Most important takeaways…
- Miami area NP programs span six specialties including FNP, PMHNP, AGNP, PNP, WHNP, and AGACNP across MSN and DNP levels.
- Florida resident tuition at public universities starts below $7,000 annually, making state schools a strong affordable option.
- The Florida statewide median NP salary sits at $129,010, with psychiatric-mental health specialists often earning above that figure.
- Most MSN-NP tracks require 500 to 720 supervised clinical hours, and several programs place students at Miami-Dade and Broward sites.
How can a registered nurse in Miami earn an NP license without leaving South Florida? The region's major health systems, including Jackson Health, Baptist Health, and University of Miami Health, serve one of the most culturally diverse patient populations in the country, fueling demand for advanced practice clinicians. Local universities now offer FNP, PMHNP, AGNP, PNP, WHNP, and AGACNP pathways at the MSN, DNP, and post-master's levels, many with online coursework.
Yet Florida's restricted-practice law means new NPs must secure a physician collaborative agreement to prescribe and diagnose. That requirement directly influences where graduates find employment and how quickly they achieve clinical independence.
NP Programs in the Miami Metro Area
The Miami area gives nurses several routes into advanced practice, from campus-based programs inside the metro to hybrid and online tracks that keep clinical hours closer to home. The schools below span MSN, DNP, and post-master's certificate options across family, adult-gerontology, psychiatric-mental health, pediatric, and acute care specialties. Institution-wide graduation rates at the schools offering these NP programs range from roughly 57% to 91%, though those figures describe each college as a whole rather than any single NP track.
Factors considered
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Range of NP specialties offered
- In-state and out-of-state tuition
- Online and hybrid flexibility
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
Florida International University
FIU sits in Miami and offers the broadest set of NP pathways in the metro, spanning MSN tracks, BSN-to-DNP options, and post-graduate certificates for nurses who already hold a master's degree. Certificate routes in family, psychiatric-mental health, pediatric primary care, and adult-gerontology primary care let practicing RNs add a specialty without repeating a full graduate degree. Several tracks are delivered largely online, and students may arrange clinical placements outside the local area, which suits nurses who already have a site in mind.
- 36 credits for nurses who already hold an MSN
- Hybrid format blending online and campus learning
- Fall application deadline of March 1
- Students locate and contract their own clinical sites
- Clinical placements may be outside Florida
- Prepares graduates for national FNP certification
- 35 credits for MSN-prepared nurses
- Hybrid delivery
- Summer admission available for the psychopharmacology course
- Clinicals take place in specific Florida areas
- Fall term admission
- Requires an MSN from an accredited program
- 32 credits, fully online
- Requires an MSN from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program
- Fall application deadline of March 1
- Students arrange their own clinical sites
- Clinical placements outside Florida are permitted
- 32 credits for nurses who already hold an MSN
- Online delivery with no campus visits required
- Clinicals may be completed outside the local area
- Fall application deadline of March 1
- Applications submitted through NursingCAS
- 45 credit hours completed over six semesters
- Predominantly online
- Fall start
- Care for adolescents through older adults
- Focus on disease prevention and health promotion
- Option to add a Nurse Educator Certificate
- 45 credits across six semesters
- Hybrid format with fall admission only
- March 1 application deadline through NursingCAS
- Clinical sites include psychiatric clinics and crisis centers
- Dual Nurse Educator option available
- Online delivery
- One of four DNP concentration options
- Direct BSN-to-DNP pathway
- Flexible clinical site options for online students
- Prepares graduates for national certification
- Hybrid format with fall and spring start dates
- Primary care across the lifespan
- Clinical placements in ambulatory settings
- Family-centered approach to care
- One of four DNP concentration options
- Online delivery
- Clinicals permitted outside traditional areas
- Fall deadline March 1 and spring deadline August 1
- Prepares graduates for national certification
- Hybrid delivery with two start dates per year
- Direct BSN-to-DNP pathway
- Clinical sites in diverse mental health settings
- Graduates eligible for national certification
Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Hybrid
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Hybrid
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Online
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Post-BSN to DNP) — Online
Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Online
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
University of Miami
The University of Miami is the metro's private research option, with family, adult-gerontology primary care, and adult-gerontology acute care tracks at the MSN, DNP, and post-master's certificate levels. Clinical rotations are placed across South Florida through partnerships with major academic health systems, giving students a dense local network. Cohort-based scheduling and part-time DNP paths are built for nurses who keep working while they study.
- 38 credits completed in one or two years
- 616 minimum clinical hours
- Lock-step cohort model
- Clinical rotations in Miami and Broward Counties
- Fall start for full-time students, spring for part-time
- Prepares for AANP or ANCC certification
- 20 to 23 credits
- Campus-based with a lock-step curriculum
- Gap analysis determines the required courses
- Requires an MSN or DNP with a 3.0 GPA
- National certification and Florida RN license required
- 16 to 19 credits
- Campus-based delivery
- Individual gap analysis required
- Three sequential adult-gerontology courses
- Open to MSN or DNP graduates
- 37 credits completed in one to one and a half years
- Clinical experiences in South Florida hospitals
- Prepares for ANCC and AACN certification
- Full-time and part-time options with fall and spring starts
- Interprofessional team approach
- 71 credit hours over two or four years
- 1,000 clinical hours
- Cohort-based structure with fall start
- Clinical partnerships with major Miami health systems
- Prepares for AANP or ANCC certification
- 68 credit hours over two or four years
- 1,000 clinical hours
- Clinical settings across South Florida, including VA and community clinics
- Leadership development in health care policy
- Fall start each year
- 70 credit hours over two or four years
- 1,000 clinical hours
- Broad preparation in acute and critical care
- Clinical partnerships with major Miami health systems
- Eligible for ANCC and AACN certification
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Post-Master's Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Post-Graduate Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — On-Campus
Florida Atlantic University
FAU is the main South Florida public option north of Miami, with campuses that draw commuters from Broward and Palm Beach counties as well as Miami-Dade. It runs MSN and BSN-to-DNP tracks in family and adult-gerontology primary care plus a psychiatric-mental health post-graduate certificate, and its NP cohorts are limited-access with one intake a year. Clinical placements are arranged within South Florida, and DNP students attend class roughly one weekend a month.
- 52 credit hours and 780 clinical hours
- Part-time hybrid format
- Fall admission only
- 3.0 GPA minimum with one letter of recommendation
- Clinical sites across South Florida
- Roughly 2.5 years to complete
- Prepares for ANCC or AANP certification
- 52 credit hours and 780 clinical hours
- Hybrid format with on-campus classes on Thursdays
- Offered across three Florida campuses
- Clinical sites are arranged for students
- Second MSN degree option available
- Prepares for ANCC or AANP certification
- 28 credit hours and 780 clinical practice hours
- Online delivery with South Florida clinical sites
- Requires a master's degree in nursing
- Fall admission only with an interview
- 3.0 GPA minimum and Florida RN licensure
- No GRE required
- Campus-based delivery
- Limited access certificate program
- Requires an MSN with a 3.0 GPA
- Advisement meeting required before admission
- Certificate awarded rather than a degree
- 77 credit hours across 11 semesters
- Summer start with a January 15 application deadline
- 1,000 clinical hours required
- Master's Along the Way option
- Classes meet one weekend per month
- Full-time pace; working full time is discouraged
- 72 credit hours across 11 semesters
- Hybrid delivery with three South Florida campus locations
- 1,000 clinical hours required
- Summer start with a January 15 application deadline
- Clinical placements arranged by the program
- 77 credit hours across 11 semesters
- Clinical placements in South Florida
- Weekend DNP classes once a month
- Master's Along the Way option
- Summer start with a January 15 application deadline
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — Online
Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate Certificate) — On-Campus
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
University of Florida
The University of Florida runs its NP tracks as BSN-to-DNP programs in family, psychiatric-mental health, and adult-gerontology acute care practice, delivered in a hybrid format that pairs online coursework with campus visits. Clinical placements are arranged in Florida, and students should expect to travel within the state for precepted hours. Full-time and part-time plans are available, which matters for nurses balancing shift work or commuting from South Florida.
- Hybrid delivery with full-time and part-time options
- Primary care across the lifespan, from health promotion to chronic disease
- Clinical placements arranged in Florida, with travel within the state
- Prepares graduates for ANCC and AANP certification
- Emphasis on collaborative care within a family context
- Advanced health assessment and psychotropic prescribing
- Prepares graduates for ANCC certification
- Clinical experiences in rural, community, and urban Florida settings
- Full-time and part-time study options
- Hybrid curriculum with Florida clinical placements
- One year of critical care experience required for admission
- High-acuity inpatient focus across acute and critical care
- CCRN certification recommended
- Eligible for ANCC and AACN certification
- Clinical sites in Florida only, with travel required
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Ana G. Mendez University
Ana G. Mendez University offers a campus-based MSN in family nurse practitioner practice, and its multi-campus model includes a South Florida site that puts the program within reach of Miami-Dade and Broward nurses. The curriculum covers pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, biomedical ethics, and health policy, with a stated focus on primary care leadership. There is no thesis or capstone requirement, and the program prepares graduates for national FNP certification.
- On-site, campus-based delivery
- Primary care for individuals and families across the lifespan
- Coursework in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment
- Includes biomedical ethics and health policy
- No thesis or capstone required
- Prepares graduates for national FNP certification
- Multiple campus locations, including a South Florida site
- Paths into family practice and urgent care settings
Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida offers a wide menu of master's and BSN-to-DNP pathways in family, pediatric primary care, adult-gerontology primary care, and adult-gerontology acute care, plus an occupational health subspecialty. Master's tracks require a comprehensive exam and prepare graduates for national certification exams. Most clinical work happens in the Tampa Bay region, so Miami-area nurses should weigh travel and relocation before committing to the campus-based tracks.
- 60 credit hours
- Hybrid delivery
- Comprehensive examination required at completion
- Prepares graduates for ANCC or AANPCB certification
- Coursework in research, health policy, and leadership
- 57 credit hours
- Campus-based delivery
- Lock-step and new graduate program plans
- Prepares graduates for PNCB certification
- Health promotion delivered within a family context
- 57 credit hours
- Campus-based delivery
- Comprehensive exam required
- Prepares graduates for national certification
- 74 credit hours
- Campus-based delivery
- Combines nursing and public health coursework
- Grant funding may cover costs
- Prepares for ANCC and AANPCB certification
- Hybrid delivery
- Prepares for ANCC or AANPCB certification
- Practice in ambulatory care settings
- Comprehensive care across the lifespan
- Campus-based delivery
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- Lock-step and new graduate program plans
- Patient-centered primary care for adults and older adults
- Prepares for ANCC or AACN certification
- Acute and outpatient practice settings
- Management of acute and complex health conditions
- Lock-step curriculum plan
- Two concentration options
- Prepares for ANCC, AANPCB, or ABOHN certification
- NIOSH-funded funding opportunities available
- Focus on work-related injuries and illnesses
- Personalized program plan after admission
- Campus-based delivery
- Prepares for PNCB certification
- Family-centered care with well-child and preventive services
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- Diagnose and manage acute conditions in ambulatory settings
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — Hybrid
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN) — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Occupational Health Nursing Subspecialty (MSN) — On-Campus
Family Nurse Practitioner (BS-DNP) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (BS-DNP) — On-Campus
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (BS-DNP) — Hybrid
Occupational Health / Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (BS-DNP) — On-Campus
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — On-Campus
Florida State University
Florida State University leans on distance delivery, with online family nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology acute care certificates for nurses who already hold a master's degree, plus hybrid DNP tracks for those starting from a BSN. For the FNP certificate, program coordinators secure preceptors, and clinical experiences can be arranged near a student's home. Campus visits are limited to a handful of skills sessions and objective clinical skills exams each term.
- Online delivery with synchronous Zoom classes
- 585 clinical hours required
- Requires an MSN plus three graduate-level courses
- Program coordinators secure preceptors
- MD, PA, and APRN preceptors accepted
- Clinical clearance and COMPLIO account required
- 22 credit hours
- Online with synchronous components
- Simulation exercises and clinical rotations required
- Prepares for complex illness and critical care management
- CCNE accredited
- BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP pathways
- Hybrid with two to three campus visits for skills workshops
- Capstone project and HESI exit exam required
- Objective Clinical Skills Exams (OSCE) assessments
- Prepares for ANCC or AANP certification
- Fall admission
- Online didactic coursework with campus visits
- Clinical placements arranged across the country
- Prepares for ANCC certification
- Track coordinator provides support
- Capstone required
- Four on-campus day sessions required
- BSN-to-DNP and post-master's pathways
- Eligible for ANCC and AACN certification
- One to two years of acute care RN experience recommended
- Coursework delivered primarily online
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Master's) — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Graduate Certificate — Online
Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
University of North Florida
The University of North Florida offers a fully online psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certificate for master's-prepared APRNs, along with DNP tracks in family and psychiatric-mental health practice. The certificate carries a high GPA bar and requires existing APRN licensure and national certification, so it suits experienced clinicians rather than new graduates. Family nurse practitioner students complete campus-based coursework in Jacksonville, while the psychiatric-mental health doctorate is delivered online.
- Fully online, 36 credit hours
- Requires an MSN with a 3.50 GPA
- APRN licensure and national NP certification required
- One year of RN experience required
- Prepares for ANCC certification across the lifespan
- No financial aid available for the certificate
- Campus-based delivery in Jacksonville
- Full-time and part-time options
- Fall application deadline of October 1
- Tuition waivers available
- Open to both BSN and MSN graduates
- Prepares graduates for Florida APRN licensure
- 68 credit hours with 1,100 clinical hours
- Online delivery with spring start
- Full-time and part-time options
- Curriculum based on AACN Essentials
- Prepares for Florida APRN licensure
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Online
Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — On-Campus
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Online
University of Central Florida
UCF concentrates its NP portfolio on adult-gerontology practice, with primary care and acute care graduate certificates for nurses who already hold an APRN credential and DNP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses. The doctoral options use hybrid delivery with periodic campus intensives and clinical placements arranged in the Central Florida service region. A bridge pathway lets students enter doctoral study from a non-nursing bachelor's degree.
- 23 credit hours beyond a master's or DNP
- Hybrid delivery
- Admission for certified APRNs
- Includes clinical hours and prepares for state licensure
- Focus on evidence-based practice and leadership
- 19 credit hours
- Hybrid format with up to 660 clinical hours
- Requires BSN and MSN degrees plus Florida APRN licensure
- Includes a women's health course
- Post-master's certificate for advanced nursing roles
- 73 credit hours across nine semesters
- 1,140 clinical hours
- Hybrid with twice-yearly campus intensives
- Clinical sites assigned by the program coordinator
- Fall admission once per year
- Hybrid delivery with fall start
- Clinical placements in Central Florida
- February 1 application deadline
- Florida RN license required
- Written essay and possible faculty interview
- 74 credit hours and 1,200 clinical hours
- Bridge option for students with a non-nursing bachelor's
- On-campus lectures and labs on a bi-weekly schedule
- Fellowships available for qualified students
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for progression
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP) — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Bridge Option) — Hybrid
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University runs BSN-to-DNP tracks in family and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner practice through a hybrid format with on-campus sessions. Clinical hours are concentrated in Southwest Florida counties, which makes the program a better fit for nurses on that side of the state than for Miami commuters. Federal grant funding and the Nurse Faculty Loan Program support students in the family track.
- 81 credit hours, three years full time or four part time
- Hybrid format with on-campus classes
- No entrance exam required
- Clinical placement assistance provided
- Faculty advisor assigned to each student
- Nurse Faculty Loan Program available
- Prepares for national FNP certification
- 81 credit hours over three years
- 1,000 clinical hours
- Clinical sites within five Southwest Florida counties
- No GRE required
- Hybrid classes with on-campus days
- DNP project required for graduation
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) — Hybrid
NP Specialties Available in Miami
South Florida's behavioral health workforce shortage has made Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) one of the most urgently needed providers across the region, yet the specialty remains underrepresented in many program listings. Across the Miami metro, registered nurses can choose from all six national NP certification tracks: Family (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP), Pediatric (PNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMHNP), and Women's Health (WHNP). Below we break down what each specialty covers and where you can find local or accessible online options.
Primary Care Focus: FNP, AGNP, and PNP
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Prepares you to care for patients from infancy through geriatrics, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and management of common acute and chronic conditions in primary care settings. FNPs can work in family practices, community health centers, and retail clinics.
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP): Concentrates on adolescents, adults, and older adults in primary care, including management of complex comorbidities common in aging populations. This track is often chosen by nurses who prefer to focus exclusively on adult medicine.
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): Focuses on the physical, emotional, and developmental health of children from birth through young adulthood. PNPs work in pediatric offices, school-based health centers, and specialty clinics.
Locally, FNP dominates the offerings, with hybrid and online programs at Florida International University, University of Miami, Barry University, and Miami Regional University. AGNP appears in the region through South University's online MSN (West Palm Beach campus). If you are weighing these two tracks, a closer look at the difference between FNP and AGNP can help clarify which patient population suits you best. Florida International University offers a fully online post-graduate PNP certificate.
Specialized Tracks: PMHNP, WHNP, and AGACNP
These three specialties are less commonly featured in program guides, yet they offer some of the strongest career trajectories.
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): Addresses the full spectrum of mental health and substance use disorders across the lifespan, combining psychotherapy, medication management, and crisis intervention. With a shortage of behavioral health providers in South Florida, PMHNPs are in exceptionally high demand.
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP): Specializes in reproductive, obstetric, and gynecologic care for women from adolescence through menopause, including family planning and menopause management.
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP): Manages acute, critical, and complex chronic conditions in hospital and specialty settings, such as intensive care units, emergency departments, and surgical services. This track is often pursued by nurses with strong inpatient backgrounds.
PMHNP and AGACNP programs are available through Florida-based institutions: The University of North Florida offers a fully online PMHNP certificate, and Florida Southern College provides a hybrid PMHNP post-master's program. For AGACNP, the University of Central Florida runs a hybrid certificate, and Florida National University in Hialeah has a campus-based certificate program. You can explore additional AGACNP programs in Florida to compare format and cost. Florida A&M University's WHNP certificate is delivered entirely online, making it accessible to Miami-area nurses without relocation.
Online vs. Campus Delivery in the Miami Area
Most NP specialties in South Florida now include online or hybrid options that reduce commute time.
- Fully online: FNP tracks at St. Thomas University, Keiser University, and University of West Florida; the PMHNP certificate at UNF; the WHNP certificate at FAMU; and the AGNP MSN at South University.
- Hybrid (online with some campus intensives): University of Miami's FNP, Florida Atlantic University's FNP, Nova Southeastern University's FNP, and the AGACNP certificate at UCF.
- Campus-based: Miami Regional University's FNP, Ana G. Mendez University's FNP (South Florida campus), and Florida National University's AGACNP certificate require in-person attendance.
Nurses in the Fort Lauderdale corridor may also find convenient hybrid options; our guide to nurse practitioner programs in Fort Lauderdale covers schools within easy commuting distance. When choosing a specialty, consider the patient population that energizes you and verify whether clinical placements can be completed locally. Because PMHNP demand continues to surge in South Florida, employers and clinics increasingly seek NPs with this certification, making it a strategic choice for nurses who want to practice at the top of their scope in a high-impact field.
MSN Vs. DNP Vs. Post-Master's Certificate: Choosing Your Degree Level
Deciding which credential to pursue is one of the biggest choices you'll make on your path to becoming a nurse practitioner. Each option serves a different stage of your career, and the right fit depends on your current education, clinical goals, and timeline. Here's a side-by-side look at how the three main pathways compare across the attributes that matter most.
Tuition and Affordability Across Miami NP Programs
Tuition for NP programs in and around Miami varies significantly depending on whether you choose a public university or a private institution. Florida residents benefit from substantially lower rates at state schools, with annual graduate tuition starting below $7,000 at some campuses. The figures below reflect institution-level graduate tuition and average net price after financial aid, so actual NP program costs may differ by credit load and degree level.
| School | Sector | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University | Public | $6,693 | $18,482 | $8,752 | $17,236 |
| University of Central Florida | Public | $8,872 | $28,657 | $10,411 | $18,190 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | Public | $8,961 | $31,216 | $12,568 | $17,622 |
| University of West Florida | Public | $9,062 | $24,894 | $9,364 | $16,624 |
| Florida A&M University | Public | $9,876 | $24,669 | $13,739 | $23,548 |
| University of South Florida | Public | $10,428 | $21,126 | $9,812 | $17,988 |
| University of North Florida | Public | $10,364 | $21,930 | $10,154 | $15,531 |
| Ana G. Mendez University | Private | $10,455 | $10,455 | $19,775 | $12,188 |
| Florida State University | Public | $10,553 | $26,707 | $11,297 | $18,000 |
| Florida International University | Public | $11,334 | $24,439 | $9,288 | $16,500 |
| University of Florida | Public | $12,737 | $30,130 | $6,541 | $15,000 |
| South University, West Palm Beach | Private | $16,611 | $16,611 | $20,271 | $26,123 |
| South University, Tampa | Private | $16,611 | $16,611 | $20,434 | $26,123 |
| Barry University | Private | $19,650 | $19,650 | $22,613 | $26,997 |
| Miami Regional University | Private | N/A | N/A | $22,113 | $22,500 |
Clinical Hours, Preceptor Support, and Placement Networks
Accreditors and state boards have steadily raised expectations for NP clinical training over the past decade, and that shift shapes how Miami programs structure their practicum sequences today.
How Many Hours You Should Expect
Most MSN-NP tracks in the Miami area require somewhere between 500 and 720 supervised clinical hours, with the University of Miami's FNP track landing at the 500-plus mark.1 DNP programs typically push that figure past 1,000 hours, since the doctoral degree layers leadership, quality improvement, and scholarly project work on top of direct patient care. That difference matters for timeline planning: an extra 500 hours can translate to a full additional semester (sometimes two) of part-time clinical scheduling around your existing RN shifts. If you are weighing MSN versus DNP, map the hour requirement against your available weekday daytime hours before you commit. Understanding the case for DNP entry-to-practice can help you decide whether the extra investment is worthwhile.
Who Finds Your Preceptor
This is the question that quietly determines whether your final year is manageable or miserable. Some programs place students directly with vetted preceptors. Others hand you a list and expect you to negotiate your own site. The University of Miami offers preceptor placement support and maintains relationships with community agencies and health care organizations across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, though it stops short of a formal guarantee.1 Confirm the specifics in writing before you enroll. Preceptor logistics are one area where NP program clinical placement differences between online and on-campus formats become especially important.
The Miami Advantage
The upside of training here is the sheer density of the clinical landscape. Jackson Health System, Baptist Health South Florida, and Memorial Healthcare collectively operate dozens of hospitals and outpatient sites across the metro, giving local NP students access to primary care, specialty, and acute care rotations that students in smaller markets simply cannot match.
What Nurse Practitioners Earn in South Florida
Nurse practitioner salaries in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach metro area span a wide range depending on experience, specialty, and practice setting. The Florida statewide median of $129,010 closely tracks the national median of $129,210, though individual earnings vary considerably. Psychiatric-mental health NPs and acute care NPs often command higher pay than family NPs in primary care, and hospital-based roles typically pay more than outpatient clinics, especially early in your career.
Your Path From RN to NP in Miami: Admissions, Deadlines, and Next Steps
The University of Miami's Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program has a June 1, 2026 application deadline for fall 2026 entry.1
Prerequisites Across Miami Programs
Most nurse practitioner programs in the Miami area share similar admission requirements. You will need an active, unencumbered RN license in Florida (or compact state eligibility), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution, and a minimum cumulative GPA, typically 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, as seen at the University of Miami.1 Some programs, like those at Florida International University, may consider candidates with slightly lower GPAs if other application components are strong. Clinical RN experience is strongly preferred; many applicants have one to two years of bedside practice, especially in acute care specialties. Standardized test policies vary: the University of Miami now offers a GRE waiver for all its NP tracks, and many other schools have moved to test-optional or no-exam admissions.1 Check each program's website for the latest updates.
Application Deadlines and Start Dates
Timing is everything. For fall 2026 entry, Florida International University's NP programs set a March 1, 2026 deadline4, while the University of Miami's FNP MSN applications are due June 1, 2026.1 If you are interested in spring 2027 entry, UM's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP MSN has an October 1, 2026 cutoff, with applications opening April 1, 2026.3 Barry University and Nova Southeastern University also offer NP pathways with rolling or multiple start dates throughout the year; you will need to confirm current deadlines on their admissions pages as they can shift. Miami's warm climate and year-round academic calendar mean there is often more than one intake window to fit your schedule.
Commuting from Broward, Palm Beach, and Beyond
Miami's NP programs draw students from up and down the South Florida corridor. If you live in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, or even Homestead, you can access campus-based classes without a grueling commute. The region's highways and Tri-Rail commuter train connect these communities, making it feasible to work a clinical shift in your home city and attend evening or weekend courses in Miami. Many local employers also support advanced education, so nurses often coordinate their schedules with preceptor placements close to home.
Your Next Step
The best move now is to narrow your list to two or three programs that align with your specialty, your preferred degree level (MSN or DNP), and your timeline. If you are weighing a doctoral track, reviewing DNP prerequisites can help you understand what additional requirements apply. From there, reach out directly to admissions offices or request information packets. This helps you clarify any additional prerequisites, confirm precise deadlines, and learn about financial aid or graduate assistantships. You can also explore NP programs in Florida for a broader statewide perspective on your options. Most schools have straightforward online inquiry forms, and some, like the University of Miami, offer virtual information sessions where you can ask questions in real time. Your journey from RN to NP starts with a single, informed step, so take it today.
