
Olivia Chen, NP
July 15, 2025
Utah’s nurse practitioner programs train registered nurses for advanced, autonomous practice across the Wasatch Front’s urban centers and the state’s vast rural regions. CCNE‑accredited MSN and DNP tracks, offered by institutions like the University of Utah, Weber State University, Brigham Young University, and Westminster College, emphasize family practice and psychiatric‑mental health specialties. Graduates emerge ready for national certification and Utah APRN licensure with full prescriptive authority.
Salt Lake City, UT - Public 4-Year - utah.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Family Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Utah prepares graduates to deliver comprehensive primary care across all ages. This hybrid program blends online learning with essential on-campus activities, completed in 8 semesters. Students gain hands-on experience through 780 direct patient care hours, ensuring readiness for real-world challenges. With a 100% national certification pass rate, graduates are well-equipped for leadership in healthcare. The program focuses on evidence-based care, health promotion, and professional adaptability, making it ideal for those aiming to impact family health significantly.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Utah's Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program prepares advanced practice nurses to provide comprehensive care for high-risk newborns and their families. Students gain expertise in embryologic and physiological foundations of neonatal conditions, developing advanced clinical skills through 900 direct patient care hours. The hybrid program combines online learning with on-campus activities, allowing working professionals to advance their careers. Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification, with the program boasting a remarkable 100% certification pass rate. Prospective students must have two years of full-time critical care nursing experience with neonates or infants.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Utah's Post-APRN Graduate Certificate in Family Nursing offers advanced practice nurses an innovative pathway to expand their clinical expertise. Tailored for currently certified APRNs, this hybrid program provides flexible distance learning options for professionals seeking to add a new population-focused certification. With individualized coursework, nurses can develop specialized skills while maintaining their current professional responsibilities. The program requires a graduate nursing degree, active APRN licensure, and a minimum 3.0 GPA, ensuring high-quality professional development for experienced nursing practitioners.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
University of Utah's Post-APRN Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing presents a comprehensive professional advancement opportunity for licensed advanced practice nurses. This hybrid program enables nurses to obtain specialized certification in mental health practice through personalized study plans. Covering diverse specialties like Adult/Gerontology Acute Care and Psychiatric/Mental Health nursing, the program offers flexible learning options with partial distance education. Designed for experienced APRNs, the certificate pathway requires a graduate nursing degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, and provides preparation for national certification.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Utah's Post-APRN Graduate Certificate in Women's Health empowers certified advanced practice nurses to diversify their clinical expertise. This hybrid program offers a strategic pathway to national certification in specialized nursing areas, including Women's Health. With distance learning options and an individualized study plan, nurses can expand their professional capabilities across 4-6 semesters. The program welcomes currently certified APRNs seeking to broaden their practice, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA, professional recommendations, and a comprehensive application process.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Salt Lake City, UT - Private 4-year - westminstercollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Westminster University's MSN-FNP program is a 42-semester hour, campus-based pathway for RNs seeking advanced practice. It emphasizes holistic care across lifespans, requiring 720 clinical hours and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Graduates are prepared for ANCC/AANP certification and APRN licensure, with a focus on leadership and evidence-based practice. The program does not require an entrance exam.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Westminster University's MSN-FNP program offers small classes and faculty mentoring, tailored for working professionals with flexible schedules. It includes hands-on clinical experiences and training in evidence-based practice and policy analysis, preparing graduates for APRN licensure and national certification. No entrance exam is required.
Cedar City, UT - Public 4-Year - suu.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Southern Utah University's Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner program is a 52-credit offering with online and campus options, pursuing CCNE accreditation. It emphasizes leadership, evidence-based practice, and primary care management, requiring a minimum 'B-' grade per course and a 3.0 GPA to graduate. Clinical intensives and a capstone project are included, focusing on holistic and culturally inclusive care. No entrance exam is required for this master's level program.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Southern Utah University's online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program is CCNE-accredited, costing $26,208 over as few as 18 months with 52 credit hours and 680 clinical hours. It focuses on health disorder management, pharmacology, and primary care across the lifespan, preparing graduates for FNP certification in Utah. Designed for working professionals, no entrance exam is required for this master's level program.
Ogden, UT - Public 4-Year - weber.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program at Weber State University is a hybrid offering that prepares baccalaureate RNs with two years of experience for advanced practice. It covers lifespan care, advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and interdisciplinary labs, leading to national certification. Admission requires an RN license and experience; no entrance exam is mentioned for this master's-level program.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Weber State University's hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program prepares experienced BSN-prepared RNs for advanced roles, focusing on mental health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and specialized interventions. This program requires an active RN license and at least two years of clinical experience, emphasizing interprofessional collaboration and leadership development across diverse healthcare settings. No entrance exam is specified for this doctoral-level program.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Weber State University's hybrid Post-BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program equips BSN-prepared RNs with high-level scientific knowledge for specialized mental health care and leadership. It requires an active RN license and at least two years of experience, featuring interprofessional collaboration and diverse clinical experiences. No entrance exam is specified for this doctoral-level program.
Provo, UT - Private 4-year - byu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Brigham Young University's Master of Science in Family Nurse Practice is a CCNE-accredited program that prepares students for advanced practice nursing roles. It emphasizes clinical skills and professional development to address diverse healthcare needs, with a focus on patient-centered care. As a program at a master's level, it requires an entrance exam for admission, though specific exam details are not provided. The application deadline is December 1st, and it is approved by the Utah State Board, offering a comprehensive education rooted in the university's religious affiliation.
To serve working nurses and those in remote communities, many Utah programs use a hybrid model: didactic lectures and discussions are delivered online through asynchronous modules and live webinars, while on‑campus intensives provide simulation labs and skills workshops. Clinical rotations are arranged locally at approved healthcare sites, allowing students to complete patient‑care hours close to home. A few schools even offer fully online didactic phases with minimal in‑person requirements.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
University of Utah
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| Westminster University |
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| Southern Utah University |
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| Certifying Board | Utah Division of Professional Licensing, Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Section |
|---|---|
| Certification | National APRN certification (e.g., AANP or ANCC), graduation from an accredited NP program, and active RN licensure |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal, expires January 31 of even-numbered years |
| Continuing Education | Maintain national certification requirements, prescribers complete 4 hours of controlled-substance CE every two years (including DOPL’s online tutorial) |
| License Application Fee | $100 initial APRN application fee (plus standard fingerprint and background check fees) |
| Clinical Hours | Official graduate transcripts verifying required practicum hours from your NP program |
| Processing Time | Approximately 21 days for a complete application |
| Endorsement | Out-of-state APRNs must hold (or apply for) Utah RN licensure and submit primary-source APRN certification verification |
Nurse practitioners in Utah earn a mean annual salary of about $127,820, with urban centers often paying above and rural areas slightly below the state average. Employers commonly offer sign‑on bonuses, loan repayment assistance and robust benefits to attract qualified NPs.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Utah | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual NP Salary | $121,990 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $58.65 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$137,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $121,990 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$102,500 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~45% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~450 | ~54,000 |
Data from Indeed.com and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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University of Utah
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| Southern Utah University |
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| Western Governors University |
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Many NPs pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice to deepen clinical expertise and qualify for leadership, academic or executive roles. Post‑master’s certificate programs enable practitioners to add new specialties, such as acute care or women’s health, without another full degree. Those interested in research may enroll in PhD tracks, while others transition into administration, informatics, policy development or telehealth leadership.
Learn more about Nurse Practitioner specialities.
Additional Nursing Programs in Utah
Online Learning - Website
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Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Women's Health - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Nurse-Midwifery - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website