- 2 In-State Schools, Mostly Online and Hybrid formats, plus 2 online options compared
Two Virginia universities train Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs). Old Dominion University runs a Mostly Online Primary Care MSN, and the University of Virginia runs Hybrid Primary Care and Acute Care tracks.
Both require campus travel and neither admits RNs without a BSN, so Walden University and Maryville University appear in each table below as online options.
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODU Virginia Beach | Primary Care | Mostly Online | Simulation testing about once per semester, plus a final comprehensive exam in Virginia Beach | $672 | MSN | Experienced pediatric RNs seeking a low-cost MSN |
| UVA Charlottesville | Primary Care + Acute Care | Hybrid | In-person class in Charlottesville about once a month | $914 (part-time rate) | DNP, Certificate | Nurses headed for children’s hospital Acute Care roles |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $785 per quarter credit | MSN, DNP, Certificate | Diploma and ADN nurses who need an RN entry point |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 (master’s); $995 (doctoral) | MSN, DNP, Certificate | Working nurses who cannot wait for a once-a-year intake |
Virginia PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 2 in-state, plus 2 online options compared
- Primary Care: Yes, at ODU and UVA
- Acute Care: Yes, at UVA only (DNP and certificate)
- MSN: In-state at ODU for BSN nurses; RN-entry MSN online only, through Walden
- DNP: In-state at UVA for BSN nurses; MSN-entry PNP doctorates online only, at Walden and Maryville
- Certificate: In-state at UVA for practicing APRNs; online at Walden and Maryville
- Format: ODU is Mostly Online and UVA is Hybrid; Walden and Maryville have no campus component
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $30K for ODU’s MSN
Choosing a PNP Program in Virginia
A 44-Credit Primary Care MSN: ODU
ODU suits nurses who already know pediatrics and want the quickest, cheapest route to CPNP-PC. Its 560-hour clinical minimum is lean, which helps experienced pediatric RNs more than career changers. Students choose their own sites, and a staffed coordinator handles the affiliation contracts. Admission runs once a year, with a March 1 priority deadline.
Guaranteed Placement and Named PICU Rotations: UVA
UVA guarantees practicum placement inside Virginia, and its Acute Care DNP names PICU, pediatric ED, and transplant rotations across six children’s hospitals. No prior PICU experience is required. The catch is the format: monthly Charlottesville class days and no master’s option, so the doctorate is the only entry route for BSN nurses.
Entry Without a Bachelor’s Degree: Walden
Walden’s RN-to-MSN accepts diploma and associate-degree nurses, a route neither Virginia school offers. Coursework runs on 11-week quarters with no travel. The weak point is placement. Students must locate their own pediatric preceptor, and Walden’s Practicum Pledge team helps only after documented failed attempts.
Six Intakes a Year and an MSN-Entry Doctorate: Maryville
Maryville starts new cohorts twice each spring, summer, and fall. Its DNP-NP admits MSN holders without APRN certification, so a nurse educator or informatics nurse can move into pediatrics. One year of RN experience is required, and Maryville publishes neither a clinical hour total nor a placement commitment.
Virginia RN-to-MSN PNP Programs
Neither Virginia school admits nurses who lack a BSN. ODU requires a bachelor’s in nursing, and UVA requires a BSN or a nursing master’s. Walden is the only option in this guide with an RN-entry pathway. It accepts a hospital diploma, an ADN, or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $57K (after scholarship) | ~28 months | 640 |
- Experience requirement: None published. Walden sets no RN experience minimum for this track.
Compare more programs: See all RN-to-MSN PNP programs
Virginia BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
ODU offers Virginia’s only PNP master’s degree, a Primary Care MSN with about one campus trip per semester. UVA has no MSN pathway. Walden and Maryville both offer a fully online Primary Care MSN for BSN-prepared nurses, with no campus component.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODU Virginia Beach | Primary Care | $30K (44 credits) | Not clearly stated | 560 minimum |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $45K (after scholarship) | ~24 months | 640 |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $42K | 20 months (full-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: ODU, at $30K. A $450 per-semester program fee is extra.
- Campus requirement: ODU only.
- Experience requirement: Maryville requires one year of RN experience. ODU’s own pages disagree on whether one year is required or preferred.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Virginia BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
UVA is the only Virginia school with a PNP doctorate, offering separate Primary Care and Acute Care BSN-to-DNP tracks. Both share one DNP core and include nine elective credits. Walden and Maryville add online Primary Care DNPs with no campus visits.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UVA Charlottesville | Primary Care | $67K | 33 months (full-time); 5–6 years (part-time) | 750 |
| UVA Charlottesville | Acute Care | $67K | 33 months (full-time); 5–6 years (part-time) | 750 |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $76K (after scholarship) | ~3.25 years | 1,000 minimum (post-baccalaureate) |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $70K | 40 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition and shortest completion: UVA, at $67K over 33 months full-time.
- Only Acute Care option: UVA.
- Experience requirement: UVA adds a one-year RN experience rule for fall 2027 entrants.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Virginia MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
No Virginia school offers a dedicated MSN-to-DNP PNP pathway. UVA admits generalist MSN holders into its BSN-to-DNP and allows up to 12 transfer credits. ODU’s post-master’s DNP is not a PNP program. Walden and Maryville publish full online MSN-entry tracks.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $71K (after scholarship) | ~3 years | 1,000 minimum (post-baccalaureate) |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $64K | 36 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $64K.
- Experience requirement: Walden students with fewer than 600 verified prior clinical hours take up to 8 extra field experience credits.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Virginia Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
UVA offers Primary Care and Acute Care post-professional certificates, but only to nurses who already hold APRN licensure and certification. Walden and Maryville admit any MSN-prepared RN, including nurses with no NP credential.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UVA Charlottesville | Primary Care | Not clearly stated ($914 per credit; credit total unpublished) | Not clearly stated (part-time) | Over 750 |
| UVA Charlottesville | Acute Care | Not clearly stated ($914 per credit; credit total unpublished) | Not clearly stated (part-time) | Over 750 |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $33K | ~5–7 quarters | 640 |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $32K | 24 months (part-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Only Acute Care option: UVA.
- Financial aid: UVA certificate students cannot use university scholarships or student loans.
- Campus requirement: UVA certificate students attend Charlottesville about once a month.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Virginia?
Two schools offer them. Old Dominion University in Virginia Beach has one Primary Care MSN. The University of Virginia in Charlottesville has BSN-to-DNP and post-professional certificate options, each in Primary Care and Acute Care.
Does Virginia offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes, at UVA only, through its DNP and certificate. Graduates are prepared for the PNCB’s CPNP-AC exam. ODU, Walden, and Maryville prepare students for CPNP-PC only.
Are any programs fully online?
Not in Virginia. ODU students return to Virginia Beach about once per semester and again for a final exam. UVA students attend class in Charlottesville about once a month. Walden and Maryville list no campus visits for any PNP pathway.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, ODU’s MSN is lowest at about $30K. UVA’s in-state DNP runs about $67K. Online, Maryville’s $42K MSN is the lowest-cost degree, and both online certificates cost about $32K–$33K.
Which schools offer a DNP?
UVA offers Primary Care and Acute Care DNPs for BSN-prepared nurses. Walden and Maryville offer Primary Care DNPs with BSN or MSN entry. ODU has no PNP doctorate.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
UVA guarantees placement anywhere in Virginia, though not out of state. ODU prefers sites in the student’s home community but expects students to find them. Walden and Maryville students train near home and generally arrange their own preceptors.
Do Virginia PNP programs require RN experience?
Requirements vary. UVA has none today but will require one year for fall 2027 entry. ODU’s sources conflict on whether one year is required or preferred. Maryville requires one year, and Walden publishes no minimum.