Spring Arbor’s three-track PNP lineup covers every entry point — ADN, BSN, or MSN — making it the most accessible and lowest-cost path to pediatric primary care NP practice among Michigan’s online programs.
Spring Arbor University offers 3 Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN PNP-PC (BSN Entry) — 50 credits, 2 years and 5 months
- RN to MSN PNP-PC (ADN/Diploma Bridge) — 82 credits, 4 years
- Post-Master’s Certificate PNP-PC — 24–33 credits, 18–24 months
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PNP (BSN Entry) | ~$39,850 | 2 yrs 5 mos |
| MSN PNP (RN Bridge) | ~$55,018 | 4 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate PNP | $19,128–$26,301 | 18–24 months |
All three tracks are 100% online and asynchronous, with one four-day on-campus residency required during the MSN programs (year two for BSN entry; year three for the RN bridge). The certificate track does not list a campus residency requirement, though prerequisite courses may apply depending on prior coursework.
SAU’s faith-based educational model is woven throughout the curriculum; students of all faith backgrounds are welcome.
MSN PNP (BSN Entry)
The estimated cost for the MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care at Spring Arbor University is approximately $39,850, and the program can be completed in as few as 2 years and 5 months on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 50-credit MSN PNP-PC program consists of 24 credits of MSN foundation coursework shared across all nursing concentrations, followed by 26 credits of pediatric-specific content.
The pediatric concentration covers advanced assessment, pharmacology, primary care management across infancy through adolescence, evidence-based practice, and two clinical practicums.
Pediatric concentration courses include:
NUR 628 – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan for Nurse Practitioners (3 credits)
Builds advanced NP prescribing knowledge with an emphasis on safe, ethical medication use across the lifespan. Covers health policy, cost considerations, and interdisciplinary care for diverse populations.
NUR 702 – Advanced Pediatric Physical Assessment and Pharmacotherapeutics (3 credits)
Prepares students to perform advanced pediatric assessments and apply pharmacology in family-centered care. Focuses on history taking, physical and psychosocial evaluation, and safe medication selection for infants, children, and adolescents.
NUR 703 – Advanced Primary Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Their Families I (3 credits)
Introduces pediatric primary care across infancy through adolescence with a focus on growth, development, health promotion, and routine management. Emphasizes family-centered care in online format.
NUR 704 – Advanced Primary Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Their Families II (3 credits)
Expands pediatric primary care skills for assessing, diagnosing, and treating common illnesses and acute conditions. Continues the focus on growth, development, and family-centered management.
NUR 705 – Advanced Primary Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Their Families III (3 credits)
Builds advanced skills in managing complex, chronic, and disabling pediatric conditions. Highlights assessment, treatment, and collaboration with pediatric specialists in family-centered care.
NUR 770K – PNP-PC Clinical Experience I (4 credits)
First pediatric nurse practitioner clinical experience focused on applying theory and building core primary care skills. Students develop greater autonomy in assessment, diagnosis, treatment, education, and prevention for pediatric patients.
NUR 780K – PNP-PC Clinical Experience II (4 credits)
Second pediatric clinical experience that strengthens autonomous practice in primary care settings. Students apply advanced assessment, diagnostic interpretation, and treatment planning for infants, children, and adolescents.
NUR 781 – Advanced Integration of Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
Focuses on applying evidence-based practice through the development of a specialty-related project proposal. Students translate research into practice to address a clinical problem or need.
More curriculum info available in the course catalog.
Foundation courses include:
- NUR 510: Moral and Ethical Decision Making (3 cr.)
- NUR 522: Theoretical Perspectives for Advanced Practice (3 cr.)
- NUR 532: Role Development and Leadership (3 cr.)
- NUR 551: Applied Research Methods (3 cr.)
- NUR 612: Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
- NUR 618: Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
- NUR 602: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
- NUR 602R: MSN Residency — 4-day on-campus (0 cr.)
- NUR 693: Population Health (3 cr.)
MSN Clinicals
The BSN-to-MSN PNP-PC program requires a minimum of 500 supervised clinical practice hours, distributed across two clinical experience courses. Clinical hours are defined as direct patient care time (approximately one patient per hour).
- NUR 770K: PNP-PC Clinical Experience I — 4 credits (~250 hours)
- NUR 780K: PNP-PC Clinical Experience II — 4 credits (~250 hours)
- Total: 500 supervised clinical practice hours
- Population focus: newborns through adolescents in primary care settings
- One four-day on-campus residency (NUR 602R) in year two for hands-on skills and head-to-toe assessment check-off
Clinical placement model specifics (student-sourced vs. program-assisted) are not detailed on the official program pages — confirm preceptor support directly with SAU’s nursing department before enrolling.
MSN Admissions
Admissions requirements are straightforward; no GRE is required and no prior NP experience is needed.
- BSN from a regionally accredited institution with CCNE or NLN nursing accreditation
- Minimum 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credits
- Unrestricted, unencumbered RN license from state of employment (must remain current throughout program)
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Short personal statement
- Completed online application (free)
- Conference call interview may be required at the Admissions Committee’s discretion
- Prerequisites before NUR 551: research (nursing-related) and statistics (100-level or above)
MSN PNP (RN Bridge)
The estimated cost for the RN to MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care at Spring Arbor University is approximately $55,018, and the program can be completed in as few as 4 years on a full-time basis.
RN Bridge Curriculum
The RN-to-MSN bridge spans 82 total credits and is designed for nurses holding an ADN or diploma who want to earn both a BSN and MSN without completing a standalone BSN first. Two bridge courses (NUR 510 and NUR 522) fulfill requirements for both degree levels. Students must achieve a 3.0 GPA by the end of the BSN portion before progressing into the MSN concentration. Concentration coursework is identical to the BSN-entry MSN PNP-PC track above.
- Bridge courses: NUR 510 and NUR 522 count toward both BSN and MSN requirements
- Total credits: 82 (BSN bridge + MSN foundation + PNP concentration)
- 4 intake dates per year
- One four-day on-campus residency in year three
RN Bridge Clinicals
The RN-to-MSN PNP-PC track requires the same minimum of 500 supervised clinical practice hours as the BSN-entry MSN, structured identically across NUR 770K and NUR 780K.
- Total: 500 supervised clinical practice hours
- Population focus: newborns through adolescents
- Campus residency: one four-day visit in year three
RN Bridge Admissions
Entry requirements are similar to the BSN-to-MSN but require an ADN or diploma rather than a BSN.
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing leading to RN licensure (from accredited program)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA from most recent 60 academic credits
- Unrestricted, unencumbered RN license from state of employment
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Short personal statement
- Completed online application (free)
- Must maintain 3.0 GPA through BSN portion before advancing to MSN concentration
Post-Master’s Certificate PNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care at Spring Arbor University is approximately $19,128–$26,301, and the program can be completed in as few as 18–24 months depending on prior coursework.
Certificate Curriculum
The base certificate is 24 credits of pediatric-specific coursework, but students may be required to complete up to 9 additional prerequisite credits (Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Statistics) if those were not covered in their MSN — bringing the maximum to 33 credits. SAU reviews each applicant’s prior coursework individually to determine an individualized program of study. Base certificate courses include:
- NUR 610: Foundation of Post-Graduate Nursing (1 cr.)
- NUR 628: Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners (3 cr.)
- NUR 702: Advanced Pediatric Physical Assessment and Pharmacotherapeutics (3 cr.)
- NUR 703: Advanced Primary Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents, and their Families I (3 cr.)
- NUR 704: Advanced Primary Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents, and their Families II (3 cr.)
- NUR 705: Advanced Primary Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents, and their Families III (3 cr.)
- NUR 770K: PNP-PC Clinical Experience I (4 cr.)
- NUR 780K: PNP-PC Clinical Experience II (4 cr.)
More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.
Certificate Clinicals
The PMC PNP-PC requires a minimum of 250–500 clinical hours, depending on whether the student enters as a current NP or non-NP and how many hours transfer from prior programs. Up to 125 hours may transfer from previous coursework.
- Minimum: 250 hours (for NP entrants with transferable hours)
- Minimum: 500 hours (for non-NP entrants)
- All clinical agreements and preceptor verification forms must be submitted at least 4 weeks before any clinical course begins
- Population focus: newborns through adolescents in primary care settings
Certificate Admissions
The PMC program requires a completed MSN or DNP and uses an individualized admissions review to determine prerequisite needs before enrollment.
- MSN or DNP from a regionally accredited, accredited nursing program (conditional admission available with proof of imminent conferral)
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA or above in all MSN and post-graduate coursework
- Unrestricted, unencumbered RN license (and APRN license if applicable)
- Official transcripts from all MSN/doctoral institutions attended
- Personal goal statement (2–3 pages)
- CV or resume
- Completed online application (free)
- Prerequisite courses (if needed): Advanced Health Assessment, MSN Residency, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Statistics — these add time and cost
- Note: Certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid — payment arrangements must be made through SAU’s Business Office
- Certificate must be completed within 3 years of admission
Tuition
Spring Arbor University publishes flat per-credit-hour rates and total program costs for all three PNP tracks.
The BSN-to-MSN rate is $797 per credit hour across all 50 credits. The RN-to-MSN uses a blended rate of $525–$797 per credit hour depending on course level, with a published total of $55,018.
The Post-Master’s Certificate is $797 per credit hour, with a base total of $19,128 (24 credits) up to $26,301 (33 credits with prerequisites).
No residency distinction (in-state vs. out-of-state) is noted for the online programs. All published totals are before fees.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate, MSN, post-master’s certificate, and DNP programs at Spring Arbor University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The university holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). SAU is also approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in Washington for the PNP-PC and PMHNP programs. A CCNE reaccreditation visit for the MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate programs was scheduled for March 2026.
Review More Michigan PNP Programs
If you are comparing Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs in Michigan, Spring Arbor stands out for affordability, multiple entry pathways, and fully online flexibility.
You may also want to compare:
- University of Michigan Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs — best for nurses seeking a nationally ranked MSN program with strong academic reputation and structured on-campus intensives.
- Wayne State University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs — best for students who want primary care and acute care PNP tracks with university-coordinated clinical placements.
You can also review all Michigan Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs to compare tuition, degree pathways, and online options statewide.