Online Nursing Certificate Programs

To earn a post-master’s nursing certificate online from Walden, you will follow a focused path designed to expand your clinical expertise or capabilities in leadership, informatics, or nursing education. Here are the general steps to completing a certificate program:

1. Ensure you meet the prerequisites: You must hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited program. Most certificate programs require an active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license. A minimum cumulative GPA (typically 3.0) from your previous graduate-level nursing coursework is required for admission. See a complete list of admission requirements.
2. Select your area of specialization: Walden offers various specializations, such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), or Nurse Educator. You will complete a streamlined curriculum (typically 20–30+ quarter credits) focused solely on your new specialty. You won’t have to complete core nursing foundation courses.
3. Complete a practicum (required for NP certificates; optional for specialty practice certificates): Your practicum allows you to apply in real life what you’ve learned in your coursework. For the nurse practitioner certificates, this is a supervised, on-site experience in which you develop applied skills and integrate professional knowledge in the provision of hands-on care. The practicum is typically the culmination of the program.

Walden University’s post-master’s nursing certificates are designed for nurses looking to add a second or advanced specialty to their skill set. The general admission requirements are below:

• Prior degree: A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) (or a doctoral degree in nursing) from an accredited program is required for admission to Walden’s post-master’s nursing certificate programs.
• Active RN license: You must hold a current, active, and unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license.
• Academic record: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from your previous graduate-level nursing coursework is typically required.
• Application: You must submit a completed online application (no fee) and official transcripts reflecting your master’s or doctoral degree in nursing.