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Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing
Take your passion for improving health care outcomes to the next level with the Capella Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner. You’ll expand on your knowledge and skills to deliver person-centered care to people of all ages with an emphasis on ethical judgment. The certificate will also help prepare you for the national certification exams administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Capella University has partnered with Optum® to support advancing care and practice and help prepare nurses for the future of health care. Through modern, competency-based curriculum and innovative simulations, we’ll help equip you to face the nursing challenges of today – and tomorrow.
Capella’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner is not currently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Capella is pursuing initial accreditation of the certificate program with CCNE. (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). If Capella’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner does not achieve accreditation or is delayed in achieving accreditation, it may prevent you from achieving licensure in certain states. This program is currently not approved for VA education benefits by the US Department of Veterans Affairs./span>
Classes start January 8
Use the code MSFALL to waive the $50 application fee.
At a glance
- GuidedPath learning format
- Online & in-person
- 5 Core courses
- 5 Specialization courses
- Practicum immersion course
- Support for practicum placement
- Practicum
Reduce your tuition by $4,000
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $4,000 Capella-Optum Scholarship to help fund your certificate. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing – FNP courses
Certificate requirements include completing five core courses, five specialization courses, a practicum immersion course and practicum.
| Course | Descriptions | Quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| NURS6202 Advanced Pathophysiology | Learners analyze pathophysiologic processes and their effect on body systems across the lifespan. Learners build on their foundation of anatomy and physiology to enhance clinical decision-making in the advanced practice role. For MSN Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS6201. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 4 quarter credits |
| NURS6203 Advanced Pharmacology | Learners analyze advanced principles of pharmacology as they relate to the treatment and management of illnesses and conditions across the lifespan. Learners build on their foundation of pharmacology to enhance clinical decision-making in the advanced practice role to safely, legally, ethically and therapeutically prescribe, administer and counsel patients regarding medication therapy and regimes. For MSN Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS6201, completion of or concurrent enrollment in NURS6202. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. | 4 quarter credits |
| NURS6204 Advanced Health Assessment | Learners analyze advanced principles of health assessment and diagnostic reasoning as they relate to individuals across the lifespan. Learners acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a comprehensive health history, physical and psychosocial assessment, and interpretation of pathophysiological changes. Learners build on their foundation of physical assessment to enhance clinical decision-making in the advanced practice role. NURS6204 must be taken concurrently with NURS6205. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except for learners in the Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing as approved through Faculty Gap Analysis. | 4 quarter credits |
| NURS6205 Advanced Health Assessment Skills Immersion | Learners analyze advanced principles of health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and advance practice skill acquisition across the lifespan. Learners will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to perform focused and comprehensive examinations, advanced primary care skills and office procedures, and interpret diagnostic testing in preparation for the nurse practitioner learner’s role in the clinical setting. Learners build on prior knowledge to enhance clinical decision-making and diagnostic reasoning, in preparation for the advanced practice nursing role in primary care. Content will be delivered in both asynchronous and synchronous formats. For MSN Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): NURS6201, NURS6202, NURS6203. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.. | 4 quarter credits |
What you'll learn
The Family Nurse Practitioner post-master's certificate supplements previous nursing graduate educational experiences and prepares learners to assume the role of the advanced practice nurse caring for individuals across the lifespan to promote health, reduce risks, and manage acute and chronic health conditions.
The specialization emphasizes ethical clinical judgment to deliver person-centered care and improve healthcare outcomes.
Upon successful completion of this specialization, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Skills gained through this specialization:
- Integrate knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to design person-centered care to improve health outcomes.
- Utilize evidence-based practice to design, manage, and evaluate comprehensive person-centered care that is within the scope of practice.
- Integrate interprofessional collaboration to develop person-centered care that respects diversity and the unique characteristics of individuals and populations.
- Integrate appropriate technologies to improve clinical decision-making and health care outcomes.
- Demonstrate leadership in practice, policy, and personal growth to achieve optimal outcomes for patients across the lifespan.
Practicum experience
Learn by doing. The practicum gives you hands-on experience, with the opportunity to practice what you learn within various clinical settings under the supervision of a preceptor. Learn more about the practicum
How much does the Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing – FNP cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, scholarships and other factors. See the GuidedPath cost information below.
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
$30,160
estimated tuition*
$580 per credit, $200 resource kit fee, 52 total quarter credits, 36 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, effective July 10, 2023, and is subject to change. Your price will vary depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. Books, supplies and other fees are not included in this estimate. GuidedPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in 0 transfer credits. New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs.
Capella is committed to transparency in its tuition and pricing. In addition to tuition, you will be responsible for additional costs, which may include an application fee, travel expenses, and practicum costs. A resource kit fee of $50-$200, charged quarterly or per billing session, covers the cost of required books, software and other course materials. Click here to review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education. Learn more about financing your education.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.
See all our accreditations and recognitions.
It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state. Here are some resources to help you start your research.
Capella’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner is not currently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Capella is pursuing initial accreditation of the certificate program with CCNE. (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). If Capella’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner does not achieve accreditation or is delayed in achieving accreditation, it may prevent you from achieving licensure in certain states. This program is currently not approved for VA education benefits by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
What are the Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing – FNP admission requirements?
Admission requirements
Applicants to this program must provide the following for admission:
- A master’s degree in nursing from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution
- Your official transcripts, minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- One year of registered nursing experience within the past two years
- Your résumé or curriculum vitae
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- Verification of your current, unrestricted RN license to practice in the United States
- A background check is required
Applicants to this program who are board-certified nurse practitioners must also provide the following for admission:
- Verification of Board Certification of the respective agency where you are currently board-certified
- Verification of your current, unrestricted APRN license to practice in the United States
- One year of advanced practice nursing experience within the past two years
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a certificate student. We’ve built our programs in easy-to-manage phases, with a network of faculty, staff and online resources that can help you stay on track.
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
Continuing education with no tuition costs
Build skills, work toward licensure renewal and meet CE requirements when you earn contact hours through on-demand nursing webinars.
Nursing Guide
Get the details on nursing programs at Capella University, learning formats, financing options and more, all in one place.