Compare 10+ Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Programs – Find the Best School for You

While doing research for online MSN programs, you may want to focus on any prerequisites, school accreditations and types of coursework you’ll be enrolled in. A women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) program may be categorized under advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) education programs.

The program cards and tables featured on this page were last updated in January 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.

Georgetown University

School of Nursing

info

Master of Science in Nursing

With Georgetown University’s online WHNP program, you can become a primary care provider for women’s health in as few as 27 months. RN/BSN required.

  • CCNE Accredited
  • Complete the 44 credit program in as few as 23 months
  • Clinical Placement Support 

info SPONSORED

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), APRN programs may prepare students for careers (PDF, 232 KB) as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), certified nurse-midwife (CNM), clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or certified nurse practitioner (CNP). These programs, accredited by the AACN, must also prepare students to work with specific populations, such as women.

Generally, WHNP programs will meet the AACN requirements for nurse practitioner programs (PDF, 727 KB). Some of these standards require:

  • The director or coordinator of the nurse practitioner program is nationally certified as a nurse practitioner.
  • Admission criteria set for the program reflects the input of the nurse practitioner faculty.
  • The development, evaluation and revision of the curriculum involves the input from nurse practitioner faculty.
  • The institution where the program is located must support the development, management and evaluation of resource, facility and service needs.
  • The preparation and expertise of the program’s faculty must adequately support the role development and clinical management courses for nurse practitioner practice.

The AACN holds thorough standards for nurse practitioner programs and is the parent organization to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which implements standards for CCNE accreditation of nursing programs. Some states may require graduation from accredited programs for nursing licensure.

The length of women’s health nurse practitioner programs will vary depending upon the degree program. Students with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) who enroll full-time may generally expect to spend 18 to 24 months earning their master’s of science in nursing WHNP degree. The exact timeline will depend on the individual student’s plans.

Online Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Programs

For nursing students who would prefer not to participate in an on-campus program, online programs can provide a flexible alternative.

While searching for an online program, you may want to determine which program features you care about most. A few examples include live classes, clinical hour support teams for online students, career services and opportunities to network with your classmates.

Several schools offer online programs that are similar to their on-campus programs, enabling students to get a degree from a school they know and trust without relocating. Nurse practitioner online programs are high-quality options for students looking to progress into a career and become a women’s health nurse practitioner.

Georgetown University

School of Nursing

info

Master of Science in Nursing

With Georgetown University’s online WHNP program, you can become a primary care provider for women’s health in as few as 27 months. RN/BSN required.

  • CCNE Accredited
  • Complete the 44 credit program in as few as 23 months
  • Clinical Placement Support 

info SPONSORED

Note: Some of these programs may require on-campus visit requirements as a part of their curriculum and program. Check with your university for more information.

Carlow University

Master of Science in Nursing – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2.3 years

Credits: 49

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Essay
  • CV/resume
  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Course prerequisite in statistics
  • Bedside nursing experience (1 year)
  • Valid ID
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner from Carlow University

Drexel University

School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 55

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an Accredited Program
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • Completed Application
  • Transcripts
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Drexel University

Duke University

Duke University School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Durham, North Carolina

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 45

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Transcripts
  • Three Professional Recommendations
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Official GRE Scores
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Duke University

Emory University

Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Atlanta, Georgia

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1+ years

Credits: 48

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Program
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • GRE Scores
  • Transcripts
  • Resume
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Emory University

Frontier Nursing University

School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Hyden, Kentucky

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 58

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an Accredited Program
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • At least one year of registered nurse experience
  • TOEFL (International Students)
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Frontier Nursing University

Georgia College

Georgia College School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Milledgeville, Georgia

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 40

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Current U.S. registered nurse (RN) license
  • Proof of immunization
  • Completion of application form
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Georgia College

Kent State University

School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Kent, Ohio

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 42

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Nursing Program
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • Resume/CV
  • Three Letters of Reference
  • Essay describing reasons for seeking the master’s degree in the identified specialty and professional goals.
  • Undergraduate Statistics Course with a minimum C grade
  • TOEFL (International Students)
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Kent State University

Regis College

School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Weston, Massachusetts

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 46-61

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an Accredited Program
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Completion of Application Form
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Regis College

Thomas Jefferson University

School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • Transcripts
  • Resume/CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Drug, Criminal Background, and Child Abuse Clearances
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Thomas Jefferson University

University of Alabama at Birmingham

School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

CCNE

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 45

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an Accredited Program
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Students with less than a 3.2 GPA are required to complete and submit scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), GMAT, or MAT
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • Three Letters of References
  • Transcripts
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Cincinnati

School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Cincinnati, Ohio

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 49

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an Accredited Program
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • At least one year of registered nurse experience
  • Prerequisite with a grade of a C or higher: Undergraduate Statistics Course
  • TOEFL (International Students)
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from University of Cincinnati

University of Missouri – Kansas City

School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Kansas City, Missouri

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 46

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Nursing Program
  • At least a 3.2 GPA
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • Prerequisite Courses with a grade of a B or higher: Graduate level Statistics course and undergraduate health assessment course
  • Personal Interviews
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from University of Missouri – Kansas City

University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Omaha, Nebraska

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 47

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an Accredited Program
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Transcripts
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • A personal or telephone interview
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from University of Nebraska

University of South Alabama

College of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Mobile, Alabama

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 45

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States of America
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an Accredited Program
  • Current U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • Completion of Primary and Supplemental Applications
  • At least two years of nursing experience
  • Transcripts
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from University of South Alabama

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Nashville, Tennessee

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 40

Concentrations:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program 
  • At least a 3.0 GPA
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Transcripts
  • Current U.S. registered nurse (RN) license
  • Completed application
  • Three reference letters
  • All applicants are required to have certain prerequisite courses from an accredited college or university
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Vanderbilt University

WHNP Coursework and Clinical Experience

Women’s health nurse practitioner education programs are designed to meet the requirements of the NCC certification exam while providing an opportunity for the student to specialize in a particular area of women’s health.

According to the NCC’s WHNP Candidate Guide (PDF, 539 KB), examinees from women’s health nurse practitioner education programs should be able to obtain a gynecologic history from their patients, identify gynecological health issues and provide management and education support for family planning, fertility control and prenatal and postpartum care.

The two basic components of women’s health nurse practitioner education programs are coursework and a clinical preceptorship. The coursework will vary depending on the chosen specialty, but the core classes generally include advanced physiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced health screening. Other coursework might cover topics such as research fundamentals, statistics, ethics and women’s health issues. Students should be prepared to complete 40 to 60 credits for a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degree like this.

The clinical components of the curricula also vary according to students’ preferences, but the main requirement is that any preceptorship provides the student with training specific to their chosen specialty, such as an OB/GYN nurse or a midwife. The amount of hours and the type of work required to satisfy the clinical component of the curriculum also varies by institution. The NCC does not have a minimum requirement of hours for the women’s health nurse practitioner certification.

Career Pathways for WHNPs

Women’s health nurse practitioners serve as primary care providers for women of all ages by assessing a woman’s health and finding solutions to improve their health. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay in 2022 for nurse practitioners was $121,610.

The states with the highest employment level in nurse practitioners are California, Texas, Florida and New York, according to the BLS. BLS projects that employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 45% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) are projected to be in high demand in inner cities and rural areas.

FAQ

What are the best online WHNP programs?

The best women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) online program for you may depend on your personal preferences. Many WHNP programs accredited by the CCNE will provide similar course options. However, each school may provide different learning opportunities for their students.

Do online women’s health nurse practitioner programs require on-campus visits?

Some online WHNP programs may require on-campus visits, but this varies by university. However, you will need to complete clinical hours that may be at a clinic, hospital or other medical facility.

Can I complete an online WHNP program that is out of my state of residence?

Yes, you may complete an online WHNP program in a state different from where you live. However, some universities restrict where they accept applicants from. Be sure to check with your preferred state of WHNP licensure for additional information.

Is an online WHNP program worth it?

If you are hoping to become a WHNP, an online WHNP program may be worth it. Accredited WHNP programs may help prepare you for state licensure and certification. Depending on your own career goals, pursuing this program may be the next step in your nursing career.

Interested in other women’s health-related fields? Check out the guide to certified nurse midwife programs (CNM).

Last updated October 2023.