Choose the Best Nurse Practitioner Program for You in 2021

An online nurse practitioner program is a great option 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.

Accredited Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs 

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.

University	Location	Program Length	Clinical Hours	Specialization
Advent Health University	Orlando, FL	24+ months	600 hours	FNP
Albany State University	Albany, GA	24–36 months	N/A	FNP
American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences	Aurora, CO	28–34 months	630–720 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
Angelo State University	San Angelo, TX	N/A	N/A	FNP
Arkansas State University	Jonesboro, AR	24+ months	840 hours	AGACNP FNP
Ball State University	Muncie, IN	6–8 semesters	690 hours	FNP
Bradley University	Peoria, IL	32–40 months	700–750 hours	FNP
Boise State University	Boise, ID	36 months	700 hours	AGNP
Bowie State University	Bowie, MD	24 months	600 hours	FNP
Campbellsville University	Campbellsville, KY	24 months	660 hours	FNP
Chamberlain University	Downers Grove, IL	36 months	625 hours	AGNP FNP
Carlow University	Pittsburgh, PA	30 months	525–600 hours	FNP WHNP
Clarkson College	Omaha, NE	6–12 semesters	650 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
Concordia University—Wisconsin	Mequon, WI	36–48 months	720 hours	AGPCNP FNP
DeSales University	Center Valley, PA	24–36 months	675 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
Drexel University	Philadelphia, PA	36 months	640–720 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP PMHNP PNP–AC PNP–PC WHNP
Duke University	Durham, NC	24–48 months	560–728 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP NNP PMHNP PNP–AC PNP–PC WHNP
Duquesne University	Pittsburgh, PA	36 months	550–750 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
East Carolina University	Greenville, SC	24–36 months	N/A	NNP
East Tennessee State University	Johnson City, TN	5–8 semesters	540 hours	FNP PMHNP
Eastern Kentucky University	Richmond, KY	N/A	N/A	FNP PMHNP
Emory University	Atlanta, GA	4 semesters	630–780 hours	NNP WHNP
Frontier Nursing University	Versailles, KY	N/A	675 hours	FNP PMHNP WHNP
George Mason University	Fairfax, VA	N/A	500+ hours	FNP
George Washington University	Washington, D.C.	24–36 months	600–700 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP PMHNP
Georgetown University Sponsored Program	Washington, D.C.	23–27 months	600–1,000+ hours	AGACNP FNP NM/WHNP WHNP
Georgia College	Milledgeville, GA	24–36 months	570–675 hours	FNP PMHNP WHNP
Georgia State University	Atlanta, GA	24–48 months	500–630 hours	AGPCNP FNP PMHNP PNP–PC
Gonzaga University	Spokane, WA	9 semesters	660 hours	FNP PMHNP
Graceland University	Independence, MO	8–12 trimesters	540–600 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
Herzing University	Milwaukee, WI	24–32 months	540–675 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
Indiana State University	Terre Haute, IN	30–60 months	675 hours	FNP
Indiana University Kokomo	Kokomo, IN	30 months	600 hours	FNP
Indiana University Northwest	Gary, IN	7 semesters	600 hours	FNP
Indiana University — Purdue University Indianapolis	Indianapolis, IN	24–36 months	525–600 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP PMHNP PNP–PC
Kent State University	Kent, OH	24–42 months	600 hours	WHNP
La Salle University	Philadelphia, PA	18–20 months	512–692 hours	AGPCNP FNP
Lewis University	Romeoville, IL	N/A	540 hours	PMHNP
Loyola University New Orleans	New Orleans, LA	24–36 months	720 hours	FNP
Maryville University	St.Louis, MO	28–32 months	580–830 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP PMHNP PNP
Middle Georgia State University	Atlanta, GA	24 months	630 hours	AGACNP
Midwestern State University Texas	Wichita Falls, TX	N/A	512–640 hours	FNP PMHNP
Monmouth University	West Long Branch, NJ	N/A	N/A	AGPCNP FNP PMHNP
Northeastern University	Boston, MA	24–36 months	N/A	NNP
Northern Illinois University	DeKalb, IL	24–48 months	N/A	FNP
Northern Kentucky University	Highland Heights, KY	20–22 months	500–600 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP PMHNP
Norwich University	Northfield, VT	N/A	660 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
Ohio University	Athens, OH	24+ months	500–650 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
Ohio State University	Columbus, OH	24–36 months	600–712.5 hours	FNP NNP PMHNP
Old Dominion University	Norfolk, VA	24–30 months	560–600 hours	FNP NNP PNP PMHNP
Olivet Nazarene University	Bourbonnais, IL	24 months	720 hours	FNP
Pace University	New York City, NY	24+ months	550 hours	PMHNP
Purdue University Northwest	Hammond, IN	36 months	555 hours	FNP
Regis College	Weston, MA	28–36 months	600 hours	AGNP AGACNP FNP PMHNP PNP WHNP
Regis University	Denver, CO	24–26 months	630 hours	FNP NNP
Sacred Heart University	Fairfield, CT	36 months	550 hours	FNP
Saint Francis Medical Center	Peoria, IL	36–48 months	N/A	AGACNP FNP NNP PMHNP
Saint Louis University	St. Louis, MO	36–48 months	525–675 hours	AGACNP FNP PNP–PC Family PMHNP
Salve Regina University	Newport, RI	28 months	600 hours	FNP
Samford University	Birmingham, AL	24–27 months	660–1200 hours	FNP Family PMHNP
Seton Hall University	South Orange, NJ	36–48 months	540–675 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP PNP–PC
South College	Knoxville, TN	18–36 months	N/A	AGACNP FNP PMHNP PNP
Simmons University Sponsored Program	Boston, MA	24–32 months	Minimum of 672 hours	FNP
Stony Brook University	Stony Brook, NY	24–36 months	N/A	AGPCNP FNP NNP PMHNP PNP–PC
St. John Fisher College Sponsored Program	Rochester, NY	As few as 24–36 months	600 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP PCFNP PMHNP
St. John’s College	Springfield, IL	24–36 months	660 hours	FNP
Texas A&M University	Bryan, TX	24–36 months	646 hours	FNP
Thomas Jefferson University	Philadelphia, PA	24–36 months	672 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP NNP PNP–PC WHNP
Texas Tech University	Lubbock, TX	30–36 months	N/A	AGACNP FNP PNP–PC
Troy University	Troy, AL	N/A	705 hours	FNP
Union University	Jackson, TN	16 months	560 hours	FNP Family PMHNP
United States University	San Diego, CA	24 months	540 hours	FNP
University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa, AL	5–8 semesters	540 hours	FNP PMHNP
University of Alabama at Birmingham	Birmingham, AL	24–36 months	N/A	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP NNP PMHNP PNP–AC PNP–PC WHNP
University of Alaska Anchorage	Anchorage, AK	7–9 semesters	N/A	FNP PMHNP
University of Cincinnati	Cincinnati, OH	24 months	504–672 hours	AGPCNP FNP WHNP
University of Colorado – Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus	Aurora, CO	36 months	540–630 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP PMHNP PNP–AC PNP–PC WHNP
University of Colorado – Colorado Springs	Colorado Springs, CO	Up to 6 years	630 hours	AGPCNP FNP PMHNP
University of Connecticut	Storrs, CT	24–36 months	700–800 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP NNP
University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing	Columbia, MO	36 months	600–720 hours	FNP PMHNP PNP–PC
University of Missouri–Kansas City	Kansas City, MO	24–36 months	660–742.5 hours	AGNP FNP NNP PMHNP PNP–AC PNP–PC WHNP
University of Mississippi Medical Center	Jackson, MS	24 months	540–990 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP NNP PMHNP PNP
University of New Mexico	Albuquerque, NM	24 months	650–800 hours	AGACNP FNP PNP–PC PMHNP
University of North Dakota	Grand Forks, ND	32 months	600 hours	FNP PMHNP
University of South Alabama	Mobile, AL	24–48 months	600–1,080 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP/AGACNP FNP/Emergency NP FNP NNP PMHNP PNP–AC PNP–PC WHNP
University of South Carolina	Columbia, SC	8 semesters	672 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
University of Southern California Sponsored Program	Los Angeles, CA	21–33 months	784 hours	FNP
University of Southern Indiana	Evansville, IN	36 months	655–705 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP
University of Rochester	Rochester, NY	N/A	616–672 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP Family PMHNP PMHNP PNP PNP/NNP
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston	Galveston, TX	7 semesters	N/A	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP NNP
University of Texas Arlington	Arlington, TX	29–35 months	720 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP PNP–AC PNP–PC
University of Texas at El Paso	El Paso, TX	3 years	675–775 hours	AGACNP FNP PMHNP PNP–AC PNP–PC
Utica College	Utica, NY	8 semesters	720 hours	FNP
Vanderbilt University	Nashville, TN	1–3 years	620–1,365 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP ENP FNP NM/FNP NNP PMHNP PNP–AC PNP–PC WHNP WHNP/AGPCNP
Walden University	Minneapolis, MN	N/A	640 hours	AGACNP AGPCNP FNP PMHNP PNP–PC
Wilkes University	Wilkes-Barre, PA	24–28 months	500–584 hours	AGPCNP FNP PMHNP
William Paterson University	Wayne, NJ	16–20 months	510–680 hours	AGNP FNP
Youngstown State University	Youngstown, OH	18–20 months	540–600 hours	AGACNP FNP

Types of Nurse Practitioner MSN Programs

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.

Additional Nurse Practitioner Programs

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.

• 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 use “accelerated” to also define their Direct-Entry MSN Programs, it may also be used to delineate an accelerated time to complete.
• 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 may also prepare you for APRN careers.
• Graduate Certificate Programs for NPs: Universities may offer a post-master’s certificate in nurse practitioner fields such as Adult-Gerontology, Psychiatric-Mental Health and Women’s Health. These certificate programs may require proof of an RN license and national NP certification. The CCNE also accredits these post-graduate certificate programs.
• Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) NP Programs: The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) announced in 2018 that entry-level nurse practitioner education will move to DNP programs by the year 2025. There are already a number of DNP programs online.

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

• Master’s Degree in Nursing 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 educational requirements for your program and what you can do with your degree below.

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NP Degree vs. a Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate  

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:

• 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, but the options are generally the same. Some of those options may include:

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Health Informatics
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Education

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:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or the equivalent from an international institution.
• Have a current registered nurse (RN) license.
• Complete 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 eligibility requirements 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, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) offers certification.
• Adult-gerontology primary and acute care nurse practitioner certifications are 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. 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.

Scholarship Options for Nurse Practitioner Students 

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:

• AACN Scholarships and Financial Aid
• AANP Scholarships
• Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Health Workforce Loans and Scholarships
• Your State’s Nurses Association – American Nurses Association

FAQs

Information on this page was retrieved in May 2021.