Post-Master's Diploma Nurse Practitioner

Overview

This primary health care program will prepare you to diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries in clients of all ages. When you graduate, you will be ready to provide care in settings such as primary care offices or community health centres.

Please note that this program does not prepare nurse practitioners to work in acute care settings or to focus on a clinical specialty. Nurse practitioners holding a license in a specialty other than Family-All-Ages may be eligible to complete the Post-Master's diploma program and should contact the program director to inquire about this option.

Application deadlines and start dates

The Post-Master's Diploma - Nurse Practitioner is a 30-credit online graduate program. You must complete at least 12 credits through Athabasca University.

All courses are online grouped study, with defined start and end dates. There is also a 1-week on-site component during the health assessment course.

You will write a comprehensive examination during the final course in the program. Following graduation you will be eligible to write the Family-All-Ages Nurse Practitioner exam. The program is recognized by all Canadian Colleges of Registered Nursing except Quebec.

Clinical practicums

Your clinical practicums are completed during each of the life-stage courses. All clinical practice must be completed in Canada and you must hold current registered nurse licensure in the province where you are completing your clinical practice program.

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 2 years of study. You can take up to 5 years to complete all requirements.

Tuition and fees

Understanding how higher education fees and tuition are calculated is important to ensure you stay within your budget and make informed decisions.

Financial aid and awards

We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.

Explore financial aid and awards

Fees

The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2025. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

The following fees apply to all CNHS graduate programs and courses, unless specifically noted otherwise.

¹The course tuition fees include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $58, a Course Materials fee of $37, and Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fees of $14 per credit.

Students applying for financial assistance should apply for funding a minimum of 3 months before the applicable course registration deadline.

Estimated program tuition cost for MN and MHS students (2023-2024):

The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University would be $20,526 ($1,866 x 11 three-credit course equivalents). AUGSA fees are included in this calculation. Application and admission fees are not included in the above calculation.

Other fees

²The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees less the course withdrawal processing fee. Refer to Course withdrawal.

Special course related fees

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2025.

Courses

In this program, you'll engage with a well-rounded curriculum that covers topics like advanced practice nursing foundations, pharmacotherapeutics, and health assessments across various life stages. You'll also complete clinical practicums focused on different demographics, including women's and men's health, children's health, adult health, and older adult health, to give you hands-on experience in real-world settings.

Our program regulations plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

Program regulations

Courses to explore

Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.

Focus areas

Career options

After completing the Post-Master's Diploma - Nurse Practitioner program, you'll be well-equipped to pursue careers as a community-based nurse practitioner in settings such as primary care offices, community health centres, and long-term care facilities. You could also explore roles in health policy, education, or consulting, leveraging your specialized skills to improve patient care and health outcomes.