An online nurse practitioner program is a great optwion for those looking to supplement their nursing education and advance their career. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who fall into different categories, each with a specific focus and purpose. They work directly with patients across the lifespan to diagnose and treat illnesses.

Though there are a few ways to earn your nurse practitioner degree, an online nurse practitioner program may offer more flexibility and accessibility than non-distance learning options. Nursing professionals pursuing an online degree can fit their continuing education into their schedule.

Sponsored Online Nursing Programs

Georgetown University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

• Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
• Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
• Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

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Simmons University

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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

• Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
• Complete in as few as 24 months
• Full-time and part-time tracks available

Request more info from Simmons University.

University of Southern California (USC)

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Master of Science in Nursing – FNP Program

Nursing@USC delivers the online Master of Science in Nursing program from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing. RN and BSN req’d.

• Designed for registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Offers a part-time option for active RNs to earn a Master of Science in Nursing online
• Can be completed in as few as 21 months

Request more info from the University of Southern California.

St. John Fisher University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

• Part-time and accelerated tracks available
• Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

Request more info from St. John Fisher University.

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The nurse practitioner online programs below may have on–campus components and may only be available in the state where their campus is located. Be sure to check with your preferred university for more information. The list below was last updated in May 2021.

Nationally accredited nurse practitioner programs may help lead to certification by 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 approaches to care.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Programs

ACNP programs help prepare nurses to care for acutely ill patients. 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 acute and long-term care of adolescents and adults may become an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner or adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. Students who enroll in an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner program learn how to diagnose and manage acute health problems in adult patients. Curriculum may include evidence-based practice, advanced practice care of elders, pathophysiology and pharmacology.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 

From newborns to seniors, a family nurse practitioner provides complete, advanced care for the whole family. 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 their graduate degree in nursing. 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 will need to pursue 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 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. 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. As an online WHNP student, you will learn and acquire the skills and experience to treat and prevent illnesses and health concerns unique to women. Areas of focus will include primary care, prenatal and postpartum care, menopause, reproductive healthcare, and general wellness.

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

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

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

Education Requirements 

Regardless of what specialty you choose, most online MSN programs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, current nursing license, and documented clinical experience. Direct-entry online nurse practitioner programs are also available to help students with a degree of any kind, not necessarily in a medical field, begin their nursing education.

Additional degrees may be required for future and current nurse practitioners. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) recently announced a change in requirements to the nurse practitioner field. By 2025, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) will become the new threshold requirement for entry-level positions. There are more than 300 DNP programs throughout the United States according to the NONPF. Some universities also offer online DNP programs.

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Program Curriculum

As an online NP student, advanced nursing classes are part of your nursing program curriculum. Aside from your credit load, you are also required to complete clinical and practicum hours to gain the experience to be an expert in your field. Your studies will prepare you to take nurse practitioner certification exams, including those administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 

Many online nurse practitioner programs also include on-campus immersions, where you are required to complete a certain number of classes or hours on campus. Refer to your school’s program website for a list of courses you will be expected to take.

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Clinical Hour Experience

All nurse practitioner programs that are nationally accredited will require clinical hour experiences. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), a minimum of 500 hours is required in all curriculum plans for accredited nurse practitioner programs. 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 more than 500-hour requirements. This varies depending on certification requirements and state licensure.

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Potential Salary and Jobs

There are a variety of nurse practitioner specialties that open up opportunities in different fields. Careers may include nurse midwives, anesthetists, educators, neonatal, cardiac, pediatric practitioners and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners will increase 45% from 2020 to 2030. You may also view our page on nurse salary to get an idea what a nurse practitioner earns by state.

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Accreditation 

There are two agencies that award accreditation for nurse practitioner programs: the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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
• Plan of program evaluation

The CCNE reviews master’s programs (PDF, 217 KB) 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 an accredited degree from one of these organizations. Check with your preferred certificate awarding agency and state licensure board for more specific information.

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The main difference between earning an NP degree and a post-graduate certificate is the post-graduate certificate may be supplemental to your NP degree. Once you have earned your degree from an accredited NP program, you may start applying for certificates or attend an accredited post-graduate certificate program that may help advance your career. 

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

Since post-graduate certificate programs are for those who have a master’s degree or higher, you may be required to go through the prerequisite programs to earn an NP degree first. What is offered by NP programs may vary by school. The specialty options are generally the same. Those options may be:

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

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

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

Your licensure as a nurse practitioner is determined by your state’s nursing board. Requirements are likely to vary but most include a graduate-level accredited nursing degree, a nationally recognized certification, like those above, license as a registered nurse, and an application fee. Check your state’s nursing licensure requirements for more information.

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

Information on this page was retrieved in January 2022.