The University of South Alabama offers multiple Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN-Primary Care
- BSN-DNP-Primary Care
- MSN-DNP-Primary Care
- Post-Graduate Certificate-Primary Care
- MSN-Acute Care
- BSN-DNP-Acute Care
- MSN-DNP-Acute Care
- Post-Graduate Certificate-Acute Care
These options use online coursework and regionally arranged clinical experiences. Nurse practitioner students must complete a required clinical skills intensive on campus when they begin specialty clinical coursework.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN Pediatric Primary Care NP | $27K | Not clearly stated |
| MSN Pediatric Acute Care NP | $27K | Not clearly stated |
| BSN-DNP PNP | $41K | 10 to 12 semesters |
| MSN-DNP PNP | $21K | 5 semesters |
| Post-Graduate Certificate PNP | Varies by plan | Not clearly stated |
The University of South Alabama is strongest for nurses who want online PNP coursework, local clinical options, and both primary care and acute care pediatric pathways.
MSN PNP
The estimated cost for the MSN Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or MSN Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at the University of South Alabama is about $26,730, based on 45 credits at $594 per credit hour. The program length is not clearly stated.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN PNP curriculum includes 45 credit hours across support courses, MSN core courses, and pediatric specialty courses. Students choose either pediatric primary care or pediatric acute care preparation.
- NU 518 – Advanced Nursing Assessment
- NU 545 – Physio-pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing
- NU 578 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses
- NU 607 – Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice
- NU 608 – Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare
- NU 610 – Healthcare Policy and Finance
- NU 613 – Organizational & Systems Leadership
- MCN 548 or MCN 558 – Introduction to Pediatric NP Specialty
- MCN 552 or MCN 562 – Pediatric NP I
- MCN 554 or MCN 564 – Pediatric NP II
- MCN 557 or MCN 567 – Pediatric NP III
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
MSN PNP students complete three practicum courses totaling 600 clinical hours. Clinical requirements can usually be completed with approved preceptors in the student’s home community.
- Practicum I: 180 clinical hours
- Practicum II: 180 clinical hours
- Practicum III: 240 clinical hours
- One required Clinical Skills Intensive on campus
- Primary care students focus on outpatient pediatric care
- Acute care students focus on hospital-based pediatric care
MSN Admissions
MSN applicants must meet graduate nursing admission requirements and specialty experience expectations.
- BSN for the standard MSN pathway
- RN to MSN option for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree
- Active RN license
- One year of nursing experience required for admission
- Two years of nursing experience expected before clinical rotations
- GRE or MAT not required
- Letters of reference not required
- Background check and drug screen required after admission
DNP PNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or BSN-DNP Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at the University of South Alabama is about $40,986. Estimate based on 69 credits at $594 per credit hour.
The program can be completed in 10 semesters full time or 12 semesters part time.
DNP Curriculum
The BSN-DNP PNP pathway includes MSN specialty coursework, DNP core courses, DNP project planning, and residency coursework. The pediatric primary care and pediatric acute care options both require 69 credits.
- NU 518 – Advanced Nursing Assessment
- NU 545 – Physio-pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing
- NU 578 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses
- NU 607 – Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice
- NU 608 – Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare
- NU 611 – Translating Evidence Into Practice Systems
- NU 615 – Quality Improvement and Outcomes Assessment
- NU 616 – Data Management & Decision Making in Complex Healthcare Systems
- MCN 654 or MCN 604 – PNP Project Planning and Development
- PNP Residency I, II, and III
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
BSN-DNP students complete pediatric specialty practicum work plus DNP residency courses tied to a quality improvement project. The school states that nurse practitioner specialties require a campus intensive when students begin the clinical portion of the program.
- 600 pediatric practicum hours in the specialty sequence
- 540 residency hours across three DNP residency courses
- Required NP Clinical Skills Intensive
- DNP project completed through residency coursework
- Faculty assist with locating clinical sites
DNP Admissions
The BSN-DNP pathway is for nurses who hold a BSN and want to complete both MSN and DNP preparation.
- BSN degree required
- Active RN license required
- Two years of pediatric specialty experience required before the clinical portion
- Clinical placement must be approved
- Students must complete the program within seven years
MSN-DNP PNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-DNP for Advanced Nursing Practice Roles at the University of South Alabama is about $21,384, based on 36 credits at $594 per credit hour.
The program can be completed in five semesters of full-time study.
DNP Curriculum
The MSN-DNP pathway is designed for nurses who already hold an MSN in an advanced practice nursing area offered by the College of Nursing. Students complete DNP core, project planning, and residency coursework.
- 36 total credit hours
- Online coursework
- No thesis or dissertation
- Major synthesis project required
- Possible 24-credit path for some South Alabama MSN graduates with qualifying prior coursework
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
Residency requirements for the DNP synthesis project can be completed in the student’s home region with an approved mentor. The project must result in a quality improvement change with a clear effect on healthcare outcomes.
DNP Admissions
This pathway is intended for MSN-prepared advanced practice nurses who want the DNP in the same specialty area.
- MSN degree required
- Advanced practice nursing preparation required
- Specialty must be offered by the University of South Alabama College of Nursing
- Program must be completed within seven years
MSN-DNP Adding New Specialty Certification
The estimated cost for the MSN-DNP Adding New Specialty Certification at the University of South Alabama is about $35,640 to $40,986, based on 60 to 69 credits at $594 per credit hour
The program can be completed in 10 semesters full time or 12 semesters part time.
DNP Curriculum
This option is for MSN-prepared nurses who want to earn a DNP while adding a new advanced practice specialty, such as Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Students follow requirements similar to the BSN-DNP program, although prior support coursework may reduce the total course load.
- 60 credits if support courses are not needed
- 69 credits if support courses are needed
- Pediatric specialty coursework
- DNP core coursework
- DNP project planning and residency courses
DNP Clinicals
Students adding a new PNP certification complete specialty clinical work and DNP residency coursework. Nurse practitioner students may need to attend campus for intensive classroom, simulation, and evaluation sessions.
DNP Admissions
This pathway is designed for MSN-prepared nurses who want to add a new specialty certification while completing the DNP.
- MSN degree required
- Advanced practice nursing background expected
- Support courses required if not completed previously
- Program must be completed within seven years
- Post-graduate certificate portion must be completed within two calendar years
Post-Graduate Certificate PNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate PNP at the University of South Alabama varies by specialty plan, transfer review, and required support coursework, and the program length is not clearly stated.
Certificate Curriculum
The Nursing Post-Graduate Certificate is designed for registered nurses with a graduate nursing degree who want preparation in a new advanced practice specialty. Students may choose Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner as certificate options.
- Required support courses when needed
- Pediatric specialty didactic courses
- Specialty practicum courses
- Clinical hours aligned with national certification requirements
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete clinical hours required for the selected pediatric specialty. The school states that certificate programs are designed to meet national certification requirements, including required support courses, didactic specialty courses, and clinical hours.
Certificate Admissions
The post-graduate certificate pathway is for nurses with graduate nursing preparation who want a new specialty or subspecialty area.
- Graduate degree in nursing required
- Active RN license expected
- Clinical placement approval required
- Additional specialty requirements may apply
Tuition
The University of South Alabama charges $594 per credit hour for graduate nursing coursework taught online, regardless of residency status. Based on that rate, the 45-credit MSN PNP pathway costs about $26,730, the 69-credit BSN-DNP PNP pathway costs about $40,986, and the 36-credit MSN-DNP advanced practice pathway costs about $21,384 before fees.
Students should also plan for costs tied to clinical travel, required campus visits, background checks, drug screens, proctoring, and identity verification.
See the official tuition page for more details: University of South Alabama Tuition and Fees.
Research More Alabama Pediatric NP Programs
- University of Alabama at Birmingham - Birmingham