Advance Your Practice with a Post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
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Online education for working nurses
Complete your post-master’s FNP certificate fully online, with the exception of two in-person immersion experiences.
A faster path to advanced practice
Complete the post-master’s FNP certificate program in as few as 16 months.
Specialize in primary care
Build on your existing graduate nursing education and experience and specialize as an FNP.
A nursing curriculum built for family-focused practice
Our 29-credit certificate curriculum prepares nurses for advanced practice by strengthening clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and primary care management skills needed to support individuals and families across the lifespan. Coursework emphasizes applying advanced practice concepts to real-world patient care scenarios, helping you strengthen clinical judgement and decision-making in primary care settings.
You will also reinforce hands-on clinical skills through two in-person immersion experiences. The post-master’s FNP certificate concludes with a capstone experience focused on clinical application in population health and preparation for the national FNP board certification exam.
Coursework includes:
| MSN 650 | Advanced Reasoning and Differential Diagnosis for Advanced Nursing Practice |
| MSN 670 | FNP II Advanced Practice Through the Lifespan-Primary Care of The Complex Client |
| MSN 698 | Advanced Practice Capstone-Clinical Application on Population Health |
Invest in your next step
At Goodwin, tuition costs are communicated clearly and upfront, allowing you to plan your next step into advanced practice with confidence. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, including federal loans and other funding options. Students entering the post-master’s FNP certificate program must meet all program admission requirements.
Support for your success
Pursuing a new career requires commitment. Throughout the post-master’s FNP certificate program, you’ll be supported by faculty and staff who understand the demands of advanced nursing practice. Our experienced Nursing faculty is here to provide guidance, mentorship, and academic support as you progress through the program.
In addition to faculty support, students have access to academic resources and student services designed to help you stay on track, balance responsibilities, and plan for your next career step.
Recognized for affordability
Goodwin University was rated among the most affordable universities in Connecticut for associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.*
* Affordable Degree Guide, 2025
Which Nursing program is right for you?
| FNP certificate | PMHNP certificate | FNP (MS) | PMHNP (MS) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Online |
Online |
Hybrid (online and on campus) |
Hybrid (online and on campus) |
| Duration once accepted | 16 months part time |
16 months part time |
7 semesters part time |
7 semesters part time |
| Start term | Fall |
Fall |
Fall |
Fall |
| Bachelor’s degree required? | Yes (master’s in Nursing also required) |
Yes (master’s in Nursing also required) |
Yes |
Yes |
| TEAS scores required? | No |
No |
No |
No |
| RN license required? | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Program outcomes | Specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner (APRN) providing primary care. |
Specialize as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (APRN) focused on mental healthcare. |
Become a Family Nurse Practitioner (APRN) providing primary care. |
Become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (APRN) focused on mental healthcare. |
| Want to learn more? |
Accredited by:
Ready to get started?
Request Enrollment Information800-889-3282
Must be a current RN and hold a master’s degree in Nursing to qualify.