On August 4, 2026, American Public University System combined with Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing to form a single higher education institution. American Public University System (the System) now includes American Public University, American Military University, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). We are continuing to update our website to reflect our new structure.
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate
Rasmussen University’s post-graduate Nursing certificates are for nurses with an MSN or DNP. Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate specializations can be completed in as few as 6 months for less than $7,000.5 Nurse Practitioner specializations can be completed in as few as 21 months for under $30,000.48 All are online, with 2-4 start dates a year and no GRE® requirement.2
- Online
- Field Experience
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Program
You’re a registered nurse with a graduate degree, such as a Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN), MSN Nurse Practitioner (MSN-NP) or Doctoral degree in Nursing (DNP). What’s next in your nursing education? Pursue a new specialization with our Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate program.
A Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate allows you to expand your skills in a specialized area. Online courses combined with clinical practicum experiences give you the flexibility and skills you need to confidently pursue your new specialization.
Specializations:
- Nursing Leadership and Administration
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Technology, Simulation and Informatics
Nurse Practitioner (NP) specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Four start dates per year1 and no GRE requirement help qualified applicants get going right away.
Graduate Nursing Education to Help You Keep Growing
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Credits
16
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Nurse Practitioner Credits
53
Nursing Programs to Meet Your Goals
If you’re a registered nurse (RN) with an MSN, MSN-NP or DNP and looking for more options to advance your education, step up to the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate. Keep expanding your skills by focusing on just the specialization courses.
Whether your goals include becoming a leader, educator or advanced practitioner, you can find specializations that align with your credential and fit your goals.
You can choose any Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate specialization, whether you have an MSN, MSN-NP or DNP.
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Details
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Nurse Practitioner Details
Access to Mentor Minds
Join our thriving nursing network of over 19,500 nursing alumni and 600 nursing faculty.3 Gain access to faculty and alumni who have been where you are now and where you are headed in your career. You will have supporters in your Nursing program who can help you navigate your clinicals, offer insights from their experiences and connect you with others in their own network.
Support to Make It Work
From clinical practicum coordinator and experienced faculty to 24/7 technical support and an academic advisor, you’ll have support throughout the program. The clinical practicum coordinator will help you find and secure your clinical site. And, when it comes to research, you’ll have a nursing-specific librarian to work with through all our available resources.
"Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates are great options for nurses that already have an MSN and are looking to expand their expertise in a new specialized field. The certificate can be accomplished in a relatively short time frame, focusing solely on those courses that are relevant to one’s area of interest."
Sheri Hartman, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
Assistant Vice President of Nursing Systems
Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!
Which Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Should I Choose?
All of Rasmussen’s Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates include online learning with in-person practicums and clinical experience, require an RN license and a graduate Nursing degree and offer no GRE requirement—the question is what type of roles you would like to prepare for.
| Program Detail | Professional Certificate | Nurse Practitioner Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| How long it takes | As few as 6 months4 | As few as 21 months4 |
| Estimated tuition and fees | Less than $7,0005 | Less than $30,0008 |
| Credits | Up to 16 credits | Up to 53 credits |
| Prepares you for | New roles in leadership, education or technology | New Nurse Practitioner roles |
| Key notes | 4 starts/year; APRN certificate options are CCNE®-accredited;9 state availability varies | 4 starts/year for FNP and 2 starts/year for AGPCNP, PMHNP and PPCNP; APRN certificate options are CCNE-accredited; state availability varies |
| Next Steps | View MSN Program Details | View MSN-NP Program Details |
Accreditation and Licensing Information
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
American Public University System (the System) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The System is comprised of American Military University (AMU), American Public University (APU), Rasmussen University (RU), and Hondros College of Nursing (HCN). HLC accredits degree-granting institutions nationwide and is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The post-graduate APRN certificate program in nursing at Rasmussen University part of American Public University System is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street, NW
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
202-887-6791