In addition to educational content, Garrett Andrews has covered government and criminal justice for newspapers in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest.
Garrett Andrews
In addition to educational content, Garrett Andrews has covered government and criminal justice for newspapers in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest.
A licensed attorney with nearly a decade of experience in content production, Valerie Catalano knows how to help readers digest complicated information about the law in an approachable way. Her writing has been featured in the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section report.
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Valerie Catalano, J.D.
A licensed attorney with nearly a decade of experience in content production, Valerie Catalano knows how to help readers digest complicated information about the law in an approachable way. Her writing has been featured in the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section report.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
No matter how much education and professional experience you’ve completed, you can always go back to school. Online graduate certificates offer registered nurses (RNs) the chance to learn new skills and increase their earning potential. Some even meet the educational requirements for advanced nursing certifications.
From the largest public institutions in the U.S. to smaller, healthcare-focused schools, many reputable universities offer graduate-level nursing certificates online. These distance learning programs provide flexibility and affordability to learners with other important commitments in their lives. By completing a graduate nursing certificate, you’ll be better equipped to provide specialized care to vulnerable people in your community.
To help you narrow your options, we’ve ranked the 10 best universities delivering online nursing certificate programs at the graduate level. Keep reading if you want to expand your impact in healthcare, earn more money and advance your nursing career.
Our Methodology
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Show Summary
- Best Online Graduate Certificates in Nursing
- University of Connecticut
- Duquesne University
- Ball State University
- University of Michigan-Flint
- University of Arizona
- Ohio University-Main Campus
- Clarkson College
- Delta State University
- University of Kansas
- The Pennsylvania State University
- Should You Enroll in an Online Nursing Graduate Certificate Program?
- Accreditation for Graduate Nursing Certificates Online
- How To Find the Right Online Nursing Certificate Program for You
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Nursing Certificate Programs
Best Online Graduate Certificates in Nursing
Should You Enroll in an Online Nursing Graduate Certificate Program?
Online graduate and postgraduate nursing certificates offer a variety of benefits, but they’re not the right choice for all students. Consider a few factors before committing to a program.
First, think about whether online learning is right for you. Students who are self-motivated and well-organized tend to thrive in online education, while traditional, in-person learning works best for those who prefer face-to-face instruction and more structured class schedules.
Think about your budget, too. Online schooling might save you money on tuition, campus fees, and expenses associated with transportation and housing.
Lastly, consider how a certificate program might fit into your schedule. Flexibility is key in online education. If you have demanding work, family or other obligations, distance learning may give you the freedom to watch lectures and submit assignments on your schedule.
Accreditation for Graduate Nursing Certificates Online
Schools that meet high standards in areas like academics and student success receive accreditation from accrediting bodies approved by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Institutional accreditation is critical; you must be enrolled in an accredited school to receive federal student aid. Employers, other universities and professional credentialing bodies may not recognize your certificate or degree if it comes from an unaccredited college.
Programmatic accreditation, on the other hand, applies to specific degree programs and school departments. Graduate schools, employers and credentialing bodies sometimes require candidates to hold programmatically accredited degrees, depending on the field. In nursing, programmatic accreditation is important.
Programmatic accreditors for nursing degrees and certificates include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Some states have their own state-specific nursing accreditors.
States have different standards for nursing certifications, so if you plan to pursue certification after earning your certificate, check with your state’s board of nursing before settling on a program. To locate your state board of nursing for contact information, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
How To Find the Right Online Nursing Certificate Program for You
Here’s how to choose the best graduate certificate program for your nursing career goals.
Consider Your Future Goals
A postgraduate certificate in nursing can lead to new professional opportunities by qualifying you to provide specialized care to vulnerable populations. But there’s a lot of variation among nursing certificates at the graduate level and among the schools offering these programs.
For example, some graduate certificate programs require as many as 40 credits, while some ask for just nine. Many certificates require in-person labs and clinical hours, while others are 100% online. Certain certificates can help you meet the educational requirements for nurse practitioner certifications. Others simply deepen your understanding of a particular practice area.
Consider what you want to do with your certificate, and choose a program that aligns with your goals.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
The online nursing graduate certificates on this list cost between $442 and $1,765 per credit, and credit requirements vary drastically.
A certificate in holistic nursing from UConn, which requires just nine credits, costs $8,325 in tuition. On the other end of the spectrum, Duquesne’s 33-credit postgraduate adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program costs more than $58,000. So there’s quite a wide range in terms of cost.
For comparison, tuition and fees for a graduate degree program in the U.S. average around $20,500, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, or approximately $1,140 per credit for a typical 18-credit academic year.
Tuition rates for many of the graduate certificates on our list fall below the national average. And though postgraduate certificates are different from degrees, they confer on the holder a very real credential that translates to increased earning potential and can sometimes transfer to a graduate degree.
To help fund your education, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) can help you qualify for federal aid options like scholarships, loans and grants. Check with your school for institutional scholarships and other opportunities like work-study and assistantships.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Nursing Certificate Programs
Are online nursing certificates worth it?
This largely depends on your goals, but a nursing certificate is a great way to advance into a better-paying healthcare job. A post-master’s nursing certificate can help you meet the educational requirements to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). APRNs, including nurse practitioners, make a median annual salary of $125,900, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is the shortest online nursing certificate program?
Some programs on this list take as few as three semesters to complete. Including the summer semester, you can complete a three-semester program in just one calendar year.
What is an online graduate certificate?
Graduate certificates offer graduate-level education and professional development but usually don’t take as long to complete as a full-length degree. Some postgraduate certificates serve students who already hold master’s degrees in their field and want to advance their education without completing a doctorate.
