Home > Online Programs > Nursing > Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner
Individualized Plans
Based on Prior Education
Multiple Intakes
Six start dates to choose from
Online Program
Coursework Designed for Working Nurses
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program Overview
Prepare for a fulfilling, autonomous family nurse practitioner (FNP) career through an online, faith-based program that aligns with your life and values.
Spring Arbor University's online Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (PMC-FNP) prepares you to treat patients of all ages through learning experiences that center on compassionate care across each stage of the lifespan.
As a student in the online FNP Post-Master's Certificate, you can:
- Continue working full-time as you earn your certificate on your own schedule.
- Enjoy a week off in between classes with our 7-1-7 model (7-week courses, 1-week breaks).
- Receive dedicated support from a Student Success Coach.
- Complete your certificate prepared to take the FNP-BC™ certification exam (FNP-C).
- Experience spiritual growth through a quality educational journey rooted in faith.
Two entryways:
- NP to FNP - Designed for APRNs who want to deepen their knowledge and clinical expertise to provide care for patients of all ages.
- Non-NP to FNP - Designed for MSN degree holders who want to acquire the skills to treat patients of all ages.
Spring Arbor University's online Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner is CCNE-accredited and highly ranked for academic quality.
Online Post-Master's FNP Certificate: Fast Facts
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- The Post-Master's FNP Certificate can be completed in 12 to 18 months (depending on prior NP certification)
- 250 to 625 clinical hours
Designed for Working Nurses
- Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
- Begin your certificate at the right time for you — choose from six intake dates a year
- Flexible login times — complete your assignments on your own schedule
Inspiring Outcomes
- Become prepared for certification through a quality educational experience
- Ranked on a national and regional level for its academic quality and value
A Caring Community
- Small class sizes and caring, connected faculty provide a personal learning experience
- Dedicated student success advisor to support you from enrollment to completion, as well as career development support
- Faith-based educational philosophy that considers Christian perspectives in nursing practice and values spiritual growth
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- The Post-Master's FNP Certificate can be completed in 12 to 18 months (depending on prior NP certification)
- 250 to 625 clinical hours
Designed for Working Nurses
- Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
- Begin your certificate at the right time for you — choose from six intake dates a year
- Flexible login times — complete your assignments on your own schedule
Inspiring Outcomes
- Become prepared for certification through a quality educational experience
- Ranked on a national and regional level for its academic quality and value
A Caring Community
- Small class sizes and caring, connected faculty provide a personal learning experience
- Dedicated student success advisor to support you from enrollment to completion, as well as career development support
- Faith-based educational philosophy that considers Christian perspectives in nursing practice and values spiritual growth
Online Post-Master's Certificate - FNP Program Curriculum
For a complete listing of courses, contact us for a program guide.
This course prepares the family nurse practitioner-student to examine evidence-based principles of nursing care in the context of family and nursing theory, and to apply this knowledge to clinical practice within diverse family systems, all from a Christian perspective. Students will onsider and apply the knowledge, skills and competencies essential to the holistic management of child-bearing women and their families, both as independent providers and within a multidisciplinary team.
Students will focus on the care of healthy ante-partum women and those with health pattern variations that may result in at-risk pregnancies. Emphasis is placed on collaborative management of women and families during pregnancy. Concepts focused on promoting well-being will be explored, with an emphasis on family interventions that promote resiliency as well as the health and well-being of the family.
This course will present critical concepts the advanced practice nurse can use in delivering evidence-based nursing for the adult population. Using a holistic approach, students will apply theory to practice.
This course prepares students with the skills to function as an advanced practice nurse in addressing chronic and complex alterations in health experienced by the older adult. Gerontology concepts will be applied in meeting the biological, psychosocial, mental, and spiritual needs of the older adult. Students will combine history taking, physical examination techniques, and diagnostic interpretation with problem-solving and clinical strategies.
This course builds on the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, providing a rigorous examination of neurobiology as it relates to mental health disorders across the lifespan. Students will explore the relationship between neurobiology and psychopathology, examining epidemiology and etiology of select mental health disorders. Emphasis will be placed on genetics, development, and trauma as they relate to neurobiology and psychopathology. This course introduces the students to mental health assessment strategies that are sensitive to the psychosocial needs of mental health clients.
SAU’s online PMC-FNP program can be completed in as few as 12-18 months, depending on completed prerequisites.
Enjoy a week off in between classes with our 7-1-7 model (7-week courses, 1-week breaks).
Typically, our Post-Master's FNP Certificate classes have 20-25 students.
To be accepted into the online PMC-FNP program, you must meet the following requirements:
- MSN degree from an accredited program
- Official graduate transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credits
- A current nursing license from your state of employment
- Online application
- Short personal statement
Prerequisite Courses
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Physical Assessment
- Health Promotion Across the Lifespan
- Some additional prerequisites may apply
The Post-Master's FNP Certificate is designed to prepare students to earn their certification. Upon graduation from the program, students must then take the FNP-C or FNP-BC exam to earn their FNP certification.
Family Nurse Practitioner Salary & Career Outlook
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports that there are more than 325,000 nurse practitioners in the country, and 7 out of 10 of them are certified as FNPs.
AANP estimates that NPs improved access to patient-centered care by providing more than 1.06 billion patient visits last year.
Benefits of Becoming an FNP
Becoming a family nurse practitioner can fulfill your passion for service and healthcare advocacy for patients across the life span, allowing you to work in schools, private group practices, outpatient clinics and more. Other benefits include:
- Increased salary and career opportunities
- Better work-life balance with a more traditional work schedule
- New level of independence and leadership
- Versatility to work in a wide range of care environments
By earning your online FNP post-master’s certificate, you’ll be prepared to meet the surging demand for primary care providers.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for all types of NPs is exploding. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that projected employment for this profession is expected to grow 52% through the year 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. It notes the median annual wage of NPs is $115,000, which is 42% higher than that of RNs, according to the AANP.
*National Council for Mental Wellbeing
**American Association of Nurse Practitioners
***U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Role of the Family Nurse Practitioner
Family nurse practitioners provide the full spectrum of primary care services, just as primary care physicians do. They prescribe medication, perform examinations, diagnose illnesses and provide treatment for patients ranging from infants to older adults.
In some states, FNPs can practice independently. FNPs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospital outpatient clinics
- Private group practices
- Community health centers
- Schools
Grow as a Christ-Centered Family Nurse Practitioner
At Spring Arbor University, it is a privilege to provide a Christ-centered nursing education to our students and to participate in their journey. You will grow spiritually, personally and professionally throughout this program and will gain a better understanding of what it means to live out your faith as a nurse.
While the Christian faith is the foundation of our program, we welcome all students regardless of personal faith. All students will benefit from introspection and critical thinking as they consider how to meaningfully care for patients of different faith backgrounds.
Watch this video for more information on our faith-based philosophy.
