Post-Master's Diploma – Nurse Practitioner

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Due to limited clinical placements in BC, we currently are not able to accept applications from BC residents for our Nurse Practitioner programs. We're actively working with the BC Ministry of Health to resolve this and hope to reopen BC admissions soon.

At a glance

Credential: post-master's diploma
Credits: 30
Next start: see program details

Nurse Practitioners (NP) are in high demand because they offer a comprehensive range of health care services, often filling the gap in primary care where doctors may be in short supply. Their expertise in diagnosing and treating common illnesses, along with their ability to provide personalized, holistic care, makes them invaluable in diverse health care settings.

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About Post-Master's Diploma – Nurse Practitioner

Elevate your nursing career with Athabasca University's online Post-Master's Diploma – Nurse Practitioner program. This 30-credit program is designed to prepare you for a role as nurse practitioner, where you'll have the skills to diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries across the lifespan and in a diversity of clinical settings.

Admission requirements

You must have a master's degree in nursing with a minimum grade point average. You must also have verified hours of recent work experience as a registered nurse. Admission is competitive; meeting the minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admission.

See full Post-Master's Diploma – Nurse Practitioner admission requirements

Program details

Overview

This program will prepare you to diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries in clients across the lifespan and in a diversity of clinical settings When you graduate, you will be ready to provide care in settings such as primary care offices, community health centres, and other clinical settings.

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

Application deadline	Start date
April 1	Sept.
Aug. 1	Jan.
Dec. 1	May

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 a mandatory in-person physical assessment lab session as part of NURS 518.You will write a comprehensive examination during the final course in the program. Following graduation you will be eligible to write the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Exam. The program is recognized by all Canadian Colleges of Registered Nursing except Quebec.

Clinical practicums

Your clinical practicums will be completed across a variety of settings for a total of 800 clinical hours completed over the program. 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

A non-refundable convenience charge will be charged when using Visa or Mastercard to pay student fees. American Express is no longer an accepted method of payment. For more information on the convenience charge, please visit the Financial Services website.

The following fees are effective Sep. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026. 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.

program application and admission fees
Program Application Fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies to a program:	$197
Program Admission Fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable)	$260
Non-Program Application Fee (non-refundable)	$124

Total course fees (includes all required materials and all fees)

fees for students in canada and out
Students living in Canada	$1,902¹
Students living outside Canada	$2,147¹

¹The course tuition fees include a Course Administration and Technology Fee of $59, 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 cost for MN and MHS students (2025–2026):

The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University would be $20,922 ($1,902 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

Other fees
Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee	$348/course
Course Extension Fee (this fee applies to extensions of all non-thesis FHD graduate courses, regardless of credit weight)	$334/month
Thesis Course Extension Fee	$608/term
Continuation Fee	$1,860
Letter of Permission Fee	$100
Western Deans' Agreement Administration Fee (non-AU visiting students)	$250/course
Comprehensive Examination Fee (repeats)	$334
AU Graduate Student Association Fee (per credit):	$14
Course Withdrawal Processing Fee²	$453

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

lab fees
NURS 518 Laboratory Fee:	$1,138
MHST/NURS 720 (12 credit course) is 4 times the regular Course Registration Fee, plus applicable AUGSA Fees.

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026.

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.

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Post-Master’s Diploma – Nurse Practitioner.

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.

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Career options

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

Resources and links

Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.

Program resources

Additional resources

Program contact

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