Nurse Practitioner Schools in Pennsylvania

Advanced-practice nursing is a rewarding option for nurses who wish to expand their practice. Nurses can choose to become nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, or nurse practitioners. They are also in high demand- with a projected job growth of 31% through 2024.
Nurse practitioners are also included in this demand. Combining the nursing process with more specialized practitioner skills such as treating and prescribing, nurse practitioners enjoy a productive and fulfilling career.
In Pennsylvania, nurse practitioners can act as a primary care provider but must establish a collaborative agreement with a physician to diagnose and treat.
Choosing a Nurse Practitioner Program
Taking the step to pursue graduate education in nursing, whether a master’s degree or doctoral degree, is a momentous decision in one’s life. As such, certain factors should be considered when choosing a school:
- Accreditation- Nurse practitioner education must meet certain standards for safe and independent practice. Students should look for accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission on Education in Nursing (ACEN). Pennsylvania has many accredited programs to choose from- thirty- five across the state!
- Program Cost-With thirty schools that offer advanced degrees for nurses, tuition can vary widely- from $500 to over $1000 per credit, not including books, additional fees, supplies, and living expenses. Depending on the degree, students must complete at least 40 credits (more credits are required for DNP). Financial aid is offered through most schools; students are encouraged to review the school of interest’s website to determine exact tuition, fees, and available financial aid.
- Program length- Assuming the nurse already possesses a bachelor's degree, nurse practitioner programs can take three to four years to complete depending on if it's a master's or doctoral program. If students need to obtain their BSN first, the educational path can extend an additional one-to-two years. Many schools offer accelerated BSN programs, however.
- Internship/Externship Opportunities- While a specific number of supervised clinical areas are required for graduation, many nurse practitioners consider residency programs to further build on their clinical skills.
- Online/Campus Options- With thirty-five graduate nursing programs, online options are readily available. Pennsylvania has over seventeen programs with distance education possible- which results in flexibility and self-directed learning.
Admission and Certification Requirements
Admission to a graduate nursing program may vary between schools, but students may be required to:
- Have an RN/ APRN license (for DNP programs)
- Have a BSN from an accredited university
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher (specific GPAs may vary between institutions)
- Provide letters of recommendation
- Submit a resume/ CV
- Complete a written statement of purpose
- Interview with faculty
- Have completed a college-level statistics course
- GRE may be required
Since schools have variable admission requirements, prospective students are encouraged to thoroughly research schools before applying.
Licensing/ Certification
Graduating from a nurse practitioner program enables NPs to take the certification exam for their specialty focus area. Pennsylvania requires NPs to be certified by a nationally-recognized credentialing agency such as:
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
- National Certification Corporation (NCC)
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
In addition to certification in a specialty area, licensing requirements include:
- Current, unrestricted RN license
- Submission of official transcripts sent from educational institution
- Verification of completion of an advanced-degree program
- Completion of application and criminal background check
- Completion of Board-approved education in pain management and prescribing/dispensing opioids (this requirement may be met within the MSN/DNP program)
Pennsylvania Nurse Practitioner Agencies and Organizations
- Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
- Nurse Practitioners of Northeastern Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania State Nurses Association
Schools That Offer Nurse Practitioner Programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a state with rural farmlands as well as thriving metropolitan areas. The abundance of nurse practitioner programs throughout the state ensures registered nurses are provided ample opportunity to advance their degree as well as their practice.
Aston, PA
Neumann University
Aston, PA 01901
(610) 459-0905
Bethlehem, PA
Moravian College
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610) 861-1660
Center Valley, PA
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA 18034
(610) 282-1100 x2838
Clarion, PA
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Clarion, PA 16214
(800) 672-7171
Edinboro, PA
Edinboro University
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2000
Erie, PA
Gannon University
- Family Nurse Practitioner Campus
Erie, PA 16541
(814) 871-7000
Mechanicsburg, PA
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 766-2511
Millersville, PA
Millersville University
- Family Nurse Practitioner Campus
Millersville, PA 17551
(717) 871-4636
Moon Township, PA
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA 15108
(800) 762-0097
Philadelphia, PA
Drexel University
- Online Emergency Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate Online
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan) Online
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online
- Pediatric Primary Care/Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Dual Program Online
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- Women's Health/Gender Related Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan) Online
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online
- Women's Heath/Gender Related Nurse Practitioner Online
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 895-2000
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 951-1000
Thomas Jefferson University
- MSN - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- MSN - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- MSN - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- MSN - Family Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- MSN - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
- MSN - Women's Health Gender Related Nurse Practitioner Hybrid
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 503-8890
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
- Family Campus
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Campus
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Campus
- Neonatal Campus
- Pediatric Acute Care Campus
- Pediatric Primary Care Campus
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Campus
- Women's Health/Gender-Related Campus
- Family Campus
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Campus
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Campus
- Neonatal Campus
- Pediatric Acute Care Campus
- Pediatric Primary Care Campus
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Campus
- Women's Health/Gender-Related Campus
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-8281
Pittsburgh, PA
University of Pittsburgh
- BSN to DNP: Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Campus
- BSN to DNP: Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Online
- MSN to DNP: Family (individual Across the Lifespan) Hybrid
- BSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Campus
- BSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Campus
- BSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Online
- MSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Hybrid
- MSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Hybrid
- BSN to DNP: Neonatal Campus
- MSN to DNP: Neonatal Online Campus
- BSN to DNP: Pediatric Primary Care Campus
- MSN to DNP: Pediatric Primary Care Hybrid
- BSN to DNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Campus
- MSN to DNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Hybrid
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 624-4586
Scranton, PA
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 941-7673
York, PA
York College of Pennsylvania
York, PA 17403
(717) 846-7788
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