Our Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate programs are designed for nurses who have completed an MSN or DNP degree. The specialty curricula will prepare you to take on more responsibility or change your career trajectory and achieve your next career goal in clinical advanced practice, nursing administration or nursing leadership. Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Programs are online and hands-on, and, for the FNP and PMHNP role specialties, conclude with a wide range of clinical practicum placements. In just two to six trimesters* you’ll be on the way to a rewarding new role following the completion of one of our hands-on + online nursing certificate programs!
Clinical Placements in 2022 Future clinical education placement experience will vary based on individual student specialty and academic needs, as well as site availability for assignments from term to term.
95%
First-Time FNP Certification Pass Rate Based on 2022 USAHS MSN-FNP, DNP-FNP and PGC (FNP)graduates who took the ANCC or AANP certification exam. The 2022 AANP national first-time certification exam pass rate was 75%.
Are you looking to grow your nursing career in clinical advanced practice, nursing administration or nursing leadership? We offer four of our five role specialties as certificates through our Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate programs:
Nurse Educator, for those called to teach the next generation of nurses
Nurse Executive, for those working toward leadership positions
Our specialty curricula broaden your foundational knowledge, preparing you to take on more responsibility or change your career trajectory. Our Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate programs are designed for nursing students who’ve completed at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
For those interested in nurse practitioner certificate programs, we offer two entry paths for the PMHNP certificate. If you’re already an APRN, choose the APRN-entry path, with fewer credit hours and a shorter expected time to completion. If you are not yet an APRN, choose the non-APRN-entry path.
Students in the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates program complete 12 credit hours when they choose either the Nurse Educator or Nurse Executive certificate. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certificate is 31 credit hours, while the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care certificate is 28 credit hours for licensed APRNs and 37 credit hours for others.
Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate
FNP Post-Graduate Certificate Courses
Credit Hours
NUR 7610 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
3
NUR 7560 Advanced Pharmacology
3
NUR 7580 Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnosis
3
NUR 7570 Primary Healthcare of the Family I REQUIRED INTENSIVE
3
NUR 7571 FNP Role Practicum I (180 contact hours) ♦
4
NUR 7575 Primary Healthcare of the Family II
3
NUR 7572 FNP Role Practicum II (180 contact hours) ♦
4
NUR 7585 Primary Healthcare of the Family III
3
NUR 7573 FNP Role Practicum III (225 contact hours) ♦
5
Total Credit Hours for Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate
31
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate
Path 1: APRN-Entry If you are already an APRN, your course of study will be 28 credits, which should take 5 trimesters, or 1.7 years. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.
PMHNP Post-Graduate Certificate Courses
Credit Hours
NUR 7310 Advanced Neurobiology and Psychopathophysiology
3
NUR 7315 Advanced Psychopharmacology
3
NUR 7330 Psychotherapy for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practice
3
NUR 7350 PMHNP: Acute and Chronic Management of Child/Adolescent with Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions
3
NUR 7541 PMHNP Role Practicum I Child & Adolescent Populations (180 contact hours) ♦
4
NUR 7375 PMHNP: Acute and Chronic Management of the Adult and Older Adult with Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions
3
NUR 7542 PMHNP Role Practicum II Adult and Older Adult Populations (180 contact hours) ♦
4
NUR 7543 PMHNP Role Practicum III Diverse/Special Populations (225 contact hours) ♦
5
Total Credit Hours for PMNHP Post-Graduate Certificate
28
Path 2: Non-APRN-Entry If you are not already an APRN, your course of study will be 37 credits, which should take 6 trimesters, or 2 years. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.
PMHNP Post-Graduate Certificate Courses
Credit Hours
NUR 7610 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
3
NUR 7560 Advanced Pharmacology
3
NUR 7580 Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnosis
3
NUR 7310 Advanced Neurobiology and Psychopathophysiology
3
NUR 7315 Advanced Psychopharmacology
3
NUR 7330 Psychotherapy for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practice
3
NUR 7350 PMHNP: Acute and Chronic Management of Child/Adolescent with Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions
3
NUR 7541 PMHNP Role Practicum I Child & Adolescent Populations (180 contact hours) ♦
4
NUR 7375 PMHNP: Acute and Chronic Management of the Adult and Older Adult with Psychiatric Mental Health Conditions
3
NUR 7542 PMHNP Role Practicum II Adult and Older Adult Populations (180 contact hours) ♦
4
NUR 7543 PMHNP Role Practicum III Diverse/Special Populations (225 contact hours) ♦
5
Total Credit Hours for PMNHP Post-Graduate Certificate
37
Nurse Educator Post-Graduate Certificate
Nurse Educator Post-Graduate Certificate Courses
Credit Hours
NUR 7100 Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, Pharmacology for Nurse Educators
3
EDF 7175 Foundational Theories in Education
3
EDF 7161 Program and Curricular Design for Health Science Education
We are currently accepting applications for enrollment in the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate with a Nurse Executive specialty from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
USAHS is currently not accepting applications from states where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states. Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program.
Post-Graduation Licensure
The Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Nurse Executive Role Specialty program is not designed or intended to lead to professional licensure in any state.
We are currently accepting applications for enrollment in the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate with a Nurse Educator specialty from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
USAHS is currently not accepting applications from states where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states. Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program.
Post-Graduation Licensure
The Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Nurse Educator Role Specialty program is not designed or intended to lead to professional licensure in any state.
CCNE does not accredit non-APRN post-graduate nursing certificate programs. As such, the USAHS Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate program specializations in Nurse Educator and Nurse Executive programs are not accredited by CCNE.
USAHS is currently accepting applications for enrollment in the Post- Graduate Nursing Certificate with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialty for residents in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.
USAHS is currently not accepting applications from states where the program does not meet state licensure requirements and/or where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states. Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for on-the-ground activities or practicum experiences.
Post-Graduation Licensure
The map below identifies the states from which the University is now accepting applications for the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate with an FNP specialty. For states denoted in blue, USAHS has determined the program satisfies the educational requirements for professional licensure in those states. USAHS has not made a determination regarding whether the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialty satisfies the educational requirements for professional licensure in the states denoted in gray.
USAHS has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following locations: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. USAHS is currently not accepting applications from states where the program does not meet state licensure requirements and/or where the institution does not have state authorization.
It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to practicum experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. For more information, students should contact the appropriate state licensure board to understand state licensure requirements as regulations vary from state to state.
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate—Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty
State Approvals
USAHS is currently accepting applications for enrollment in the Post- Graduate Nursing Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty for residents in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
USAHS is currently not accepting applications from states where the program does not meet state licensure requirements and/or where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future, as the program may be offered in additional states. Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for on-the-ground activities or practicum experiences.
Post-Graduation Licensure
The map below identifies the states from which the University is now accepting applications for the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty. For states denoted in blue, USAHS has determined the program satisfies the educational requirements for professional licensure in those states. USAHS has not made a determination regarding whether the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate -Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty satisfies the educational requirements for professional licensure in the states denoted in gray.
USAHS also has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following locations: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to practicum experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. For more information, students should contact the appropriate state licensure board to understand state licensure requirements, as regulations vary from state to state.
Higher Education State Approvals
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences holds licensure/authorization to operate a physical campus in three states — California, Florida and Texas. Please refer to the Licensure page for more detailed information. The University has additional state approvals and exemptions to provide distance education. Please visit the State Licensure page for more detailed information.
CCNE Accreditation
The Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate program with specializations in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Note on Certification Exam
Nurse practitioner graduates must hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a nurse practitioner program accredited by the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) to be eligible to take the necessary role specialty national examination to be certified as a nurse practitioner, which most states require in order to be licensed to practice as an NP. Graduates should take the exam that aligns with their role specialty: FNP-BC or FNP, or PMHNP-BC or PMH-BC. The Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate program with specializations in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Note on Licensure, Authorization, Endorsement, or Other State Credential Necessary to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner
Most states require that graduates pass a nurse practitioner national certification exam in order to apply for licensure or other credentials to practice as a nurse practitioner in a state. Graduates must hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a nurse practitioner program accredited by the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) in order to be eligible for an NP national certification exam; national certification as an NP is required for licensure to practice as an NP in most states. Graduates should take the exam that aligns with their role specialty: FNP-BC or FNP, or PMHNP-BC or PMH-BC. The Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate program with specializations in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. While the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates in nurse practitioner programs are designed to lead to licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential necessary to practice as a nurse practitioner, it is the prospective student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to nursing practice in the state in which he or she intends to practice and/or resides as requirements vary widely.
Prospective students are advised that relocation to another state may impact their ability to complete on-the-ground activities, practicum experiences and/or obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credentials in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate. USAHS makes no representations or guarantee that completion of coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential, including prescriptive authority, where requirements may vary between different states. Additionally, current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for on-the-ground activities and practicum experiences. For more information about the requirements to practice, students should contact the appropriate Board of Nursing or state agency.
Notice to State of Washington Students”: is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for MSN/Nurse Educator, MSN/Nurse Executive, MSN/FNP, MSN-entry DNP, DNP/FNP, and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate (FNP) program tracks. Learn more.
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Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Program Data
The Following Programs Participate in Title IV Federal Student Loans (paper copies of disclosures are available upon request):
USAHS supports your journey with Special Tuition Grant savings towards completing one of our nursing certificate programs online. Over the life of the program. This offer is not a guarantee that all candidates eligible for the offer will be granted acceptance or admission into USAHS. All prospective students will be subject to the same standard admission and registration process when applying to USAHS. The Grant is applicable to tuition only and does not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees. This offer is only valid for eligible new students who enroll and start classes in the above programs at USAHS through Spring 2025. Please refer to the Financial Aid webpage for additional information.
All Alum Nursing $5,000
Criteria Available to all eligible students No application is needed
How Our Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates Stand Apart
We’re online + hands-on.
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate programs are delivered online, with both synchronous and asynchronous elements. Alongside their coursework, students completing nurse practitioner certificate programs, such as their FNP or PMHNP, must complete one required clinical intensive in our state-of-the-art Centers for Innovative Clinical Practice. This provides an opportunity to practice hands-on skills and meet faculty and peers while pursuing a graduate certificate in nursing.
Curricula That Bolster Your Qualification
Our Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate programs follow the same in-depth course curricula as the role specialties in our MSN and BSN-entry DNP programs. By the end of our online nursing certificate programs, you’ll be prepared to take the respective certification exams. Note that to sit for some exams, you may need a specific number of hours of experience.
Clinical Practicum Placements
FNP and PMHNP certificate students must complete 585 practicum contact hours. To complete these nurse practitioner certificate programs, you must work onsite with a preceptor who meets accreditation and state licensure requirements. Practicum placements are determined by USAHS based on the student’s academic needs and to provide the best educational experience. NP nursing students should plan on some travel or even to relocate for practica. There are no practica for the Nurse Educator or Nurse Executive certificates.
Getting Started
Ready to take the next step toward earning a graduate certificate in nursing? It’s easy to get started right away!
Get More Information
Our webinars and virtual campus tours provide a wealth of information to help ensure you make the right choice among our nursing certificate programs online.
Our enrollment advisors are always ready to provide personalized guidance around our hands-on + online nursing certificate programs that are based on your needs.
