Walden University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – AGNP, FNP, PMHNP, PNP
#5 Best Overall NP School
#2 Most Flexible NP School
#5 Best Program Variety
- BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP – ADN route
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP – BSN route
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – ADN route
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – BSN route
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – ADN route
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – BSN route
- MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – ADN route
- MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – BSN route
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP – ADN route
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP – BSN route
- MSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- MSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- MSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- Post-Master's Certificate – AGACNP
- Post-Master's Certificate – AGPCNP
- Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric NP (Primary Care)
- Post-Master's Certificate – PMHNP
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
Walden University’s College of Nursing offers 100% online MSN and DNP degrees with five specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-PC)
The Walden online MSN offers an ADN bridge entry point (RN Track) and a BSN entry point (BSN Track). In addition, an Accelerated into Master’s (AIM) program is available for those holding a hospital diploma or associate degree in nursing who want to earn their bachelor’s degree while earning an MSN degree. Students complete coursework 100% online and clinicals are completed at approved facilities local to the student.
The DNP program offers a BSN and MSN entry point with a 10 quarter credit difference between the two programs. Again, coursework is 100% online with local preceptorships.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the demand for nurse practitioners will increase 45 percent from 2022 to 2032. This is significantly better than the 3% average increase across all occupations. Nurse practitioners are and will continue to be in high demand due to the decrease in family practice doctors across the country.
To help meet this demand, Walden University employs expert instructors who all hold doctoral degrees to teach its graduate nursing courses. Nursing students design and implement a project in a professional healthcare setting to apply learned knowledge, in addition to completing a clinical preceptorship.
As mentioned, students may choose from five NP specializations at Walden. While all nurse practitioners collaborate with other healthcare professionals to improve patient health care and outcomes, each NP specialization focuses on a unique population.
Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners serve patients from adolescence to the elderly. Acute care NPs focus on the care of acutely ill adult patients in various critical care settings including intensive care units and surgical units.
AGACNPs work with other healthcare professionals to develop care plans and manage patient care. Graduates of this specialization will be prepared to take the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care certification exams through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), as well as the certification exam through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Adult-gerontology primary care NPs work with adults in primary care, home, hospital, and long-term care settings. They also work with care teams to create care plans and manage patient health. AGPCNP graduates will be prepared to take the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care certification exams through ANCC and AANPCB.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) serve populations across the lifespan from childhood to old age.
Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) serve infants, children, adolescents, and young adults from birth to age 21.
FNPs and PNPs are prepared to assess, evaluate, diagnose and treat acute and chronic health conditions. They focus on holistic health care through preventive medicine and healthcare education for their patients and communities. FNPs and PNPs may work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, government agencies, primary care clinics, community health facilities, and other family practice settings.
Graduates of the FNP program will be prepared to take the family nurse practitioner certification exam through the ANCC.
PNP-PC graduates are eligible to take the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (CPNP-PC) exam through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
PMHNPs work with mental health illness and issues, assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients across the lifespan. They may recommend or provide counseling, psychotherapy, and addiction or disorder treatment, and prescribe medications. PMHNPs may work in hospitals, schools, counseling facilities, treatment centers, and other mental health organizations.
Graduates of the PMHNP program will be prepared to take the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certification exam through the ANCC.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The online MSN and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Walden University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What to Expect from the Walden University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Admissions Requirements: Students must hold a BSN degree from an accredited institution for the BSN Track. Those entering the RN Track must hold an associate’s degree in nursing, a hospital diploma, or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with RN licensure from an accredited institution. No minimum GPA or graduate test scores are required, and Walden does not charge an application fee. Application materials include proof of a current unrestricted RN license, official transcripts, a resume, and a list of transfer credits.
Students must also submit a work experience form that demonstrates two years of full-time or part-time nursing work experience, a statement of understanding of the MSN and DNP NP clinical requirements, and potential clinical sites for the practicums.
State Restrictions: Walden University accepts students from all states except New York and Rhode Island at this time. Other states may have special requirements for graduate nurse practitioner study. However, all applicants outside of Minnesota should check with their state Board of Nursing to make sure they are eligible to study with Walden University and to be aware of the certification requirements in their state while attending an out-of-state university.
Study Plan: The Walden University online MSN courses are delivered in 11-week quarters. Start dates are offered every quarter. Online students should expect to spend about 15-20 hours per week for each course. This includes participating in class discussions and completing readings and assignments. Students complete courses online as well as clinicals local to the student.
MSN Core Curriculum: The online MSN (BSN Track) includes the foundational course Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing. The online MSN (RN Track) includes the following foundation courses: Issues and Trends in Nursing; Foundations of Nursing Research; Topics in Clinical Nursing; Role of the Nurse Leader in Population Health; Leadership Competencies in Nursing and Healthcare; and Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing.
Students then take four MSN core courses including Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health; Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice; Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology; and Interprofessional Organizational and Systems Leadership.
Nurse practitioner students also take Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning; and Advanced Pharmacology. Specialization courses are then completed as listed below.
AGACNP Specialization Courses: The online MSN-AGACNP (BSN Track) comprises a total of 58 credits and 640 practicum hours. The RN Track comprises 84 credits plus the 640 practicum hours and may include additional practicum hours for the foundation courses. Specialization courses include Management of the Acutely Ill Adult-Gerontology Patient; Advanced Practice Care of Frail Elders; and Advanced Practice Care of Adults in Acute Care Settings I-II.
AGPCNP Specialization Courses: The online MSN-AGPCNP (BSN Track) comprises a total of 58 credits and 640 practicum hours. The RN Track comprises 84 credits plus the 640 practicum hours and may include additional practicum hours for the foundation courses. Specialization courses include Advanced Practice Care of Adults Across the Lifespan; Advanced Practice Care of Frail Elders; Primary Care of Women; and Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice Care of Patients in Primary Care Settings.
FNP Specialization Courses: The online FNP (BSN Track) comprises a total of 58 credits and 640 practicum hours. The RN Track comprises 84 credits plus the 640 practicum hours and may include additional practicum hours for the foundation courses. Specialization courses include Advanced Practice Care of Adults Across the Lifespan; Advanced Practice Care of Adolescents and Children; Primary Care of Women; and Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice Care of Patients in Primary Care Settings.
PMHNP Specialization Courses: The online PMHNP (BSN Track) comprises a total of 63 credits and 640 practicum hours. The RN Track comprises 89 credits plus the 640 practicum hours and may include additional practicum hours for the foundation courses. Specialization courses include Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology; Psychotherapy With Individuals; Psychotherapy With Groups and Families; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role I: Child and Adolescent; and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II: Adults and Older Adults.
PNP-PC Specialization Courses: The online PNP-PC (BSN Track) comprises a total of 63 credits and 640 practicum hours. The RN Track comprises 89 credits plus 640 practicum hours and may include additional practicum hours for the foundation courses. Specialization courses include Advanced Pediatric Development and Behavior; Primary Care Approaches for Children; Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum I: Primary Care; Management of Complex Pediatric Conditions; Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum II: Complex Care; Management of Specialized Pediatric Conditions; Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum III: Specialty Care; Synthesis of Pediatric Primary Care; and Advanced Pediatric Nursing Practicum IV: Synthesis Care.
DNP Curriculum: The online DNP program with NP specializations has both BSN and MSN entry points. DNP courses include Foundations and Essentials for the Doctor of Nursing Practice; Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing; Leading Organizations for Quality Improvement Initiatives; Epidemiology and Population Health; Healthcare Policy and Advocacy; Evidence-Based Practice I-II; DNP Project Mentoring; and DNP Project Completion. The specialty courses follow those listed for the MSN specialties above and other MSN courses may be included such as Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology; and Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning.
BSN to DNP students also take Finance and Economics in Healthcare Delivery and Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice. The AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP specializations comprise 90 quarter credits for the BSN to DNP and 80 quarter credits for the MSN to DNP. The PMHNP and PNP-PC specializations comprise 95 credits for the BSN to DNP and 85 quarter credits for the MSN to DNP. DNP students must complete approximately 1,140 clinical hours for their specialization.
Online Experience: Walden University utilizes the myWalden student portal as its online platform. Students can access courses, email, chat, classroom discussion boards, grades, academic records, library services, student support services, and financial information through this portal. Courses are asynchronous and students have access to 24/7 technical support and Student Success Advising. All new students should participate in the online orientation offered through Walden.
On-Site Requirements: Walden MSN students are not required to come to campus as the coursework is fully online with preceptorships local to the student.
Paying for the Walden University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Walden University charges $726 per credit plus fees for the online MSN courses and $401 per credit for the 26 RN foundational quarter credits, plus fees. The DNP program charges $871 per quarter credit for the DNP courses, $457 per quarter credit for the essential courses included with the BSN to DNP programs, and $726 per quarter credit for the NP specialization courses, plus fees. Prospective students should contact Walden’s School of Nursing through the College of Health Sciences for current tuition costs as tuition generally changes from year to year.
Walden University offers unsubsidized federal Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS Loans in accordance with the FAFSA. In addition, a $3,000 grant is available to residents of the U.S. Nursing students may also seek outside scholarships and grants for their graduate nursing degree and should inquire with their employers regarding a tuition reimbursement program.
With start dates each quarter, very affordable tuition rates, and no campus visit or GRE requirements, the Walden University AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PNP, and PMHNP programs stand out in the online community.
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP – ADN route
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP – BSN route
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – ADN route
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – BSN route
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – ADN route
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – BSN route
MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – ADN route
MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – BSN route
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP – ADN route
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP – BSN route
MSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
MSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
MSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
MSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
Post-Master's Certificate – AGACNP
Post-Master's Certificate – AGPCNP
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric NP (Primary Care)
Post-Master's Certificate – PMHNP
100 Washington Avenue South, Suite 900
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
90
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
90
$785.00
$70,650.00
$785.00
$70,650.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
90
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
90
$785.00
$70,650.00
$785.00
$70,650.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
90
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
90
$785.00
$70,650.00
$785.00
$70,650.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
95
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
95
$783.16
$74,400.20
$783.16
$74,400.20
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
95
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
95
$783.16
$74,400.20
$783.16
$74,400.20
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
84
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY, RI
Program Tuition
84
$646.31
$54,290.04
$646.31
$54,290.04
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
58
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY, RI
Program Tuition
58
$750.00
$43,500.00
$750.00
$43,500.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
84
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY, RI
Program Tuition
84
$646.31
$54,290.04
$646.31
$54,290.04
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
58
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY, RI
Program Tuition
58
$750.00
$43,500.00
$750.00
$43,500.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
84
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY, RI
Program Tuition
84
$646.31
$54,290.04
$646.31
$54,290.04
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
58
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY, RI
Program Tuition
58
$750.00
$43,500.00
$750.00
$43,500.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
89
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
89
$652.13
$58,039.57
$652.13
$58,039.57
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
63
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
63
$750.00
$47,250.00
$750.00
$47,250.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
89
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY, RI
Program Tuition
89
$652.13
$58,039.57
$652.13
$58,039.57
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
63
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY, RI
Program Tuition
63
$750.00
$47,250.00
$750.00
$47,250.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
80
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
80
$823.13
$65,850.40
$823.13
$65,850.40
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
80
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
80
$823.13
$65,850.40
$823.13
$65,850.40
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
80
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
80
$823.13
$65,850.40
$823.13
$65,850.40
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
85
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
85
$818.82
$69,599.70
$818.82
$69,599.70
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Each Quarter
Yes
0
85
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
None
NY
Program Tuition
85
$818.82
$69,599.70
$818.82
$69,599.70
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
38
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher (for post-bachelors coursework)
NY, RI
Program Tuition
38
$750.00
$28,500.00
$750.00
$28,500.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
38
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher (for post-bachelors coursework)
NY, RI
Program Tuition
38
$750.00
$28,500.00
$750.00
$28,500.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
38
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher (for post-bachelors coursework)
NY, RI
Program Tuition
38
$750.00
$28,500.00
$750.00
$28,500.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
43
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher (for post-bachelors coursework)
NY, RI
Program Tuition
43
$750.00
$32,250.00
$750.00
$32,250.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
43
640
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher (for post-bachelors coursework)
NY, RI
Program Tuition
43
$750.00
$32,250.00
$750.00
$32,250.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Sara Navratil
WriterSara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.