The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) offers seven Pediatric Nurse Practitioner pathways:
- BSN to MSN – Primary Care, CPNP-PC
- BSN to MSN – Acute Care, CPNP-AC
- BSN to MSN (Dual) – Primary and Acute Care, CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC
- RN to MSN – Primary Care, CPNP-PC
- RN to MSN – Acute Care, CPNP-AC
- Post-Master’s Certificate – Primary Care, CPNP-PC
- Post-Master’s Certificate – Acute Care, CPNP-AC
Six of the seven run 100% online through UTA’s Accelerated Online (AO) format, with 5- to 13-week courses and several start dates a year. The dual primary/acute care MSN has no online version and is a campus program in Arlington. Every pathway requires an active, unencumbered RN license, and UTA’s state authorization map determines which out-of-state residents can enroll in the online tracks.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition (Resident) | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN – PC | $26,814 | 29–33 months | 41 |
| MSN – AC | $29,430 | 31–33 months | 45 |
| MSN – Dual | $32K–$34K (est.) | 2–3 yrs (est.) | 54 |
| RN-MSN – PC | $35,038 | 42+ months | 76+ |
| RN-MSN – AC | $37,654 | 42+ months | 80+ |
| Cert – PC | $13,080–$20,928 | ~12 months (est.) | 20–32 |
| Cert – AC | $15,696–$23,544 | ~14 months (est.) | 24–36 |
Online figures use UTA’s Accelerated Online rate of $654 per credit; the MSN and RN-to-MSN totals are UTA’s own published figures, and the dual MSN estimate applies UTA’s 2026-2027 banded graduate resident tuition and mandatory fee chart to six to nine campus terms.
- Why choose it: Online primary and acute care tracks at $654 per credit for every student, with ADN, BSN, and MSN entry points.
- Trade-off: Students locate their own preceptors, and acute care requires two years of acute care RN experience within five years.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Population Focus | PC tracks: Primary Care (CPNP-PC) | AC tracks: Acute Care (CPNP-AC) | Dual MSN: both |
| Format | MSN, RN-to-MSN, and certificates: Online (AO) | Dual MSN: Campus |
| Clinical Hours | About 720 per single-population track, about 1,260 for the dual MSN (est.) |
| Clinical Placement | Student locates preceptor; department assists when a student has difficulty |
| RN Experience | 2 years RN (BSN-entry MSN); AC and dual add 2 years acute care within 5 years |
| Start Terms | Multiple AO starts per year; next MSN start January 11, 2027 |
| Tuition | $654 per credit online, same for Texas and out-of-state students |
| Accreditation | CCNE (master’s and post-graduate APRN certificate) |
Clinical Education
All seven pathways use the same placement model. UTA asks each student to locate a preceptor who fits the program’s requirements, and the Department of Graduate Nursing steps in when a student is having difficulty. Online students manage placements through Exxat; UTA’s campus program pages still name InPlace as the clinical management system.
- Clinical GPA rule: every PNP clinical course requires good academic standing (3.0 GPA) or certificate program standing
- Practicum ratio: the catalog sets a 1:4 credit-to-clinical-hour ratio for the 6-credit advanced practicums (NURS 5685 and NURS 5680)
- Hour estimate: about 720 hours for any single-population track and about 1,260 for the dual MSN (est.), based on 60 clinical hours per clinical credit (4 hours a week per credit across a 15-week term) applied to 12 clinical credits, or 21 for the dual
- Location: clinicals take place where the student lives, subject to UTA’s state authorization map; NP programs do not operate outside the United States
- Workload: UTA recommends working no more than 16–20 hours a week during the program
An estimated 720 hours sits in the normal 600-750 range for single-population PNP preparation. The AO practicums compress that work into 11- and 13-week courses, so weekly clinical hours run higher than a semester-length schedule would suggest. Because students source their own sites, a nurse in an area without pediatric primary care practices or a children’s hospital should line up preceptors before starting; this matters most for the acute care tracks, which need inpatient, ICU, or subspecialty pediatric settings.
General Admissions (BSN-Entry MSN)
The three BSN-entry MSN tracks share the catalog’s MSN admission criteria:
- BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program at a regionally accredited university
- 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of the bachelor’s degree for unconditional admission
- Probationary admission (part-time only) with a 2.8–2.99 GPA plus GRE scores of at least 149 Verbal, 141 Quantitative, and 3.5 Analytical Writing
- Two years of clinical experience as an RN (international applicants: two years in a U.S. or equivalent system)
- Active, unencumbered RN license verified through NURSYS
- Undergraduate statistics with a C or better
- CPR certification
- Up to 10 semester hours of transfer credit, subject to syllabus review
The two-year RN requirement rules out new BSN graduates. Online applicants apply per start date: the next MSN start is January 11, 2027, with applications due December 11, 2026.
MSN in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The online MSN in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner costs $26,814 (41 credits at $654) and takes as few as 29–33 months. It prepares BSN nurses with two years of RN experience for primary care practice with children from birth to age 21 and for the PNCB CPNP-PC exam. The same degree is offered on campus.
MSN PC Curriculum
The 41 credits split into a 9-credit MSN core, a 29-credit pediatric primary care specialization, and a 3-credit role course. The MSN core was recently replaced: NURS 5363, 5364, and 5365 now stand in for the older theory, research, and evidence-based practice courses. The specialty sequence moves from two pediatric management courses into two 3-credit clinical courses and a 6-credit, 13-week advanced practicum.
- NURS 5363 Personal and Professional Leadership Development (3)
- NURS 5364 Research, Theory, EBP and Quality Improvement (3)
- NURS 5365 Technology-Driven Healthcare Strategies for Population and Systems Improvement (3)
- NURS 5315 Advanced Pathophysiology (3), NURS 5334 Advanced Pharmacology for NPs (3), NURS 5220 Advanced Health Assessment (2), NURS 5130 Pediatric Assessment Lab (1)
- NURS 5465 Primary Pediatric Care (4)
- NURS 5467 Pediatric Complex Care (4)
- NURS 5371 and 5372 Pediatric Primary Care Clinical Practice 1 and 2 (3 each)
- NURS 5685 Pediatric Primary Care NP Advanced Practicum (6)
- NURS 5350 Role of the Nurse in Advanced Practice (3)
MSN PC requirements in the 2026-2027 UTA catalog
MSN PC Clinical Requirements
- 12 clinical credits: NURS 5371 (11 weeks), NURS 5372 (11 weeks), NURS 5685 (13 weeks)
- About 720 clinical hours (est.), per the Clinical Education basis above
- Settings: selected primary health practice sites; UTA lists pediatric primary care clinics, school-based clinics, and palliative care as graduate settings
- Student-located preceptors with department assistance on request
MSN PC Admissions
The General Admissions criteria above apply with no pediatric experience requirement, so an adult-care RN with two years of experience qualifies.
MSN in Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The online MSN in Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner costs $29,430 (45 credits at $654) and takes as few as 31–33 months. It prepares nurses for acute, complex, and unstable pediatric care and for the PNCB CPNP-AC exam. Admission requires two years of RN experience in pediatric acute care within the previous five years, which excludes most nurses whose pediatric background is outpatient or school-based. UTA says the online track was developed from its campus PNP-AC program, founded in 2004.
MSN AC Curriculum
The acute care plan uses the same MSN core, role course, and advanced practice foundations as the primary care track, and it keeps both primary care didactic courses. It then adds a 4-credit acute care didactic course and swaps in an acute care clinical sequence. That is why it runs 4 credits longer than the primary care MSN.
- MSN core: NURS 5363, 5364, 5365 (3 each)
- NURS 5315, 5334, 5220, 5130 advanced practice foundations (9 total)
- NURS 5465 Primary Pediatric Care (4) and NURS 5467 Pediatric Complex Care (4)
- NURS 5466 Pediatric Acute Care Didactic 3 (4)
- NURS 5373 and 5374 Pediatric Acute Care Clinical Practice 1 and 2 (3 each)
- NURS 5680 Pediatric Acute Care NP Advanced Practicum (6)
- NURS 5350 Role of the Nurse in Advanced Practice (3)
MSN AC requirements in the 2026-2027 UTA catalog
MSN AC Clinical Requirements
- 12 clinical credits: NURS 5373 (11 weeks), NURS 5374 (11 weeks), NURS 5680 (13 weeks)
- About 720 clinical hours (est.)
- Settings: acute and chronic care health practice sites; UTA lists PICU, pediatric sedation services, and subspecialty clinics such as hematology and nephrology
- No on-campus intensive appears in the online plan
Acute care preceptors are harder to secure than primary care preceptors, and under UTA’s model the student does the securing. Nurses already working in a children’s hospital PICU or pediatric ED are best placed to arrange sites through their employer.
MSN AC Admissions
- All General Admissions criteria above
- Two years of clinical RN experience within the area of concentration, in an acute care setting, within the previous five years
- International applicants: TOEFL 79 iBT (with subscore minimums) or IELTS 7.0, and TSE 40
Dual Pediatric Acute and Primary Care MSN
The Dual Pediatric Acute and Primary Care MSN is a 54-credit campus program estimated at $32,000–$34,000 for Texas residents (est.) over roughly two to three years (est.). Graduates are eligible for both the PNCB CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC exams. It carries the same acute care experience gate as the acute care MSN, and UTA offers no online version.
A published conflict worth knowing about. The dual program page describes applicants as BSN nurses with two years of pediatric nursing experience. The 2026-2027 catalog instead requires two years of RN experience in an acute care setting within the last five years and bars transfer into the dual program without it. This page follows the catalog, which governs degree requirements.
Dual MSN Curriculum
The dual plan is the acute care MSN plus the primary care clinical courses: NURS 5372 and the 6-credit primary care practicum NURS 5685. It does not include NURS 5371, the first primary care clinical course, so primary care clinical work begins at the second course in that sequence. Total: 9 core credits, 42 specialization credits, and 3 role credits.
- MSN core: NURS 5363, 5364, 5365 (9)
- NURS 5315, 5220, 5130, 5334 foundations (9)
- NURS 5465 Primary Pediatric Care, NURS 5466 Pediatric Acute Care Didactic 3, NURS 5467 Pediatric Complex Care (4 each)
- NURS 5372 Pediatric Primary Care Clinical Practice 2 (3)
- NURS 5373 and 5374 Pediatric Acute Care Clinical Practice 1 and 2 (3 each)
- NURS 5680 Acute Care and NURS 5685 Primary Care Advanced Practicums (6 each)
- NURS 5350 Role of the Nurse in Advanced Practice (3)
Dual MSN requirements in the 2026-2027 UTA catalog
Dual MSN Clinical Requirements
- 21 clinical credits across five clinical courses
- About 1,260 clinical hours (est.)
- Both primary care and acute care sites, arranged by the student with department assistance
- Campus attendance; UTA notes some graduate programs schedule required courses and events on Saturdays
An estimated 1,260 hours sits just above the typical 900-1,200 range for dual PC/AC preparation. The dual route costs about 13 more credits than the primary care MSN alone, far less than completing an MSN and then a second certificate.
RN to MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The online RN to MSN in Pediatric Primary Care NP lists total tuition of $35,038 for its required nursing courses, as few as 76 credits, and as few as 42 months. It is built for associate degree nurses and leads to CPNP-PC exam eligibility.
RN to MSN PC Curriculum
Students start in the online RN to BSN (NURS 3345, 3375, 3325, 3315, 3335, 4325, 4455, 4465, and the 6-credit 4685 capstone). Near the end of the BSN they take NURS 5363 and 5364, which count toward both degrees, then continue into the full primary care MSN plan. The catalog’s 156-hour total counts general education and up to 29 hours of ADN credit awarded on admission; the 76-credit AO figure counts only the nursing coursework still to be taken.
RN to MSN PC Fast Track in the UTA catalog
RN to MSN PC Clinical Requirements
The MSN phase carries the same 12 clinical credits and roughly 720 hours (est.) as the MSN PC. Several RN to BSN courses include application-based practice experiences that can be completed at the student’s workplace.
RN to MSN PC Admissions
- Active, unencumbered RN license (recent ADN graduates may be admitted to the RN to BSN with verification in NURS 3345)
- 3.0 GPA on all prior coursework
- 3.3 GPA across NURS 3345, 3315, and 4325 to continue into the MSN, then 3.0 each semester
- No separate graduate application or essay once the indicator GPA is met
- Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and holders of a valid U.S. work visa
- Must begin the MSN within one semester (excluding summer) of BSN conferral
The 3.3 indicator-course GPA is the gate that matters: a student who misses it finishes with a BSN and must apply to the MSN separately.
RN to MSN – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The online RN to MSN in Pediatric Acute Care NP lists total tuition of $37,654 for required nursing courses, as few as 80 credits, and as few as 42 months. It follows the same RN to BSN phase as the primary care fast track, then continues into the 45-credit acute care MSN and CPNP-AC exam eligibility.
RN to MSN AC Curriculum and Clinicals
The BSN phase and shared graduate courses match the primary care fast track; the MSN phase is the acute care plan above, with 12 clinical credits and about 720 clinical hours (est.) in acute care settings. The catalog total is 160 hours including general education and ADN credit.
RN to MSN AC Fast Track in the UTA catalog
RN to MSN AC Admissions
Admission to the fast track uses the same criteria as the primary care version, and the fast-track pages list no separate acute care experience gate. The acute care MSN it feeds into does require two years of pediatric acute care RN experience within five years, so an applicant without that background is taking a risk on this route.
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Master’s)
The online post-master’s PNP-PC certificate costs $13,080 for its 20 required credits, rising to $20,928 if the gap analysis adds all five NP core courses. It takes about 12 months (est.) at minimum and prepares MSN-prepared nurses for the CPNP-PC exam.
A published conflict worth knowing about. UTA’s online certificate page lists 18 credit hours. The 2026-2027 catalog lists five required foundation courses totaling 20 credits (4 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 6), and the same five courses appear on the online page. This page uses the catalog’s 20 credits.
PC Certificate Curriculum
A program director’s gap analysis of the MSN transcript sets each plan. A nurse whose MSN already covers the NP core takes the foundation courses below; others may be assigned NURS 5315, 5334, 5220, 5130, or 5350 (up to 12 more credits).
- NURS 5465 Primary Pediatric Care (4)
- NURS 5467 Pediatric Complex Care (4)
- NURS 5371 and 5372 Pediatric Primary Care Clinical Practice 1 and 2 (3 each)
- NURS 5685 Pediatric Primary Care NP Advanced Practicum (6)
The 12-month estimate adds the AO lengths of the five foundation courses (51 weeks) run back to back.
PC certificate requirements in the UTA catalog
PC Certificate Clinical Requirements
Certificate students take the same three primary care clinical courses as MSN students: 12 clinical credits and about 720 hours (est.).
PC Certificate Admissions
- MSN from an NLN- or CCNE-accredited program, with a 3.0 MSN GPA
- BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program at a regionally accredited university
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Undergraduate statistics with a C or better
- Next start November 2, 2026 (apply by September 25, 2026), with further starts through 2027
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Master’s)
The online post-master’s PNP-AC certificate costs $15,696 for its 24 required credits and up to $23,544 if all NP core courses are added. It takes about 14 months (est.) at minimum and prepares nurses for the CPNP-AC exam. Applicants need two years of high-acuity direct patient care within the last five years.
AC Certificate Curriculum
The acute care certificate requires both primary care didactic courses in addition to the acute care sequence, which is why it runs 4 credits longer than the primary care certificate. A primary care PNP adding acute care still takes NURS 5465 and 5467 unless the gap analysis waives them.
- NURS 5465 Primary Pediatric Care (4)
- NURS 5466 Pediatric Acute Care Didactic 3 (4)
- NURS 5467 Pediatric Complex Care (4)
- NURS 5373 and 5374 Pediatric Acute Care Clinical Practice 1 and 2 (3 each)
- NURS 5680 Pediatric Acute Care NP Advanced Practicum (6)
The 14-month estimate adds the AO lengths of the six foundation courses (59 weeks) run back to back.
AC certificate requirements in the UTA catalog
AC Certificate Clinical Requirements
The same three acute care clinical courses as the MSN AC: 12 clinical credits and about 720 hours (est.) in acute and chronic care sites the student arranges.
AC Certificate Admissions
- All PC certificate requirements above
- Two years of clinical experience as an RN
- Two years of high-acuity direct patient care within the last five years
Tuition
UTA’s Accelerated Online pages price every online PNP course at $654 per credit ($1,962 per 3-credit course) and publish a single rate with no resident or non-resident split, so this page applies $654 to both. UTA’s tuition guarantee locks that rate for students who enroll continuously and finish within the prescribed program length; it covers major courses only, not prerequisites, general education, or leveling courses.
The campus dual MSN is billed on UTA’s 2026-2027 banded graduate chart instead. A resident taking 9 credits pays $5,383.50 in tuition and mandatory fees per term; a non-resident pays $12,957.50. At 6 credits the figures are $3,746 and $8,884. Six 9-credit terms or nine 6-credit terms give the estimated ranges below. UTA’s graduate nursing expense sheet notes that a nurse authorized to practice in Texas who would otherwise pay non-resident tuition may be allowed to pay resident rates.
Estimated Total Tuition
| Pathway | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PC (41 cr.) | $26,814 | $26,814 |
| MSN – AC (45 cr.) | $29,430 | $29,430 |
| MSN – Dual (54 cr., campus) | $32,301–$33,714 (est.) | $77,745–$79,956 (est.) |
| RN-MSN – PC (76+ cr.) | $35,038 | $35,038 |
| RN-MSN – AC (80+ cr.) | $37,654 | $37,654 |
| Cert – PC (20–32 cr.) | $13,080–$20,928 | $13,080–$20,928 |
| Cert – AC (24–36 cr.) | $15,696–$23,544 | $15,696–$23,544 |
MSN and RN-to-MSN totals are UTA’s published AO figures; certificate totals are catalog credits times $654; dual MSN figures are calculated from the 2026-2027 banded chart and exclude course fees.
Fees Beyond Tuition
- RN to MSN general education: the published RN-to-MSN totals cover required nursing courses only; any general education still owed is billed separately
- Simulation lab fee (campus): $70 per credit on designated courses that use the Smart Hospital and Smart Lab
- Third-party costs (UTA’s graduate nursing expense sheet, last updated 2022): background check and drug screen about $80 (plus $38 if further screening is needed), BLS about $60, Exxat $133 one time
- Graduation: $40 application fee
Payment plans are not available to Accelerated Online students, so each 8-week start is paid in full before the course begins. UTA Accelerated Online tuition | 2026-2027 UTA tuition charts
Why Choose This PNP Program?
Best suited for: an experienced RN, in Texas or an authorized state, who wants online pediatric primary or acute care preparation at a fixed per-credit price and can arrange local preceptors.
Acute Care Without Relocating
The acute care MSN, RN-to-MSN, and certificate all run online with no campus intensive in the published plans. A PICU or pediatric ED nurse can stay in their job and home market while earning CPNP-AC eligibility.
One Price for Out-of-State Students
At $654 per credit with no non-resident rate on the AO pages, an out-of-state nurse pays $26,814 for the primary care MSN. The campus dual MSN is the exception, where non-resident charges more than double the resident estimate.
Three Entry Points
ADN-prepared nurses can use the RN-to-MSN fast tracks, BSN nurses enter the MSN directly, and MSN-prepared NPs can add a pediatric population through a gap-analysis certificate that may run as few as five courses.
Drawbacks to Weigh
- Students locate their own preceptors, which is hardest for acute care sites
- Acute care and dual tracks require two years of acute care RN experience within five years
- Dual PC/AC preparation is campus only
- Residents of some states cannot enroll in the online tracks
The Verdict
UTA is a strong fit for experienced pediatric nurses, especially outside Texas, who want an online acute care or primary care PNP at a fixed price and already have access to pediatric preceptors through their employer or community. Nurses who need a school to arrange placements, or who want both credentials without moving to Arlington, should compare programs that place students or offer an online dual track.
Accreditation
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits UTA’s baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs and its post-graduate APRN certificate program. Graduates are eligible for Texas Board of Nursing APRN licensure and for the PNCB CPNP-PC exam (primary care tracks), the CPNP-AC exam (acute care tracks), or both (dual MSN).
UTA lists its PNP MSN and certificate tracks as leading to licensure and uses each student’s mailing address to decide whether they can enroll from another state. Students must notify UTA before moving or taking a travel assignment. UTA CONHI state authorization
Review Additional PNP Programs in Texas
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - Lubbock
- Texas Woman's University - Denton
- The University of Texas at Austin - Austin
- The University of Texas at San Antonio - San Antonio