Olivia Chen, NP
July 14, 2025
Montana’s nurse practitioner programs prepare RNs for advanced practice across both urban centers like Billings and Missoula and rural critical‑access clinics. CCNE‑accredited MSN and DNP tracks at institutions such as the University of Montana, Montana State University, and Carroll College offer specialties like family practice and psychiatric‑mental health. Graduates become eligible for national certification and Montana APRN licensure with full prescriptive authority, equipping them to meet the state’s diverse healthcare needs.
Bozeman, MT - Public 4-Year - montana.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Montana State University's Postgraduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate transforms experienced advanced practice registered nurses into specialized mental health professionals. Through a dynamic distance-delivered format, the program strategically leverages video conferencing and online modules to accommodate working nurses. Designed as a stackable credential, students complete 34 credits while maintaining professional flexibility. The program uniquely serves nurses in western states, targeting those with existing graduate nursing credentials and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Participants gain advanced competencies in mental health practice without extensive on-campus requirements, emphasizing practical, career-enhancing learning.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Montana State University's Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner Option empowers advanced practice nurses to become transformative primary healthcare leaders. This comprehensive hybrid program combines rigorous distance learning with strategic Bozeman campus visits, accommodating students across six western states. Requiring 82 credits, the program offers flexible full-time and part-time pathways for BSN-prepared nurses. Unique curriculum highlights include scholarly leadership development, innovative rural health initiatives, and advanced clinical expertise. Graduates emerge as sophisticated healthcare practitioners prepared to address complex community health challenges through evidence-based practice and comprehensive patient-centered care.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Montana State University's Doctor of Nursing Practice with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Option cultivates advanced clinicians capable of delivering comprehensive mental healthcare across developmental stages. This hybrid program integrates sophisticated didactic learning with practical clinical training, emphasizing medication management, psychotherapy, and crisis intervention strategies. Designed for licensed nurses seeking doctoral-level expertise, the 82-credit curriculum supports full-time and part-time enrollment. Students develop robust leadership skills while preparing to generate innovative healthcare solutions. The program's unique western state focus and flexible learning model enable practicing nurses to advance their professional capabilities without significant career disruption.
Great Falls, MT - Private 4-year - uprovidence.edu
Concentration: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Providence's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program offers an innovative 24-month master's pathway for licensed RNs seeking advanced specialized training. By integrating hybrid learning with strategic practicum experiences, students develop comprehensive skills in adult and geriatric primary care management. The program's unique approach emphasizes evidence-based practice, clinical leadership, and specialized adult-gerontology healthcare strategies. Students benefit from online asynchronous coursework combined with immersive in-person rotations, preparing them for complex healthcare challenges in adult primary care settings. The curriculum focuses on advanced clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and comprehensive patient management for adult and older adult populations.
Many Montana programs use a hybrid model, delivering didactic lectures online through asynchronous modules and live webinars, with periodic on‑campus intensives for simulation labs and skills workshops. Clinical rotations are arranged locally at approved healthcare sites, allowing students statewide to complete practicum requirements close to home. A few schools even offer fully online didactic phases with minimal in‑person visits for skill assessments.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Montana State University |
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| University of Providence |
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| Certifying Board | Montana Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Section |
|---|---|
| Certification | National APRN credential in your NP specialty, with primary-source verification |
| License Renewal Period | Every two years on December 31 (renewals staggered odd/even years) |
| Continuing Education | No state-mandated CE, maintain whatever your national certifier requires |
| License Application Fee | $75 per APRN specialty certification, $100 for prescriptive-authority endorsement |
| Clinical Hours | Official graduate transcript verifying required practicum hours |
| Processing Time | About 30 business days once your complete application is received |
| Endorsement | Must hold an active Montana RN license or compact privilege and verify any out-of-state APRN licensure |
Nurse practitioners in Montana earn an average annual salary of about $131,560 (approximately $63.25 per hour) according to BLS data. Entry‑level positions in smaller communities may start closer to $115,000, while experienced NPs in larger centers often exceed $140,000, with many employers offering sign‑on bonuses and rural retention incentives.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Montana | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg NP Salary | $119,800 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $57.60 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$135,200 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $119,800 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$103,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~45% | ~3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~200 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Montana State University |
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| University of Providence |
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Many NPs pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice to deepen clinical expertise and qualify for leadership or academic roles. Post‑master’s certificate programs enable practitioners to add new specialties, such as acute care or women’s health, without completing another full degree. Those interested in research or teaching may enroll in PhD programs, while others transition into roles in healthcare administration, informatics, policy development, or telehealth leadership.
Learn more about Nurse Practitioner specialities.
Additional Nursing Programs in Montana
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Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Website
