Best Online Nurse Practitioner Schools in Georgia

Last Updated On Sep 26, 2024

12 Min Read

2025 - Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Georgia

Introducing RegisteredNursing.org's 2025 Rankings of the Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Georgia! Our rankings spotlight the top online programs across the state, helping you find the best fit for your career goals. We evaluate each program based on factors like completion rates, affordability, institutional reputation, program diversity, and faculty expertise. For more details on our ranking process, visit our methodology page.

Augusta University

Augusta, GA

Augusta University's College of Nursing offers highly acclaimed nurse practitioner programs. The nursing department, known for its cutting-edge research and evidence-based practice, offers specialized programs such as the Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations at the university's medical center, a Level 1 trauma center.

DNP Programs

DNP- Family NP Online/Hybrid
DNP- Pediatric NP Online/Hybrid
DNP- Psychiatric Mental Health NP Online/Hybrid
Nursing Anesthesia Program Online/Hybrid
DNP - Nurse Executive Program Online/Hybrid

Graduate Certificate Programs

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Online/Hybrid
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Online/Hybrid
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Online/Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Online/Hybrid

MSN Programs

MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader Program Online/Hybrid

PhD Programs

Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Nursing Online/Hybrid

Georgia College

Milledgeville,, GA

Georgia College offers highly respected nurse practitioner programs through their School of Nursing. Students can choose from a variety of programs such as the Family Nurse Practitioner program or the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program. The nursing department boasts state-of-the-art facilities and experienced faculty, providing students with hands-on clinical experience on campus and in surrounding communities.

DNP Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice Campus

Graduate Certificate Programs

MSN Programs

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
Nurse Educator Online/Hybrid
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Georgia Southwestern State University

Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University offers comprehensive and rigorous nurse practitioner programs through their esteemed School of Nursing. The programs, including the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, are taught by experienced faculty and provide hands-on clinical experiences. The campus is equipped with state-of-the-art simulation labs and offers a student-focused learning environment to prepare future advanced practice nurses for success in the healthcare field.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Nursing Education Online/Hybrid
Nursing Informatics Online/Hybrid

MSN Programs

Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
Nursing Education Online/Hybrid
Nursing Informatics Online/Hybrid
Nursing Leadership/Management Online/Hybrid

Fast & Affordable Nurse Practitioner Programs

One of the many reasons many nurses and students decide against going with a nurse practitioner program is because some of them require many years of committed studies and paying costly tuition prices and fees. If you’re already working in the medical field, then you know that there is rarely time to commit to advancing your studies with such a busy schedule. Fortunately, there are still plenty of options in Georgia for nurses to seek both affordable and quick pathways to a nurse practitioner career, especially if you already have a nursing degree, such as a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).

What Are the Fastest Online NP Programs?

There are two graduate degrees that allow an individual to become a nurse practitioner — a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The shorter of these two options is an MSN. Most MSN programs take several years to complete; however, some MSN programs in Georgia allow students to graduate in as little as two years — or even less:

NP Program	Length	Online/Campus
Georgia Southwestern University	2 Years	Online
Georgia Southern University	2 Years	Online
Emory University	4 Semesters	Hybrid

What Are the Most Affordable Online NP Programs?

Generally speaking, Georgia is a fairly affordable place to live and go to school. Still, some nurse practitioner programs are cheaper than others. If you’re looking to save the most money, an MSN program is (again) most ideal. Remember, you may be able to unlock more savings if you’ve established residency in Georgia, and if your prospective school has minimal fees. Here are a few nurse practitioner programs located in Georgia with lower tuition rates.

School Name	Tuition Range	Estimated Credits
Middle Georgia State University	$11,000 – $20,000	43 Credits
University of North Georgia	$10,000 – $20,000	35 Credits
Georgia Southwestern State University	$11,000 – $20,000	44 Credits

Schools Offering Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

If you’ve already researched nurse practitioner programs, you’ve likely seen many that offer specialized tracks. Enrolling in a nurse practitioner program with a specialized curriculum will allow you to narrow your focus to medical fields you’re passionate about, such as pediatrics or orthopedics. Here are a few nurse practitioner programs that have specialized curriculums.

School Name	NP Specialty	Credits Required
Georgia College & State University	Nurse Midwifery Concentration	45 Credits
Georgia Southwestern State University	Family Nurse Practitioner	44 Credits
Georgia Southern University	Nurse Educator	36 Credits

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

As we’ve learned, MSN and DNP programs are the most common types of nurse practitioner programs, but depending on your specific degree, experience, or nursing credentials, you may qualify for a number of faster and more affordable nurse practitioner programs allowing you to graduate and get licensed as a nurse practitioner much faster.

MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

As we’ve gone over, if you’ve already got a BSN, traditional MSN programs are usually the fastest and most affordable options. These programs take about two years to complete and are the minimum educational requirement to become a nurse practitioner. Here are a few examples of traditional MSN programs in Georgia:

University of North Georgia – Dahlonega, GA
Georgia College & State University – Milledgeville, GA

RN to NP Programs

If you only have an ADN, you may be able to bypass the typically required BSN degree program through a bridge program called an RN to NP. Also known as an ADN to MSN program or an RN to MSN program, you can usually jump from an ADN to MSN in as little as four years. Georgia State University’s RN to MSN program is currently the only one available in the state.

DNP Nurse Practioner Programs

For some nurses, the speed at which they graduate in isn’t necessarily a priority. If you’re willing to invest 4-6 years in your degree, a DNP degree is a great option for pursuing higher-paying and advanced nursing positions. Here are a few DNP programs located in Georgia:

Georgia State University – Atlanta, GA
Georgia College & State University – Milledgeville, GA

Post-Master's Certificate NP Programs

Post-master’s certificates in nursing (on their own) will not allow you to become a nurse practitioner, however, if you already have an MSN or DNP, you can enroll in post-master NP certificate program to specialize in a specific area, even if you’re already certified in a different field. Here are a few post-master NP certificate programs located in Georgia:

Georgia Southwestern University – Americus, GA
Augusta University – Augusta, GA

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

While it may take you the better half of a decade to get your MSN degree with no bachelor’s degree at all, even if you have a bachelor’s degree with a non-nursing major, it will still allow you to graduate on a faster timeline. Accelerated MSN, direct-entry, and master’s entry MSN (MENP/MEPN) are all terms that generally refer to these types of programs. Here are a few located in Georgia:

Brenau University – Gainesville, GA
Emory University – Dekalb County, GA

General Admissions Requirements

Admissions requirements can vary from school to school, but generally speaking, you can expect some combination of the following requirements:

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

Georgia NP License and Certification Requirements

The two main requirements for becoming a nurse practitioner are a graduate degree in nursing and an RN license. Once these prerequisites are met, candidates must submit their application to get licensed as nurse practitioners, which includes supporting documentation such as proof of licensure, official transcripts, and verification of clinical hours. Additionally, the application fee is generally around $100 to $300. Applicants can find detailed information about the submission process and required documents on the Georgia Board of Nursing's official site.

Nurse practitioners in Georgia must also seek certification in their specialty area. Certification is typically awarded by national organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). To be eligible for certification, NPs usually need to complete a graduate-level nursing program focused on their specialty and pass a certification exam that demonstrates their expertise.

As of 2024, Georgia NPs operate under a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician. While they have significant authority in diagnosing and treating patients, certain practice elements, such as prescribing medications, may still require physician oversight. The specifics of these collaborative agreements vary depending on the practice setting and the physician relationship.

For ongoing support, career development, and legislative updates, Georgia NPs can engage with the Georgia Nurses Association (GNA) and other local professional organizations. These resources provide continuing education opportunities and advocacy for NPs seeking to expand their practice scope in Georgia.