Discover Premier MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs near San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio’s booming metropolitan population, approaching 2.8 million in 2025, has stretched pediatric services from the South Texas Medical Center to rural clinics ringing Bexar County. University Health's new Women's & Children's Tower will add 300 beds this year, and CHRISTUS Children's is expanding its outpatient network by 20 percent. Yet, both systems cite a shortage of advanced pediatric providers. The city's diverse, bilingual communities also require culturally attuned clinicians who can address asthma, obesity, and behavioral health disparities prevalent along the I-35 corridor.
That demand translates into an opportunity for registered nurses and MSN-prepared APRNs who are ready to specialize in child and adolescent care. By choosing an accredited MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program—especially one designed for working Texans—you can complete graduate training in as little as 24 months, fulfill 600–750 clinical hours across San Antonio's top children's facilities, and step into roles that command six-figure salaries and loan-repayment incentives. This guide profiles top-tier options, outlines admissions and curriculum requirements, and explains how to finance an MSN-PNP without compromising your career or family life.
2025 Premier MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs near San Antonio, Texas
Looking for the best MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs near San Antonio, Texas in 2025? You're in the right place. NursePractitionerOnline.com has done the homework to bring you a list of premier programs that stand out for their quality, flexibility, and success in preparing nurses for the next step in their careers. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance, these programs offer the skills and knowledge you need to excel in pediatric care. We've ranked them based on what matters most to students like you. Want to know how we picked these top programs? Check out our rankings methodology for all the details.
Houston Christian University
Houston, TX - Private 4-year - hc.edu
Master's - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
Concentration: Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Houston Christian University offers a hybrid MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care program tailored for nurses aiming to specialize in pediatric healthcare. This 38-credit program blends online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences, focusing on pediatric health assessment, diagnostics, and comprehensive patient care. Ideal for those with a passion for pediatric primary care, the program requires a 3.0 GPA and allows up to six transfer credits. With a curriculum covering advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and leadership, graduates are well-prepared for significant roles in pediatric settings. The program is military-friendly and emphasizes a commitment to excellence, with no grades below B accepted.
- 38-credit hybrid MSN program
- Pediatric primary care focus
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Advanced clinical skills training
- Five-year degree completion
- No grade below B
- 6 transfer credits maximum
- Advanced pathophysiology courses
- Leadership and health policy
- Clinical practicum included
Why Earn an MSN-PNP in San Antonio?
Pediatric needs and practice environment
Texas ranks third nationwide for pediatric population growth. The state's collaborative-practice laws allow PNPs to prescribe medications under a physician delegation agreement; scope details can be found in Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas. Major systems provide built-in delegation for physicians, allowing new graduates to focus on patient care, not red tape.
Diverse Training Sites
Students complete rotations at University Hospital, Methodist Children's, Military Health System clinics on Joint Base San Antonio, and mobile units serving migrant families. Program coordinators arrange placements, eliminating costly preceptor-search services.
Competitive Gulf Coast Salaries
According to Nurse Practitioner Salary – By Specialty & State, Texas pediatric NPs average $118,140, with San Antonio offering starting salaries around $115,000 plus sign-on bonuses.
Fast ROI and tuition support
Employers such as Baptist Health reimburse up to $8,000 a year, and Texas's State Loan Repayment Program forgives $20,000 for practitioners in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Scholarship directories inside 7 Affordable Online Nurse Practitioner MSN Programs [Updated 2025] highlight additional grants for Spanish-speaking students.
Curriculum Highlights & Clinical Experience
Accredited programs follow NONPF pediatric-primary-care competencies and standards described in Nurse Practitioner Accreditation Organizations.
- Graduate Core (9 credits) – Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment
- Role & Leadership (6 credits) – Quality improvement, population health, informatics
- Pediatric Specialty Didactics (15 credits)
- Developmental physiology
- Pediatric pharmacotherapeutics
- Common acute & chronic disorders
- Behavioral & developmental health
- Developmental physiology
- Clinical Practica (600–750 hours)
- Well-child/primary care at Children's Hospital of San Antonio
- Adolescent medicine at UT Health San Antonio clinics
- School-based rotation with Edgewood ISD mobile units
- Elective acute-care hours in Methodist Children's ED
- Well-child/primary care at Children's Hospital of San Antonio
For an insider look at day-to-day clinical learning, read Hands-On Learning: Clinical Training for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Students.
Admissions Checklist (Typical)
- CCNE/ACEN BSN with 3.0 GPA
- Texas RN license; BLS/PALS
- One year of pediatric, NICU, or family-care RN experience
- Two professional references (one pediatric supervisor)
- 500-word statement of purpose
- Résumé and optional video interview
- GRE waived for GPA ≥ 3.2 or ≥ 5 years RN practice
Step-by-step instructions appear in the Guide to Enrolling In an Online Nurse Practitioner Program.
Cost Comparison of Top Programs
| University | Delivery | Credits | Tuition/Cr (2025) | Est. Tuition* | Clinical-Placement Support |
| UT Health San Antonio | Hybrid, 2-campus residencies | 46 | $450 in-state | $20,700 | Facilitation within South Texas |
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Online Track) | 100% online + skills weekend in SA | 45 | $395 in-state | $17,775 | Dedicated placement team |
| Texas Woman's University Houston Center | Online 7-week terms + Houston labs | 47 | $595 | $27,965 | Contracts across Baptist & Methodist |
| University of Texas-Arlington (Accelerated MSN) | Online, SA simulation hub | 46 | $515 | $23,690 | Clinical-site coordinator |
*Excludes university fees (~$1800) and travel to intensives.
Salary Outlook around San Antonio
| Position | Average Salary 2025 | Typical Benefits |
| University Health PNP | $117,800 | $7,000 sign-on · 4-day workweek |
| Methodist Children's Urgent Care PNP | $121,200 | $4/hr evening diff · CME stipend |
| Military Health System PNP | $113,900 | Federal pension · paid relocation |
| Tele-Pediatrics Contractor | $80–$95/hr | Remote stipend · flexible scheduling |
Figures align with BLS state averages and incentives reported by CHRISTUS recruiting.
How to Pay Less and Graduate Faster
- Employer reimbursement – University Health & Methodist each cover up to $8,000/yr.
- Texas SLRP – Forgives $10,000 per year (two-year minimum) for HPSA service.
- Credit waivers – Prior graduate pharmacology/pathophysiology waives six credits (save $2,370 at UTSA).
- Federal tax credits – Claim $2,500 annually via the Lifetime Learning Credit.
- Spanish-language scholarships – Via Christus Foundation and San Antonio Area Foundation.
Balancing Study, Shifts & River Walk Life
- Eight-week blocks – Schedule didactic terms opposite your 3×12 ICU shifts.
- Audio-lecture commutes – Review pharm podcasts on Loop 1604 drives.
- Clinicals near base – Joint Base San Antonio clinics accommodate active-duty spouses.
- Weekend skills labs – Many programs hold sims at UTSA's Center for Simulation Innovation right off I-10.
- Preceptor thank-yous – Treat mentors to paletas from The Pop Parlor—small gesture, big impact.
Career Paths & Advancement
- Primary-care pediatrics – FQHCs and University Health clinics in underserved ZIP codes
- Subspecialty clinics – Endocrinology, pulmonology, and cardiology at Children's Hospital of San Antonio
- School-based health – Northside ISD telehealth hubs
- Pediatric emergency/urgent care – Methodist ER Fast Track (requires extra acute-care cert)
- Research & education – Faculty roles at UT Health or Baylor College of Medicine regional campus
Choosing the Best Program—Five Quick Filters
- Timeline – A&M Corpus Christi's 24-month plan is the region's speed champion.
- Net cost – UTSA usually wins after employer aid and in-state tuition.
- Campus visits – Need minimal travel? Select UT Arlington's San Antonio skill hub.
- Guaranteed preceptors – If you're a travel nurse new to Texas, pick a school with contracts inside Bexar County.
- Doctoral bridge – Planning a future DNP? TWU allows MSN graduates to roll 12 credits forward.
Ready to Elevate Pediatric Care in the Alamo City?
San Antonio's children need culturally competent providers who understand both Selena lyrics and evidence-based asthma plans. Choose your premier MSN-PNP program, secure tuition reimbursement, and submit your application before the next cohort fills. In two short years you could be charting well-child visits on the South Side, triaging sports injuries at Alamo Heights schools, or launching a bilingual tele-pediatrics platform that reaches kids from Del Rio to Port Aransas. Your community—and your career—are ready when you are. Begin your journey today.
Sources
- Texas Department of State Health Services. Texas Pediatric Workforce Report, 2024
- University Health. "Women's & Children's Tower Expansion Overview," April 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Employment and Wages—Nurse Practitioners (29-1171), May 2024"
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Loan Repayment Programs for Health Professionals, 2025
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners. "State Practice Environment: Texas," 2024
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