Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs | Online Options 2025

Accelerated nurse practitioner (NP) programs offer fast-track options for aspiring advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). You can find a fast online nurse practitioner program, no matter your background. From direct entry programs for non-nurses to bridge programs for ADN or BSN-RNs, excellent programs await your attendance. 

This article explores some of the quickest online nurse practitioner programs in 2025. Remember that universities don't usually use the term "accelerated NP programs." Instead, the schools on this list offer the quickest routes to completing your studies compared to other programs nationwide.

Top 10 Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs

Choosing an accelerated nurse practitioner program is a huge decision that requires careful consideration. Fortunately, Nurse.org has compiled a list of the best accelerated nurse practitioner schools.

We consider many factors in our ranking methodology, such as:

• Nursing school accreditation
• Graduation rates
• Student-faculty ratio
• Tuition 
• Program length

1. University of Rochester - Rochester, New York

The University of Rochester offers an accelerated master’s in nursing program for non-nurses. This program requires that students have worked or volunteered in healthcare before applying to the programs and that students have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their first bachelor's degree. The program is highly competitive, and cohorts are small.

After official acceptance into the program, students gain admission to two programs:

• A 12-month accelerated BSN, and 
• An MSN program within their chosen specialty:
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
  • Family
  • Psychiatric Mental Health 
  • Pediatric/Neonatal

Additional Information:

• Application Deadline: November 1st
• Tuition: $1,740 per credit hour
• Program Length: 3-4 years
• Accreditation:  
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Contact Phone Number: (585) 275-2375
• Email Information: son_admissions@urmc.rochester.edu
• Online Options Available: No

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2. Herzing University*

Herzing University* offers an online accelerated bridge program for nurses to become one of the following MSN nurse practitioner specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The university offers programs for current ADN-prepared RNs who do not hold a BSN. This program takes as little as 28 months to complete.  

For those with a BSN, Herzing also offers students an online BSN to NP program that takes about 24 months to complete. All students must complete an in-person clinical practicum, and Herzing guarantees a clinical site if they cannot secure one personally. 

Additional Information:

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
• Tuition: $755 per credit hour
• Program Length: 20-28 months depending on program
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Phone Number:  800-596-0724
• Online Options Available: Yes

 3. Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University allows nurses to earn an MSN in as few as four semesters. The program is also available online, except for in-patient clinical work. Courses are taught by doctorally-prepared faculty, and all students have access to peer tutors. 

Chamberlain has 23 campus locations across the nation and offers four NP specialty tracks, including:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Primary Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Additional Information:

• Application Deadline: Rolling
• Tuition:
  • NP courses: $735 per credit hour
  • Non-NP courses: $720 per credit hour
• Program Length: 4 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Phone Number: (877) 751-5783
• Online Options Available: Yes

4. University of Illinois - Chicago and Urbana, Il

The University of Illinois offers a full or part-time DNP program to become one of ten different NP specialties. All didactic coursework is online, and clinical work rotations take place in locations near the university. The program can be completed in two to six years, depending on NP specialty, full-time vs. part-time enrollment, and prior education. 

NP focus areas include:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse-Midwifery
• Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

The DNP programs are offered at six campuses across the state of Illinois.

Additional Information:

• Application Deadline: Jan 15th
• Tuition: $1,044 per credit hour
• Program Length:  2-6 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Phone Number: (312) 996-7800 
• Email Information: conapply@uic.edu
• Online Options Available: Hybrid

5. Georgetown University*

Georgetown University* offers four highly acclaimed NP programs, including:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Midwifery/Women/s Health Nurse Practitioner

Students earn real-world experience through live online classes, coursework, and in-person clinical placements.

The university has a vast network of healthcare settings at over 3,700 locations in 49 states. Classes are taught by active practitioners, and students participate in Objective Clinical Intensives (OCIs), which are academic visits during which they practice clinical skills and complete in-person physical assessments.

Additional Information:

• Application Deadline: Rolling 
• Tuition: $2,550 per credit hour
• Program Length: 23 - 27 months
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Phone Number: 877-910-4692
• Email Information: onlinenursingadmissions@georgetown.edu
• Online Options Available: Yes

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6. Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University offers a quicker path for non-nursing bachelor's degree students to start working as nurse practitioners. The university offers a PreSpecialty MSN program with a three-semester BSN program followed by subsequent NP specialty coursework. 

The courses are offered full-time and on campus, so students must live within commuting distance of the campus. Full-time students may then complete NP coursework in as little as three semesters. 

NP specialty areas include:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse-Midwifery
• Nurse-Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner 
• Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner/ AGPCNP

Additional Information:

• Application Deadline: January 1st
• Tuition: $1,997 per credit hour
• Program Length: 4 semesters 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Phone Number: (615) 322-4400
• Email Information: VUSN-Admissions@vanderbilt.edu
• Online Options Available: Yes

7. The Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

The Ohio State University offers an MSN program for non-nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field to become NPs in as little as three years. This program is an excellent option for non-nurses to become an NP faster than most programs. 

Graduates earn an MSN in one of the following specialty tracks:

• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Additional Information:

• Application Deadline: 
  • Round 1: October 31st
  • Round 2: March 1st
• Semesterly Tuition: 
  • Resident: $9,682
  • Nonresident: $22,982 
• Program Length: 3 years 
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Phone Number: (614) 292-4041
• Email Information: nursing@osu.edu
• Online Options Available:  Hybrid

8. Northeastern University - Burlington, MA

Northeastern University has one of the fastest MSN programs available. However, students must earn a BSN to be eligible for entry. Students with degrees other than a BSN are considered at the program administrator's discretion. Once admitted, full-time students can complete their NP degree in two or three years, depending on their specialty.

Northeastern offers several NP specialty tracks, including:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Additional Information:

• Application Deadlines
  • Fall: August 1
  • Spring: November 1
• Semesterly Tuition: $22,510
• Program Length: 2-3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Phone Number: (617) 373-7055
• Email Information: bouvegrad@northeastern.edu
• Online Options Available: Yes

9. Samuel Merritt University - Oakland, CA

Samuel Merritt University has made a name in the Golden State for advanced nursing education. Not only does it have one of the top CRNA programs in California, but it also offers a five-semester online family NP program.

Family NP students must already have a BSN and an unencumbered license. However, the university website reports that they will also evaluate nurses with a bachelor's degree in another field on a case-by-case basis. 

Samuel Merritt’s online FNP program is approved for nurses residing in the following states:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Illinois
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Texas
• Virginia

Additional Information:

• Application Deadlines
  • Spring: November 1st
  • Summer: March 1st
  • Fall: July 1st
• Tuition: $1,560 per credit hour
• Program Length:
  • Full-time: 20 months (5 semesters)
  • Part-time: 24 months (6 semesters)
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Phone Number: 866-629-0655
• Email Information: online@crm.samuelmerritt.edu
• Online Options Available: Yes

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10. Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University offers two pathways for students to earn an NP degree. These include a traditional MSN program for those with a bachelor’s degree and an RN-to-MSN program for those with an ADN in nursing. The RN-to-MSN program takes a few extra months to complete. 

Students can choose between three NP specialty concentrations, including:

• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)

Additional Information:

• Application Deadlines
  • Standard Admissions: Rolling
  • Priority Admissions: January 15th
• Tuition: $729 per credit hour
• Program Length: 2.5-3 years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Contact Phone Number: (888) 413-5633
• Email Information: admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu
• Online Options Available: Yes

About Online Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs

Accelerated NP programs prefer students with healthcare experience through work or volunteering. Most programs require students to have a specific number of years of experience before applying. Depending on the program and your starting degree, you may be able to apply with only volunteer medical experience. 

Program Length

Depending on the program and specialty, these programs are typically three to five years long. Length will also vary if you are taking classes part-time vs. full-time. Students without a BSN usually complete a one-year accelerated BSN and then take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to earn licensure to practice as a registered nurse before starting their graduate-level studies.

Degrees

All accelerated NP programs are unique. Some award a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Others only offer Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees for NP specialties.

Experience

It is also important to remember that even if universities offer programs with an accelerated portion, such as an accelerated BSN, students must gain some experience in the field before moving into their advanced practice studies. 

FAQs About Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Programs

• How Fast Can I Become an NP?

  • You can become an NP in two to seven years, depending on your education level. Nurses with a BSN can become an NP in as little as two years in an MSN program or three years in a DNP program. Non-nurses may require as little as three years for an MSN or five years for a DNP, depending on the program.

• Which Nurse Practitioner Specialty Is Easiest?

  • All nurse practitioner specialties are challenging in different ways, and what is harder for one student may be a little easier for another. Due to the sheer amount of class and clinical material covered, all NP programs are intensive and rigorous. You must look at each specialty's graduation requirements to determine whether a specialty is right for you.

• Is Becoming a Nurse Practitioner Hard?

  • Becoming a nurse practitioner is difficult because the material is more advanced than undergraduate nursing coursework. NP students are learning how to care for patients in a provider role which requires a significantly increased amount of responsibility.

• What Type of NP Is Most in Demand?

  • The most common type of nurse practitioner is a family practice NP. That is most likely due to the flexibility that the specialty provides. FNPs provide comprehensive care for individuals and families of all ages and genders. They also provide healthcare for a wide range of diseases and body systems. 

 

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