Olivia Chen, NP
July 14, 2025
North Dakota’s nurse practitioner programs prepare registered nurses for advanced, autonomous practice in both urban centers like Fargo and Grand Forks and in rural health clinics across the state. CCNE‑accredited MSN and DNP tracks are offered primarily through the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University, with specialties such as Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric‑Mental Health NP. Graduates are eligible for national certification and North Dakota APRN licensure with full prescriptive authority. These programs emphasize the state’s unique rural healthcare needs and interprofessional collaboration.
Grand Forks, ND - Public 4-Year - und.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of North Dakota's Family Nurse Practitioner M.S. program is a hybrid offering with 100% online coursework and two campus visits, designed for BSN-prepared nurses. It spans 49 credits over 8 part-time semesters, focusing on holistic family care across the lifespan. CCNE accredited, it includes personalized clinical support and prepares graduates for FNP certification exams. No entrance exam is required for this master's level program.
Online Learning - Visit Website
The online Master of Science in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the University of North Dakota requires a BSN, 3.00 GPA, RN licensure, and preferably one year of experience. This 47-credit program focuses on evidence-based care for adults and older adults, with three clinical practicums. No entrance exam is specified for this master's level offering.
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University of North Dakota's online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner M.S. program is 49 credits over 7 semesters, preparing nurses for diagnosis, treatment, and medication prescription in mental health. It features 100% online coursework, no campus visits, and eligibility for ANCC certification. With a projected 40% job growth, no entrance exam is required for this master's level program.
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This online Post-Graduate Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate at the University of North Dakota is for certified NPs with a master's or doctoral degree, comprising 26 credits over 4 semesters. It emphasizes acute care specialization for settings like critical care, with asynchronous delivery and campus intensives. Graduates can pursue certification with no entrance exam required for this post-graduate level.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website
The Post-Baccalaureate DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of North Dakota is an online program requiring a BSN, 3.0 GPA, and one year of RN experience. This 83-credit track focuses on primary care, leadership, and research, with extensive clinical practicums. No entrance exam is mentioned for this doctoral level program.
Online Learning - Visit Website
University of North Dakota's online DNP in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner offers 85 credits over 8-11 semesters, preparing for diagnosis and treatment across the lifespan. It is 100% online with no campus visits, CCNE accredited, and eligible for national certification. No entrance exam is required for this doctoral level program.
Bismarck, ND - Private 4-year - umary.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Mary's BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program is a hybrid offering that prepares advanced nursing professionals for leadership roles in approximately 2.7 years, with a curriculum focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and interprofessional care. It integrates Benedictine values and requires no entrance exam, as it is a doctoral-level program. Key highlights include a 100% FNP exam pass rate in 2024, CCNE accreditation, and tuition at $685 per credit.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
This BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Mary emphasizes the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, delivered in a hybrid format over 2.7 years. It combines online coursework with on-campus institutes to develop skills in clinical leadership and patient care, with no entrance exam required for this doctoral program. Notable features include a 100% FNP exam pass rate, military-friendly policies, and integration of Benedictine values.
Fargo, ND - Public 4-Year - ndsu.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
North Dakota State University's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificate is a 25-credit hybrid program designed for Family Nurse Practitioner graduates, providing advanced clinical training for acute care specialization. It prepares students for certification exams such as those from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, with a focus on distance learning and hands-on experience. Admission requires a graduate degree in nursing, and no entrance exam is specified for this master's-level program.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
North Dakota State University offers a hybrid Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificate program for Family Nurse Practitioner graduates, focusing on acute care settings. This 25-credit program combines distance learning with clinical experiences, emphasizing advanced therapeutics, diagnostics, and management of adult-gerontology patients. It prepares students for the Acute Care NP exam and is ideal for working professionals, requiring a graduate degree in nursing for admission. No entrance exam is mentioned as required for this master's-level program.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website
North Dakota State University's on-campus Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration offers an intensive educational pathway, emphasizing evidence-based healthcare and strategic problem-solving. The program boasts a 100% first-time certification pass rate, with faculty mentorship and clinical placement support. It prepares students for advanced roles in diverse healthcare settings, requiring a graduate degree for admission, but no entrance exam is mentioned as required for this doctoral-level program.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Doctor of Nursing Practice at North Dakota State University, specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner, is an on-campus program that focuses on evidence-based healthcare and aligns with AACN and NONPF guidelines. With a 100% certification pass rate, it includes faculty-arranged clinical placements and direct interaction for comprehensive learning. Designed for aspiring FNPs, it requires a graduate degree for admission, and no entrance exam is specified as required for this doctoral-level program.
Mayville, ND - Public 4-Year - mayvillestate.edu
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website
Mayville State University's online Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration is a 37-credit program accredited by the CCNE, designed for registered nurses holding a BSN. It requires no entrance exam and focuses on developing advanced clinical skills in family care, leadership, evidence-based practice, and health informatics. The flexible format suits working professionals, offering competitive tuition and financial aid options, preparing graduates for doctoral studies or advanced roles in healthcare.
To serve working nurses and those in remote areas, many programs use a hybrid model: didactic lectures and discussions are delivered online via 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 statewide, allowing students to complete patient‑care hours close to home. Some schools offer fully online coursework for theory, requiring only short campus visits for hands‑on assessments. This flexibility helps balance professional duties with academic progress.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Dakota |
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| University of Mary |
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| North Dakota State University |
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| Certifying Board | North Dakota State Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Section |
|---|---|
| Certification | Active ND RN license plus current national APRN credential verified by the Board |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal by December 31 of odd-numbered years (renewal window October 1–December 31) |
| Continuing Education | 30 contact hours every two years, including 5 hours of pharmacotherapeutics for prescriptive authority |
| License Application Fee | $100 APRN application fee, $25 additional for prescriptive authority endorsement |
| Clinical Hours | Official graduate transcripts documenting the NP program’s required practicum hours |
| Processing Time | Allow approximately 4–6 weeks after submitting a complete application |
| Endorsement | Out-of-state APRNs must hold (or concurrently apply for) an ND RN license and submit primary-source APRN credential verification |
Nurse practitioners in North Dakota earn an average annual salary of about $115,000, with entry‑level positions starting near $95,000 and experienced practitioners, especially in urban centers, earning up to $135,000. Employers often include incentives such as sign‑on bonuses, rural retention stipends, and comprehensive benefits packages. Specialty certifications, advanced degrees, and leadership roles within healthcare organizations can further elevate compensation.
| Salary & Career Outlook | North Dakota | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual NP Salary | $117,000 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $56.25 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$134,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $117,000 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$96,500 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~44% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~180 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Mayville State University |
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| University of Mary |
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| North Dakota State University |
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Many graduates pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice to deepen clinical expertise and qualify for leadership or academic roles. Post‑master’s certificate programs allow NPs to add new specialty credentials, such as acute care or women’s health, without completing another full degree. Those interested in research or academia may enroll in PhD programs, while others transition into positions in healthcare administration, informatics, policy development, or telehealth leadership.
Learn more about Nurse Practitioner specialities.
Additional Nursing Programs in North Dakota
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Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
