Best Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Programs
2026 Best Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
Duke University
Durham, NC - Private 4-year - duke.edu
Master's - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Duke University's online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) MSN program offers a transformative hybrid learning experience for advanced nursing professionals targeting specialized infant care. The innovative curriculum prepares students to excel in neonatal intensive care units, special care nurseries, and developmental clinics. With strategic on-campus intensives complementing distance-based learning, students benefit from expert faculty mentorship and comprehensive clinical placement support. The program mandates two years of NICU nursing experience and boasts an impressive 100% board exam pass rate. Ranked #5 in Master's Nursing Schools, graduates enter a field projected to expand 38% by 2032, ensuring robust career opportunities in neonatal healthcare. Advanced curriculum emphasizes cutting-edge skills for comprehensive newborn and infant care across diverse medical settings.
- Distance-based hybrid learning
- Extensive global clinical network
- #5 Master's Nursing Program
- 100% board exam pass rate
- Requires 2 years NICU experience
- Advanced neonatal care curriculum
- Expert faculty mentorship
- High employment potential
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN - Private 4-year - vanderbilt.edu
Master's - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Specialty
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Vanderbilt University's innovative Neonatal Nurse Practitioner specialty offers a transformative hybrid program targeting experienced NICU nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise. Uniquely designed for RNs with minimum two years of Level III-IV NICU experience, this comprehensive program integrates cutting-edge clinical training with evidence-based practice. Students benefit from 770 clinical practice hours, faculty-supervised training, and rigorous curriculum emphasizing high-risk newborn management. The hybrid learning format provides flexibility while maintaining intensive collaborative learning environments. Military-friendly and featuring small class sizes, the program prepares practitioners for complex neonatal interventions and certification exam success, positioning graduates at the forefront of critical infant healthcare.
- 4 Full-time Semesters
- Hybrid Learning Format
- 770 Clinical Practice Hours
- Requires 2+ Years NICU Experience
- Small Collaborative Classes
- High Employment Rate
- Faculty-Supervised Training
- Certification Exam Preparation
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH - Private 4-year - case.edu
Master's - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, MSN
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Case Western Reserve University's hybrid Neonatal Nurse Practitioner MSN offers an immersive 18-month program designed for experienced NICU nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise. With 40 credit hours and 700 clinical hours in Level III NICUs, students develop specialized skills in critically ill infant care. The program requires a minimum two-year NICU nursing background and maintains a 3.0 GPA progression standard. Military-friendly and focused on comprehensive neonatal intensive care training, this online/hybrid program prepares nurses for high-stakes pediatric healthcare environments. Clinical rotations provide hands-on experience in managing complex neonatal patient scenarios, ensuring graduates are equipped with cutting-edge professional competencies.
- 40 credit hours total
- 700 clinical hours required
- 18-month full-time program
- Two years NICU experience prerequisite
- Focus on neonatal intensive care
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY - Private 4-year - rochester.edu
Master's - Pediatric/Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program
Concentration: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Rochester's fully online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program delivers an advanced master's degree that comprehensively prepares nurses for specialized infant healthcare. Uniquely structured with Level IV NICU clinical experiences, the curriculum emphasizes critical skills for managing low and high-risk neonatal patients. Students benefit from training at the renowned Golisano Children's Hospital and receive robust preparation for national certifications. The program stands out for its dual specialty pediatric and neonatal focus, offering advanced clinical training across multiple healthcare settings including intensive care units and delivery rooms. Military-friendly and featuring a hospital-affiliated curriculum, graduates are strategically positioned for dynamic neonatal care careers.
- Dual specialty pediatric/neonatal focus
- Level IV NICU clinical experiences
- National certification preparation
- Advanced clinical training
- Comprehensive infant care curriculum
Northeastern University
Boston, MA - Private 4-year - northeastern.edu
Master's - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MS/CAGS)
Online Learning - Visit Website
Northeastern University offers a cutting-edge 100% online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner master's program designed for experienced NICU nurses. This comprehensive curriculum emphasizes advanced diagnostic reasoning and independent patient management for high-risk infant care. Tailored for registered nurses with minimum two years of NICU experience, the program prepares practitioners to handle complex medical scenarios involving premature and low birth weight infants. Students benefit from flexible learning options, clinical practicum opportunities in local NICUs, and a supportive educational environment. With no GRE requirement and 41 total credits, nurses can advance their specialized skills while maintaining professional commitments. The program supports both full-time and part-time enrollment, making career progression accessible and convenient.
- 100% Online Program
- Clinical Practicum in Local NICUs
- Minimum 3.0 GPA Required
- Two Years NICU Experience Needed
- Multiple Clinical Preceptors
- 41 Total Credits Required
- No GRE Scores Needed
- Full-time or Part-time Options
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT - Public 4-Year - uconn.edu
Master's - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Master’s degree Program
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Connecticut offers a comprehensive online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Master's degree program designed for experienced NICU nurses. Targeting RNs with minimum two years of level three NICU experience, the program provides flexible digital learning complemented by two immersive on-campus simulation visits. Students can select from three educational pathways: a 44-credit Master's degree, a 76-82 credit BS to DNP track, or a 29-credit Post-Graduate Certificate. The curriculum strategically prepares graduates for national certification, emphasizing advanced neonatal healthcare skills. Notably military-friendly and featuring experienced practitioner faculty, the program offers part-time and full-time enrollment options, ensuring accessibility for working healthcare professionals seeking specialized neonatal expertise.
- Online with two campus visits
- Fully accredited nursing program
- Multiple degree options available
- Requires 2+ years NICU experience
- Part-time and full-time tracks
- National certification preparation
- Experienced faculty practitioners
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH - Public 4-Year - osu.edu
Master's - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Ohio State University's online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program offers a cutting-edge hybrid learning experience, empowering healthcare professionals to excel in neonatal care. Ranked #2 in online master's programs, this comprehensive curriculum demands 24 months of prior NICU experience, ensuring students bring substantial clinical expertise. The program uniquely blends distance learning with occasional on-campus seminars, providing flexibility for working professionals. Students develop advanced clinical skills through evidence-based practice, preparing to deliver high-quality healthcare across inpatient and outpatient settings. Military-friendly and featuring world-class neonatal faculty, the program enables students to complete clinical rotations near their local communities, making advanced neonatal education accessible and practical.
- Distance-enhanced learning format
- Requires 24 months NICU experience
- Evidence-based practice curriculum
- Multiple degree pathway options
- Clinicals near student's community
- World-class neonatal faculty
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT - Public 4-Year - utah.edu
Master's - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
University of Utah's Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program offers a cutting-edge hybrid learning experience that bridges online education with hands-on clinical training. The comprehensive curriculum equips nurses with advanced skills in high-risk newborn care through an intensive 900-hour direct patient care requirement. Designed for experienced critical care nurses with minimum two years of neonatal/infant experience, this program boasts an impressive 100% national certification pass rate. Students benefit from flexible online coursework complemented by strategic on-campus activities, enabling working professionals to advance their specialized pediatric healthcare expertise without disrupting current employment.
- Hybrid learning format
- 900 direct patient care hours
- 100% national certification pass rate
- Advanced neonatal care training
- Two years clinical experience required
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL - Public 4-Year - uab.edu
Master's - MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a robust online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner MSN program designed for experienced NICU nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise. This hybrid program uniquely blends synchronous online coursework with strategic on-campus intensive sessions, enabling working professionals to advance their specialized neonatal care skills. Requiring a minimum of two years NICU experience and a BSN from an accredited institution, students complete a comprehensive 45-credit curriculum spanning six semesters. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, advanced clinical training, and leadership development in neonatal healthcare. Ideal for nurses committed to providing high-level care for newborns and infants up to two years old, the program prepares graduates for complex neonatal nursing challenges.
- Part-time distance accessible format
- 45 total credit hours
- Requires 2+ years NICU experience
- Synchronous online classes
- On-campus intensive sessions
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- BSN from accredited program
- Six semester curriculum
- Advanced clinical practica
- Prepares neonatal specialists
Baylor University
Waco, TX - Private 4-year - baylor.edu
Master's - Doctor of Nursing Practice - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website
Baylor University's fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner concentration provides an advanced pathway for registered nurses seeking specialized infant healthcare expertise. The program uniquely prepares nurses to manage complex medical needs of newborns through comprehensive didactic and clinical training. With no GRE requirement and a flexible 3-4 year completion timeline, students benefit from 1,125 clinical hours and dedicated clinical placement support. The CCNE-accredited program demands one year of NICU experience, ensuring candidates enter with foundational knowledge. Graduates emerge as transformative leaders capable of delivering high-quality, specialized neonatal care across diverse healthcare settings.
- Online DNP program
- CCNE accredited program
- 3-4 year completion time
- 1,125 clinical hours required
- No GRE/MAT required
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- One year NICU experience needed
- Multiple entry pathways
- Clinical placement support
What Is an Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program Like?
You love working with newborn babies – and you’re ready to take the next step to make tiny little ones the focus of your career. Working as a neonatal nurse practitioner is a great way to take your career to the next level while developing your passion for taking care of babies. Enrolling in an online neonatal nurse practitioner program is a great way to get the education that you need while still focusing on providing your patients with excellent care. When you choose an online neonatal nurse practitioner program, you’ll get all the elements of a traditional in-classroom program, but you’ll get to work at your own pace, on your own time. Typically, professors in nurse practitioner programs are nurse practitioners themselves, and they understand the tough confines of a busy nursing schedule. With an online program, you’ll be able to work on your assignments at times that work for you – even if it’s late at night or on the weekends.
Choosing an Appropriate Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program
There are several degree options to get you to the neonatal nurse practitioner designation. However, the options available will hinge on the type of nursing degree you currently hold. An example of options based on prior education is demonstrated below.
| If I Currently Have… | Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|---|
| BSN | BSN to MSN Programs | BSN to DNP Programs |
| MSN | Post-Master’s Certificate | MSN to DNP Programs |
Another major aspect of choosing a neonatal nurse practitioner degree type is to figure out what your long-term career goals are. This can include the NNP role you aspire to, the location or employer you wish to work for, and even what kind of salary you aim to make. Being clear on your future professional goals will help guide you to the appropriate degree level. If you still need some help determining which neonatal nurse practitioner degree program is right for you, consult our table below to see where your interests align.
| MSN | Post-Master's Certificate | DNP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I enjoy working directly with neonatal patients and their families | X | X | X |
| I already hold a graduate degree, but I wish to move into specialized neonatal practice | X | X | |
| I feel called to teach and guide students clinically at the university level | X | X | |
| I want to advocate for neonates and their families and be a leader in my facility | X | X | X |
| I have ideas for clinically relevant research projects to improve the lives of patients requiring specialized neonatal care | X | ||
| My passion is to create and improve national health policies | X | ||
| I wish to understand population-based neonatal health in order to improve healthcare outcomes across the nation | X | ||
| I want to guide healthcare law and ethics for the benefit of families with children requiring specialized neonatal care | X |
It’s key to choose an accredited program from agencies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) when you’re searching for an online neonatal nurse practitioner program. When you select an accredited program, you’re showing future employers that you went through an education that has been approved by governing boards. You’ll be able to rest assured knowing that you’re fully prepared to provide excellent patient care. Throughout the course of your online neonatal nurse practitioner program, you’ll learn about how a fetus and newborn baby develop, how to detect and treat health issues that can arise in the neonatal period, how to use research and evidence to inform your practice, and how to support moms as they get to know their new baby. Check out our guide to online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs below.
- Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program Admissions & Requirements by Degree Type
- Online Neonatal NP Program Classes and Curriculum
- Clinical Requirements and Certification
Online Neonatal NP Program Admissions
As you begin to apply to online neonatal nurse practitioner programs, you’ll want to consider which type of program makes the most sense for your career goals. You’ll choose between an MSN program, a post-graduate certificate, and a DNP program. While all of these programs can help you become a nurse practitioner, your prior education and experience will play a role in which option makes the most sense for you.
| MSN-Level Neonatal NP | Post-Master’s Certificate Neonatal NP | DNP-Level Neonatal NP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prior Education/GPA | BSN with a GPA of at least 3.0 | MSN with a GPA of at least 3.0 | MSN or BSN with a GPA of at least 3.0 (check with your potential program to see if they allow entrance with a BSN) |
| RN Licensure | Current, unencumbered RN license | Current, unencumbered RN license | Current, unencumbered RN license, may require APRN certification or a certain number of hours working with neonatal patients |
| Professional Experience | At least one year as an RN | At least one year as an RN | One to two years as an RN, may require experience working with neonatal patients |
| Written Requirements | Personal statement, three letters of recommendation | Personal statement, three letters of recommendation | Resume/CV, personal statement, three letters of recommendation |
Online Neonatal NP Curriculum & Classes
MSN, post-graduate certificate, and DNP programs will vary in length. Generally, the MSN can be completed in two years, the post-grad cert can be completed in around a year, and the DNP program can take around 3-4 years of full-time study. If you choose to work through your classes on a part-time basis, you may need more time. While the rules differ between institutions, most schools allow you to have up to seven years to complete your studies.
| Degree | MSN | Post-Master’s Certificate | DNP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Credit Requirements | 32-43 | 12-36 | 33-65 |
Throughout the course of your online MSN or post-graduate certificate neonatal nurse practitioner program, your coursework is likely to include:
- Health informatics
- Health systems
- Fetal and neonatal development
- Neonatal pathophysiology
- Neonatal pharmacology
- Pediatric care
- Advanced health assessment
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Embryology
NNP-DNP programs typically require the aforementioned coursework as well as:
- Global healthcare
- Applied statistics
- Advanced neonatal nursing management
- Genetic and molecular therapeutics
- Clinical epidemiology
- Ethics in healthcare
- Health informatics
- Business of the APRN
- Capstone project
The capstone project in the neonatal nurse practitioner DNP program is where the student demonstrates their understanding of the program’s advanced nursing concepts by addressing a clinical problem or question that relates to neonatal nursing.
Neonatal NP Clinical Requirements
You’ll find that the clinical requirements for online neonatal nurse practitioner programs vary greatly, with some programs requiring as few as 600 clinical hours and others requiring 1,000. You’ll want to carefully consider clinical hour requirements when applying to programs so that you don’t overextend yourself. Generally, your program will help you figure out how to best make clinical hours fit with your schedule. This may mean earning your clinical hours in several settings, such as in a hospital, in a private health clinic, in a birthing center, etc. Talk with your program director to learn more about how you can get your clinical requirements completed while still working hard at your nursing job.
Neonatal NPs typically complete their clinical hours under the supervision of a seasoned NNP, doctor, or physician’s assistant in a hospital NICU setting or another setting where infants with common or complex needs are cared for.
Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program Listings
Whether you are looking for an MSN, Post-Master’s Certificate, or DNP program in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner specialty, our online and hybrid listings below are the perfect first stop on your career journey.
Select Your State:
Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL |
University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL |
Connecticut
University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT |
Georgia
Emory University | Atlanta, GA |
Illinois
Rush University | Chicago, IL |
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford | Rockford, IL |
Indiana
University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
Michigan
Wayne State University | Detroit, MI |
Mississippi
University Of Mississippi Medical Center | Jackson, MS |
Missouri
University Of Missouri Kansas City | Kansas City, MO |
Nebraska
Creighton University | Omaha, NE |
New York
Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY |
North Carolina
Duke University | Durham, NC |
East Carolina University | Greenville, NC |
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH |
The Ohio State University | Columbus, OH |
Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA |
Tennessee
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center- Memphis | Memphis, TN |
Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN |
Texas
Baylor University | Waco, TX |
The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX |
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | Galveston, TX |
Virginia
Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA |
Are we missing your school's nurse practitioner program or need to update any of the information listed? Please contact us.