Post-Master’s Certificates
Fall 2025 Applications are now open. Apply now for priority review.
Gain specialty education to become a nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, nurse informaticist or nurse educator by earning a Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) through Vanderbilt School of Nursing. Or redefine your career with an additional nursing specialty, including nursing education. Vanderbilt prepares nurses to deliver high-quality, safe and culturally responsive nursing care in 13 clinical nursing specialties and two non-clinical specialties.
For RNs with a Master’s
Applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing (MN, MSN, MS in Nursing) and be a registered nurse. Don’t have a BSN or RN licensure? Check out our Master of Nursing program.
Specialize and Broaden
Earn a PMC to become a nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife or other advanced nurse. Current APRNs can earn a certificate to specialize in a different area and broaden your clinical or management capabilities.
Exceptional Outcomes
Excellent licensure and certification pass rates across all specialties. 97% of graduates are employed in advanced practice nursing after graduation.
Online/Hybrid Format
Most specialties are online/hybrid with brief on-campus sessions a few times during the program. Nurse-Midwifery varies by semester, while Nursing Informatics and Nursing Education are 100% online.
Expert Faculty
Actively practicing faculty bring their expertise to the classroom.
Robust Clinical Experience
Each clinical specialty offers hundreds of hours of patient care.
I first completed the FNP program and continued to the post-master emergency medicine certificate program. My preparation at Vanderbilt was extremely influential in my ability to obtain my job and be prepared to practice in a fast-paced, high-acuity setting.
100+ Years of Excellence
Admissions Requirements
Tuition and Financial Aid
Explore Specialties
Complete an advanced practice, nursing informatics or nursing education specialty in just 4 to 5 full-time semesters or 7 to 8 part-time semesters. Most specialties are online or hybrid and offer widespread clinical opportunities so you can learn from where you live.
Format: Online/hyrid with a few in-person sessions
Program Length: Completed in 4 to 5 full-time semesters (part-time available)
Advanced Practice Specialties
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner (FNP/ENP)*
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate for Family Nurse Practitioners *
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner*
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care*
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan)
- Women's Health/Gender Specific Nurse Practitioner
- Women's Health/Gender Specific Nurse Practitioner & Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (dual)
*Please refer to the specific advanced practice specialty overview for a sample curriculum plan.
Format: On-campus/hybrid with offsite clinical experience
Program Length: Completed in 4-5 full-time semesters (part-time available)
Advanced Practice Specialties
Format: Completely online
Program Length: 3-6 part-time semesters
Specialities
Program of Study
Post-Master’s Certificate students complete all didactic and clinical requirements of the desired area of practice, including a minimum of 500 supervised hours in patient care for nurse-midwifery or nurse practitioner specialties. Each cohort is made up of PMC, MN Prespecialty and Master of Science in Nursing students. Programs include academic and clinical (as required) courses, and students will be awarded a certificate of academic achievement of post-master’s study. The PMC is posted on the student’s official Vanderbilt University transcript.
- For Vanderbilt MN Prespecialty Graduates
Students continuing from Vanderbilt’s Master of Nursing Prespecialty program do not have to have the gap analysis referenced below. Their program of study will equip them for practice as well-educated advanced practice nurses with the competencies and criteria for national certification in their chosen area of practice. - For Nurses with MSNs and other Master’s Degrees
Each specialty director will develop an individualized program of studies for each student based on evaluation of their prior academic work and a gap analysis of courses/experiences needed for advanced practice certification in that specialty. Their program of study will equip them for practice as well-educated advanced practice nurses with the competencies and criteria for national certification in their chosen area of practice.
DNP + PMC Option
Combining the DNP degree with your Post-Master’s Certificate makes you eligible for federal loans and scholarships. Just take two semester's more and you'll be a doctorally prepared nurse.
Explore Different Areas of Nursing
Expand or change your advanced nursing role by completing additional Post-Master’s Certificates in one or more specialties.
Next Steps / Connect with Us
Interested in a Vanderbilt Post-Master’s Certificate? Explore the specialties and admissions requirements. Then take the next step and connect with an admissions counselor.
Accreditation Information
The Vanderbilt Post-Master’s Certificate program meets the recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). It is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.