Yale University PNP Programs (Pediatric Nurse)

Yale School of Nursing (YSN) offers four Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) tracks across two specialty areas:

Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP-PC):

Master of Science in Nursing – PNP-PC (RN entry or GEPN entry)
Post-Master’s Certificate – PNP-PC (MSN/APRN-prepared nurses)

Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC):

Master of Science in Nursing – PNP-AC (RN entry or GEPN entry)
Post-Master’s Certificate – PNP-AC (MSN/APRN-prepared nurses)

All four tracks are delivered in-person at Yale’s West Campus in Connecticut — online study is not an option.

Program Tracks Overview

Program	Est. Tuition	Est. Duration
MSN PNP-PC	~$106,657 (51.5 cr. × $2,071)	2 years (4 semesters)
MSN PNP-AC	~$103,550 (50 cr. × $2,071)	2 years (4 semesters)
Post-Master’s Certificate PNP-PC	$2,071/credit (gap analysis)	Up to 2 years
Post-Master’s Certificate PNP-AC	$2,071/credit (gap analysis)	Up to 2 years

Yale’s PNP-PC specialty has maintained a 100% first-time PNCB pass rate since 2014, and all clinical placements are arranged by the PNP Preceptor Liaison and Clinical Site Coordinator in conjunction with faculty.

A unique entry point is Yale’s Graduate Entry Pre-specialty in Nursing (GEPN) program, which allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field to enter directly into PNP preparation without a prior nursing degree.

Primary Care PNP (PNP-PC) Tracks

Master of Science in Nursing – PNP-PC

The MSN PNP-PC program has an estimated tuition of approximately $106,657 (51.5 credits × $2,071/credit), and would take 2 years (4 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis. Part-time study is also available. The program’s full-time annual tuition for the first year is $51,748 (new MSN rate); Year 2 is $51,748 (continuing MSN rate), with fees differing slightly between years.

MSN PNP-PC Curriculum

The program totals 51.5 credits and 756 clinical hours across four semesters. Core courses are shared with students from all YSN specialties and cover pathophysiology, pharmacology, community health, statistics and research for evidence-based practice, and transitions to professional practice. Specialty courses begin in the first semester and progress through four levels of primary care of children, adolescent care, school health, chronic health conditions, and pediatric mental health in primary care. Students attend class on Mondays and Tuesdays in Year 1 and Thursdays in Year 2.

Year 1 Fall (14.5 cr. / 76 clinical hrs):

NURS 6010 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
NURS 7020 – Primary Care IA (1 cr.)
NURS 7400 – Advanced Pediatric Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning (3 cr.)
NURS 7410 – Individual & Family Development during Childhood (1.5 cr.)
NURS 7420 – Primary Care & Health Promotion of Children I (2 cr.)
NURS 7430 – Primary Care of Children I Clinical Practice (2 cr. / 76 hrs)
NURS 6020 – Advanced Pharmacology (2 cr.)

Year 1 Spring (12 cr. / 166 clinical hrs):

NURS 7440 – Primary Care of Adolescents (2 cr.)
NURS 6040 – Statistics & Research for Evidence-Based Practice Nursing (3 cr.)
NURS 7450 – Primary Care of Adolescents Clinical Practice* (2 cr. / 90 hrs)
NURS 7460 – Primary Care of Children II (2 cr.)
NURS 7470 – Primary Care of Children II Clinical Practice (2 cr. / 76 hrs)
NURS 7530 – School Health Clinical Practice* (2 cr. / 90 hrs)
NURS 7550 – Advanced Pediatric Pharmacology (1 cr.)

*Cohort splits into 2 groups — Group 1 takes NURS 7450 in Spring Y1 and NURS 7530 in Fall Y2; Group 2 reverses the order.

Year 2 Fall (12 cr. / 254 clinical hrs):

NURS 6050 – Transitions to Professional Practice (2 cr.)
NURS 6060 – Promoting Health in the Community (2 cr.)
NURS 7450 – Primary Care of Adolescents Clinical Practice* (2 cr. / 90 hrs)
NURS 7480 – Primary Care of Children III (2 cr.)
NURS 7490 – Primary Care of Children III Clinical Practice (2 cr. / 78 hrs)
NURS 7530 – School Health Clinical Practice* (2 cr. / 90 hrs)
NURS 7540 – Specialty Pediatric Primary Care Clinical Practice (2 cr. / 86 hrs)

Year 2 Spring (12 cr. / 260 clinical hrs):

NURS 7500 – Primary Care of Children IV (2 cr.)
NURS 7510 – Primary Care of Children IV Clinical Practice (4.5 cr. / 192.5 hrs)
NURS 7520 – Chronic Health Conditions in Children and Adolescents (2 cr.)
NURS 7570 – Primary Care Management of Common Developmental, Behavioral, and Mental Health Conditions (2 cr.)
NURS 7580 – Clinical Practice in Pediatric Mental Health in Primary Care (1.5 cr. / 67.5 hrs)

See the course catalog page for more curriculum details.

MSN PNP-PC Clinicals

Students complete a minimum of 756 clinical hours — including 518.5 structured pediatric practice hours plus observational, simulation, case discussion, and physical assessment lab experiences. Clinical placements are arranged by the PNP Preceptor Liaison and Clinical Site Coordinator in conjunction with faculty. Sites include community health centers, private practices, school-based health centers, and specialty clinics primarily in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. Final-semester elective placements outside the region may be available. Clinical placements have a 1–2:1 student-to-clinical-faculty ratio.

283 hours in primary care settings (community health centers, private practice, outpatient pediatric clinics)
84 hours in school-based health centers (preschool through 8th grade)
84 hours in adolescent primary care (high school SBHC or adolescent clinic)
Specialty rotations (gastroenterology, endocrinology, surgery, otolaryngology)
67.5 hours in pediatric mental health in primary care

MSN PNP-PC Admissions Requirements

RN entry: BSN or equivalent required; unencumbered RN license
GEPN entry: Bachelor’s degree in any field (non-nursing pathway); must meet professional practice of nursing eligibility requirements
Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA recommended (GRE required only if GPA is below 3.0)
Current resume/CV
Three letters of recommendation submitted electronically through the application system
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (WES or TEC evaluation for coursework outside the US or Canada)
Personal essay (prompt available in application)
Asynchronous video and timed writing assessment
TOEFL or IELTS scores if applicable (non-native English speakers)
Application submitted through NursingCAS
Non-refundable application fee; $600 tuition deposit required upon acceptance
Applicants should have experience shadowing or working with a practicing PNP
Full-time or part-time study available; single specialty must be selected at application

Master of Science in Nursing – PNP-AC

The MSN PNP-AC program has an estimated tuition of approximately $103,550 (50 credits × $2,071/credit), and would take 2 years (4 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis. Part-time study is available. Year 1 classes are typically held two days per week; Year 2 classes are generally on Thursdays, though schedules may vary.

MSN PNP-AC Curriculum

The program totals 50 credits (plus 2 optional elective credits) and 752 clinical hours across four semesters. Core courses mirror those in the PNP-PC track. The AC-PNP specialty sequence adds advanced acute care diagnostics, two levels of Acute Care of Children coursework, and a heavily weighted final clinical placement of 350 hours. Students may also elect a 2-credit elective in primary care management of developmental, behavioral, and mental health conditions. Specialty concentrations (Diabetes Care, Gender and Sexuality Health Justice, Oncology) and tracks (Global Health, Research) are available by application in the first specialty year.

Year 1 Fall (13.5 cr. / 76 clinical hrs):

NURS 6010 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
NURS 6020 – Advanced Pharmacology (2 cr.)
NURS 7400 – Advanced Pediatric Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning (3 cr.)
NURS 7410 – Individual & Family Development during Childhood (1.5 cr.)
NURS 7420 – Primary Care & Health Promotion of Children I (2 cr.)
NURS 7430 – Primary Care of Children I Clinical Practice (2 cr. / 76 hrs)

Year 1 Spring (15 cr. / 130 clinical hrs):

NURS 6040 – Statistics & Research for Evidence-Based Practice Nursing (3 cr.)
NURS 7440 – Primary Care of Adolescents (2 cr.)
NURS 7460 – Primary Care of Children II (2 cr.)
NURS 7520 – Chronic Health Conditions in Children and Adolescents (2 cr.)
NURS 7550 – Advanced Pediatric Pharmacology (1 cr.)
NURS 7560 – Specialty Pediatric Acute Care Clinical Practice (3 cr. / 130 hrs)
NURS 7910 – Advanced Acute and Critical Care Diagnostics for Pediatrics (2 cr.)

Year 2 Fall (11.5 cr. / 196 clinical hrs):

NURS 6050 – Transitions to Professional Practice (2 cr.)
NURS 6060 – Promoting Health in the Community (2 cr.)
NURS 7912 – Acute Care of Children I (3 cr.)
NURS 7914 – Acute Care of Children I Clinical (4.5 cr. / 196 hrs)

Year 2 Spring (10 cr. + 2 optional / 350 clinical hrs):

NURS 7916 – Acute Care of Children II (2 cr.)
NURS 7918 – Acute Care of Children II Clinical (8 cr. / 350 hrs)
NURS 7570 – Elective: Primary Care Management of Common Developmental, Behavioral, and Mental Health Conditions (2 cr., optional)

See the course catalog page for more curriculum details.

MSN PNP-AC Clinicals

Students complete a minimum of 752 clinical hours in acute, complex, and chronic illness care across a variety of hospital settings. The PNP Preceptor Liaison and Clinical Site Coordinator arrange all placements. Clinical sites span Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, with final-semester elective placements outside the region available where clinical sites permit. Students are encouraged to work part-time or per diem as an RN during the program to build additional inpatient experience.

NURS 7430 – Primary Care of Children I Clinical (76 hrs)
NURS 7560 – Specialty Pediatric Acute Care Clinical Practice (130 hrs)
NURS 7914 – Acute Care of Children I Clinical (196 hrs)
NURS 7918 – Acute Care of Children II Clinical (350 hrs)
Settings include pediatric intensive care units, inpatient settings, specialty clinics, and emergency departments

MSN PNP-AC Admissions Requirements

RN entry: BSN or equivalent; unencumbered RN license; experience working or volunteering in healthcare (EMT, medical assistant, LPN, or similar) strongly preferred
GEPN entry: Bachelor’s degree in any field; must meet professional practice of nursing eligibility requirements
Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA recommended (GRE required only if GPA is below 3.0)
Current resume/CV
Three letters of recommendation submitted electronically through the application system
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (WES or TEC evaluation for international coursework)
Personal essay (prompt available in application)
Asynchronous video and timed writing assessment
TOEFL or IELTS scores if applicable
Application submitted through NursingCAS
Non-refundable application fee; $600 tuition deposit required upon acceptance
Full-time or part-time study available; single specialty selected at application

Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) Tracks

Post-Master’s Certificate – PNP-PC

The Post-Master’s Certificate PNP-PC program is designed for master’s-prepared pediatric clinical nurse specialists or family nurse practitioners seeking formal education and clinical training in pediatric primary care. Tuition is $2,071 per credit; students are not charged for courses waived by transcript review or challenge examination. Most students complete within 2 years, though individualized plans are available.

PMC PNP-PC Curriculum

The PMC includes all required PNP-PC specialty courses except research/statistics. An individualized plan of study is developed based on the student’s graduate academic record. For certification eligibility, all required PNP-PC courses must either be taken at YSN or formally challenged by examination or demonstration of equivalent prior coursework. A formal plan of study is obtained from the Student Affairs Office after a gap analysis of prior graduate work.

Curriculum is fully individualized. The specialty course sequence mirrors the MSN PNP-PC specialty years, minus research/statistics. Contact YSN admissions for a personalized estimate.

See the course catalog page for more details.

PMC PNP-PC Clinicals

Clinical hours mirror the MSN PNP-PC specialty track requirements for the courses included in the individualized plan. All placements are arranged by the PNP Preceptor Liaison and Clinical Site Coordinator in conjunction with faculty across Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York.

PMC PNP-PC Admissions Requirements

Master’s degree in nursing with specialty in pediatric clinical nursing, family nursing, or parent-child nursing; current APRN or CNM license required
Online NursingCAS application
Current resume/CV
Three letters of recommendation (academic and professional)
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Personal statement
Virtual interview
TOEFL or IELTS scores (required of all non-native English speakers)
PMC students are not eligible for scholarship aid; may be eligible for graduate/professional student loans
⚠️ In-person only at Yale West Campus — no online option

Post-Master’s Certificate – PNP-AC

The Post-Master’s Certificate PNP-AC program is designed for master’s or doctorally-prepared APRNs — including PNP-PC, CNS, NNP, or FNP-prepared nurses — who want additional education in caring for more acute, complex pediatric patients. Tuition is $2,071 per credit, with no charge for waived courses. Most students complete within 2 years; individualized plans are available. The program launched in Fall 2021.

PMC PNP-AC Curriculum

The PMC includes all required PNP-AC specialty courses except research/statistics. Required courses are determined based on the student’s graduate academic record. For certification eligibility, all PNP-AC required courses must be taken at YSN or challenged by examination or demonstration of equivalent prior content.

The plan of study is obtained from the specialty director. The curriculum assumes the entering student has a master’s degree in nursing with a specialty in some aspect of pediatric, family, or parent-child nursing.

Curriculum is fully individualized. The specialty course sequence mirrors the MSN PNP-AC specialty years, minus research/statistics. Contact the specialty director for a personalized plan.

See the course catalog page for more details.

PMC PNP-AC Clinicals

Clinical hours mirror the PNP-AC MSN specialty track requirements for included courses. All placements are arranged by the PNP Preceptor Liaison and Clinical Site Coordinator. Sites include PICUs, inpatient settings, specialty clinics, and emergency departments across Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

PMC PNP-AC Admissions Requirements

Master’s or doctoral degree in nursing; current APRN or CNM license required (prepared as PNP-PC, CNS, NNP, or FNP)
Online NursingCAS application
Current resume/CV
Three letters of recommendation (academic and professional)
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Personal statement
Virtual interview
TOEFL or IELTS scores (required of all non-native English speakers)
PMC students are not eligible for scholarship aid; may be eligible for graduate/professional student loans
⚠️ In-person only at Yale West Campus — no online option

Tuition

Yale School of Nursing charges $2,071 per credit hour for all MSN and PMC programs. Full-time MSN tuition is $51,748 per academic year (Fall + Spring), with a first-year Equipment & Technology Fee of $2,246 and a continuing-year fee of $771.

Lab fees of $510 apply in the fall semester. Health insurance is billed at $3,422 annually and may be waived with proof of alternative coverage.

Optional specialty concentrations carry an additional fee equivalent to four credits ($8,284) charged over the duration of the concentration. PMC students pay per credit only and are not charged for waived courses; they are not eligible for scholarship aid but may qualify for graduate/professional student loans.

More tuition details are available here.

Accreditation

The master’s degree program in nursing at Yale School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of all PNP-PC tracks are eligible to sit for the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) certification examination. Graduates of all PNP-AC tracks are eligible for the PNCB acute care certification examination. Yale University is also approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in Washington State for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Master’s program.