Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Pennsylvania

Last Updated/Verified: Feb 26, 2024

Why Pursue an Online Nurse Practitioner Program in Pennsylvania

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are an invaluable asset to many patients, especially those who live in underserved or remote areas of Pennsylvania that may not have abundant physicians available. Many patients who are treated by NPs often rate higher levels of satisfaction, fewer emergency room visits, less need for hospitalization, and overall less out-of-pocket costs. Since nurse practitioners are more cost-effective than doctors, they are in higher demand. Wilmington, Pennsylvania is a top metropolitan area with the highest employment level for nurse practitioners, with an annual average salary of $107,250 and an hourly wage of $51.56.

NPs are always in high demand, and most can expect good annual wages, depending on where they live and their field of specialty—they can choose from different sub-specialties, including adult-gerontological health, neonatal health, and family care. NPs treat their patients and their health, assist them in completing their treatment plan. In some states, NPs can order and evaluate lab and diagnostic tests, collect information from patients, supervise other nurses, educate their patients, and prescribe medication.

2024 Top Ranked Pennsylvania Online NP Programs

RNs looking to advance in their careers can level up by completing a nurse practitioner program. Pennsylvania offers online NP programs in several specialty areas to help ambitious nurses grow their careers, expand their job opportunities, and earn higher salaries. Finding the right online NP program to meet your goals can be a challenge - that's why we've ranked the best online nurse practitioner programs in the state of Pennsylvania below. For more information on how we developed our rankings, visit our methodology page.

1.
Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

Overview:

Drexel University in Philadelphia offers several online MSN - Nurse Practitioner options, from the broad family-based specialty to the specific psychiatric, pediatric, and adult specialties. All leadership-focused programs prepare students to serve as professional practitioners in ambulatory and primary care settings.

Highlights:

  • State residency restrictions may apply
  • Programs include on-campus requirements
  • Courses include live, instructional simulations
2.
Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA

Overview:

Duquesne University in Pittsburg enables students to advance their nursing careers with a number of online MSN - Nurse Practitioner choices. From adult-gerontology to mental health, students gain a better understanding of providing acute, chronic, and preventive care to patients.

Highlights:

  • Military friendly university
  • Small nursing cohort groups
  • Practicums are required to graduate
3.
Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA

Overview:

Students can move forward in their careers when they complete a DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner online at Messiah University. By gaining clinical practice and mastering how to care for patients across the lifespan, students become leaders who are also advanced practitioners.

Highlights:

  • Transfer graduate-level credits
  • Clinical hours are necessary
  • A private Christian university

List of Online Nurse Practitioner Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is famous for its tourism and national history. NPs who practice in Pennsylvania can enjoy traditional beauty and historical importance within this state. Pennsylvania also offers steady employment for NPs who are seeking employment.

Pennsylvania online and hybrid nurse practitioner programs, which combine online coursework with some campus learning, make advancing a nurse’s education easier than ever. Now, nursing students can complete coursework in a flexible format that’s convenient for them; in fact, many students continue to work and take care of other life obligations while they complete their studies. Online NP programs can be found at the Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN), post-master’s certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) levels. In addition to this, students can choose from a variety of specializations to work with specific patient populations. Take a look at the available programs below to find the right NP pathway for you.

Emergency Nurse Practitioner

Graduate Certificate-ENP Programs

Drexel University

Online Emergency Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate

Philadelphia, PA

Family Nurse Practitioner

A popular nurse practitioner specialty, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) cares for patients of all ages, often acting in a primary care role. Prospective FNPs can enroll in any of the 11 online programs in Pennsylvania below:

MSN-FNP Programs

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

M.S.N. Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner

Clarion, PA

Drexel University

Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan)

Philadelphia, PA

Duquesne University

Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan)

Pittsburgh, PA

Edinboro University

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Edinboro, PA

La Salle University

Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Online

Philadelphia, PA

Graduate Certificate-FNP Programs

Drexel University

Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan)

Philadelphia, PA

Duquesne University

Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan)

Pittsburgh, PA

Pennsylvania Western University Clarion

Post Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Clarion, PA

DNP-FNP Programs

Messiah University

Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-BSN to DNP-FNP)

Mechanicsburg, PA

University of Pittsburgh

BSN to DNP: Family (Individual Across the Lifespan)

Pittsburgh, PA

University of Pittsburgh

Hybrid - MSN to DNP: Family (individual Across the Lifespan)

Pittsburgh, PA

Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Nurses who wish to focus on the care of adult patients from the teen years through the geriatric years, whether in a primary or acute care setting, can opt for one of the 10 online programs in Pennsylvania below.

MSN-AGNP Programs

Drexel University

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Duquesne University

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Pittsburgh, PA

La Salle University

Master of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online

Philadelphia, PA

Graduate Certificate-AGNP Programs

Drexel University

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

DNP-AGNP Programs

University of Pittsburgh

BSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

Pittsburgh, PA

University of Pittsburgh

Hybrid - MSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care

Pittsburgh, PA

University of Pittsburgh

Hybrid - MSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

Pittsburgh, PA

University of Pittsburgh

BSN to DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care

Pittsburgh, PA

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Neonatal Nurse Practitioners care for infants experiencing varying levels of illness and/or injury, often in hospital NICUs. Those looking to become Neonatal Nurse Practitioners in Pennsylvania can enroll in the following online program.

DNP-NNP Programs

University of Pittsburgh

Hybrid - MSN to DNP: Neonatal

Pittsburgh, PA

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners focus their care on children from birth through adolescence. To become a Pediatric NP, students in Pennsylvania can choose to enroll in any of the 6 online programs below.

MSN-PNP Programs

Drexel University

Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Graduate Certificate-PNP Programs

Drexel University

Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University

Pediatric Primary Care/Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Dual Program

Philadelphia, PA

DNP-PNP Programs

University of Pittsburgh

Hybrid - MSN to DNP: Pediatric Primary Care

Pittsburgh, PA

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are tasked with caring for patients with a range of mental health illnesses and disorders. As the demand for mental health practitioners continues to grow, prospective PMHNPs in Pennsylvania can earn their specialized degree by enrolling in one of the 7 online programs below.

MSN-PMHNP Programs

Drexel University

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Duquesne University

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Pittsburgh, PA

La Salle University

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Graduate Certificate-PMHNP Programs

Drexel University

Hybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Robert Morris University

Online Campus - Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Moon Township, PA

DNP-PMHNP Programs

Robert Morris University

Online Campus - Doctor of Nursing Practice: Psychiatric-Mental Health N.P.

Moon Township, PA

University of Pittsburgh

Hybrid - MSN to DNP: Psychiatric Mental Health

Pittsburgh, PA

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Women’s health issues range from reproductive and gynecologic health to childbearing to menopause and everything in between. Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNPs) help women through these unique health challenges. To become a WHNP, students in Pennsylvania have the option to enroll in any of the 2 online Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner programs below.

MSN-WHNP Programs

Drexel University

Women's Heath/Gender Related Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Graduate Certificate-WHNP Programs

Drexel University

Hybrid - Women's Health/Gender Related Nurse Practitioner

Philadelphia, PA

Are we missing your school's nurse practitioner program or need to update any of the information listed? Please contact us.