Best Online Nurse Practitioner Master’s Degree Programs in 2023

Online students of George Washington University's Nurse Practitioner program benefit from a structured curriculum focused on real-world problems. Clinical rotations can happen in the student's local community, allowing for real-world application, while still maintaining the convenience of online education.

Georgetown Washington University offers both part- and full-time options. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in Nursing to apply for admission, and transcripts must reflect a minimum 3.0 GPA. Two letters of recommendation, a current resume, and a statement of purpose that clearly define the student's goals are required, along with active nursing licensure.

Teaching from the Jesuit tradition, Georgetown University School of Nursing specializes in health care that focuses on the whole person. Their online classes offer both asynchronous didactic content and synchronous live classes, allowing for independent learning without sacrificing the benefits of a virtual classroom. Online students can complete clinical rotations near their residences.

Georgetown University encourages students to schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor before applying. Prospective students with a bachelor's degree in Nursing should expect to submit their academic transcripts, a professional resume, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement detailing the student's clinical experience and career goals. Students must also submit a live recorded interview through their admissions counselor.

With eight different potential majors and several options for specialty certificates, Duke University School of Nursing offers a fully customizable Nurse Practitioner program. For those interested in obtaining a degree with a specialty certificate, the university recommends first meeting with an advisor to determine whether the major and specialty are compatible.

Although most of the coursework is fully online, students are required to visit campus at least once every semester for a two- to five-day intensive to further develop their skill set through hands-on learning and faculty interaction.

Duke University uses a holistic model for admissions, meaning they evaluate the student's unique life experiences alongside their academic achievements to make admissions decisions.
Students must have completed a prerequisite Statistics course and should submit transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a resume, and proof of nursing licensure alongside their application.

Students attending Ohio State Online for their Nurse Practitioner program can choose from four different tracks - family, neonatal, psychiatric mental health, and clinical nurse leader - to earn their degree. With each track preparing nursing students to sit for their specialty certification, Ohio State prepares its students for success in their future careers.

At $972.50 per credit, Ohio State is a relatively affordable option when compared with similar programs.

Before applying, prospective students should first check to make sure that Ohio State is authorized to teach in their area. Each specialty has different requirements, but students should expect to submit undergraduate transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Although Duquesne University's School of Nursing only offers an option for students interested in pursuing a specialty certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner, they assign each student to a faculty member to provide a unique mentoring experience. This keeps each student accountable while providing ample opportunities for a better learning experience. Most coursework can be completed online, but two campus visits are required. Each course includes clinical hours to prepare students for their licensing exam.

To apply, prospective students should have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, at least one year of full-time work experience as an RN, and hold an active, unencumbered nursing license. Applicants must also have passed an undergraduate Statistics course with a C or higher.

The University of Southern California provides an online Nurse Practitioner program optimized for student success. Students must complete a rigorous core curriculum, clinical hours, and two on-campus intensives to fulfill degree requirements. For students who do not meet the academic requirements to begin coursework, a "bridge course" is available to ensure student success.

This program offers both a part- and full-time track that can be completed in 33 or 21 months, respectively. To apply, students must have a bachelor's in Nursing, at least one year of clinical experience, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Students must have also completed a prerequisite course in Statistics with a grade of C or better and hold an active nursing license.

For nursing students looking for a Nurse Practitioner program specializing in pediatric care, Rush University offers a part-time option that stands out for its small class sizes. Students at Rush University will learn how to diagnose and manage acute conditions in infants, children, and adolescents, while also learning how to develop preventative health care plans and how to promote healthy lifestyle choices.

With class sizes capped at 27 students, Rush University has a great student-to-faculty ratio that promotes a healthy learning environment and higher student retention rates.

To apply, prospective students must have a bachelor's in Nursing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students should expect to submit substantial answers to the application's essay questions, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and their current nursing licensure. GRE scores are not required.

Texas A&M School of Nursing offers a mostly online program for future Nurse Practitioners with a focus on primary care. Although most coursework can be completed online, students are required to visit campus during semesters when they complete Diagnostics and Procedures along with their four Primary Care courses. Texas A&M requires considerably more time on campus than other programs, but as a result, there are more opportunities for building community and learning from hands-on experience with faculty.

Applicants must reside in Texas for the duration of their studies and hold active, unencumbered nursing licensure to apply. This application is rigorous, requiring a 3.0 GPA or higher on all undergraduate coursework, timed verbal responses and written assessments, and three letters of recommendation. The most competitive applicants have 1-2 years of experience working as an RN, and volunteer, community, or military service.

The University of Alabama provides a primarily online comprehensive education in their Nursing Practitioner program to residents of the southeastern United States. Students can choose either a Mental Health or Family Nurse concentration, or they can pursue both options simultaneously with the program's dual concentration option. Their online program is designed to facilitate better care for rural communities in southeastern states, so applicants should check their residence requirements before applying.

Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework and hold a bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited university. Students should submit undergraduate transcripts, a statement of purpose, and contact information for two references.

Frontier Nursing University offers a 100% online Nurse Practitioner program that prides itself on being flexible and affordable. As a leader in online education for nursing professionals, they have educated Nurse Practitioners fully online since 1989. All students can complete their clinical practicum in their community in both the part- and full-time track. With opportunities to participate in campus immersion experiences twice a year, students can still build connections with their cohort and develop a sense of community.

Frontier Nursing University offers rolling admissions, so students can learn of admissions decisions within 4-5 weeks of submitting their application. With a focus on making their education accessible, this university offers internal and external scholarships, along with robust financial aid packages to suit a variety of financial needs.