Best Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Kentucky

Kentucky is one of the leading states in healthcare education and through the advancement and widespread use of online learning, you can access a multitude of highly-awarded(and fast and affordable) specialized nurse practitioner programs from anywhere whether you’re based in big cities such as Lexington or Louisville, or more rural communities statewide. Jump to program listings.

2025 - Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Kentucky

Introducing RegisteredNursing.org's 2025 Rankings of the Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Kentucky! These rankings aim to guide aspiring nurse practitioners toward the top online programs across the state. We evaluate each program based on factors like completion rates, affordability, institutional reputation, program offerings, and faculty qualifications. To explore our full ranking criteria, visit our methodology page.

1.

Kentucky Christian University

Grayson, KY

Kentucky Christian University offers highly esteemed nurse practitioner programs through its renowned nursing department. The programs, including the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, provide students with hands-on clinical experience and a strong foundation in evidence-based practice. The campus features state-of-the-art simulation labs and partnerships with top healthcare facilities, preparing students for successful careers in the rapidly growing field of nursing.

MSN Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Online/Hybrid

2.

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University's College of Health Professions offers highly esteemed nurse practitioner programs for aspiring advanced practice nurses. With specialties in family, adult-gerontology, and psychiatric mental health, students gain hands-on experience at the Health Innovation Center on campus. NKU's nursing department is renowned for its partnerships with local healthcare providers, providing students with diverse clinical opportunities.

MSN Programs

• MSN - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education Concentration Online/Hybrid
• MSN - Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

3.

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY

Bellarmine University's nursing department offers an extensive range of nurse practitioner programs, including the Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. These programs are offered on the university's picturesque campus and provide students with hands-on clinical experience, cutting-edge technology, and a supportive learning environment.

DNP Programs

• Post-Master's DNP: Advanced Nursing Practice Clinical Leadership Online/Hybrid

MSN Programs

• MSN Administration Track Online/Hybrid
• MSN Education Track Online/Hybrid
• MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Track Online/Hybrid

Fast & Affordable Nurse Practitioner Programs

There are many options located in Kentucky for cheap and quick nurse practitioner programs, and these options couldn’t come at a better time. Due to the ongoing nursing shortage, the US healthcare economy needs an influx of nurse practitioners fast and is willing to pay competitive wages for them. If you’re a registered nurse looking to advance your career without having to pay a fortune in tuition rates and spend over a decade in the classroom, check out the sections below for more information.

What Are the Fastest Online NP Programs?

To become a nurse practitioner in Kentucky, you’ll need either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). In most cases, the fastest option is the former. MSNs usually take between 2 and 6 years to complete depending on if you have a nursing degree already, such as a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). That being said, you may find some Kentucky-based MSNs that can be completed even faster. Here are a few of the quickest MSN programs in Kentucky:

What Are the Most Affordable Online NP Programs?

Kentucky is one of the most affordable states to live in so it’s not a stretch to say that it’s also one of the most affordable states to get your nursing master’s degree in. Of course this will depend on where in Kentucky you are located, if you are a fully established resident, and other outliers such as the cost of your textbooks and technology fees. Here are a few schools located in Kentucky that offer some of the most affordable MSN degrees in the state:

Schools Offering Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

Not only can you find some of America’s most affordable and quick nurse practitioner programs located in Kentucky, but you’ll also find that Kentucky offers some of the most exciting nurse practitioner specializations in schools statewide. Here are a few examples:

Find out more about popular NP specialty programs: Acute Care (ACNP), Adult Gerontology (AGNP), Family (FNP), Pediatric (PNP), Psychiatric (PHMNP), Women’s Health (WHNP).

Educational Routes for Nurse Practitioners – Online & Campus

For most people an MSN is the fastest and cheapest nurse practitioner educational program, however depending on your specific background, this may not be the case. Below are some alternative nurse practitioner educational routes that you may be eligible to apply to.

MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

Usually taking between two and six years, a traditional Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is the most common way to become a nurse practitioner. Here are a few located in Kentucky:

• Eastern Kentucky University – Richmond, KY
• Spalding University – Louisville, KY

RN to NP Programs

If you have an ADN or ASN and a current nursing license, you’ll likely be eligible for an RN to NP program. Also known as an RN to MSN program and sometimes an ADN/ASN to MSN program, these bridge programs allow you to skip the first two years of your BSN program allowing you to graduate with an MSN in around four years. Here are a few schools in Kentucky that offer them:

• Moorehead State University – Moorehead, KY
• Spalding University – Louisville, KY

DNP Nurse Practioner Programs

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest degree an NP can obtain. These programs can take six to eight years to complete, years to complete, depending on the education level they enter with. Traditional DNP programs require students to have an accredited MSN degree. Here are a few you can find in Kentucky:

• University of Kentucky – Lexington, KY
• Kentucky State University – Frankfort, KY

Post-Master's Certificate NP Programs

If you already have an MSN or DNP but you’d like to specialize in a different or additional area, you may be interested in a Post-Master's Nursing Certificate. These programs are designed for licensed nurse practitioners and can usually be completed in a year or less. Here are few to choose from in Kentucky:

• University of Kentucky – Lexington, KY
• Eastern Kentucky University – Richmond, KY

Accelerated, Direct & Master’s Entry (MENP/MEPN) to Nursing Practice

Master's Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) programs, also called direct-entry or accelerated MSN programs, allow non-nurses with a bachelor's degree who majored in a subject other than nursing to enter directly into an MSN program. These programs essentially combine BSN and MSN coursework into one rigorous program. Currently, the only Kentucky-based direct-entry MSN program is Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY.

General Admissions Requirements

Though every nurse practitioner program will have its own individual requirements, there are plenty of overlap from program to program. Here are a few of the most common ones:

• BSN from an accredited school
• Transcripts from all colleges attended
• Minimum grade point average (often 3.0 or above, but varies by school/program)
• Active, unencumbered RN license
• Essay or statement of purpose outlining career goals
• Letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
• Resume or CV

Kentucky NP License and Certification Requirements

Once you’ve graduated from a nursing graduate program, the only other preliminary requirement for getting licensed as a nurse practitioner is having an RN license. The application process involves submitting proof of these credentials, including official transcripts and verification of RN licensure. Applicants are also required to complete the state's application form and pay an application fee, which is usually around $165. Detailed information and guidelines for applying for NP licensure in Kentucky can be found on the Kentucky Board of Nursing's website.

Certification in a specific nurse practitioner specialty is mandatory for licensure in Kentucky. This certification can be obtained through national credentialing bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or other recognized organizations. Typically, certification requires that applicants hold a valid RN license and have completed a graduate-level nurse practitioner program with a focus on their specialty. Passing a certification exam is also a common requirement.

Kentucky grants nurse practitioners reduced practice authority, meaning that while NPs can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications, they must enter into a Collaborative Agreement for Prescriptive Authority for Controlled Substances (CAPA-CS) with a supervising physician to prescribe controlled substances. This agreement outlines the extent of their prescribing authority and establishes a collaborative relationship with a physician.

Resources for NPs, including professional development and networking opportunities, are available through organizations like the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA). These associations provide crucial support for NPs navigating the requirements and advancing their careers in Kentucky.

List of NP Programs in Kentucky