University of Iowa prepares pediatric nurse practitioners only at the doctoral level, in two population foci — acute care (PNP-AC) and primary care (PNP-PC):
- BSN-to-DNP — Pediatric Acute Care or Primary Care (dual certification available)
- MSN-to-DNP and Post-APRN-to-DNP — doctoral completion for master’s-prepared nurses
- Post-Graduate Certificate — Pediatric Acute Care (21 s.h.) or Primary Care (20 s.h.)
Courses are hybrid: mostly online with on-campus sessions about once a week at the Iowa City campus, and didactic NP courses delivered on-site.
The College of Nursing arranges every clinical placement, and all clinical hours must be completed in Iowa.
Iowa’s PNP-PC DNP ranks #3 nationally, both pediatric tracks report 100% certification-pass and job-placement rates, and the PNP-AC track is the only program of its kind in the state.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP PNP (Acute Care) | ~$93K (resident) | 3–4 years |
| BSN-DNP PNP (Primary Care) | ~$92K (resident) | 3–4 years |
| MSN-to-DNP PNP | ~$53K (resident) | ~2 years |
| Post-APRN-to-DNP PNP | ~$36K (resident) | 2–3 years |
| Post-Grad Certificate PNP (Acute Care) | ~$14K | ~1–2 years |
| Post-Grad Certificate PNP (Primary Care) | ~$13K | ~1–2 years |
Resident tuition shown; non-resident rates run sharply higher (roughly $90K–$169K for the DNP pathways). See the Tuition section for the full breakdown.
“Iowa is one of the few places where you can train as a pediatric nurse practitioner in acute care, primary care, or both — and the college arranges every clinical placement for you.”
BSN-DNP PNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP Pediatric Acute Care and Pediatric Primary Care tracks at University of Iowa is about $93,000 and $92,000 in total tuition and fees for Iowa residents, and both follow a 3-year full-time (or 4-year part-time) plan of study.
DNP Curriculum
Both pediatric tracks share Iowa’s DNP core
- a basic core (innovative leadership, epidemiology and biostatistics, informatics, health policy, quality improvement, health systems, global health),
- an advanced core (scientific inquiry, evidence-based practice, project design),
- a five-seminar complex core plus professional identity,
- a direct science core (physiology, pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology),
- and electives — capped by a four-semester DNP project.
The specialty coursework differs by focus.
Pediatric Acute Care (78 s.h. total):
- Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures in Pediatric Acute Care
- Diagnostic Reasoning and Integrated Pharmacology for Pediatric Acute Care
- Managing Common Conditions in Pediatric Acute Care
- Managing Complex Conditions in Pediatric Acute Care
- Comprehensive Care for the Well Child
- Three sequential Pediatric Acute Care clinical practicums
Pediatric Primary Care (77 s.h. total):
- Primary Care Clinical Skills and Procedures
- Diagnostic Reasoning and Integrated Pharmacology for Pediatric Primary Care
- Comprehensive Care for the Well Child
- Managing Common Conditions in Pediatric Primary Care
- Managing Chronic Conditions in Pediatric Primary Care
- Three sequential Pediatric Primary Care clinical practicums
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
The Acute Care track requires 1,090 total practice hours (roughly 720 direct-care practicum hours plus DNP project hours), while Primary Care requires 1,000 total practice hours (roughly 630 direct-care practicum hours plus project hours).
The College of Nursing arranges all placements, and the final clinical year runs across fall, spring, and summer.
- PNP-AC: 1,090 total practice hours (~720 direct clinical)
- PNP-PC: 1,000 total practice hours (~630 direct clinical)
- College of Nursing arranges every clinical placement — students do not find their own sites
- All clinical hours completed in Iowa; preceptor must be Iowa-based; travel up to 100 miles likely
- Population focus: well, at-risk, and chronically/acutely ill infants, children, and adolescents
DNP Admissions
Entry requires a BSN (or advanced nursing degree) from a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited program and an active RN license; admission is for fall only, with a Feb. 1 deadline (Jan. 10 priority). The GRE is not required.
- BSN from a CCNE/NLNAC-accredited program; active RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (3.5 for dual certification)
- PNP-AC only: one year of RN experience in inpatient pediatric acute care
- Statement of purpose, resume, three recommendations, transcripts, statement of disclosure
- No GRE; international students requiring F-1/J-1 status are not eligible due to the online coursework
- Fall entry only; Feb. 1 deadline (Jan. 10 priority)
MSN-to-DNP & Post-APRN to DNP PNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-to-DNP and Post-APRN-to-DNP pathways at University of Iowa runs about $53,000 and $36,000 in total tuition and fees for Iowa residents, with the post-APRN route typically completed in 2 to 3 years and the MSN-to-DNP pathway in about 2.
DNP Curriculum
These pathways serve nurses who already hold a master’s degree. The MSN-to-DNP pathway subprogram requires a minimum of 72 s.h. beyond the bachelor’s, with up to 32 s.h. of approved master’s credit applied toward the degree.
A master’s-prepared nurse who wants to add pediatric APRN certification follows the Acute Care or Primary Care population subprogram rather than the pathway; post-APRN students transfer more credit and approved clinical hours, which lowers both cost and time.
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
The DNP requires a minimum of 1,000 total practice hours. Students entering with a master’s may transfer approved clinical hours from that degree; remaining practicum and project hours are set with the faculty advisor and program director. Placements are arranged by the college and completed in Iowa.
- Minimum 1,000 total practice hours (approved MSN clinical hours may transfer)
- Remaining hours individualized with advisor and program director
- Clinicals arranged by the college and completed in Iowa
DNP Admissions
Applicants need a master’s in nursing, an active RN license, and a CCNE/NLNAC-accredited nursing degree; post-APRN applicants also submit certification verification.
- MSN in nursing from a CCNE/NLNAC-accredited program; active RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (3.5 for dual certification)
- Post-APRN applicants: copy of APRN certification card and verification of completed master’s clinical hours
- Statement of purpose, resume, three recommendations, transcripts, statement of disclosure
- Fall entry only; Feb. 1 deadline
Post-Graduate Certificate PNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Pediatric Acute Care and Primary Care certificates at University of Iowa is about $14,000 and $13,000 in total tuition and fees, charged at the same rate for residents and non-residents, with most students finishing in roughly 1 to 2 years.
Certificate Curriculum
These certificates are for master’s- or doctorally-prepared APRNs adding a second pediatric population. The Acute Care certificate is 21 s.h. and the Primary Care certificate is 20 s.h.; in both, exact coursework and clinical hours are set by a gap analysis against the student’s prior training.
Pediatric Acute Care certificate:
- Graduate Pharmacology Specialty
- Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures for Acute Care
- Pediatric Acute Care I and II
- Three Advanced Practice Clinical Practicums
Pediatric Primary Care certificate:
- Graduate Pharmacology Specialty
- Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures for Primary Care
- Primary Care: Infants, Children, and Adolescents I and II
- Three Advanced Practice Clinical Practicums
More curriculum details are available for the Acute Care and Primary Care certificates.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical hours are determined by gap analysis; the sample plan of study shows three practicums of about 250 hours each (roughly 750 hours total). Completion results in board eligibility for the relevant PNCB pediatric certification exam.
- Practicum hours set by gap analysis (sample plan: ~750 hours across three practicums)
- Leads to board eligibility for the PNP-AC or PNP-PC certification exam
- Clinicals arranged by the college and completed in Iowa
Certificate Admissions
Applicants must hold a master’s or doctorate with current APRN certification and meet Iowa’s standard graduate criteria. ⚠ These certificates are not degree-granting, so they are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- MSN or DNP plus current APRN certification
- Minimum 3.0 GPA; graduate of an accredited program
- Copy of RN license and APRN certification card
- Goal statement, resume, three recommendations, transcripts, statement of disclosure
- Feb. 1 deadline (later applications considered as space allows)
Tuition
University of Iowa publishes total program tuition and fees by pathway and residency for 2024–25.
For Pediatric Acute Care:
- BSN-DNP $93,214 resident / $165,748 non-resident;
- MSN-DNP $54,065 / $92,009;
- post-APRN-DNP $35,898 / $54,870;
- certificate $14,008 (same for both)
For Pediatric Primary Care:
- BSN-DNP $92,018 resident / $169,015 non-resident;
- MSN-DNP $52,875 / $89,702;
- post-APRN-DNP $35,898 / $54,870;
- certificate $13,360 (same for both).
DNP tuition runs about $1,191 per credit hour for residents, with non-resident rates rising sharply above four credits per semester; Iowa residency is governed by the State Board of Regents. Certificates are charged a flat resident rate and are not eligible for federal financial aid.
See the official tuition page for more details here.
Accreditation
The University of Iowa College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and was among the first programs in the nation to receive CCNE approval for the DNP, in 2009; its programs are also approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing. Pediatric NP graduates are eligible for national certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) in their population focus.