The best online nurse practitioner programs offer unparalleled flexibility, rigorous curriculum, and extensive support, equipping students for advanced practice in the evolving healthcare landscape.
If you want to become a nurse practitioner, consider online programs. These programs are conducted over the Internet, meaning you can access all of the course materials and lectures from the comfort of your home. Just like traditional programs, online nurse practitioner programs are accredited and adhere to rigorous standards, so you can be confident that you’re receiving a high-quality education.
In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best online nurse practitioner programs, highlight some features, and go through some of the key factors you should keep in mind when choosing the one that best fits your needs.
Table of contents
Takeaway
19 Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Discover the best online nurse practitioner programs as we go through a curated list of schools that offer top-notch education and can help you pave the way to a successful nursing career.
Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Program options:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Family Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program – Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
- DNP with Nurse Practitioner Concentration — Family NP
- Typical length: 40 months
- General admission requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree
- A current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- One year of professional nursing experience.
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $813
Duquesne University
- Regional accreditation
- Program options:
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN – Family NP
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- Typical length: 3 years
- General admission requirements:
- A minimum 3.0 GPA
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- 1 year of full-time work experience as an RN
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $1,699
Samuel Merritt University
- Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Online Program
- Family Nurse Practitioner – Doctor of Nursing Practice Online Program
- Psychiatric Mental Health – Doctor of Nursing Practice Online Program
- Typical length: 20 months
- General admission requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- An unencumbered license
- Pass at least one undergraduate-level course in statistics
- Tuition per unit: Around $1,560
Frontier Nursing University
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Program options:
- Family Nurse Practitioner Program
- Typical length: 24 to 30 months
- General admission requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- A current, active license in the United States with no encumbrances
- A minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $665
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Typical length: 2 years
- General admission requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in nursing coursework
- A current, unencumbered license to practice nursing
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $1,110
Cox College
- Accredited by the ACEN and CCNE
- Program options:
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Typical length: 2 years
- General admission requirements:
- Current RN license
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $610.00
Duke University
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Adult Gerontology
- MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Pediatric NP
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- MSN – Women’s Health NP
- Typical length: 3 years
- General admission requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- A current RN license
- General Statistics or Introductory Statistics with a grade of “C” or better
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Tuition per semester: Around $14,525
Davenport University
- Accredited by the Michigan Board of Nursing and CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Typical length: 2 years
- General admission requirements:
- Current, valid, and unrestricted license as an RN
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $1,006
University of Alabama – Birmingham
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology NP
- MSN – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Pediatric NP
- MSN – Neonatal NP
- MSN – Women’s Health Care NP
- Typical length: 3 years
- General admission requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- An unencumbered nursing license
- A minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
- GRE or GMAT scores (for students with a GPA below 3.2)
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $682
George Washington University
- Accredited by the CCNE, Virginia Board of Nursing, and the District of Columbia Board of Nursing
- Program options:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Typical length: 3 years
- General admission requirements:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0
- An unencumbered, active RN license
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $1,395
Seton Hall University
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Typical length: 3-4 years
- General admission requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing
- Registered professional nurse licensure
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- Minimum of 1 year of professional patient care experience
- Tuition per credit hour: around $1,400
Drexel University
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Family/Individual Across the Lifespan NP
- MSN – Pediatric Primary Care and Pediatric Acute Care NP Dual Option
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- Typical length: 2-3 years
- General admission requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- 1-2 years of medical/surgical nursing experience
- A current, unrestricted RN license
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $1,101
The University of Mississippi
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN – Family NP
- MSN – Family Psychiatric/Mental Health NP
- Typical length: 2-3 years
- General admission requirements:
- Completion of required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C”
- An associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited program
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- One year of experience as a RN
- Evidence of current unrestricted licensure (RN)
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $525
Stony Brook University
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology NP
- MSN – Family Health NP
- MSN – Women’s Health NP
- MSN – Neonatal Health NP
- MSN – Pediatric Primary Care NP
- MSN – Pediatric Acute Care NP
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- Typical length: 2-3 years
- General admission requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Current professional RN license
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $1,020
The University of Texas at Arlington
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP Accelerated
- MSN – Family NP Accelerated
- MSN – Pediatric Care NP Accelerated
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Accelerated
- Typical length: 29-33 months
- General admission requirements
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- Active RN license
- 2 years of nursing experience
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $654
Georgetown University
- Accredited by the CCNE and ACEN
- Program options:
- MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN – Family NP
- MSN – Nurse-Midwifery/ Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (dual option)
- MSN – Women’s Health NP
- Typical length: 19-27 months
- General admission requirements:
- Hold a BSN degree from an accredited program
- Hold a current RN license
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 science GPA
- Completion of a college level three-credit course in statistics with a grade of “C” or better
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $2,441
Indiana Wesleyan University
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Primary Care/Family NP – Associate to Master’s
- MSN – Primary Care Nursing – Family NP
- MSN – Primary Care Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- Family Nurse Practitioner – BSN to DNP
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – BSN to DNP
- Typical length: Over 40 months
- General admission requirements:
- An associate degree from an accredited institution
- A minimum GPA of 3.0
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $455
Angelo State University
- Accredited by the CCNE and the Texas Board of Nursing
- Program options:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Typical length: 2-3 years
- General admission requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited institution
- Overall minimum GPA of 3.0
- Undergraduate statistics course with a grade of “C” or higher
- Minimum one year of recent clinical experience as an RN
- Current, unencumbered license to practice as an RN
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $232
Bluefield College
- Accredited by the CCNE
- Program options:
- MSN – Family NP
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- Typical length: 2 years
- General admission requirements:
- BSN from an accredited institution
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- An unencumbered RN license in a U.S. jurisdiction.
- A minimum of 2,000 hours of RN experience
- Tuition per credit hour: Around $495
What To Consider When Looking for an Online Nurse Practitioner Program
When searching for an online nurse practitioner program, it is essential to consider the following factors in order to make an informed decision that aligns with your professional goals:
Accreditation: Confirm that the online nurse practitioner program you choose is accredited. Accreditation ensures that the program meets the standards set by relevant accrediting bodies to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for success in the nursing field.
Admission Requirements: The admission requirements will help you determine if you meet the eligibility criteria. They may include a bachelor’s degree in nursing, specific prerequisite courses, GPA criteria, etc.
Cost and Financial Aid: Consider the cost of the online nurse practitioner program and how it fits into your financial situation. Research tuition fees and any other related expenses, as well as explore scholarship opportunities that can assist you in managing the cost.
Program Format: Online nurse practitioner programs offer various formats. Decide whether a full-time or part-time program suits your schedule and responsibilities best.
Faculty: Investigate the faculty’s expertise and qualifications. Experienced faculty can provide valuable insights and guidance during your education, preparing you for the challenges of the nursing profession.
Program Length: Online nurse practitioner programs vary in duration, typically taking two to three years or more to complete. Consider the program’s length and how it fits into your timeline and commitments.
Curriculum and Clinical Hours: Review the program’s curriculum to ensure it covers essential nursing topics and provides a well-rounded education. Though the majority of the program will be online, check for clinical hours as they are vital for hands-on training and real-world experience.
Graduation Rate: Check the program’s graduation rate, as it reflects the students’ success in completing the program. A higher graduation rate indicates a program’s effectiveness in guiding students through their education.
The Bottom Line
When becoming a nurse practitioner, choosing the right online program is key. Before selecting a program, evaluating several factors, such as accreditation, admission requirements, cost, program format, faculty expertise, and more, is essential. This will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your professional goals and sets you up for success in nursing.
The 19 exceptional online nurse practitioner programs in this article offer quality education, flexibility, and convenience. Take your time, research, and choose the program that best fits your needs and preferences. With the right one, you can make a significant difference in the lives of patients and communities.
Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family.
