Texas Woman’s University offers two Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (PNP-PC)
- Post-Master’s Certificate – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care (PNP-PC)
Both programs are approved for distance education and are delivered fully online, with clinicals completed within Texas.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PNP-PC | $25,920 | ~2–2.5 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate PNP-PC | $15,552 | ~1.5–2 years |
The MSN track is a 45-credit BSN-entry program; the post-master’s certificate is a 27-credit option for MSN-prepared APRNs looking to add the PNP-PC specialty. TWU is best suited for experienced pediatric nurses in Texas who want a structured, affordable online pathway with fall, spring, and summer admission options.
MSN Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-PC)
The estimated cost for the MSN PNP-PC at TWU is approximately $25,920 , and the program would take approximately 2 to 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 45 credits × ~$576/credit based on published $5,184 per 9-hour semester.
Graduates are prepared to sit for the PNCB certification examination.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN PNP-PC totals 45 semester credit hours organized across 18 credits of required core courses and 27 credits of PNP specialty courses.
Core coursework covers advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, advanced health assessment, evidence-based practice, theoretical foundations, and health policy.
The PNP specialty sequence builds from foundational pediatric primary care concepts through progressive clinical practicum courses, culminating in an advanced pediatric primary care synthesis practicum. An oral examination of a completed professional or clinical project serves as the final examination.
Course Descriptions:
BIOL 5333 – Advanced Pathophysiology
Reviews normal physiology and pathophysiologic changes across body systems as a basis for advanced nursing practice.
NURS 5663 – Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice
Covers core pharmacologic principles, including drug action, metabolism, and dose response for advanced nursing care.
NURS 5643 – Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice
Builds advanced assessment skills using physical, psychosocial, and cultural data to guide diagnosis across the lifespan.
NURS 5073 – Evidence-Based Practice for the Promotion of Quality Outcomes
Applies evidence-based practice to clinical questions to improve outcomes and advance healthcare quality.
NURS 5093 – Theoretical Foundations and the Advanced Nursing Role
Explores advanced practice roles, moral agency, and theoretical frameworks that support leadership and role expansion.
NURS 5133 – Health Policy and Health Care Delivery for Advanced Nursing Practice
Examines how social, political, economic, legal, and ethical forces shape U.S. healthcare policy and delivery.
NURS 5302 – Foundational Concepts for the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Introduces the foundational role and concepts of pediatric primary care nurse practitioner practice.
NURS 5223 – Principles of Pediatric Care Management, Diagnostics, and Common Procedural Interventions
Develops pediatric assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and procedural skills for primary care practice.
NURS 5343 – Well Child Concepts in Pediatric Primary Care
Focuses on wellness care, prevention, and safe primary care for pediatric patients.
NURS 5353 – PNP Practicum I: Management of the Well Child
Provides supervised practice in promoting health and preventing disease in pediatric primary care.
NURS 5363 – Acute and Chronic Illness in Pediatric Primary Care
Covers the care of children with non-emergent acute and chronic health conditions.
NURS 5365 – PNP Practicum II: Non-emergent Acute and Chronic Child Care and Management
Builds clinical experience managing pediatric acute and chronic conditions in primary care.
NURS 5403 – Synthesis and Transition to Professional Practice for the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Integrates knowledge and prepares students for independent pediatric primary care practice.
NURS 5585 – Advanced Pediatric Primary Care Synthesis Practicum III
Provides advanced clinical synthesis in pediatric primary care with emphasis on team-based, person-centered care.
View more curriculum details in the course catalog.
MSN Clinicals
Clinical hours are embedded within three progressive practicum courses totaling 13 practicum credits. All clinical experiences must occur within Texas. TWU does not clearly outline total supervised clinical hours on the official program page — contact the program coordinator for specific clinical hour requirements.
- NURS 5353 – PNP Practicum I: Management of the Well Child (3 cr.)
- NURS 5365 – PNP Practicum II: Non-emergent Acute and Chronic Child Care and Management (5 cr.)
- NURS 5585 – Advanced Pediatric Primary Care Synthesis Practicum III (5 cr.)
- All clinical placements must occur within Texas
- Total supervised clinical hours not published on the official program page; contact program coordinator for details
MSN Admissions
Admission is competitive; TWU requires one year of pediatric nursing experience and evaluates applicants holistically. Provisional admission may be available for applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours.
- Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license (uploaded into application)
- BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate nursing coursework and in all prior graduate coursework
- Basic undergraduate statistics course
- One year of experience in a pediatric setting required (provisional admission possible without it; experience must be obtained before starting clinical practicum courses)
- Current CV/resume including all related work experiences
- Two academic or professional reference letters (names, email addresses, and phone numbers submitted through the application)
- Completed TWU Nursing MSN Supplemental Application Form (uploaded into TWU Graduate Application)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (domestic applicants)
- International applicants: NACES or AICE evaluation service required; do not send transcripts directly to TWU
- $50 application fee ($75 for international applicants)
- Students have six years to complete the MSN program
- Minimum grade of B required in all courses; dismissed after two grades below B at graduate level
- Fall deadline: February 15 | Spring deadline: September 15 | Summer: Open
Post-Master’s Certificate – PNP-PC
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate PNP-PC at TWU is approximately $15,552 (27 credits × ~$576/credit).
If prerequisite courses (Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment — 9 credits total) are not already completed or are outdated, an additional ~$5,184 applies, bringing the potential total to ~$20,736. The program would take approximately 1.5 to 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate totals 27 semester credit hours of PNP specialty coursework — the same specialty sequence as the MSN PNP track. Three prerequisite courses (Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment — 9 credits) must have been completed with a grade of B or better; the Pharmacology course must be current within 6 years of anticipated certificate completion.
These prerequisite credits are not counted toward the 27-credit certificate total. Courses within the prior MSN degree are waived as prerequisites except for the three “Ps.”
Prerequisites (9 cr. — not counted toward certificate, required before specialty courses):
- BIOL 5333 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
- NURS 5663 – Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr.) — must be current within 6 years
- NURS 5643 – Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr.)
PNP Certificate Specialty Courses (27 cr.) — identical to MSN specialty sequence:
- NURS 5302 – Foundational Concepts for the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (2 cr.)
- NURS 5223 – Principles of Pediatric Care Management, Diagnostics, and Common Procedural Interventions (3 cr.)
- NURS 5343 – Well Child Concepts in Pediatric Primary Care (3 cr.)
- NURS 5353 – PNP Practicum I: Management of the Well Child (3 cr.)
- NURS 5363 – Acute and Chronic Illness in Pediatric Primary Care (3 cr.)
- NURS 5365 – PNP Practicum II: Non-emergent Acute and Chronic Child Care and Management (5 cr.)
- NURS 5403 – Synthesis and Transition to Professional Practice for the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (3 cr.)
- NURS 5585 – Advanced Pediatric Primary Care Synthesis Practicum III (5 cr.)
View more curriculum details in the course catalog.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical hours are embedded within the three practicum courses (13 practicum credits total), identical in structure to the MSN PNP clinical sequence. All clinical placements must occur within Texas. Total supervised clinical hour requirements are not explicitly published on the official program page.
- NURS 5353 – PNP Practicum I: Management of the Well Child (3 cr.)
- NURS 5365 – PNP Practicum II: Non-emergent Acute and Chronic Child Care and Management (5 cr.)
- NURS 5585 – Advanced Pediatric Primary Care Synthesis Practicum III (5 cr.)
- All clinical placements must occur within Texas
- Total supervised clinical hours not published on the official program page; contact program coordinator for details
Certificate Admissions
Admission requires an MSN from a nationally accredited program and current APRN licensure. Certificate applicants must be licensed APRNs — a higher bar than the MSN track which accepts BSN-prepared RNs.
- Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license (uploaded into application)
- MSN from a nationally accredited nursing program; minimum 3.0 GPA in master’s degree
- Must be a licensed APRN to seek admission to the post-master’s certificate program
- Basic statistics course
- Prerequisites: Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Pharmacology with grade of B or better; Pharmacology must be current within 6 years
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- International applicants: NACES or AICE evaluation service required
- $50 application fee ($75 for international applicants)
- Two academic or professional reference letters submitted through the application
- Texas residents only; all clinicals must occur in Texas
- Fall deadline: February 15 | Spring deadline: September 15
Tuition
Graduate tuition at TWU is approximately $576 per credit hour, based on the published rate of $5,184 per 9-hour semester for 2025–2026. Fees of approximately $2,970 per semester apply in addition to tuition.
Books and supplies are estimated at $1,231 per semester. Total estimated annual cost of attendance (tuition + fees, excluding housing) is approximately $16,308 for students enrolled in 18 credits per year.
Note that TWU’s published cost of attendance reflects Texas resident rates; both PNP programs are currently limited to Texas residents only.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The nursing programs at Texas Woman’s University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of the MSN PNP-PC and Post-Master’s Certificate PNP-PC programs are eligible to sit for the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) certification examination for Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioners.
Review Additional PNP Programs in Texas
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - Lubbock
- University of Texas at Austin - Austin
- UT Health San Antonio - San Antonio
- University of Texas at Arlington - Arlington