A top-12 ranked online MSN that lets working RNs earn a University of Michigan credential without relocating — with brief on-campus intensives each term keeping clinical skills sharp.
The University of Michigan School of Nursing offers 1 Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track:
- MSN PCPNP — available in 2-year and 3-year Digital Education plans
- Fully online coursework with on-campus intensives up to 3 days per term
- Cohort-based structure with fall, winter, and spring/summer start options
- 44 credits (published); plan of study shows 43–45 credits
This is U-M’s only fully online PNP pathway and the only MSN PNP format the school offers — there is no in-person PNP track. It suits RNs who want a nationally ranked MSN credential while continuing to work, provided they can commit to periodic Ann Arbor visits and meet clinical placement expectations in their home region.
Program Track Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PNP (2-Year) | ~$66K–$79K | 2 years |
| MSN PNP (3-Year) | Not clearly stated | 3 years |
The University of Michigan School of Nursing offers its Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PCPNP) program exclusively in an online (Digital Education) MSN format, with two pacing options: 2-year and 3-year plans.
The 2-year plan spans five active terms across 43–45 credits, with no coursework in the final spring/summer term. Graduates are prepared for pediatric primary care, school-based health centers, and subspecialty settings, with approximately half entering each career path.
MSN PNP
The estimated cost for the MSN Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the University of Michigan is approximately $66,000 for Michigan residents or $79,000 for non-residents.
The 2-year plan would take about 2 years to complete on a full-time basis; the 3-year plan is available but tuition totals are not clearly calculable from published data.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN PNP curriculum covers advanced physiology and pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, health assessment, and pediatric-specific clinical content across 43–45 credits.
Core APRN foundations are established in Year 1, with pediatric primary care coursework and progressive clinical practica sequenced through Year 2.
Course titles from the 2-year plan include:
HS700 – Biostatistics for Clinical Practice (3 credits)
Graduate-level course covering core statistical methods used in healthcare. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, hypothesis testing, regression, survival analysis, and diagnostic accuracy. Emphasizes hands-on data analysis, use of statistical software, and clear presentation of clinical findings.
NURS502 – Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology (4 credits)
Explores advanced concepts in human physiology and disease processes across the lifespan. Focuses on homeostasis, mechanisms of illness, and system-level responses, with attention to genetics, inflammation, and clinical implications for treatment and decision-making.
NURS503 – Advanced Health Assessment (4 credits)
Builds advanced assessment skills for evaluating patients across the lifespan. Covers clinical interviewing, diagnostic reasoning, and comprehensive physical and psychosocial assessment using a case-based, problem-focused approach.
PHARMACY620 – Pharmacotherapeutics I (3 credits)
Introduces foundational pharmacology principles and evidence-based medication management. Covers drug actions, pharmacokinetics/dynamics, and therapeutic decision-making using clinical guidelines and case studies.
NPREQ001 – Interprofessional Education (IPE) Elective (1–3 credits)
Elective course focused on collaborative practice across healthcare disciplines. Credit hours vary by program requirements.
NURS500 – Models & Theories for Advanced Nursing Practice (4 credits)
Examines nursing theories and system-level models that influence healthcare delivery and outcomes. Emphasizes quality improvement, population health, and the impact of healthcare systems at local and global levels.
PHARMACY621 – Pharmacotherapeutics II (3 credits)
Continuation of Pharmacotherapeutics I, expanding on drug therapy and clinical decision-making. Reinforces evidence-based prescribing through advanced case applications.
NURS519 – Foundations of the APRN Role (1 credit)
Overview of APRN roles, including scope of practice, regulation, professional development, and contributions to healthcare policy and equity.
NURS555 – Advanced Practice Procedures & Skills (1 credit)
Introduces diagnostic and therapeutic procedures used in primary care. Includes hands-on training, interpretation of labs and imaging, and consideration of cultural, social, and equity factors in clinical decision-making.
NURS557 – Child Health & Wellness (4 credits)
Focuses on primary care for infants, children, and adolescents. Covers development, preventive care, and management of common conditions using a family-centered, developmental approach.
NURS560 – PNP Clinical Practicum I (2 credits)
Supervised clinical experience applying pediatric primary care concepts. Emphasizes health promotion, assessment, and management of common pediatric conditions in diverse settings.
NURS559 – Regulatory, Quality & Compliance for APRNs (1 credit)
Covers legal, ethical, and regulatory aspects of advanced nursing practice, including prescribing, quality standards, and team-based care.
NURS589 – Advanced PNP Clinical Practicum (2–4 credits)
Expanded clinical training in pediatric primary care. Focuses on managing common and complex conditions using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate approaches.
NURS617 – Child Health Across Multiple Settings (3 credits)
Prepares students to deliver comprehensive pediatric care across care environments. Integrates wellness, acute, and chronic care with developmental and theoretical frameworks.
NURS670 – PNP Clinical Practicum III (4 credits)
Advanced clinical practicum emphasizing full-scope pediatric care. Integrates prior coursework into practice, focusing on complex cases, clinical decision-making, and care across multiple settings.
MSN Clinicals
The 2-year MSN plan includes 560 total supervised clinical hours distributed across three practica, with the final practicum (NURS 670) delivered face-to-face. Clinical experiences span well-baby/well-child care, minor acute illness management, and pediatric subspecialty exposure.
- NURS 560: PNP Clinical Practicum I — 112 hours
- NURS 589: Advanced PNP Clinical Practice — 224 hours
- NURS 670: PNP Clinical Practicum III — 224 hours (face-to-face)
- Total: 560 clinical hours
- On-campus intensives: up to 3 days per term for skills, assessments, and seminars
- Population focus: infants, children, and adolescents across primary care and specialty settings
Clinical specifics regarding preceptor sourcing (student-led vs. program-assisted) are not fully detailed on the official program page — contact the program directly to confirm placement support in your region.
MSN Admissions
U-M requires a completed BSN from an accredited program and a current RN license; no GRE is required. Admissions are competitive and the application is submitted through NursingCAS.
- BSN from a CCNE-, ACEN-, or CNEA-accredited program required (degree must be conferred before enrollment)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (case-by-case review for applicants below threshold)
- Valid RN license in the state where clinicals will be completed
- GRE: not required
- Three letters of recommendation (submitted via NursingCAS Liaison Letters; master’s-level nursing recommenders preferred)
- Personal statement: up to 700 words addressing professional/educational goals; online applicants include an additional section on managing online education
- Resume: 1–2 pages, nursing-focused
- Kira Talent asynchronous video assessment (45-second prep, 120-second response per question)
- Official transcripts from all institutions via NursingCAS (allow 4–6 weeks processing)
- Application fee: $85 (non-refundable, via NursingCAS)
- Priority deadline: December 1 (for Fall 2026 entry; decisions begin mid-February)
- Live virtual interview may be required at faculty discretion
- Applicants must be U.S.-based for the duration of the program; international and F-1/J-1/TN visa holders are not eligible for the online program
Tuition
The PCPNP program uses U-M’s Distance Learning tuition rate, which is lower than the standard on-campus graduate rate.
For 2025–2026, distance learning tuition ranges from $1,848 per credit (1 credit, Michigan resident) to a per-term cap of $15,152 for 9+ credits (Michigan resident) or $18,149 (non-resident).
Tuition differs by residency status and credit load each term; there is no flat per-credit rate — costs are assessed per term based on enrollment.
Based on the published 2-year plan of study, estimated total distance learning tuition is approximately $66,000 for Michigan residents and $79,000 for non-residents, before fees. The 3-year plan total is not clearly calculable from available data.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The University of Michigan School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is a member of NC-SARA, supporting distance education authorization across participating states. The University of Michigan is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Compare Other Michigan PNP Programs
The University of Michigan offers one of the strongest academic brands among online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs, but some nurses may prefer lower tuition, additional specialty options, or fewer campus visit requirements.
You may also want to explore:
- Spring Arbor University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs — a lower-cost online option with BSN-entry, RN-to-MSN, and post-master’s PNP pathways.
- Wayne State University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs — the only Michigan school offering both pediatric primary care and pediatric acute care tracks at the MSN and DNP level.
You can also browse all Michigan PNP Programs to compare online formats, tuition ranges, and clinical models.