SUNY Upstate Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Most Comprehensive Multi-Level PNP Program in Central New York

SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Nursing offers four Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks:

  • BS-DNP – PNP
  • MS – PNP
  • Post-Master’s DNP
  • Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate – PNP

All programs are hybrid — a mix of online and in-person classes. Clinical placement is a collaboration between the College and the student; students should never cold-call or visit sites without a preexisting relationship.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. Tuition (NYS Resident)Est. Duration
BS-DNP – PNP~$97,3403 years full-time
MS – PNP~$24,0277 semesters part-time
Post-Master’s DNP~$47,100 ~2–3 years part-time
Post-Graduate Certificate – PNPspecific tuition not published; ~2 years part-time (4–5 semesters)

The College’s network of 700+ clinical contracts spans physician offices, hospitals, clinics, and other agencies throughout New York State.

BS-DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The BS-DNP PNP at SUNY Upstate Medical University is estimated at approximately ~$97,340 in NYS resident tuition.

Full-time students complete the program in 3 years with a summer start.

The program totals 87 credits (per program FAQ), 900 clinical hours, and 200 DNP project hours.

BS-DNP Curriculum

The BS-DNP PNP is organized across 8 terms over 3 years with a summer start. The curriculum builds in two phases:

  • Foundation phase (Year 1, 30 cr.): Clinical pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, family nursing theory, advanced nursing research, pharmacology, leadership for advanced practice, scholarly writing and program development, epidemiology and population health, and innovation in information/quality/safety.
  • Advanced clinical and DNP project phase (Years 2–3, 57 cr.): Three progressive PNP clinical management courses, clinical immersion, statistics and methods, nursing theory, legal and ethical issues, advancements in quality and safety, organizational behavior and systems leadership, public health policy, and a four-course DNP project sequence concluding with a project defense.

Year 1 — Fall (12 cr.):

  • NURS 565 – Nurse as Educator (3 cr.)
  • NURS 621 – Clinical Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
  • NURS 626 – Leadership for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 cr.)
  • NURS 637 – Scholarly Writing and Program Development (3 cr.)

Year 1 — Spring (12 cr.):

  • NURS 607 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)
  • NURS 612 – Family Nursing Theory (3 cr.)
  • NURS 616 – Advanced Nursing Research (3 cr.)
  • NURS 640 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice (3 cr.)

Year 1 — Summer (6 cr.):

  • NURS 608 – Epidemiology and Population Health (3 cr.)
  • NURS 613 – Innovation in Information, Quality and Safety (3 cr.)

Year 2 — Fall (13 cr.):

  • NURS 632 – Statistics and Methods for the DNP Project (4 cr.)
  • NURS 686 – Clinical Management/PNP I (6 cr. / 225 clinical hrs)
  • NURS 710 – Foundations of the DNP Project (3 cr.)

Year 2 — Spring (14 cr.):

  • NURS 610 – Nursing Theory (3 cr.)
  • NURS 620 – Legal and Ethical Issues (3 cr.)
  • NURS 687 – Clinical Management/PNP II (6 cr. / 225 clinical hrs)
  • NURS 722 – DNP Project I (2 cr. / 50 project hrs)

Year 2 — Summer (5 cr.):

  • NURS 713 – Advancements in Information, Quality and Safety (3 cr.)
  • NURS 723 – DNP Project II (2 cr. / 50 project hrs)

Year 3 — Fall (11 cr.):

  • NURS 688 – Clinical Management/PNP III (6 cr. / 225 clinical hrs)
  • NURS 711 – Organizational Behavior and Systems Leadership (3 cr.)
  • NURS 725 – DNP Project III (2 cr. / 50 project hrs)

Year 3 — Spring (9 cr.):

  • NURS 605 – Public Health Policy (3 cr.)
  • NURS 669 – Clinical Immersion (5 cr. / 225 clinical hrs)
  • NURS 730 – Project Defense (1 cr.)

View more curriculum details on the official program page.

BS-DNP Clinicals

BS-DNP PNP students complete 900 total clinical hours across four clinical courses plus 200 DNP project hours.

The program FAQ states 1,000 clinical hours; the program overview page states 900 — confirm the current requirement with the program.

Clinical placement is a collaboration between the College and the student using a network of 700+ clinical contracts across New York State.

  • NURS 686 – Clinical Management/PNP I (225 clinical hrs — Year 2 Fall)
  • NURS 687 – Clinical Management/PNP II (225 clinical hrs — Year 2 Spring)
  • NURS 688 – Clinical Management/PNP III (225 clinical hrs — Year 3 Fall)
  • NURS 669 – Clinical Immersion (225 clinical hrs — Year 3 Spring)
  • DNP Project courses: 200 project hours (NURS 722, 723, 725)
  • Total: 900 clinical hours + 200 project hours
  • Clinical placement is a collaboration between student and College faculty
  • 700+ clinical contracts throughout New York State
  • On-campus presence required — program is hybrid, not fully online
  • State-of-the-art Clinical Skills Center and Simulation Center available
  • Students encouraged to complete clinical hours outside their place of employment (addressed case-by-case)
  • Students should never cold-call or visit clinical sites without a preexisting relationship

BS-DNP Admissions

Rolling admissions until program is full. Summer start. Interview required. Application fee $65.

  • BSN from an accredited program
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Unencumbered RN license
  • Three letters of recommendation — one from a provider (NP, PA, MD, or DO), one from a supervisor; no peer evaluations accepted
  • Personal statement
  • Essay questions (submitted within online application)
  • CV or resume
  • Official transcripts
  • Interview required
  • $65 application fee
  • State authorization confirmed for New York only
  • Summer 2026 application deadline: March 1, 2026 | Rolling admissions

MS – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The MS PNP at SUNY Upstate Medical University is estimated at approximately ~$24,027 in NYS resident tuition.

Part-time students complete the program across 7 semesters. The program totals 60 credits and 750 clinical hours.

Students who complete the MS PNP have the option to transition seamlessly to the DNP program — the application process and fees for the DNP portion are waived for qualifying MS graduates.

MS Curriculum

The MS PNP totals 60 credit hours across 7 semesters in two phases:

  • Foundation phase (Semesters 1–3, 21 cr.): Professional role development, clinical pathophysiology, pharmacology, advanced health assessment, diagnostics and clinical procedures, mental health across the lifespan (FPMHNP only), and FPMHNP theory.
  • Advanced clinical phase (Semesters 4–7, 39 cr.): Three progressive clinical management NP courses (750 clinical hours total), public health policy, health promotion and education, professional role development in informatics/quality/safety, ethics and advanced leadership, and DNP project foundations.

Fall 1 (6 cr.):

  • NURS 530 – Professional Role Development I: The Advanced Practice Role (3 cr.)
  • NURS 508/621 – Clinical Pathophysiology (3 cr.)

Spring 1 (9 cr.):

  • NURS 640 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice (3 cr.)
  • NURS 531 – Professional Role Development II: Applying EBP (3 cr.)
  • NURS 507/607 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)

Summer 1 (6 cr.):

  • NURS 696 – Diagnostics and Clinical Procedures (3 cr. — FNP, AGNP, PNP only)
  • NURS 609 – FPMHNP Theory (3 cr. — all students)

Fall 2 (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs):

  • NURS 686 – Clinical Management/PNP I (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs)

Spring 2 (11 cr. / 250 clinical hrs):

  • NURS 687 – Clinical Management/PNP II (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs)
  • NURS 605 – Public Health Policy (3 cr.)

Summer 2 (6 cr.):

  • NURS 540 – Health Promotion and Education (3 cr.)
  • NURS 532 – Professional Role Development III: Concepts in Informatics, Quality and Safety (3 cr.)

Fall 3 (14 cr. / 250 clinical hrs):

  • NURS 688 – Clinical Management/PNP III (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs)
  • NURS 680 – Professional Role Development IV: Ethics and Advanced Leadership (3 cr.)
  • NURS 710 – Foundations of the DNP Project (3 cr. / 50 project hrs)

View more curriculum details on the official program page.

MS Clinicals

MS students complete 750 total clinical hours across three progressive clinical management courses. Clinical placement follows the same collaborative model as the BS-DNP, using the College’s network of 700+ clinical contracts in New York State.

  • NURS 686 – Clinical Management/PNP I (250 clinical hrs — Fall 2)
  • NURS 687 – Clinical Management/PNP II (250 clinical hrs — Spring 2)
  • NURS 688 – Clinical Management/PNP III (250 clinical hrs — Fall 3)
  • Total: 750 clinical hours
  • Clinical placement is a collaboration between student and College faculty
  • 700+ clinical contracts throughout New York State

MS Admissions

Rolling admissions. Fall start. Application fee $65.

  • BSN from an accredited program
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (higher GPA may be necessary to be competitive)
  • Current, unencumbered New York State RN license
  • Current CPR certification
  • One year of experience in the specialty area highly recommended
  • Three letters of recommendation — one from current supervisor; no peer letters accepted
  • $65 application fee
  • ⚠️ State authorization confirmed for New York only
  • ⚠️ Students who enter the MS and later transition to the DNP will have DNP application process and fees waived
  • Fall 2026 application deadline: June 1, 2026 | Rolling admissions

Post-Master’s DNP

The Post-Master’s DNP at SUNY Upstate Medical University is estimated at approximately ~$47,100 in NYS resident tuition.

This 100% online, part-time program is designed for MS-prepared NPs who want to reach the doctoral level. MS PNP graduates from Upstate who choose this pathway have their DNP application process and fees waived.

Specific credit count, curriculum details, and clinical/project hour requirements for this pathway are not fully published on the school website.

View more program details on the official program page.

Post-Master’s DNP Admissions

  • MS in Nursing (NP specialization) from an accredited program
  • National board certification as an APRN required prior to entering the program
  • Active, unencumbered RN and NP licenses
  • Applications accepted for fall, spring, and summer semesters — rolling admissions
  • $65 application fee
  • ⚠️ State authorization confirmed for New York only
  • Spring 2026: November 1, 2025 | Summer 2026: March 1, 2026 | Fall 2026: June 1, 2026

Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate PNP at SUNY Upstate Medical University is designed for currently certified NPs or Clinical Nurse Specialists who want to add PNP certification as a second specialty.

The program totals 42 credits and is completed part-time over approximately 2 years (4–5 semesters).

Certificate Curriculum

The Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate PNP totals 42 credits. The curriculum includes prerequisite courses that may be waived based on prior graduate coursework and a gap analysis, followed by the same three-course PNP clinical management sequence used in the MS and BS-DNP programs. A gap analysis is conducted at admission to determine starting semester and which prerequisite courses are required.

Semester 1 (3–6 cr. depending on gap analysis):

  • NURS 508/621 – Clinical Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
  • NURS 612 / NURS 530 – Family Nursing Theory or Professional Role Development I (3 cr. — required if no prior family theory course)

Semester 2 (6–12 cr. depending on gap analysis):

  • NURS 507/607 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)
  • NURS 640 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice (3 cr.)
  • NURS 613 / NURS 532 – Innovation in Information, Quality & Safety (3 cr. — required if no prior course)
  • NURS 696 – Diagnostics and Clinical Procedures (3 cr. — PNP track)

Semester 3 (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs):

  • NURS 686 – Clinical Management/PNP I (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs)

Semester 4 (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs):

  • NURS 687 – Clinical Management/PNP II (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs)

Semester 5 (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs):

  • NURS 688 – Clinical Management/PNP III (8 cr. / 250 clinical hrs)

Advanced clinical courses must be taken in sequence. NPs with appropriate academic and clinical experience may qualify to complete the program in three semesters — discuss eligibility with the program director.

View more curriculum details on the official program page.

Certificate Clinicals

Certificate students complete 750 total clinical hours across the same three clinical management courses used in the MS and BS-DNP programs. The program accommodates student interests while ensuring all sites and preceptors meet program requirements.

  • NURS 686 – Clinical Management/PNP I (250 clinical hrs)
  • NURS 687 – Clinical Management/PNP II (250 clinical hrs)
  • NURS 688 – Clinical Management/PNP III (250 clinical hrs)
  • Total: 750 clinical hours
  • 700+ clinical contracts throughout New York State
  • Program accommodates student clinical interests where possible

Certificate Admissions

Rolling admissions. Gap analysis conducted at admission to determine starting semester and transfer credits. Application fee $65.

  • Clinical master’s degree in nursing
  • Current national board certification as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in designated specialty
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Active, unencumbered NY State RN and NP licenses
  • One year of practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse recommended
  • Course syllabi for advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced physical/health assessment
  • Three letters of recommendation — one from current supervisor; no peer letters accepted
  • $65 application fee
  • Gap analysis conducted at admission — starting semester determined based on transfer credits
  • State authorization confirmed for New York only
  • Summer 2026 application deadline: March 1, 2026 | Rolling admissions

Tuition

As part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, Upstate Medical University offers competitive public university pricing.

Estimated NYS resident tuition figures below are taken from the published Cost of Attendance and cover tuition only — mandatory fees, books, and living expenses are additional.

  • BS-DNP (full-time, 3 years): ~$97,340 total tuition (Year 1: $6,280 / Year 2: $31,400 / Year 3: $34,540 / Year 4: $25,120)
  • MS (part-time, 7 semesters): ~$24,027 total tuition (Year 1: $15,549 / Year 2: $8,478)
  • Post-Master’s DNP (part-time, ~3 years): ~$47,100 total tuition (Year 1: $18,840 / Year 2: $18,840 / Year 3: $9,420)
  • Post-Graduate Certificate (42 cr., ~2 years): specific tuition not published — contact admiss@upstate.edu

Mandatory fees per year (approximate for full-time study) include student activities, health services, SUNY college fee, and technology fee — totaling approximately $1,000-$1,500/year depending on enrollment.

Per-credit rates differ significantly between the MS and BS-DNP tracks — confirm the exact rate for your program with the program before budgeting.

Employers may provide tuition reimbursement; part-time study in all programs is designed to allow continued employment.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Nursing’s programs prepare graduates to sit for the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) certification exam as a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Graduates of the Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate program are also eligible for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) nurse practitioner certificate exam.

SUNY Upstate has determined that the BS-DNP PNP program meets educational requirements for licensure/certification in New York only. The program has not made a determination for any other U.S. state or territory. Out-of-state prospective students must contact their state education department prior to applying to verify whether the program meets their state’s licensure requirements.

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