Choose the best nurse practitioner program for you

Types of nurse practitioner MSN programs

Nationally-accredited nurse practitioner programs may help lead to certification from organizations such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or the National Certification Corporation (NCC). There are several types of nurse practitioner degrees, with specializations in different populations and alternative approaches to care.

Acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) programs

ACNP programs help prepare nurses to care for acutely ill patients, aligned with the acute care population focus recognized by NCSBN. Some ACNP programs may have a population focus, such as adult-gerontology or pediatric. The curriculum for ACNP programs may include acute care management, clinical residencies, acute care procedures and diagnostics, and acute care clinical skills. Learn more about online acute care nurse practitioner programs.

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AG-ACNP and AG-PCNP) programs

Nurses who may wish to focus on the care of adolescents and adults may become an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner or an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. AG-ACNP programs prepare nurses to diagnose and manage acute and complex health problems in adult and older adult patients, aligned with certifications such as AACN's ACNPC-AG. AG-PCNP programs instead prepare nurses to provide ongoing primary and preventive care to adult and older adult patients, aligned with ANCC's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP certification. Curriculum for both tracks may include evidence-based practice, advanced practice care of elders, pathophysiology, and pharmacology, with role-specific clinical preparation per NCSBN's APRN role/population model.

Family nurse practitioner (FNP)

From newborns to seniors, a family nurse practitioner provides complete, advanced care for the whole family, consistent with the family/individual-across-the-lifespan population focus ANCC recognizes for FNP certification. As an online FNP program student, you may learn skills including how to diagnose and manage acute and primary healthcare problems, disease prevention and management, counseling, and how to provide health and wellness education for families.

Neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP)

Specializing in the care and treatment of preterm and full-term newborns, neonatal nurse practitioners hold a graduate degree in nursing and may pursue NNP certification through the National Certification Corporation (NCC). This may be a master's, postgraduate, or doctoral program. Curriculum for NNP programs may include embryology, neonatal physiology, and family dynamics.

Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP)

Nurses seeking to become a pediatric nurse practitioner must earn a graduate degree in nursing. The PNP program curriculum may focus on pediatric health assessment, child and adolescent development and theory, nutritional and pharmacologic management, and pediatric sociocultural issues. Completing a PNP program may also help prepare nurses for certification by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).

Psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)

To become a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner, nurses may pursue a graduate degree in a PMHNP program and ANCC PMHNP certification. Curriculum for PMHNP degrees may include pathophysiology, pharmacology, counseling and psychotherapy, psychiatric mental healthcare, and organizational systems and behaviors.

Women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP)

For nurses seeking to become a women's health nurse practitioner, an online women's health nurse practitioner program may help prepare students to provide gynecologic and primary care to women, aligned with WHNP certification requirements from the National Certification Corporation (NCC). As an online WHNP student, you may learn and acquire skills and experience to treat and prevent illnesses and health concerns unique to women. Areas of focus may include primary care, prenatal and postpartum care, menopause, reproductive healthcare, and general wellness.

Additional nurse practitioner programs

When researching the best nurse practitioner program for your goals and aspirations, you may find your best route among options such as a specialized NP program, a bridge nursing program, or an online nursing program.

• Accelerated NP programs: Accelerated nursing programs are available for future nurse practitioners who may already hold a BSN or their RN license. While universities may also use “accelerated” to define their direct-entry MSN programs, it can be used to delineate an accelerated time-to-complete period.
• Dual degree NP programs: There are a variety of dual degree programs focused on nurse practitioners. Some university programs combine one specialty with another NP focus or combine primary and acute care specialties.
• Bridge NP programs: Nursing bridge programs for nurse practitioners are likely to be those that bridge to an MSN, such as RN-to-MSN programs and BSN-to-MSN programs. You may also pursue a BSN-to-DNP program, which can prepare you for APRN careers.
• Graduate certificate programs for NPs: Universities may offer a post-graduate certificate in nurse practitioner fields such as adult-gerontology, psychiatric-mental health, and women's health, built on an existing graduate nursing foundation. Eligibility requirements vary by school and program. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) also accredits these post-graduate certificate programs.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) NP programs: A DNP is a practice-focused doctoral degree, and some NP programs offer this route. There are a number of DNP programs online.

There are several MSN-level programs you may also consider:

• Online MSN programs
• Online certified nurse midwife (CNM) programs

What to consider when choosing an online NP school

Nurse practitioner programs vary from school to school. Courses may also vary depending on the specialty you choose. Learn more about the potential educational requirements for your program and what you can do with your degree below.

Education requirements

Admission requirements vary by school, but online MSN and NP programs commonly require a bachelor's degree, a current nursing license, and documented clinical experience, consistent with CCNE's graduate nursing accreditation standards. Direct-entry online nurse practitioner programs are also available to help students with a degree of any kind transition to a nursing career.

Nurse practitioners may enter practice through a master's, post-graduate certificate, or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, depending on the certifying body and specialty. According to the ANCC's Family Nurse Practitioner certification eligibility criteria, all three degree routes are currently accepted. There are more than 450 schools of nursing currently enrolling students in DNP programs throughout the United States, according to the AACN DNP Fact Sheet (updated May 2026). Some universities also offer online DNP programs.

Program curriculum

As an online NP student, advanced nursing classes are a part of your nursing program curriculum. In addition to your regular credit load, you are required to complete clinical and practicum hours to gain experience in your field. Your studies will prepare you to take nurse practitioner certification exams, including those administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and NPCB (the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, AANPCB).

Some online nurse practitioner programs also include on-campus immersions or intensives, where students complete a set number of classes or clinical hours on campus; this varies by school and program. Refer to your school's program website for its specific on-campus requirements and list of courses.

Clinical hour experience

All nurse practitioner programs that are nationally accredited will require clinical hour experiences. According to the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, a minimum of 750 direct patient care clinical hours per population-focused track is required under the current Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (6th edition, 2022). The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) requires all degree programs and post-graduate APRN certificates to incorporate clinical practice experiences that are appropriate for the role or specialization.

Depending on your specialization and degree program, you may encounter requirements larger than 750 hours. This varies depending on certification requirements and state licensure.

Potential salary and jobs

There are a variety of nurse practitioner specialties that can help open the door to opportunities in different fields. Career options may include educator, neonatal, cardiac, and pediatric nurse practitioner roles, among others, within the population foci recognized by NCSBN. You may also view our page on nurse salary to get an idea of what a nurse practitioner earns by state.

Accreditation

Nurse practitioner programs may be accredited by agencies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); other accreditors may also be accepted by certifying bodies.

For master’s programs, the ACEN reviews for standards such as:

• Administrative capacity to operate the program.
• Qualified and credentialed faculty.
• Achievable program outcomes.
• A curriculum that supports safe practice in healthcare environments.
• Resources that are sufficient in support of program outcomes.
• A plan of program evaluation.

The CCNE reviews master’s programs on quality in terms of mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, and curriculum and teaching-learning practices, as well as effectiveness assessing and achieving program outcomes.

Certification agencies and organizations may require a degree from an accredited nursing program. Check with your preferred certificate awarding agency and state licensure board for more specific information.

NP degree vs. a post-graduate nursing certificate

The main difference between an NP degree and a post-graduate nursing certificate is that the certificate builds on an existing graduate nursing foundation, while an NP degree program provides that foundation itself. According to CCNE's accreditation standards, post-graduate APRN certificate programs are built on a graduate nursing foundation and prepare graduates for a specific role and population focus.

While there may be multiple paths to entry into the nursing field, a post-graduate nursing certificate may assist with a role change or expansion. A post-graduate certificate or post-master's certificate is designed for nurses who already hold a graduate degree in nursing. These certificate programs provide graduates with an opportunity to enhance their clinical skills and nursing knowledge in a specialty area.

Prerequisites vary by school and by the certificate's role/population focus. Certificate specialty options may include:

• Adult-gerontology primary care NP
• Adult-gerontology acute care NP
• Family NP
• Neonatal NP
• Pediatric NP
• Psychiatric-mental health NP
• Women’s health NP

Post-graduate certificate programs may offer different specialization options based on the school you choose. Some of those options may include:

• Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner – primary care
• Family nurse practitioner
• Health informatics
• Nursing education

Eligibility requirements for a post-graduate program may vary based on the school. It’s important to research each program before applying. Some general requirements may include:

• Holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or the equivalent from an international institution.
• Having a current registered nurse (RN) license.
• Completing a Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited program.

Professional organizations and credentials

There are several agencies and organizations that award certifications for nurse practitioners. These often require meeting certain eligibility standards such as experience in the field, a completed accredited nursing degree, and a passing score on an examination.

• The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers four initial certifications for nurse practitioners: adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, family nurse practitioner, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.
• For future family, adult-gerontology primary care, and emergency nurse practitioners, NPCB (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, AANPCB) offers certification.
• An adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner certification is also available from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
• The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) awards certifications for primary and acute care pediatric nurse practitioners.
• Certifications as a neonatal nurse practitioner or women’s health nurse practitioner are offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

Your licensure as a nurse practitioner is determined by your state's nursing board, though NCSBN's APRN model reflects common elements many states require, such as a graduate-level accredited nursing degree, a nationally recognized certification, licensure as a registered nurse, and a paid application fee. Requirements vary by state — check your state's nursing licensure requirements for the specific rules that apply to you.

Scholarship options for nurse practitioner students

When researching scholarship opportunities for your NP program, check with your admitted university. They can often supply scholarships or grant applications for their graduate nursing students. You may also view our page of nursing scholarships. For other opportunities, you may refer to:

• AACN scholarships and financial aid
• AANP scholarships
• Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) health workforce loans and scholarships