Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track

Prepare to provide primary care across the lifespan in as few as 16 months with West Coast University’s online FNP Post-Master’s Certificate program

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PMC – Family Nurse Practitioner PMC – Family Nurse Practitioner

Start When You’re Ready

8-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year

Hands-On Practice

Complete two on-site intensives that prepare you for clinical practicum experience—and get support securing a site and preceptor from our team

CCNE-Accredited

WCU’s Post-Master’s Certificate – FNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)*

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  • Flexible online study for working nurses
  • Clinical practicum placement support
  • Experienced nursing faculty and staff

FNP Certificate Program Highlights

32 credits of coursework designed to equip you to provide primary care to families and individuals of all ages

Skills to help prepare you to work in private practice, clinical environments, and special care units2

Mobile

Flexible study, including mobile-accessible learning and study tools designed for working nurses

Two on-site intensives, plus in-person clinical practicum experience at facilities in your local area

FNP

Why Choose WCU’s Post-Master’s Certificate - FNP?

Advance your nursing education and prepare to deliver exceptional primary care to individuals, families, and communities. WCU’s online Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate helps you transition into advanced practice or expand your existing clinical scope.

With a flexible format and supportive resources, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to take the next step in your nursing career while maintaining your current work-life balance.

Provide Primary Care Across the Lifespan

Learn to assess, diagnose, and manage a wide range of health conditions for patients of all ages. The curriculum covers advanced health assessment, clinical decision-making, and evidence-based care in diverse practice settings.

Earn Your Certificate in a Flexible Online Format

WCU’s online coursework helps make education more accessible for working nurses, while clinical experiences provide hands-on training at a facility in your local area. The accelerated post-master’s FNP program can be completed in as few as 16 months.

  • Inside WCU’s Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program

    Hear how West Coast University’s online Family Nurse Practitioner program can equip you with the essential skills to effectively diagnose, treat, and manage patients across all age groups.

Overview: Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Program Details: Post-Master’s Certificate - FNP

Accelerated Pace

Distance Education/Online

32 Credits

16 Months

4 Trimesters

Curriculum

West Coast University’s online Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner track includes 32 credits of coursework covering advanced clinical reasoning skills, the needs of different patient populations across the lifespan, and professional development for the APRN role, including patient advocacy.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the PMC-FNP, graduates would be able to:

  1. Synthesize the core knowledge of advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and physical examination to develop informed differential diagnoses.
  2. Deliver individualized, evidence-based, culturally competent, and equitable person-centered care to diverse populations.
  3. Employ therapeutic communication strategies and emerging technologies to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborative care across the health care continuum.
  4. Coordinate effective patient-specific care utilizing policies, standards of care, and available resources.
  5. Advocate for policy changes that create safe, accessible, and quality health care for patients leading to principles of entrepreneurship and innovation within a dynamic healthcare environment.

Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master’s) Coursework

Course Number Course Name Total Credit Hours
Number Name Hours
MSNF 600 Family Primary Care: Introduction to Advanced Practice 2
MSNF 605 Family Primary Care: Clinical Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis 3
MSNF 610 Family Primary Care: Health I 2
MSNF 610C Family Primary Care: Practicum I 2
MSNF 620 Family Primary Care: Health II 2
MSNF 620C Family Primary Care: Practicum II 2
MSNF 630 Gender and Reproductive Health 3
MSNF 630C Gender and Reproductive Health: Practicum 2
MSNF 640 Pediatric & Adolescent Health 3
MSNF 640C Pediatric & Adolescent Health Practicum 2
MSNF 650 Family Primary Care: Intensive I 2
MSNF 650C Family Primary Care: Residency I 2
MSNF 660 Family Primary Care: Intensive II 2
MSNF 660C Family Primary Care: Residency II 2
MSNF 680 Family Primary Care: Transition to Advanced Practice 1
Total Credit Hours: 32

Read more about the curriculum, including course descriptions and additional requirements, in our catalog.

Tuition & Financial Aid

How Much Does the Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program at WCU Cost?

We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.

Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of the tuition costs of our post-master’s FNP certificate program online so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. Below, we provide a breakdown of the post-master’s FNP certificate program costs at West Coast University.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. We offer several financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

Estimated Cost of Attendance is comprised of both direct costs and indirect costs, as outlined in the charts below. The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend West Coast University.

  1. Direct costs are paid directly to West Coast University and are shown separately for each program.
  2. Indirect costs are not paid to West Coast University and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school.

The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates and are categorized as follows:

While actual indirect costs may vary, West Coast University estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus

The information below reflects the estimated direct and indirect costs for the entire program. Student individual costs may vary based on transfer credits and actual clinical assignments. Should you have any questions about the Cost of Attendance, please contact financial aid.
Tuition and Fees

Direct Costs

Degree Type Certificate (Effective prior to Summer II 2025) Certificate (Effective Summer II 2025)
Total Program Credits 32 32
Program Length (Full-Time) 4 trimesters 4   trimesters
Tuition Cost (per credit) $785 $810
Total Tuition Cost $25,120 $25,920
STRF1 $0 $0
Technology Fee2 $2,000 $2,000
Estimate for Program Supplies Fees3 $2,300 $2,300
Program Fee (Clinical)4 $4,300 $4,300
Estimated Total Program Costs $33,720 $34,520

Indirect Costs

8 Month Academic Year4
Prior to Fall I 2025 Starting Fall I 2025
with parents off campus with parents off campus
Federal Student Loan Fees $220 $220 $220 $220
Living Expenses (Food & Housing) $2,496 $8,328 $2,616 $8,728
Transportation $1,728 $1,728 $1,776 $1,776
Personal Expenses $5,656 $5,656 $5,656 $5,656
Total $10,100 $15,932 $10,268 $16,380

1 Effective April 1, 2024, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be zero dollars and zero cents ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges.

The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.

You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.

It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

  1. The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
  2. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120-day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120-day period before the program was discontinued.
  3. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
  4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
  5. The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
  6. You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
  7. You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.

A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.

However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.

2Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.

3 Supplies and licensure prep fees include a WCU identification card, background check, standardized patients, supplies, equipment for onsite intensives, and APRN predictor exams for APRN students. Supplies become student purchases once issued to students. Students who drop or have been dismissed after supplies have been issued will assume ownership for these items and will not be eligible for refunds. For details on all the supplies please contact the Student Accounts Office.

4 Program Fee covers the establishment, ongoing management, scheduling, coordination, site visits, and any other expenses related to clinical rotations.

Note: Course Audit Policy – Students auditing a course are not charged tuition or fees for the audited course. However, if a student enrolls in both an audit course and a credit-bearing course in the same semester/trimester, they will be responsible for the tuition and applicable fees associated with the credit-bearing course.

Note 2: Students who achieve a No Pass (NP) grade will retake their final courses at no additional cost or units the following term. Additionally, students who need to retake will not be impacted by the max fail policy.

Admission Requirements

Post Master Certificates (Online) Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must meet the following standards (Post Master’s Certificates All Track Options):

  1. Completion of the application for admission.
  2. Complete all university admissions requirements..
  3. Completion of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA accredited program, with a 3.0 GPA or better.
  4. A valid and unencumbered license as a registered nurse in any US State or territory in which the student is licensed, including the State in which the student completes all assignments for the program.
    1. Military, federal, and foreign-educated nurses must meet this state requirement for nursing licensure.
    2. An active and unencumbered RN license(s) must be maintained throughout the program.
    3. A domestic or foreign medical degree is not equivalent to a nursing degree.
  5. Submit official transcripts from a Master of Science in Nursing program, by the add/drop date of the student’s first term.
  6. Completion of all pre-requisite courses.

In addition to the admissions requirements above, applicants to the PMC Advanced Practice Registered Nurse tracks must also meet the following admissions requirements:

  1. Recommendation for admission by the Program Dean/Director and admission committee members. Past academic performance and professional achievements will be evaluated using a rubric to determine the applicant’s level of qualification.
  2. A valid and unencumbered license as an RN in any US State or territory in which the student is licensed, including the State in which the student completes practicum experiences.
  3. PMC applicants who have been dismissed from a previous WCU nurse practitioner program track do  not qualify for admission into any of the PMC Nurse Practitioner Tracks.
  4. PMC applicants will have a formal transfer of credit gap analysis prior to acceptance of admission.
  5. PMC applicants who do not meet full admissions criteria will not be considered.
  6. Applicants to the APRN tracks must have a minimum of one (1) year of direct patient care RN experience before entering APRN core courses.

For additional requirements, including admission information for CA-based APRN students and international students, visit our catalog.

Academic Calendar

New terms begin, on average, every eight weeks. The number of trimesters needed depends on the program and pace selected for the FNP track. For the most updated start-to-completion schedule, view the Academic Calendar.

Clinical Placements Team for PMC-FNP Students

msn fnp

You don’t have to figure out how to set up your clinical practicum on your own. Our Clinical Placements team is here to provide assistance! We can help you identify a preceptor and clinical site that are the right fit for you and your program. WCU has numerous healthcare partners, which makes it easier for us to assist students with placements when needed.

You’ll have a coordinator of clinical relations assigned to you, which means you can easily jump on a coaching call whenever you need guidance for improving your clinical practice experience. We’re here to support you from day one through graduation!

Career Services

Our WCU Career Services team is dedicated to helping FNP graduates with their professional development. Through workshops, one-on-one career planning, and a variety of job search resources, Career Services can provide you with assistance as you search for the right job opportunities.1

As a West Coast University FNP graduate, you will not just get one-on-one support as you prepare for your board certification exam, but we’ll also help you with your job search strategy, which includes helping you find open roles, offering resume tips, providing interview coaching, and more.

Cap

“I loved West Coast University and still do. I like the camaraderie and atmosphere of West Coast. The teachers were always available to give any outside help. They offered tutoring, too. It was just helpful all the way around” 3

 

Brittney A.
BSN, MSN-FNP, & DNP Graduate
West Coast University

FAQs

Will my previous coursework transfer into the program?

We can evaluate your previous coursework for transfer credit. WCU may accept credit for previous courses taken from other academic institutions as long as the course meets the requirements of the specific academic program for which it is being considered and a grade of B (80%) or better was achieved for a graduate course as documented on official transcripts. Each program maintains its own transfer credit requirements.

How long does it take to complete the FNP tracks?

You can earn your post-master’s FNP certificate in as little as 16 months.

What can I expect from clinical placements?

Our program includes clinical hours for practical experience. When it comes to selecting the right facility and preceptor, WCU has a dedicated clinical team to help you find a placement for clinical training that aligns with the requirements of your program.

What is an on-site intensive (OSI)?

Our Family Nurse Practitioner program students will have to complete two on-site intensives (OSIs), which help prepare them for APRN clinical rotations and practice. In addition to providing valuable hands-on experience, OSIs give students the chance to learn unique skills that are relevant to their field of study, and also to get instructor feedback.

Who is eligible to apply for WCU's FNP Post-Master's Certificate?

To apply, you’ll need a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or CNEA-accredited program with a 3.0 GPA or better. You must hold a valid, unencumbered RN license in a U.S. state or territory and maintain that license throughout the program. You’ll also need at least one year of direct patient care experience as an RN.

What patient populations will I learn to care for in the FNP curriculum?

The FNP Post-Master’s Certificate is built around primary care across the lifespan—from infants and adolescents to adults and older adults. Your 32-credit curriculum covers three core populations: adult-gerontology primary care, women’s and reproductive health, and pediatric and adolescent health.

How much does the FNP Post-Master's Certificate cost, and what financial aid is available?

Tuition is charged per credit. Current rates can be viewed above or by visiting the tuition and fees page. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. We offer scholarships, grants, and loan access to help support you through your studies.

When can I start the FNP Post-Master's Certificate, and how often do new terms begin?

You’ll have regular entry points throughout the year. WCU runs the FNP Post-Master’s Certificate on eight-week terms, with start dates spaced across the calendar so you can begin when the timing is right for you. The most current start-to-completion schedule is published on WCU’s Academic Calendar.

Is WCU's FNP Post-Master's Certificate accredited?

Yes. The post-graduate APRN certificate program at West Coast University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), located at 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791. WCU’s Post-graduate Certificate in Nursing program also holds initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located in Washington, DC.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at West Coast University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791 (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The West Coast University Post-graduate Certificate in Nursing program holds initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037.

1 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.

2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, “Work Environment,”

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

WCU Distance education programs are delivered out of the California and Texas campuses and may not be available to residents in all states.

Practice Experience is required in order to graduate from the RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN, DNP degree and Post-Master’s certificate programs.