- 1 In-State School, Mostly Online and Campus formats, plus 2 online options compared
Washington has one Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program, at the University of Washington in Seattle. It covers Primary Care and Acute Care through a Mostly Online DNP and in-person post-graduate certificates.
Because UW is the only in-state choice, each table below also includes two online programs approved for Washington clinical placements: Walden University and Maryville University.
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UW Seattle | Primary Care + Acute Care | Mostly Online (DNP); Campus (certificates) | DNP: up to one 2–4 day intensive per quarter. Certificates: weekly classes | $1,097 (DNP) | DNP, Certificate | Nurses who want UW to find every clinical site |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $785 per quarter credit | MSN, DNP, Certificate | RNs without a BSN who cannot travel |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 | MSN, Certificate | BSN nurses who want a master’s, not a doctorate |
Washington eligibility: The Washington State Board of Nursing’s September 2026 list of approved out-of-state clinical placements covers all five Walden PNP Primary Care pathways. It covers Maryville’s PNP MSN and post-master’s certificate, but not its PNP doctorates, so those are left out of this guide. The board limits these approvals to Washington residents.
Washington PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 1 in-state, plus 2 online options compared
- Primary Care: Yes, at UW; also online at Walden and Maryville
- Acute Care: Yes, at UW only (DNP and certificate)
- MSN: Online only; Walden admits RN or BSN entry, Maryville BSN entry
- DNP: In-state at UW, BSN or MSN entry; online at Walden
- Certificate: In-state at UW for current APRNs; online at Walden and Maryville
- Format: UW’s DNP is Mostly Online and its certificates are Campus; neither online option requires campus visits
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $48K for a UW certificate (resident, est.)
Choosing a PNP Program in Washington
No Preceptor Search and Both Populations: UW
UW arranges every clinical placement, including PICU and emergency rotations for Acute Care students. Both DNP tracks require 750 clinical hours, and UW reports it is the only PNP-AC program in the five-state WWAMI region. The trade-offs: no MSN, an Autumn-only DNP start, and a Seattle trip up to once a quarter.
Associate-Degree Entry and Five Approved Pathways: Walden
Walden is the only school here that admits diploma and ADN-prepared RNs, and all five of its PNP pathways hold Washington placement approval. There is no campus travel. The weak point is preceptors. Students search first, and Washington requires graduate preceptors to have a year in the specialty and no personal tie to the student.
A Master’s-Level Route With Frequent Starts: Maryville
Maryville offers an online Primary Care MSN, a credential UW does not award, and admits six times a year. It requires one year of RN experience. Maryville publishes no clinical hour total and no placement commitment, and Washington residents cannot use its PNP doctorates.
Washington RN-to-MSN PNP Programs
UW requires a BSN or MSN and offers no master’s degree, so no Washington school has an RN-entry PNP pathway. Walden is the only program in this guide that does. Its Primary Care RN-to-MSN accepts a hospital diploma, an associate degree in nursing, or a bachelor’s in another field, and adds 26 foundation credits.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $57K (after scholarship) | ~28 months | 640 |
- Experience requirement: Walden publishes no RN experience minimum.
Compare more programs: See all RN-to-MSN PNP programs
Washington BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
No Washington school offers a PNP master’s; a BSN nurse at UW enters the DNP. Both online options offer a Primary Care MSN with no campus visits. Maryville’s plan is 47 semester credits. Walden’s is 63 quarter credits, which look larger but are smaller units.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $45K (after scholarship) | ~24 months | 640 |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $42K | 20 months full-time | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $42K.
- Shortest completion: Maryville, about 20 months full-time.
- Experience requirement: Maryville requires one year of RN experience; Walden publishes none.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Washington BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
UW admits BSN nurses into a Primary Care or Acute Care DNP, with coursework online and clinicals arranged in Washington. Walden offers a fully online Primary Care BSN-to-DNP. Maryville’s PNP doctorate lacks Washington placement approval, so it does not appear here.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UW Seattle | Primary Care | $105K | 10 quarters full-time; 4 years part-time | 750 |
| UW Seattle | Acute Care | $105K | 10 quarters full-time; 4 years part-time | 750 |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $76K (after scholarship) | ~3.25 years | 1,000 (DNP total) |
- Only Acute Care option: UW.
- Campus requirement: UW holds up to one 2–4 day Seattle intensive per quarter, which can mean up to 10 trips on the full-time plan.
- Experience requirement: UW strongly recommends, but does not require, a year of acute, critical, or emergency RN experience for Acute Care.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Washington MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
UW admits MSN-prepared nurses into the same two DNP tracks but publishes no separate price or timeline for MSN entry. Walden’s online MSN-to-DNP adds Primary Care PNP preparation for nurses who already hold a master’s. Part-time study at UW opens only for select tracks, based on space.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UW Seattle | Primary Care | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated | 750 |
| UW Seattle | Acute Care | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated | 750 |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $71K (after scholarship) | ~3 years | 1,000 (post-BSN total) |
- Only Acute Care option: UW.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Washington Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
UW’s Primary Care and Acute Care certificates are limited to current APRNs. A pre-admission gap analysis sets each plan, and classes meet weekly in Seattle. Walden and Maryville offer online Primary Care certificates open to any MSN holder, with or without APRN certification.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UW Seattle | Primary Care | $48K–$60K | 12–15 months | Not clearly stated |
| UW Seattle | Acute Care | $48K–$60K | 12–15 months | Not clearly stated |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $33K | 5–7 quarters | 640 |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $32K | ~24 months part-time | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $32K.
- Shortest completion: UW, at 12–15 months full-time.
- Campus requirement: UW certificates require weekly in-person classes.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Washington?
One. UW offers a Primary Care DNP, an Acute Care DNP, and a post-graduate certificate in each population. Out-of-state programs need Washington State Board of Nursing approval to place students in Washington clinicals, and Walden and Maryville both hold it for their PNP programs.
Does Washington offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes. UW offers Acute Care through its DNP and its certificate. Neither Walden nor Maryville offers Acute Care, so UW is the only Acute Care choice in this guide.
Are any programs fully online?
Walden and Maryville require no campus visits. UW’s DNP coursework is online, with up to one 2–4 day Seattle intensive per quarter. UW’s certificates meet in person every week.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, UW’s certificates are lowest at $48K–$60K for residents. UW’s DNP costs about $105K for every student, with no resident discount. Among the online options, Maryville’s $32K certificate and $42K MSN are the lowest.
Which schools offer a DNP?
UW offers Primary Care and Acute Care DNPs, and Walden offers a Primary Care DNP. Both accept BSN or MSN entry. Maryville’s PNP doctorates are not approved for Washington placements.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
Within Washington, yes. UW arranges all placements at urban and rural Washington sites. Walden and Maryville students complete clinicals locally but generally line up their own preceptors. Washington requires graduate preceptors to have one year in the specialty and no personal relationship with the student.
Can I become a PNP in Washington without a BSN?
Not through UW, which requires a BSN or MSN. Walden’s online RN-to-MSN admits diploma and ADN-prepared nurses and holds Washington placement approval.