
Olivia Chen, NP
June 26, 2025
Nurse practitioner programs in Alabama equip registered nurses with the advanced clinical knowledge and leadership skills needed to assess, diagnose, and manage patient care across diverse settings. Offered by several CCNE‑accredited institutions, these programs blend rigorous coursework with hands‑on clinical training to prepare graduates for national certification exams in specialties such as family practice and psychiatric‑mental health. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for licensure that includes prescriptive authority and autonomous practice under state regulations.
Birmingham, AL - Public 4-Year - uab.edu
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UAB's MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program empowers working professionals through a cutting-edge hybrid curriculum. The 45-credit distance-accessible format integrates synchronous online learning with strategic on-campus intensives, enabling nurses to advance primary care expertise. Graduates develop comprehensive skills in patient diagnosis, health management, and wellness promotion across patient lifespans. The program's flexible structure accommodates professional schedules, requiring a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and an unencumbered RN license. Students complete 35 didactic and 10 clinical credits, positioning themselves as innovative healthcare leaders ready to transform patient care.
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UAB's MSN Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares advanced nurses for comprehensive child healthcare. This innovative 45-credit hybrid curriculum combines synchronous online classes with on-campus intensives, offering flexibility for working professionals. Students develop sophisticated skills in pediatric assessment, diagnosis, and wellness promotion. Admission requires a BSN, unencumbered nursing license, and 3.0 GPA. The program's rigorous 35 didactic and 10 clinical credits equip graduates to deliver exceptional healthcare across infant, child, and adolescent populations.
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UAB's MSN Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program develops advanced nursing professionals specializing in comprehensive patient care from adolescence through older adulthood. This 45-credit hybrid curriculum combines synchronous online learning with on-campus intensives, enabling working nurses to advance their clinical expertise. Students master complex health condition management, assessment techniques, and wellness promotion strategies. With flexible part-time options and strategic clinical training, graduates emerge as highly skilled primary care practitioners prepared to address diverse patient health challenges.
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UAB's MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program offers advanced training in complex adult healthcare. This 45-credit hybrid curriculum prepares nurses to diagnose and manage acute and critical care conditions through synchronous online classes and on-campus intensives. Students complete 35 didactic and 10 clinical credits, with an optional Registered Nurse First Assistant subspecialty. The program's flexible, part-time format accommodates working professionals, requiring a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and unencumbered nursing license. Graduates develop specialized skills for high-intensity medical environments.
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UAB's MSN Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program equips nurses to deliver comprehensive mental healthcare across patient lifespans. This 45-credit hybrid curriculum combines online coursework with on-campus intensives, providing advanced training in mental health evaluation, diagnosis, and personalized treatment planning. Students develop expertise in complex psychiatric conditions, collaborative care, and critical healthcare decision-making. Requiring a 3.0 GPA and unencumbered RN license, the program prepares graduates to provide sophisticated, person-centered mental health services.
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
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Mobile, AL - Public 4-Year - southalabama.edu
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The University of South Alabama's Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program offers a transformative educational journey for nursing professionals seeking advanced practice roles. Delivered through a hybrid format, the curriculum combines online learning with strategic clinical practicums, enabling students to develop comprehensive family healthcare competencies. With 45 credit hours and a five-year completion window, students gain extensive clinical experience through local preceptorships. The program emphasizes advanced nursing theory, research methodologies, and practical skills essential for delivering high-quality patient care across diverse healthcare environments.
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Designed for ambitious nursing professionals, the University of South Alabama's Dual Role Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner program provides a comprehensive pathway to advanced practice. This innovative MSN track uniquely prepares nurses to excel in both primary and emergency care settings, offering 57 credit hours and 840 clinical practicum hours. The hybrid program strategically integrates online coursework with intensive on-campus clinical training, ensuring graduates develop robust skills across pediatric, adult, and geriatric emergency care domains while maintaining flexibility for working healthcare professionals.
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The University of South Alabama's Dual Role MSN program in Family and Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner represents a cutting-edge approach to advanced nursing education. Targeting experienced nurses with one year of direct patient care experience, this comprehensive track blends online learning with hands-on clinical training. Students complete 57 credit hours and 840 clinical hours, gaining expertise in managing complex patient needs across diverse healthcare settings. The program emphasizes leadership development, national certification preparation, and flexible clinical placement opportunities.
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University of South Alabama's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN program offers a comprehensive approach to mental healthcare across the lifespan. This hybrid program prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver expert psychiatric services in varied settings, including ambulatory, acute, and community health facilities. With 45 credit hours and 360 clinical practice hours, students gain advanced clinical skills, evidence-based intervention strategies, and comprehensive mental health assessment techniques. The curriculum supports ANCC certification preparation and develops nuanced understanding of psychiatric care for diverse patient populations.
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The Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program at the University of South Alabama provides a comprehensive educational pathway for nurses specializing in women's healthcare. This hybrid program offers 45 credit hours and 600 clinical practice hours, focusing on delivering holistic care across women's lifespans. Students develop advanced skills in primary care, gynecological, and obstetrical services, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical training, preparing graduates for national certification and diverse roles in women's healthcare delivery.
Online Learning - Visit Website
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Online Learning - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Birmingham, AL - Private 4-year - samford.edu
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Samford University's MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner hybrid program equips registered nurses with advanced mental and behavioral healthcare skills. Blending online coursework with minimal campus intensives, the program offers flexible learning for working professionals. Students complete 660 clinical hours in local communities, preparing for national certification through evidence-based practice and comprehensive curriculum. Supporting both ADN and BSN pathways, the CCNE-accredited program maintains a 3.0 minimum GPA requirement and demands unencumbered RN licensure, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for specialized mental health practice.
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Samford University's DNP Emergency Nurse Practitioner program delivers specialized advanced training for master's-prepared Family Nurse Practitioners targeting urgent and critical care environments. This two-year online program prepares nurses for comprehensive emergency care expertise with minimal campus intensives. Students complete 660 clinical practice hours, positioning themselves for national Emergency Nurse Practitioner certification. With a competitive admission process requiring a 3.5 GPA and current FNP certification, the program emphasizes flexible clinical placement and rigorous professional preparation through innovative educational strategies.
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Samford University's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate delivers an advanced online pathway for registered nurses seeking comprehensive primary care training. Designed for professionals with existing master's or doctoral degrees, this program provides flexible asynchronous learning with periodic on-campus intensives. Students complete nationwide clinical hours, preparing for national certification through a rigorous curriculum. The competitive admission process requires an impressive 3.5 graduate GPA, unencumbered nursing licensure, and demonstrates commitment to advanced healthcare practice. With a 100% AANP certification pass rate and nationally ranked nursing education, graduates are positioned for exceptional professional advancement.
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Samford University's Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate offers specialized training for certified nurse practitioners targeting advanced mental health care expertise. This 1.5-year online program enables professionals to expand clinical capabilities across patient lifecycles through flexible learning and comprehensive curriculum. Students complete 660 clinical hours with nationwide placement options, preparing for the PMHNP national certification exam. Requiring a 3.5 graduate GPA, current NP certification, and unencumbered RN licensure, the program emphasizes personalized professional development through experienced healthcare instruction and innovative online platforms.
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Samford University's BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program provides a transformative three-year educational journey for registered nurses seeking doctoral-level advanced practice. Predominantly online with a single annual campus visit, the program enables students to complete clinical work within their local communities. This faith-based curriculum combines academic rigor with spiritual growth, offering innovative virtual learning and personalized mentorship. Designed for working healthcare professionals, the program facilitates comprehensive career advancement through flexible, technology-enhanced educational strategies and robust professional development opportunities.
Tuscaloosa, AL - Public 4-Year - ua.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Alabama's Family Nurse Practitioner online Master of Science in Nursing program provides comprehensive advanced clinical training through a flexible curriculum. Students complete 53-59 credit hours and 780 clinical hours, preparing to deliver holistic healthcare across patient lifespans. The program's prestigious national ranking (#7 in U.S. News & World Report's online MSN category) underscores its academic excellence. Designed for working nurses, the program offers part-time and full-time study options, enabling students to enhance their professional capabilities while maintaining current employment. Graduates become eligible for the family nurse practitioner national certification examination, positioning themselves as critical healthcare professionals.
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University of Alabama's Master of Science in Nursing with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration provides comprehensive online training for advanced practice nurses. The program prepares students to address critical mental health challenges through a rigorous curriculum combining advanced clinical coursework and extensive practical training, including 180-540 clinical hours. Graduates develop specialized skills in mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, positioning them for impactful roles across diverse healthcare environments. Admission requires an accredited baccalaureate nursing degree, current RN licensure, and successful background screening, ensuring high-quality professional preparation.
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University of Alabama's online MS in Nursing with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration offers a dynamic pathway for registered nurses seeking advanced practice roles. The program integrates online coursework with clinical experiences, emphasizing health promotion and disease management across patient populations. With a competitive $480 per credit hour tuition and 53-59 credit hour requirement, the curriculum provides flexible part-time and full-time study options. Admission standards include a 3.0 GPA, active RN licensure, and state residency approval. Graduates prepare for national certification while developing comprehensive skills to address complex healthcare challenges in family practice settings.
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University of Alabama's Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner delivers specialized online training for nursing professionals seeking advanced practice skills. Spanning 29 credit hours, the program builds on existing nursing education with a comprehensive focus on family healthcare across diverse patient lifespans. Students develop expertise in preventive care, acute and chronic illness assessment, and treatment strategies. With a competitive $440 per credit hour tuition, the program requires a master's degree in nursing and maintains a 3.0 GPA standard. Ideal for registered nurses, the curriculum provides rigorous didactic coursework complemented by extensive clinical immersion experiences, enabling professional growth and expanded clinical capabilities.
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Alabama's Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner offers an advanced online program for nursing professionals seeking specialized mental health expertise. Designed for practitioners with a master's degree, this 29-credit-hour certificate develops comprehensive psychiatric care competencies across patient lifespans. The curriculum emphasizes advanced mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment strategies through flexible online learning and intensive clinical training. Requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA, the program prepares graduates to provide primary mental health services in diverse healthcare settings, addressing critical mental health needs with professional sophistication and evidence-based interventions.
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Jacksonville, AL - Public 4-Year - jsu.edu
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Jacksonville State University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track offers a comprehensive pathway for advanced nursing professionals. The hybrid program uniquely integrates 700 clinical hours with online and on-campus learning, preparing students to deliver holistic healthcare across patient lifespans. With a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and unencumbered RN licensure, graduates develop advanced clinical expertise and leadership skills. The four-year program emphasizes scholarly research and practical training, positioning students to excel in national certification exams and complex healthcare environments.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Jacksonville State University's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner DNP program provides a rigorous educational experience for ambitious nursing professionals. Blending online coursework with strategic on-campus experiences, the four-year hybrid program demands a 3.0 GPA and current RN licensure. Students accumulate 700 clinical hours, mastering evidence-based practice and acute care interventions. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, direct patient care, and prepares graduates for ANCC and AACN certification, positioning them at the forefront of advanced nursing practice in critical healthcare environments.
To accommodate working professionals and rural students, many Alabama NP programs use a hybrid model that delivers lectures and discussions online, complemented by on‑campus intensives for skills labs and health assessments. Clinical rotations are arranged locally, allowing students to complete patient‑care hours at community‑based sites under qualified preceptors. This flexibility helps learners balance work, family, and academic commitments without sacrificing quality of training.
| Certifying Board | Alabama Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Section |
|---|---|
| Certification | National NP certification (AANP or ANCC) with direct verification to the ABN |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal window, September 1 – December 31 of even-numbered years |
| Continuing Education | 24 contact hours every two years, including 6 pharmacology hours |
| License Application Fee | $100 for the initial CRNP Certificate of Qualification |
| Clinical Hours | Graduate transcript documenting required practicum hours from an accredited NP program |
| Application Processing Time | All materials must be submitted within one year of application or reapplication and fee are required |
| License by Endorsement | Must hold an active Alabama RN license (SSL or MSL) before applying separately for APN approval |
Nurse practitioners in Alabama earn an average salary near $110,000 annually, with higher wages in metropolitan areas like Birmingham and lower averages in smaller regions. Compensation often includes sign‑on bonuses, loan repayment assistance, and benefits packages such as health insurance and retirement plans. Specialty certifications, advanced degrees, and leadership roles can further increase earning potential.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Alabama | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual NP Salary | $107,303 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $52.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$120,091 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $107,303 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$94,073 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~45% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~2,090 | ~54,000 |
Data from Salary.com and CareerExplorer.com
After initial NP certification, many pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to deepen clinical expertise and qualify for leadership or faculty positions. Post‑master’s certificates allow NPs to add new specialties, 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 roles in administration, informatics, or policy development.
Learn more about Nurse Practitioner specialities.
Additional Nursing Programs in Alabama
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Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
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Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: RNFA - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - 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 Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Emergency NP - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Emergency Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care - Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website