Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Certificate
- Hybrid
- Greeley Campus
- Online
Varies
Fall Term (Aug.)
$771/Credit
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program
Do you have a master’s degree in nursing and want to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)? Our post-master’s FNP certificate program is designed for working nurses. You’ll get the specialized skills and credential you need to advance your career.
This program is offered in a hybrid format. You will have some class sessions on our campus in Greeley, Colorado. But you will spend less time in the classroom because you will complete some activities online on your own schedule. Some courses are delivered completely online.
What You’ll Learn
This program prepares you to care for patients of all ages in a primary care setting. You will enjoy:
- Advanced Nursing Practice: This program ensures that you have advanced nursing skills. You’ll know how to:
- Help patients manage complex health issues.
- Provide obstetric and pediatric primary care.
- Care for acute and chronic adult health conditions.
- Support health promotion and disease prevention.
- Deliver evidence-based practice, using the best current research.
- Customized Outcomes: We will use your past coursework to create a personal plan of study just for you.
- Hands-On Training: You’ll learn through clinical simulations taught by faculty who are still active in clinical roles. These experiences prepare you for working with patients in live clinical settings.
The post-graduate APRN certificate program at UNC is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Nurse Practitioner Job Opportunities and Income Potential
Nurse Practitioner Job Growth
Expected growth from 2024-2034
Your Career as an FNP Nurse
Become Highly Skilled and In Demand
Family Nurse Practitioners are in high demand. When you complete this program, you will be highly qualified for critical roles in:
- Advanced care practice
- Specialized treatment of chronic illnesses
- Leadership jobs in primary care
You’ll also have the skills to work with diverse and underserved communities, including working in rural areas.
FNP Certification and APRN Licensure
After you complete the program, you will be qualified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. You will apply for national certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
In Colorado, you can also be credentialed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). If you plan to work outside of Colorado, please see the Licensure Eligibility by State section below.
Course of Study
Hybrid Delivery
You will attend part-time in a hybrid format (a mix of online and in-person activities). This reduces the amount of time you spend in the classroom. You’ll be in-person one day per week (Thursdays).
Courses and Requirements
This is a 12-33 credit graduate certificate program. Once you are accepted into the program, we will evaluate your previous coursework to provide you with an official personal plan of study. The plan will include the minimum number of clinical / simulation lab hours that you need to complete. This will determine the number of credits you need to complete in the program. When you complete the certificate, it will be visible on your transcripts, and you will receive a hard copy certificate.
Our Clinical Placement Coordinator will help you find clinical placements and qualified preceptors. You will also take an active role in networking and identifying clinical opportunities, as personal connections are often instrumental in securing a willing preceptor. Preceptors include licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants.
Also Offered as a Post-Bachelor's DNP Degree
Nursing D.N.P. – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration
If you don’t have a master’s degree in nursing, consider the post-bachelor’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration of our Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Rapha Xavier
Enrollment Counselor
Michaela Romero
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Financial Aid and Support
- The federal government only awards financial aid for courses that count toward completion of a UNC degree, so federal aid is not available for this stand-alone certificate.
- If you will need financial aid, please work with UNC Office of Financial Aid for information about non-federal loans.
- UNC also offers a monthly payment option.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a master’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- To apply to this certificate program you must possess both a BSN degree and an MSN degree from accredited (NLN/ACEN or CCNE) programs in nursing.
- One year or more of clinical RN experience is required by the application deadline.
- Current, unencumbered RN license
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Licensure Eligibility by State
UNC’s professional licensure programs are designed to lead to Colorado licensure. Each state sets their own requirements, so a UNC program might not lead to licensure in other states. Visit the UNC Licensure page to learn more about which states UNC programs meet educational requirements for licensure.
It’s important to understand requirements in the state where you plan to work. Visit the State Licensure Boards page to find each state’s licensing agency and contact information. Questions? Contact Licensure@unco.edu.
International Student Eligibility
No student visa: F-1 and J-1 student visas are not available for this program. However, if you are a non-U.S. citizen who will be in the U.S. under another visa category, you may be able to enroll in this program. Before you apply, please check for enrollment or employment restrictions for your visa category.
If you do apply to this program, you will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
Licensure Eligibility by State
This program is related to a state licensure, endorsement or other credential. If you intend to pursue a credential outside of Colorado, please check the Licensure Eligibility by State section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Application Deadline
A limited number of spots are available for each fall term start. Please contact nursing@unco.edu to see if applications are being accepted for the upcoming fall term, prior to completing your application.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Graduate Certificate [check with Program Coordinator before applying]
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status