
Jake Flannigan, NP
June 26, 2025
Nurse practitioner programs in Delaware prepare registered nurses for advanced clinical roles across both urban hospitals and rural clinics. Key institutions such as the University of Delaware and Wilmington University offer CCNE‑accredited MSN and DNP tracks with specialties like family practice, adult‑gerontology, pediatrics, and psychiatric‑mental health. These curricula combine rigorous coursework with hands‑on clinical rotations to ready graduates for national certification and full Delaware licensure, including prescriptive authority. Upon completion, NPs are equipped to independently assess, diagnose, and manage patient care throughout the state.
Newark, DE - Public 4-Year - udel.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Delaware's MSN program equips baccalaureate nurses with advanced practice skills for complex healthcare environments. Specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner tracks, this comprehensive program delivers cutting-edge clinical education through evidence-based methodologies. Students benefit from flexible learning options, multiple application deadlines, and competitive tuition rates of $848 per credit. The curriculum emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, preparing graduates to deliver holistic patient care across diverse healthcare settings. Designed for working professionals, the three-year program offers strategic pathways for nursing career advancement.
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The University of Delaware's Online Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN prepares experienced nurses for advanced practice in acute and critical care settings. Featuring 42 credit hours and 816 comprehensive practicum hours, this flexible three-year program allows full-time working professionals to enhance their clinical skills. Students develop advanced expertise in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diagnostic reasoning through 100% online coursework with guaranteed clinical placements. The program's competitive $848 per credit tuition and CCNE accreditation ensure high-quality, accessible advanced nursing education.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Delaware's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track offers a transformative master's program for baccalaureate-prepared nurses seeking advanced mental health practice roles. This comprehensive three-year curriculum emphasizes interprofessional education and evidence-based practice, preparing students to deliver holistic mental healthcare across diverse populations. With a competitive $848 per credit tuition through a Dean's Scholarship, students gain advanced clinical skills and theoretical knowledge. The program cultivates expert practitioners capable of addressing complex psychological health challenges through innovative, patient-centered approaches.
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The University of Delaware's Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Family/Individual Across the Lifespan prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in diverse healthcare settings. This 100% online program offers flexibility for working professionals, with a curriculum designed to enhance clinical skills and knowledge in primary care. Admission requires a BSN, RN licensure, and a 3.0 GPA. The program boasts a 100% board pass rate and clinical placement assistance. Tuition is $848 per credit, with no additional fees, making it an affordable option for advancing your nursing career.
Campus Based - Visit Website
University of Delaware's Post-Master's Certificate in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner provides advanced nursing professionals intensive clinical training exceeding 500 hands-on practice hours. This specialized program prepares practitioners to diagnose, treat, and manage complex patient conditions with comprehensive healthcare strategies. Graduates develop advanced assessment skills, treatment planning expertise, and interdisciplinary collaboration techniques. The program's competitive $848 per credit tuition and evidence-based curriculum position nurses to excel in acute and critical care environments, offering a strategic pathway for professional development.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Dover, DE - Public 4-Year - desu.edu
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Delaware State University's Family Nurse Practitioner program offers an innovative online pathway for advanced practice nurses seeking comprehensive training in patient-centered care. Graduates develop robust clinical skills enabling independent and collaborative medical interventions across patient lifespans. The curriculum uniquely emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and addressing critical social determinants of health. Students receive specialized training in holistic healthcare delivery, with a distinctive focus on understanding health equity and wellness strategies. The program prepares professionals to navigate complex healthcare environments while promoting inclusive, evidence-based patient treatment approaches.
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Delaware State University's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program delivers a transformative online educational experience for advanced practice nurses specializing in mental healthcare. Through an accredited curriculum, students gain comprehensive skills in managing psychiatric disorders, implementing evidence-based interventions, and addressing mental health challenges across diverse patient populations. The program distinguishes itself by integrating holistic care principles, understanding health disparities, and developing therapeutic strategies that promote mental wellness. Graduates emerge as skilled practitioners prepared to provide nuanced, compassionate mental healthcare with a deep understanding of individual and community mental health dynamics.
New Castle, DE - Private 4-year - wilmu.edu
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Wilmington University's Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner concentration within the Master of Science in Nursing provides a robust 48-credit hybrid program tailored for registered nurses pursuing advanced primary care expertise. Designed for comprehensive patient care from late adolescence through geriatric stages, the program demands a BSN and minimum 2.75 GPA for admission. Students engage in 600 clinical hours, gaining extensive hands-on experience through flexible online and face-to-face learning formats. The curriculum emphasizes holistic assessment, chronic disease management, and age-specific healthcare interventions, preparing practitioners to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care across diverse adult populations.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Wilmington University's Family Nurse Practitioner concentration within the Master of Science in Nursing offers a comprehensive 48-credit pathway for registered nurses seeking advanced primary care specialization. This hybrid program equips students with comprehensive healthcare skills applicable across patient lifespans, emphasizing family-centered care. Requiring a BSN with a preferred 3.0 GPA, the three-year program integrates online, face-to-face, and hybrid learning modalities. Students complete 600 clinical practicum hours, developing critical expertise in comprehensive health assessment, preventive care, chronic disease management, and patient education, preparing graduates for versatile and impactful healthcare roles.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Wilmington University's Post-Masters Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate represents a pinnacle of advanced nursing education, strategically designed for professionals seeking specialized mental health expertise. This 27-credit online program delivers comprehensive training in psychiatric care, emphasizing evidence-based interventions and holistic patient management. Students accumulate 700 clinical hours across diverse healthcare environments, developing critical skills in comprehensive mental health assessment, therapeutic communication, and interprofessional collaboration. The curriculum cultivates advanced clinical competencies, preparing nurses to address complex mental health challenges with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and innovative treatment strategies.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Wilmington University's innovative combined Post-Masters Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate and Doctor of Nursing Practice represents a transformative 60-credit online program for master's-prepared nurses. This comprehensive pathway cultivates advanced clinical skills, leadership capabilities, and national certification eligibility in mental health practice. Emphasizing evidence-based interventions and holistic patient care, the program prepares practitioners to address complex mental health challenges across diverse patient populations. Students engage in extensive clinical practicums, developing sophisticated therapeutic strategies, healthcare policy insights, and advanced clinical reasoning skills essential for modern psychiatric nursing practice.
Many Delaware NP programs employ a hybrid format, delivering lectures and discussions online through asynchronous modules and live webinars. On‑campus intensives provide simulation labs and skills workshops to develop clinical techniques. Clinical rotations are coordinated locally at approved healthcare sites, enabling students statewide to fulfill practicum requirements without relocating. This flexible structure helps working nurses balance professional duties with academic progression.
| Certifying Board | Delaware Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice section |
|---|---|
| Certification | Master’s degree or post-basic APRN program plus national NP credential verified by the Board |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal concurrent with RN license expiration (Feb 28, May 31, or Sep 30 of odd years) |
| Continuing Education | 30 contact hours every two years, maintain national certification, prescribers require 2 hours controlled-substance CE |
| License Application Fee | $181 initial APRN license, $272 reinstatement |
| ] Clinical Hours | Transcript evidence of practicum hours plus practice requirement (600 hours in 2 years or 1,500 hours in 5 years) or recent graduation |
| Application Processing Time | Approximately 4–6 weeks via the DELPROS online system |
| License by Endorsement | Active Delaware RN license (or NLC RN with future expiration) required |
| out-of-state APRNs submit primary-source verification of credentials |
Nurse practitioners in Delaware earn an average annual salary of about $128,000, with entry‑level positions starting near $103,000 and experienced practitioners earning up to $166,000 at the highest percentile. Urban centers like Wilmington and Dover often offer wages slightly above the state average and may include sign‑on bonuses, loan repayment assistance, and comprehensive benefits packages. Specialty certifications, advanced degrees, and leadership roles can further increase earning potential.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Delaware | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Nurse Practitioner Salary | $118,282 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $57.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$132,379 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $118,282 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$103,698 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~45% | ~3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~N/A | ~54,000 |
Data from Govsalaries.com and Indeed.com
After initial NP certification, many practitioners pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice to deepen clinical expertise and qualify for executive or academic positions. Post‑master’s certificate programs enable NPs 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 Delaware
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan - Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website