage of NPs and primary care physicians creates more opportunities for new NPs to make an impact, particularly in areas like pediatrics where the need for NPs is higher.
If I’m already NP certified, should I pursue a second specialization?
Do you already have NP certification in a different specialty from an MSN or post-master's certificate program? You can broaden your skills and career opportunities by specializing in a new area.
At Maryville, we offer online NP certificate programs in five different concentrations. These programs allow you to gain new credentials, enhance your value to employers, and provide high-quality care to a wider range of patients — or expand the services you offer to your current patients.
Post-master's NP certificate careers
Want to explore NP opportunities beyond your current certification? We offer five online post-master's certifications in nursing, so you can choose the one that works best for you. In addition to PNP, you can also consider these options:
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)
Move forward in your nursing career
Curriculum
Online Post-Master’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Certificate Curriculum
If you already have a master’s degree in nursing and are looking to advance your career, specialize, or focus on pediatric care, a post-master’s certificate could be the perfect next step.
At Maryville University, we recognize the increasing demand for highly skilled, specialized nurses. That’s why we offer five post-master’s certificate programs, including options for future pediatric nurse practitioners, designed to help you broaden your expertise and deliver comprehensive pediatric care.
Our online programs provide the flexibility working nurses need to enhance their skills, apply them directly to their practice, and maintain a balance between work and personal commitments.
Graduate Nursing and Nurse Practitioner Core Courses
Post-NP Certificate | Credits by Concentration
The PNP certificate consists of 35 credit hours in total. This includes 6 credit hours of graduate-level nursing core courses, 11 credit hours of general NP courses, and 18 credit hours dedicated to concentration coursework.
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.
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
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 PNP 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
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
Pediatric nurse practitioners who have earned an online post-master’s PNP certification can pursue roles in various settings, delivering specialized care to children from infancy through adolescence and young adulthood. This program focuses on skills tailored to pediatric care, preparing you to manage acute and chronic conditions, promote preventive care, and support the long-term health and well-being of children and their families.
Find out more about career opportunities for post-master's NP graduates.
Our PNP concentration program is designed for master’s-prepared nurses looking to expand their expertise or transition into pediatric-focused care.
This program helps prepare nurses to deliver comprehensive care to children from infancy through adolescence in a primary care setting, with an emphasis on building strong patient and family relationships, managing chronic conditions, promoting healthy development, and providing preventive care.
Graduates of this program are eligible to pursue certifications related to PNP practice, such as the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (PPCNP-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the Certified Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (CPNP-PC) credential offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Graduates from Maryville’s online post-master's certificate programs consistently surpass national pass rate averages for certification exams across various specialties.
Yes. Maryville’s online post-master’s NP certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a trusted organization that assesses and approves high-quality nursing programs.
Maryville University has also held accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1941.
We offer five post-master's certificate concentrations for nurses hoping to specialize in their practice or broaden their skills. In addition to PNP, we can help you advance with concentrations in the following areas.
Online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification Careers
