2023 Best Online Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs

AdventHealth University (AHU) is a private university that hosts a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner. In order to receive this online degree, students must complete between 31 and 57 credit hours, which is typically done within two years.

Online students at AHU use Canvas, a popular LMS, to complete their coursework. Classes are delivered online in an asynchronous format, allowing students to complete their work on a flexible schedule. The curriculum teaches students to utilize evidence and research in their practice effectively. It also provides the foundational strategies and ethics that make up the professional healthcare industry. There are a number of required courses, such as Strategic Leadership in Nursing, Role Fidelity and the Exercise of Power, and Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice. An on-site practicum is also required. Graduates may find employment as clinical nurse managers or nurse practitioners.

Midwestern State University (MSU) is a public institution with an online Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner requiring 48 credit hours. The average completion time for this degree is around two years for full-time students. MSU also offers a Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The curriculum for either online program meets the requirements set by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas, allowing graduates to pursue certification.

At MSU, students use Brightspace as their LMS, where courses are delivered 100% online. While some instructors allow for a flexible timeline, some courses are delivered synchronously on a set schedule. Here are three examples of required courses: Pathological Processes for Advanced Nursing Practice, Theoretical Foundations in Nursing, and Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice. Students must also complete an advanced practicum in a family practice clinical site. Graduates for either degree may pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.

Pace University is a private university that offers an online Master of Science in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. This degree requires 42 credit hours, which is generally completed in two years while studying full time.

Brightspace is the main LMS used by Pace students to obtain their degree, which can be completed mostly online. Students are required to visit campus at least once per semester. This degree explores various mental diseases and disorders and how to prevent, assess, and treat them — specifically as they relate to vulnerable populations. The curriculum includes classes, such as Psychopharmacology in Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing, Diagnoses and Therapeutic Management in Advanced Practice Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, and Pathophysiology For Advanced Practice Nursing. Additional credits are required for a practicum in a clinical setting. Jobs for graduates may be available in private practices, substance abuse centers, and trauma centers.

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) is a private university offering a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner that requires 37 credit hours. If studying at a full-time pace, students can complete this online degree program in two-and-a-half years. However, the expected completion time for working students is between three and five years.

At FDU, students use the Blackboard LMS to access their online courses. Students do not have set hours to attend their classes. As a whole, the curriculum for this program teaches students how to apply effective and accurate treatment methods using information based on their own research. Required courses include Intro to Advanced Nursing Philosophies, Theories, Roles, and Issues; Translating Research into Evidence-Based Practice; and Advanced Pathophysiology. Upon graduation, students are prepared to take their nursing certification exams. Graduates may pursue career opportunities as nurse practitioners and in nursing leadership roles.

The United States University (USU) is a private, for-profit university offering an online Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner, which totals 48 credit hours. It can take two years to complete this program. This program requires an in-person four-day immersion during the Advanced Health and Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan course.

USU facilitates online learning on D2L Brightspace. The program’s curriculum follows the Caring Science model, which includes theoretical and evidence-based nursing practices. Sample courses include Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing, Nursing Leadership and Health Policy, and Common Illnesses Across the Lifespan. Students must complete a capstone and 135 hours of preceptored clinicals to graduate. Potential career options include family nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and advanced nurse practitioners.

The University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public university offering an online Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner, which requires 46 credit hours total. Prospective students can expect to spend at least two years completing this program. Students are required to attend seven mandatory on-campus sessions.

At UNLV, online students complete courses available in asynchronous and synchronous formats on REBELearn. The Family Nurse Practitioner track gives students the skills and knowledge to deliver patient education and counseling. Some of the program’s courses include Nursing Theory and Research, Advanced Health Assessment, and Family Theory and Health Promotion. Students must complete practicums and a culminating experience. Prospective careers include nurse consultants, nurse educators, and family nurse practitioners.

At Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, a public institution, future students can pursue an online Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner, equaling 45 credit hours. It can take two and a half years to complete this program. This program consists of 24 core credit hours and 21 credit hours of clinical sequences.

Bloomsburg’s online students complete courses available asynchronously and synchronously on D2L Brightspace. The program helps students deliver family-centered health care. Sample courses include Bases of Research for Advanced Nursing Practice, Community Assessment and Planning, and Comprehensive Assessment of the Older Adult. An Adult-Gerontology Primacy care practicum and a seminar are required. Graduates may go on to careers like nurse midwives, pain management nurses, and clinical nurse specialists.

The Northeastern University Global Network is a private nonprofit institution offering an online Master of Science in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner that requires 47 credit hours. Full-time students can spend two to three years to complete this program. The program has three program start dates each year.

Northeastern facilitates synchronous online learning on Canvas. The program’s curriculum includes courses that cover family care theory and practice. Example courses include Family Theory, Healthcare of Women in Family Practice, and Pediatric Pharmacology. Students are required to complete practicums to graduate. Potential careers for graduates include family nurse practitioners, clinical nurse leaders, and informatics nurses.

West Coast University (WCU) is a private, for-profit university offering online master’s degrees in nurse practitioner: (1) a Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner, (2) an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and (3) a Family Nurse Practitioner ranging 154 to 158 credit hours. Students spend 24 to 44 months finishing each program. All programs are divided into trimesters and last two to three years.

WCU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on Blackboard. Each program explores nurse practitioner specialties. Sample courses include Public Health Nursing, Ethics in Healthcare, and Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology. Clinical practicums and culminating experiences are required. Careers include family nurse practitioners, nurse administrators, and nurse practitioners.

At Gonzaga University, a private nonprofit Jesuit university, prospective students can pursue two online master’s in nurse practitioner degrees: (1) a Family Nurse Practitioner and (2) a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Both online nursing master's degrees equal 47 credit hours each. Students can spend three years finishing each program. The program requires five to six in-person immersions.

At Gonzaga, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on Canvas. The first program focuses on family-centered care, while the latter prepares students for primary mental health care. The programs’ courses include Contemporary Healthcare Environment, Psychopharmacology, and Information Technology & Data Management. Students must complete 660 clinical hours to graduate. Family nurse practitioners work in private practice, urgent care, and student health centers.

Wilkes University is a private, nonprofit institution that offers two online master’s in nurse practitioner: (1) a Family Nurse Practitioner and (2) a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nuse Practitioner. Requiring 15 to 16 courses, the online degree can take at least two years to finish. Students must attend one in-person residency.

Wilkes’s online students complete courses available asynchronously and synchronously on D2L Brightspace. Both programs explore niches within nurse practitioner careers. Example courses include Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners, Advanced Pharmacology, and Health Perspectives of Culturally Diverse, Rural and Underserved Populations. The first program requires 584 clinical hours, while the latter requires 500. Potential careers include family nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a public university offering an online Master of Science in Nursing - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, which totals 44 credit hours. Full-time students can spend two years finishing this program. The online graduate program requires two in-person campus visits.

At UConn, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on Blackboard. The program’s courses include Nursing Science and Patterns of Knowing, Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan, and Advanced Embryology and Neonatal Physiology. Nursing practicums are required for graduation. Graduates can go on to work in health departments, nursing homes, and clinics.

The University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) is a public institution offering six online master’s in nurse practitioners, like Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. These online graduate programs in nursing range from 45 to 52 credit hours. It can take two years to finish these programs individually. Students must attend an in-person residency each semester for clinical courses.

UMKC facilitates asynchronous and synchronous learning on Canvas. Each program explores various nurse practitioner specializations. Some sample courses are Pharmacology for the Neonate, Health Promotion Across the Lifespan, and Ethics in Advanced Practice and Research. These nursing master's programs require 600 to 742 clinical hours and 90 lab hours. Prospective careers for graduates include nurse practitioners, nurse administrators, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.

At Old Dominion University (ODU), a public institution, prospective students can pursue three online master’s in nurse practitioner degrees: (1) a Family Nurse Practitioner, (2) a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and (3) a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. These degrees range from 42 to 49 credit hours. Full-time students can complete these programs within two years, and some require in-person training at ODU.

ODU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on Canvas. These programs explore different specializations in nurse practitioner careers. The programs’ courses are Primary Care Approaches for Children, Health Promotion and Maintenance, and Ethical Concepts of Advanced Practice Nursing. All programs require students to complete practicums. Graduates can work in primary care clinics, health departments, and private practices.

La Salle University is a private, nonprofit Catholic institution offering three online degrees in nurse practitioner: (1) a Family Nurse Practitioner, (2) a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and (3) an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. These programs range from 41 to 46 credit hours and last 20 to 36 months. Online students take core nurse practitioner, advanced core, concentration, and clinical courses.

At La Salle, distance learners complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on Canvas. These programs give students the skills and knowledge to advance their nursing careers. Sample courses include Family System Concepts for Primary Care, Nursing Research for Evidence-Based Practice, and Psychopharmacology. Students must complete clinical hours. Graduates work in community clinics, rehabilitation centers, and private practices.

Albany State University (ASU) is a public historically black university with an online Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner totaling 44 credit hours. It can take two years to complete this program. The first year includes 26 credit hours, while the second year is 18 credit hours.

At ASU, online students complete courses available in asynchronous and synchronous formats on GaView. This program gives students the knowledge, skills, and experience to deliver advanced nursing practice. Some of the program’s courses are Nursing Theory Development, Primary Care of Children, and Pharmacology in Advanced Practice. A practicum and a thesis or scholarly project is required. Potential career options for graduates are family nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and clinical nurse specialists.

The University of St. Francis (USF) is a private, nonprofit Franciscan university offering two online master’s in nurse practitioner programs: (1) a Family Nurse Practitioner and (2) a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Both nurse practitioner degrees equal 47 to 56 credit hours. Students can spend two years completing each program. The programs’ curriculum is split into graduate, advanced practice, and practical classes, with optional educational courses.

USF facilitates online learning on Canvas. Both programs explore nurse practitioner specializations. Example courses are Population Health, Evidence-Based Health Care, and Nursing Education Methods and Measurement. Students may be required to complete clinical, a practicum, or a residency. Prospective careers include family nurse practitioners, clinical nursing instructors, and nurse administrators.

The University of North Dakota (UND), a public university, offers two online master’s in nurse practitioner degrees: (1) a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner and (2) a Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. These programs each require 49 credit hours, and students spend two years completing them, taking both core and specialty courses.

UND’s online students complete coursework delivered asynchronously and synchronously on Blackboard. The first program provides an overview of family care, while the latter hones in on mental health care. Sample courses include Psychopharmacology, Maternal and Child Health in Primary Care, and Individual Therapy. Students are required to complete clinical practicums. Graduates may go on to work in private practices, hospitals, and urgent care.

The University of South Carolina - Columbia, a public university, offers three online master’s of nurse practitioner degrees: (1) Family Nurse Practitioner, (2) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and (3) Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. These programs require 46 to 47 credit hours and take two to three years to complete. Importantly, students must attend an on-campus immersion.

South Carolina facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on Blackboard. Each degree explores a nurse practitioner niche. Example courses are Clinical Application of Population Analysis, Theoretical and Conceptual Foundation for Nursing, and Acute Problems in Primary Care for the FNP. Students are required to complete clinical hours to graduate. Potential careers include nurse administrators, informatics nurses, and nurse educators.