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Post-Master’s Certificate

Study upward with an online nursing post-master’s certificate in a range of specializations.

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You must be a licensed registered nurse or have completed an associate degree of nursing to apply for the program.

You must be a licensed registered nurse and have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or a bachelor's degree in a closely related field to apply for this program.

You must be a licensed registered nurse and have completed a Master of Science in Nursing degree to apply for this program.

You must be a licensed registered nurse and have completed a Master of Science in Nursing degree or a master's degree in a healthcare related field.

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Post-Master’s Certification Highlights

<p>Hands-on practice and one-on-one faculty mentoring</p>

Hands-on practice and one-on-one faculty mentoring

<p>Flexible online classes including mobile-accessible learning</p>

Flexible online classes including mobile-accessible learning

<p>Comprehensive Career Services support after graduation</p>

Comprehensive Career Services support after graduation

<p>Competitive tuition with financial aid and scholarships available for those who qualify</p>

Competitive tuition with financial aid and scholarships available for those who qualify

Why Pursue an Online Post-Master's Certificate?

With an advanced education and specialized skillset, post-master’s certified nurses are poised to make a difference in their chosen field — whether it’s as a Family Nurse Practitioner or as a nurse educator. Certification at the post-master’s level qualifies you for challenging and rewarding work in environments that can range from primary care to the trauma ward.

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Online Post-Master’s Certificates

Study upward with a nursing post-master’s certification in a range of specializations to advance and enhance your practice and expertise. Explore our specialty tracks below.

(Note: WCU has halted enrollment for the Advanced Generalist and Nursing Informatics tracks of the Post-Master’s Certificate program effective January 9, 2023. To make an Informatics degree available to more students, we will be opening enrollment for a new Informatics track in the Master of Health Administration program in Spring 2023.)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

For adult and geriatric patients, you are a lifeline for those in acute need of care and compassion. Achieve your post-master’s for this specialization in as few as 20 months.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

A WCU post-master’s certificate in primary gerontology care will prep you to help keep your adult patients of all ages healthy, including preventative care. Complete your certificate in as few as 16 months.
Family Nurse Practitioner

As a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, you’ll provide a wide range of care for the whole family, includingchildren and adults. You can complete your  certification at WCU in as few as 20 months.
Nurse Educator

Teaching is as important as healing. If you’re interested in and committed to educating future or current nurses, you can be certified in under a year.
Nurse Leader

Lead and motivate your team while providing and improving patient care. Good leadership and administration are integral to care, too.
Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Designed for students who have already completed an MSN and are looking to specialize in mental health and achieve advanced certification.

Additional Information About our Post-Master’s Certificates

Study on Your Schedule

We know you’re eager to get started… and get finished! WCU online nursing certifications are designed to get you through a quality education at your pace. These tracks are streamlined for working nurses looking to complete a certificate with speed. Timelines and requirements vary by specialty.

Hands-On Experience

Most nursing post-master’s programs include onsite intensive clinical experience1, learning to make assessments and recommendations for care. While most of the program can be completed remotely, in-person experience is often essential.

  • Post-Master’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Certificate: 500 precepted hours
  • Post-Master’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 500 precepted hours
  • Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner: 600 precepted hours
  • Post-Master’s Nurse Educator: 135 precepted hours
  • Post-Master’s Nurse Leader: 135 precepted hours
  • Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 500 precepted hours

1 Students enrolled through the Orange County campus must complete their OSI’s in California. Students enrolled through the Texas campus must complete them in Texas. Travel costs are not included in tuition and fees, and students are responsible for arranging transportation.

Curriculum

Preview your course of study by degree. The Post-Master’s Certificate curricula are curated by specialty. The number of credits needed, and the number of months your degree will take will vary as well. We recommend reviewing your prospective curriculum in detail, so you know what to expect.

Visit our Graduate Programs of Study page and click on your desired Post-Master’s certificate track to view the curriculum.

Academic Calendar

New academic sessions begin, on average, and depending on programs, every eight weeks, and typically lasts about six trimesters. You can access an up-to-date start-to-completion schedule by degree:

Academic Calendar

How Much Does the Post-Master’s Certificate Program Cost?

We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future. For a breakdown of the Post-Master’s Certificate costs, visit our individual program track pages:

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Educator

Nursing Informatics

Nurse Leader

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

We offer several Post-Master’s Certificate financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

Career Services

Our Career Services department provides ongoing assistance with professional and career development through workshops and guidance for our online post-master’s programs students and graduates.

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FAQs
Will I be able to complete my degree or certificate if I am working?

All our online nursing programs have been designed to give you the flexibility you need to earn your degree. While due dates and assignments help keep you on track, you will have the flexibility to watch lectures and complete coursework when and where it’s convenient for you. You choose whether to study in the mornings, evenings, or weekends.

What is a Post Master's Certificate?

Post Master's certificates are specialized certifications that allow professionals with master's degree advance their skills, knowledge, and professional development.

Can I get a Post Master's Certificate online?

WCU's Post Master's Certificate programs include 100% online coursework. Some in-person pratice experience is necessary to complete your Post Master's Certificate.

How long does it take to get a Post Master's Certificate in nursing?

Time for completion will vary depending on the post-master's certificate you are pursuing. Visit our track-specific pages to learn more about program length.

Is financial aid available?

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Among the scholarships offered are the Alumni Pathway Grant (covers up to 20% of tuition), the WCU Health Services Grant (covers up to 10% of tuition), and the WCU Performance Scholarship (covers up to 15% of tuition).

For additional information and eligibility requirements, visit our online catalog.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at West Coast University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791 (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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