Discover Premier MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs Near San Antonio, Texas

Last Updated/Verified: Jul 29, 2025
A MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner examining a baby

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.

2026 Premier MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs near San Antonio, Texas

Nurses seeking top-tier Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs near San Antonio, Texas, will find comprehensive guidance through NursePractitionerOnline.com's expert rankings. Our dedicated team has carefully evaluated multiple academic institutions to highlight the most exceptional educational pathways for aspiring pediatric specialists in the region. These programs offer rigorous curriculum, experienced faculty, and robust clinical training that prepare students to deliver high-quality pediatric healthcare. Whether you're looking to advance your nursing career or transition into pediatric practice, these top-ranked MSN programs provide the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in this rewarding specialty. For a detailed breakdown of our comprehensive ranking methodology, click here.
#1

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's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care MSN program offers a robust 38-credit hybrid curriculum tailored for nurses seeking advanced pediatric healthcare expertise. The program uniquely blends comprehensive clinical training with specialized primary care pediatric focus, enabling students to develop sophisticated diagnostic and patient management skills. Structured for working professionals, the hybrid format allows flexible learning while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Candidates must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and complete the program within five years. Advanced coursework encompasses pathophysiology, pharmacology, leadership, and health policy, preparing graduates to deliver exceptional pediatric primary care services in diverse clinical environments.

  • 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
*Data accessed from: IPEDS 2023, National Center for Education Statistics.

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
  • 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

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

UniversityDeliveryCreditsTuition/Cr (2025)Est. Tuition*Clinical-Placement Support
UT Health San AntonioHybrid, 2-campus residencies46$450 in-state$20,700Facilitation within South Texas
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Online Track)100% online + skills weekend in SA45$395 in-state$17,775Dedicated placement team
Texas Woman's University Houston CenterOnline 7-week terms + Houston labs47$595$27,965Contracts across Baptist & Methodist
University of Texas-Arlington (Accelerated MSN)Online, SA simulation hub46$515$23,690Clinical-site coordinator

*Excludes university fees (~$1800) and travel to intensives.

Salary Outlook around San Antonio

PositionAverage Salary 2025Typical 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$113,900Federal pension · paid relocation
Tele-Pediatrics Contractor$80–$95/hrRemote stipend · flexible scheduling

Figures align with BLS state averages and incentives reported by CHRISTUS recruiting.

How to Pay Less and Graduate Faster

  1. Employer reimbursement – University Health & Methodist each cover up to $8,000/yr.
  2. Texas SLRP – Forgives $10,000 per year (two-year minimum) for HPSA service.
  3. Credit waivers – Prior graduate pharmacology/pathophysiology waives six credits (save $2,370 at UTSA).
  4. Federal tax credits – Claim $2,500 annually via the Lifetime Learning Credit.
  5. 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

  1. Timeline – A&M Corpus Christi's 24-month plan is the region's speed champion.
  2. Net cost – UTSA usually wins after employer aid and in-state tuition.
  3. Campus visits – Need minimal travel? Select UT Arlington's San Antonio skill hub.
  4. Guaranteed preceptors – If you're a travel nurse new to Texas, pick a school with contracts inside Bexar County.
  5. 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

Judy Daniels, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC
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