Post-Master's Certificates

For nursing professionals who have earned a master's degree and are looking to further their education, we offer a post-master's FNP certificate, PMHNP certificate, nursing leadership certificate, or a nursing education certificate that heightens opportunities and opens doors, especially in specialty care. All tracks are offered in an online format and are designed to comply with national certification requirements, when applicable.


  • Family Nurse Practitioner Track

    • Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner option will receive educational preparation that will enable them to provide patient-family centered, evidence-based health care for individuals across the lifespan. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to sit for national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The program does include clinical requirements, and students may participate in the identification of appropriate clinical sites and clinical preceptors, as they are family with their geographic location. Students are required to attend two on-campus intensives at our new, state-of-the-art Harrison Hall and Simulation Laboratory.
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner Track

    • Students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) option will receive educational preparation that will enable them to provide mental health care across the life span. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to sit for national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The program does include clinical requirements, and students may participate in the identification of appropriate clinical sites and clinical preceptors, as they are familiar with their geographic location. Students are required to attend two on-campus intensives at our new, state-of-the-art Harrison Hall and Simulation Laboratory.
  • Leadership Track

    • A post-master's certificate in nursing leadership will prepare you to function at an advanced level in the health care environment regarding politics and legislation, budgeting and economics, and leadership and management, such that these nurses may positively impact the management aspects of nursing and health care in society.
  • Teaching and Learning Track

    • A post-master's certificate in nursing education will equip registered nurses with tools that will enable them to facilitate the education of nursing students, health care clients, and health care colleagues. Will qualify graduates to serve as a faculty member in an institution of higher learning and serve as an educator in the clinical environment. Program allows students to select a clinical area of interest (adult health, women's health, pediatrics, etc.)
time

Time to Complete:
Variable
8-18 months full-time 12-16 months part-time

modality

Modality Offered:
Online

credientials

Credentials:
Graduate Certificate

Why North Alabama?

Experience an unmatched education for your future in nursing. North Alabama’s post-master's certificate professors bring real-world experience to the classroom, which serves as the foundation for our programs. If you’re ready to earn your post MSN certificate program online, you will benefit from their hands-on patient stories and real-world examples—approaching health care with a new lens.

With a diverse student body and seasoned faculty, the University of North Alabama offers flexible course schedules, competitive pricing, and a highly reputable education that fits your life. As a leader in nursing education since 1973, UNA prepares you to demonstrate knowledge, competencies, and skills in advanced nursing practices that ensure quality care and ethical decision-making.

Post-Master's Certificates Curriculum

Prerequisite Support Component 1 9
NU 508
Advanced Health Assessment (3)
NU 607
Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (3)
NU 614
Advanced Pharmacology for Nurses (3)
Track Specific Component 23
NU 640
Intro to Family Nurse Practitioner (3)
NU 641
Family Nurse Practitioner I (4) 2
NU 642
Family Nurse Practitioner II (4) 2
NU 643
Family Nurse Practitioner III (4) 2
NU 644
Family Nurse Practitioner IV (4) 2
NU 645
Family Nurse Practitioner V (4) 2
Total Hours 23-32

Clinical focus varies per clinical course.

  • NU 641, NU 642, and NU 643: primary and urgent care across the lifespan.
  • NU 644: care of female patients across the wellness-illness continuum.
  • NU 645: pediatric population (infants, children, and adolescents).

Clinical Preceptor Requirements

A preceptor will be secured by the course instructor with assistance from the student, as they are familiar with their geographical area. Students must hold a current, unencumbered registered nurse license in the US state in which they plan to complete their clinical hours. Additionally, students must fulfill all other clinical documentation requirements, including:

  • Physical examination (completed annually)
  • Proof of required immunizations or titers
  • Current tuberculosis screening
  • Proof of BLS for Healthcare Providers
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Criminal background check (completed annually)
  • Negative urine drug screen
  • OSHA/HIPPA training
  • Proof of liability insurance with student nurse practitioner student coverage

The clinical experience must be independent of the student’s employment setting. A clinical affiliation agreement with the facility must be on file prior to the student beginning clinicals. All clinical documentation must have been submitted and approved at least 8 weeks prior to beginning clinical rotations. Students not meeting all clinical requirements will be withdrawn from the registered clinical course (NU 641 - NU 645).

On Campus Requirement

Students are required to attend two on campus sessions lasting up to three days per visit. Travel, lodging, meals, and all other associated visit costs are the responsibility of the student.

Faculty

In our post-master’s certificates in nursing, you will learn from dedicated full-time faculty—most holding terminal degrees from leading universities.

View our Nursing Faculty/Staff here.

What can I do with a Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing?

  • Dedicate yourself to bettering the field of healthcare, promoting evidence-based improvements and positively affecting your community.
  • Enhance the future of healthcare legislation, teaching and leadership, shaping policy for years to come.
  • Enrich your life and knowledge by pursuing a certificate that allows you to gain education, passing your learnings onto patients and their families.

Accreditations

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate program in nursing at the University of North Alabama are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Admission Requirements

Admission into the online post-master's certificate tracks at North Alabama includes the following requirements:

  • Applicants must have an approved and regionally accredited master’s or doctoral degree with a major in nursing in the United States.
  • Send official MSN transcripts from all previous graduate colleges attended. A minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 is required.
  • Submit proof of your unencumbered registered nursing license in the US state in which you plan to complete clinical rotations.
  • Submit a resume documenting a minimum of one year of clinical experience.
  • Admitted applicants must complete a criminal background and negative drug screen prior to enrollment.

Admission to the FNP track is competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does NOT guarantee acceptance to the nursing program.

Conditional Admission Conditional admission may be considered on a case-by-case basis for the Leadership and Teaching/Learning track applicant who does not fully meet admission requirements. The conditionally admitted student must have three years of full-time experience as a registered nurse.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be considered for the Teaching/Learning & Leadership tracks on a case-by-case basis for the applicant who does not fully meet admission requirements. The conditionally admitted student must have three years of full-time experience as a registered nurse.

 

Application Deadlines

We recommend that students complete their application for admission at least two to three months prior to their desired enrollment date or deadline (for FNP and PMHNP) in order to have time to submit all documentation. Applications are accepted for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

  • Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track applicants should reach out to the recruitment specialist at nursingonline@una.edu to discuss what term you would be eligible to enter the program. Primary start terms are Fall and Summer semesters, however, a spring start term is possible if a prerequisite is needed.

Tuition and Aid

Online: $495 per credit hour per credit hour plus fees.

FNP track specific courses (NU 640, NU 641, NU 642, NU 643, NU 644, and NU 645) also have an additional fee of $320 per course.

Our New Start Scholarship is available to new students enrolled in any online degree program, offering a complimentary first course fee. Plus, for a limited time, no application fee is required.

Learn more about additional nursing scholarship opportunities

2023-2024 Tuition Cost

Post-Master's Certificates


Online: $495 per credit hour plus fees for 12-32 hours.

Please note: Currently, we cannot accept students from the following states and regions: Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and California.

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