Best Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Louisiana

Louisiana is known for its delicious culinary scene, vibrant musical and cultural history, and energetic nightlife in cities such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge. However, you may not be aware that Louisiana is also one of the leading states for healthcare education, particularly nurse practitioner programs. Becoming a nurse practitioner allows you to unlock hundreds of high-paying healthcare jobs and allow you to specialize in dozens of exciting practice areas. Jump to program listings.

2025 - Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Louisiana

Introducing RegisteredNursing.org's 2025 Rankings of the Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Louisiana! These rankings are designed to help you identify the top online programs in the state. We assess each program based on factors like completion rates, affordability, institutional reputation, program diversity, and faculty expertise. To learn more about how we determine our rankings, visit our methodology page.

1.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University of Louisiana's College of Nursing offers highly reputable nurse practitioner programs, including the Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. The nursing department is known for its state-of-the-art simulation labs and clinical experiences that prepare students for real-world practice. NSU's nurse practitioner graduates have a high success rate on certification exams and are highly sought after in the healthcare industry.

MSN Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

2.

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University's nursing department offers two highly esteemed nurse practitioner programs: the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). These programs provide students with hands-on clinical experiences, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a diverse curriculum to prepare them for advanced practice roles in a variety of healthcare settings. Additionally, McNeese's nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring a high-quality education for aspiring nurse practitioners.

MSN Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

3.

University of Louisiana at Monroe

Monroe, LA

The University of Louisiana at Monroe's Kitty DeGree School of Nursing offers a comprehensive and highly-respected nurse practitioner program. The program boasts state-of-the-art simulation labs, extensive clinical experiences, and a high success rate on certification exams. Graduates from ULM's nurse practitioner programs are well-equipped to provide quality healthcare to their communities.

MSN Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Fast & Affordable Nurse Practitioner Programs

It’s not hard to find nurse practitioner programs in Louisiana that are both cheap and quick. If you’re already working as a registered nurse and have your Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN), these factors will only speed up the process and save you money on tuition. Take a look at the sections below for more information.

What Are the Fastest Online NP Programs?

For many nurses, time is a resource that is often hard to find. Fortunately, many nurse practitioner programs based in Kentucky are easy to complete in a reasonable timeline. While aspiring NPs can choose between a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, the MSN route is typically the faster option, taking an average of two years to complete compared to the four to eight years for the DNP. However, some MSN programs can be completed in even less time. Here are a few options for fast NP programs in Louisiana:

What Are the Most Affordable Online NP Programs?

Typically when nurses think about the education they’ve already completed, they’re hesitant to fork over tens of thousands of dollars for an additional graduate degree. However, when you actually break down the costs of some of the nurse practitioner degree programs located in Louisiana, you can still find some affordable options, especially if you have established state residency and you’re looking in areas that have a lower cost of living. Check out the following Louisiana MSN programs below to see if they’re within your budget:

Schools Offering Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

Part of the reason why nurse practitioners get paid some of the highest salaries in the healthcare industry is because they’re able to work somewhat independently (state dependent) and they’re able to focus their practice in a variety of specialized areas. The nurse practitioner programs listed below offer specialized curriculums so you can do the same upon graduation.

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

Throughout this guide, we’ve mostly discussed traditional graduate-level nurse practitioner programs. However, beyond these common educational routes, there are also several other educational routes that you may qualify for based on your specific background.

MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

MSN Nurse Practitioner programs prepare registered nurses to become advanced practice providers with specialized training in areas like family, pediatric, or acute care, typically taking 2-3 years to complete. Examples of MSN programs in Louisiana include:

• Nicholls State University – Thibodaux, LA
• Lousiana State University – Baton Rouge, LA

RN to NP Programs

RN to NP programs (also known as an RN to MSN or ADN to MSN) offer registered nurses without a bachelor’s degree a pathway to advance directly to a nurse practitioner role, often combining BSN and MSN coursework to streamline the process. To qualify, you’ll need an ADN or ASN and an RN license. You can find this programs available at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA.

DNP Nurse Practioner Programs

DNP Nurse Practitioner programs provide the highest level of clinical nursing education, focusing on leadership, research, and advanced practice to prepare nurses for complex healthcare environments. These programs require between 6 and 8 years of committed study to graduate. The following schools offer nurse practitioner DNP programs:

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette – Lafayette, LA
• Southeastern Louisiana University – Hammond, LA

Post-Master's Certificate NP Programs

Post-Master’s Certificate NP programs allow nurses with a master's degree to gain additional certification in a new specialty area without completing another full degree. They’re usually the cheapest and fastest option to do this with typically only a year of study required. Examples of these types of programs are located at schools such as:

• Franciscan University – Baton Rouge, LA
• Southeastern Louisiana University – Hammond, LA

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, are designed for individuals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees, offering an accelerated path to enter nursing practice and become nurse practitioners through intensive, fast-track coursework. However, as of 2024, these programs are not available in Louisiana.

General Admissions Requirements

You’ll find that the admissions requirements for nurse practitioner programs generally mirror that of most graduate degree programs, however, they aren’t uniform across schools. Here are some general admissions requirements you’ll likely see alongside your application:

• 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

Louisiana NP License and Certification Requirements

Registered nurses looking to become nurse practitioners will need to submit proof of their RN license, official transcripts from their NP program, and documentation of their clinical hours. The application process requires the completion of an official licensure form and payment of an application fee, which typically ranges around $240. Detailed guidance on the licensure application process, including any additional requirements, can be found on the Louisiana State Board of Nursing's website.

NPs in Louisiana must also obtain certification in their area of specialization. Certification is available through nationally recognized certifying bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). To be eligible for certification, candidates must usually hold an active RN license and complete a graduate-level NP program that prepares them for their specialty area. Certification exams are required to demonstrate clinical knowledge and expertise.

As of 2024, nurse practitioners in Louisiana practice under a collaborative agreement with a physician. This means NPs can diagnose and treat patients independently but are required to have a collaborative agreement for certain tasks, such as prescribing medications. This regulatory framework allows NPs to deliver essential healthcare services while ensuring collaborative care. Additional resources and information for NPs can be found through professional organizations like the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners (LANP), which offers support, continuing education, and advocacy for NPs across the state.

List of NP Programs in Louisiana