- 1 In-State School, Hybrid format, plus 2 online options compared
Arkansas has one Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock. It offers Primary Care, Acute Care, and a dual track, and is Hybrid with in-person labs.
Because there is only one in-state option, this guide adds two online programs, Walden University and Maryville University, to every comparison table below.
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAMS Little Rock | Primary Care + Acute Care; Dual (PC/AC) | Hybrid | In-person labs | $525 | BSN-to-DNP, Post-Graduate Certificate | Full-time students who want Acute Care or both credentials |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $785 per quarter credit (NP coursework) | MSN, DNP, Certificate | ADN or diploma RNs and MSN nurses seeking a DNP |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 (master’s); $995 (doctoral) | MSN, DNP, Certificate | BSN nurses who want an MSN and a quick start |
Arkansas eligibility: Walden’s nurse practitioner licensure page lists Arkansas as meeting licensure requirements, and its practicum restriction list names no Arkansas limits. Maryville’s June 2026 licensure grids list Arkansas as meeting educational requirements for its PNP MSN, DNP, and certificate.
Arkansas PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 1 in-state, plus 2 online options compared
- Primary Care: Yes, at UAMS, Walden, and Maryville
- Acute Care: Yes, at UAMS only (DNP, dual DNP, and certificate)
- MSN: Online only (Walden and Maryville); Walden also offers RN-to-MSN
- DNP: In-state at UAMS, BSN entry; also online at Walden and Maryville, BSN or MSN entry
- Certificate: In-state at UAMS in both populations; also online at Walden and Maryville
- Format: UAMS is Hybrid with in-person labs; online options require no campus visits
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $9K for either UAMS certificate (resident rate)
Choosing a PNP Program in Arkansas
Acute Care and Dual Certification: UAMS
UAMS is Arkansas’s only route to the CPNP-AC credential, and its dual DNP prepares graduates for both pediatric exams in one degree. The Acute Care track publishes no PICU or pediatric ED experience requirement. Its resident rate also applies to residents of six border states. The trade-offs: the DNP is built for full-time study, labs are in person, and UAMS does not publish who secures preceptors.
RN Entry, MSN-to-DNP, and No Travel: Walden
Walden fills two gaps UAMS leaves open: an RN-to-MSN for diploma and ADN-prepared nurses, and an MSN-entry DNP. It requires no campus visits and publishes no RN experience minimum. The trade-offs are Primary Care only and placement: students search for preceptors first, and Walden’s team assists only after documented attempts.
MSN Entry and Six Start Dates: Maryville
Maryville offers a fully online MSN for BSN nurses who do not want a doctorate. It admits six times a year, while UAMS admits two cohorts. The trade-offs: one year of RN experience is required, and Maryville publishes no clinical hour total or placement commitment.
Arkansas RN-to-MSN PNP Programs
No Arkansas program offers an RN-to-MSN PNP pathway; UAMS admits BSN-prepared nurses to its DNP. Among the online options, only Walden does. Its Primary Care RN-to-MSN admits nurses with a hospital diploma, an associate degree, or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Maryville’s MSN requires a BSN.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | 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
Arkansas BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
UAMS does not offer a PNP master’s degree; BSN-prepared nurses enter its DNP directly. Walden and Maryville each offer a fully online Primary Care MSN with no campus visits, giving BSN nurses a shorter route to CPNP-PC certification without a doctorate.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $45K (after scholarship) | ~24 months | 640 |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $42K | 20 months (full-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $42K.
- Experience requirement: Maryville requires one year of RN experience; Walden publishes no minimum.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Arkansas BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
UAMS offers Arkansas’s only in-state PNP degree, a BSN-to-DNP in Primary Care, Acute Care, or a dual plan leading to both credentials. It admits August and January cohorts. Walden and Maryville add fully online Primary Care DNPs.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAMS (in-state) | Primary Care | $38K | 3 years (full-time); 4 years (part-time) | 1,120 (770 pediatric) |
| UAMS (in-state) | Acute Care | $38K | 3 years (full-time); 4 years (part-time) | 1,120 (770 pediatric) |
| UAMS (in-state) | Dual (PC/AC) | $47K | ~3.5–4 years (full-time) | 1,750 (1,400 pediatric) |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $76K (after scholarship) | ~3.25 years | 1,000 minimum (post-baccalaureate) |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $70K | 40 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UAMS, at $38K. The resident rate also applies to residents of Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
- Only Acute Care option: UAMS, including the dual track. Admission uses the same 2,000 verified RN hours as Primary Care.
- Campus requirement: UAMS holds in-person labs in Little Rock or at a Regional Campus; Walden and Maryville require no campus visits.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Arkansas MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
UAMS does not publish a separate MSN-entry PNP DNP. It admits certified APRNs adding a pediatric population, but lists no separate price or timeline. Walden and Maryville both offer online MSN-entry Primary Care DNPs, and Maryville’s does not require APRN certification.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $71K (after scholarship) | ~3 years | 1,000 minimum (post-baccalaureate) |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $64K | 36 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $64K.
- Experience requirement: Walden applicants with fewer than 600 verified prior clinical hours add up to 8 credits of DNP field experience.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Arkansas Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
UAMS offers Primary Care and Acute Care post-graduate certificates. Seats are space-available, and applicants need an Arkansas RN license; a compact license does not qualify. Walden and Maryville add online Primary Care certificates open to any MSN-prepared RN, with or without an NP credential.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAMS (in-state) | Primary Care | $9K (before any gap-analysis coursework) | ~18 months (prior UAMS graduates) | Not clearly stated |
| UAMS (in-state) | Acute Care | $9K (before any gap-analysis coursework) | ~18 months (prior UAMS graduates) | Not clearly stated |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | $33K | ~5–7 quarters | 640 |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | $32K | 24 months (part-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UAMS, at $9K for 18 credits. A transcript gap analysis can add coursework at the same rate.
- Only Acute Care option: UAMS. Its Acute Care certificate suits a certified Primary Care PNP moving into inpatient pediatrics.
- Campus requirement: UAMS is Hybrid; Walden and Maryville require no campus visits.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Other Online PNP Programs for Arkansas Nurses
Rasmussen University also appears in the Arkansas directory below. Its listing notes the program may not meet Arkansas licensure requirements, so confirm APRN eligibility before applying.
Maryville University PNP Programs
St. Louis | $900 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / DNP
Arkansas nurses looking for flexible educational options can utilize Maryville University’s PNP programs to earn a degree or certificate entirely online. The curriculum is specifically structured to help Arkansas students master pediatric assessment and clinical decision-making through 750 hours of local practicum experience. This CCNE-accredited program provides a high-quality alternative for Arkansas practitioners, featuring competitive tuition rates and multiple entry points throughout the year.
Rasmussen University PNP Programs
Bloomington | $925 cpc | Certificate / BSN to MSN
Rasmussen University’s Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs are presented as fully online options for Arkansas nurses seeking advanced pediatric training. Students in Arkansas can choose between the MSN-NP and Post-Graduate Certificate pathways, both of which include four community-based practicums and a short on-campus residency. However, the school also notes that the program does not meet licensure requirements in Arkansas, so prospective students should verify APRN eligibility before applying.
Walden University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Minneapolis | $785 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / RN to MSN
Walden University’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs provide Arkansas students with a flexible online pathway into pediatric primary care. The MSN, DNP, and certificate tracks all include advanced pediatric theory, clinical decision-making, and supervised practicum work. Arkansas nurses should verify that their chosen track aligns with local licensure and certification expectations before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Arkansas?
One, at UAMS in Little Rock. It offers Primary Care, Acute Care, and dual BSN-to-DNP tracks, plus Primary Care and Acute Care post-graduate certificates. It does not offer a PNP master’s degree.
Does Arkansas offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes. UAMS offers an Acute Care DNP, a dual DNP that prepares graduates for both the CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC exams, and an Acute Care certificate. Walden and Maryville are Primary Care only.
Are any programs fully online?
Not in-state. UAMS delivers coursework through Blackboard and telecasts campus classes to Regional Campuses, but labs are in person in Little Rock or at a Regional Campus. It does not publish how many campus days to expect. Walden and Maryville require no campus visits.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, the UAMS certificates are lowest at $9K for residents, and its $38K DNP is the lowest-cost doctorate compared here. Among the online options, Maryville’s $42K MSN is the lowest-cost degree.
Which schools offer a DNP?
All three. UAMS offers Primary Care, Acute Care, and dual DNPs for BSN-prepared nurses. Walden and Maryville offer Primary Care DNPs with BSN or MSN entry.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
Usually. UAMS arranges rotations at sites throughout Arkansas but does not publish who secures preceptors. Walden and Maryville students complete clinicals where they live and generally find their own preceptors.
Can I keep working full-time during the UAMS DNP?
It is difficult. UAMS tells applicants to plan on at least 36 hours a week of coursework and up to 24 clinical hours a week during specialty terms, and the dual track has no part-time plan. Walden and Maryville offer part-time pacing.