- 1 In-State School, Mostly Online format, plus 2 online options compared
Delaware has one Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program, at the University of Delaware (UD). It offers Primary Care only and is Mostly Online, with occasional on-campus intensives.
Because Delaware has only one program, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UD (in-state) | Primary Care | Mostly Online | Occasional on-campus intensives | $913 (MSN, certificate; scholarship rate); $1,116 (DNP) | MSN, DNP, Certificate | Nurses who want the school to secure their preceptors |
| Walden University (online option) | Primary Care | Online | None | $785 per quarter credit (NP coursework) | MSN, DNP, Certificate | Diploma or ADN RNs, and MSN nurses seeking a DNP |
| Maryville University (online option) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 (master’s); $995 (doctoral) | MSN, DNP, Certificate | Nurses who want a lower-cost DNP and a quick start |
Delaware eligibility: Walden’s restricted-states list places no restriction on Delaware for any PNP pathway. Maryville’s June 2026 licensure grids list Delaware as meeting educational requirements for its PNP MSN, DNP, and certificate.
Delaware PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 1 in-state, plus 2 online options compared
- Primary Care: Yes, at UD, Walden, and Maryville
- Acute Care: Not offered in-state or by either online option
- MSN: BSN entry in-state at UD; RN-to-MSN online only (Walden)
- DNP: BSN entry in-state at UD; MSN entry online only (Walden and Maryville)
- Certificate: In-state at UD; also online at Walden and Maryville
- Format: UD is Mostly Online with occasional intensives; online options require no campus visits
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $22K–$37K for UD’s certificate (scholarship rate)
Choosing a PNP Program in Delaware
Preceptors Secured Nationwide: UD
UD’s clinical placement team finds and secures preceptors for students anywhere in the country, a service most programs do not provide. Its MSN admits four times a year. The trade-offs: Primary Care only, occasional campus intensives, and a Fall-only DNP that requires one year of RN experience. The DNP and certificate also require a Delaware or compact-state RN license.
RN Entry and MSN-to-DNP: Walden
Walden covers two entry points UD lacks: an RN-to-MSN for diploma and ADN-prepared nurses and an MSN-to-DNP. It requires no campus visits and publishes no RN experience minimum. Students search for preceptors first; Walden’s placement team steps in only after documented unsuccessful attempts.
Lower-Cost DNPs and Six Start Dates: Maryville
Maryville offers the lowest-cost DNPs compared here, at both BSN and MSN entry, and admits six times a year. UD’s DNP admits once each fall. The trade-offs: one year of RN experience is required, and Maryville publishes no clinical hour total or placement commitment.
Delaware RN-to-MSN PNP Programs
No Delaware program offers an RN-to-MSN PNP pathway. 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. UD and Maryville require a BSN for MSN entry.
| 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
Delaware BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
UD offers Delaware’s only in-state BSN-to-MSN PNP pathway, a part-time Primary Care MSN with four start terms a year. Walden and Maryville each add a fully online Primary Care MSN with no campus visits. UD’s MSN carries the most clinical hours of the three.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UD (in-state) | Primary Care | $40K (scholarship rate) | 2–3 years (part-time) | 816 |
| 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: UD, at $40K.
- Shortest completion: Maryville, at 20 months full-time. UD admits MSN students into part-time cohorts only.
- Experience requirement: Maryville requires one year of RN experience; UD and Walden publish no minimum for the MSN.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Delaware BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
UD offers Delaware’s only in-state BSN-to-DNP PNP pathway, in Primary Care, with full-time and part-time plans and a Fall-only start. Walden and Maryville add fully online Primary Care BSN-to-DNPs with multiple start dates each year.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UD (in-state) | Primary Care | $78K | 3 years (full-time); 5 years (part-time) | 1,016 (816 direct, 200 indirect) |
| 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: Maryville, at $70K.
- Shortest completion: UD, at 3 years full-time.
- Experience requirement: UD and Maryville each require one year of RN experience; Walden publishes no minimum. UD also requires three recommendations and a faculty interview.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Delaware MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
No Delaware program offers an MSN-to-DNP PNP pathway; UD’s PNP DNP admits BSN-prepared nurses. Both online options do. Walden and Maryville each admit MSN-prepared nurses into a fully online Primary Care DNP. Practicing NPs adding pediatrics at UD must dual-enroll in its DNP and certificate.
| 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: Maryville requires one year of RN experience; Walden publishes no minimum.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Delaware Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
UD offers Delaware’s only in-state post-master’s PNP certificate, in Primary Care. Its plan of study and cost depend on a free gap analysis of prior coursework. Walden and Maryville add fully online Primary Care certificates with fixed published totals.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UD (in-state) | Primary Care | $22K–$37K (scholarship rate) | 1–2 years (part-time) | 500+ (set by gap analysis) |
| 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: UD, starting at $22K, depending on the gap analysis.
- Experience requirement: UD requires current NP or CNS certification, a 3.5 graduate GPA, and a multistate compact RN license. Walden requires no existing APRN certification.
- Campus requirement: UD includes occasional on-campus intensives; Walden and Maryville do not.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Other Online PNP Programs for Delaware Nurses
Rasmussen University also offers online Primary Care PNP programs. Confirm its Delaware enrollment status before applying. The directory below lists online programs open to Delaware nurses.
Maryville University PNP Programs
St. Louis | $900 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / DNP
Delaware nurses can pursue Maryville University’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program without relocating or attending campus visits because the curriculum is delivered 100% online. Delaware students complete required clinicals locally and can choose from MSN, BSN-DNP, DNP-NP, or post-master’s certificate tracks depending on their background and goals. The program is designed to support busy professionals with no GRE or GMAT requirement and multiple start dates throughout the year.
Walden University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Minneapolis | $785 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / RN to MSN
Walden University provides Delaware nurses with accessible online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care programs across DNP, MSN, and certificate levels, emphasizing hands-on preparation through four practicum courses and virtual simulation tools. Delaware students can complete all clinical requirements in their communities with Walden’s field placement team assistance, spanning topics from pediatric development to complex condition management. CCNE-accredited and priced from $35,690 to $76,415, these tracks support Delaware professionals aiming for primary care certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Delaware?
One, at the University of Delaware in Newark. It offers a Primary Care MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s certificate.
Does Delaware offer an Acute Care PNP program?
No. UD is Primary Care only, and so are Walden and Maryville. Delaware nurses seeking the CPNP-AC credential need an out-of-state program and should confirm it enrolls Delaware residents.
Are any programs fully online?
Not in-state. UD is Mostly Online, with occasional on-campus intensives; it does not publish how often they occur. Walden and Maryville require no campus visits.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, UD’s certificate is lowest at $22K–$37K, and its $40K MSN is the lowest-cost degree compared here. Among the online options, Maryville’s $42K MSN and $32K certificate are lowest.
Which schools offer a DNP?
All three, in Primary Care. UD’s DNP admits BSN-prepared nurses each fall. Walden and Maryville accept both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
Yes. UD’s placement team secures preceptors anywhere in the country. Walden and Maryville students complete clinicals where they live but generally find their own preceptors. Walden’s team assists only after documented unsuccessful attempts.
Can I become a PNP in Delaware without a BSN?
Not through UD. Walden’s online RN-to-MSN admits diploma and ADN-prepared RNs and leads to Primary Care PNP certification.