Post-Master’s FNP Certificate

Post-Master’s FNP Certificate
journey today.
Prepare for advanced practice as a primary care provider by pursuing the online and evening post-master’s FNP certificate at Grand Canyon University.1 Gain confidence in making critical decisions in health promotion, diagnostics and disease management when working with diverse patient populations, from children to seniors.
This certificate can be well-suited for aspiring advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are interested in sharpening their clinical skills and broadening their nursing knowledge in preparation for pursuing board certification as an APRN.2 The family nursing certificate program is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, with in-person evening class options available.

Combining the convenience of online learning with select on-campus experiences,1 GCU’s post-master’s certificate echoes realistic patient care scenarios and encourages stimulating peer discussions within a collaborative setting. GCU’s mission-oriented healthcare college offers a curriculum built from the Christian worldview. As you work through faith-integrated courses, you will be encouraged to reflect upon how best to serve your community as a principled and ethical servant leader.
GCU has designed higher education with the needs of modern learners and working professionals in mind. You’ll use GCU’s intuitive e-learning platform to access course materials and connect with peers.
This certificate program is available with online coursework to enable you to work through nursing classes on a schedule that is convenient for you.1
Examine core competencies and apply evidence-based research to optimize patient, family and community health. The management of common, acute and chronic conditions is examined through the lens of culturally and spiritually diverse environments. You will work through a well-rounded program of classroom instruction and hands-on, in-person learning experiences.
You will be empowered to embrace the principles of servant leadership, ethical decision-making and sound diagnostic reasoning.
This FNP certificate program covers several core competencies for nurse practitioners, including the following:
Program Requirements
In addition to classroom instruction, the FNP certificate program requires in-person experiential learning activities, including a 675-hour supervised clinical/practicum. You will complete the supervised clinical/practicum within a family health-focused clinical site or community-based primary care setting.
The certificate program also includes two separate on-campus experiences. During these experiences, you will be educated on the scope of practice, prescriptive authority and how to prepare for the National Certification Board exam.

This certificate program aims to prepare you to take the Family Nurse Practitioner board certification exam through The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).3 Additional requirements may apply to graduates planning to practice in certain states.
This program is designed to prepare you to work with diverse patient populations. Graduates may choose to pursue opportunities in nursing specialties such as:4
Chronic disease management
Acute care
Family care
Pediatrics
Geriatrics
Postsecondary nursing instruction
The online and evening post-master’s FNP certificate program at GCU is designed to align with the standards established by the following entities:
GCU is proud to be an institutionally accredited university that maintains a focus on academic excellence. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing, the master’s degree programs in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs and the post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Grand Canyon University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org). For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our nursing accreditation page.
Post-Master’s FNP Certificate FAQs
The following frequently asked questions and answers may prove helpful to you as you reflect upon your career options and academic intentions.
The online and evening courses at GCU are generally 16 weeks long.1 This FNP certificate program also requires 675 hours of supervised clinicals and two on-campus experiences at GCU. To better understand how long it might take to earn your certificate, fill out the form on this page and request a consult with a university counselor.
An FNP is a type of nurse practitioner. FNPs and other types of NPs, such as adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) and pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) are on the same level of the nursing hierarchy. They are all types of APRNs.
A post-master’s certificate is an opportunity to broaden your scope of practice. You may be eligible to sit for the board certification exam. Once you pass the exam and achieve certification, you will be able to pursue work providing comprehensive primary care for patients and families.
An FNP is an APRN who specializes in family care. FNPs can work alongside or in place of a doctor to diagnose, treat and manage illnesses. They work closely and build long-term relationships with patients and their families. To become an FNP, you need board certification, RN and APRN licenses, clinical training and a master’s degree at minimum.3
Some FNPs choose to pursue the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which is the highest degree in the nursing field. DNP candidates may choose to specialize in a specific patient population or take on leadership roles in various healthcare or academic settings. Some DNP graduates may bring their expertise back to their practice as FNPs in family care.
The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions at GCU offers a few ways for experienced RNs to advance to the role of nurse practitioner or NP. Nursing students may choose to pursue the Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner degree to prepare for the opportunity of a more advanced position within the nursing profession. For those students who have goals to lead or teach in this field, the terminal Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is the natural next step in the nursing career path.
To become an FNP — a type of APRN — all states require board certification among other achievements, such as completion of an accredited master’s degree program.1,3 There are many different certifications for nurse practitioners, including those from the AANPCB, ANCC and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).1
Certification requires passing a national exam and periodic renewal.1 Certification is different from a certificate program, which is a tailored learning program in a particular subject. Certificates teach advanced knowledge and skills, which can provide opportunities to prepare to sit for a certification exam.
Nursing is a profession of lifelong learners who continually strive to improve their clinical skills and deepen their nursing knowledge to better contribute to patient care. Certification as a nurse practitioner signifies that you are recognized as an expert in your field who adheres to the highest standards of ethical practice and prioritizes patient care and safety.
Students applying to the post-master's family nurse practitioner certificate program at GCU must hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must also have a current unencumbered, unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) and show proof of at least two recent years of relevant and professional work experience as an RN. You will be required to submit a Registration Commitment during the application process.
Further Your Nursing Education at GCU
Take a convenient combination of online or evening classes and hands-on experiential learning.1
1 While all courses are completed online, you will need to attend clinical, practicum and immersion hours in person locally.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to become a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
3 Deering, M., J.D. (2023, Sept. 21). How to become a nurse practitioner. NurseJournal. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
4 NurseJournal. (2024, Feb. 26). How to become a nurse educator. Retrieved March 20, 2024.