Olivia Chen, NP
June 26, 2025
Nurse practitioner programs in Kansas prepare registered nurses for advanced, autonomous practice in settings ranging from major health systems in Kansas City and Wichita to rural clinics in the plains. CCNE‑accredited MSN and DNP tracks are offered at institutions such as the University of Kansas Medical Center, Wichita State University, Newman University, and Pittsburg State University. These programs focus on specialties like family practice and psychiatric‑mental health, blending rigorous coursework with clinical practicums. Graduates are eligible for national certification and full APRN licensure with prescriptive authority under Kansas regulations.
Lawrence, KS - Public 4-Year - ku.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate at the University of Kansas is a hybrid program for experienced registered nurses, blending online coursework with clinical experiences to provide primary care across all life stages. It requires an existing graduate nursing degree, RN licensure, and a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a two-year completion timeline. No entrance exam is specified for this certificate-level program, which focuses on comprehensive clinical training and national accreditation.
Online Learning - Visit Website
The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate at the University of Kansas is an online 24-credit-hour program for APRNs, focusing on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions with interpersonal, psychotherapeutic, and psychopharmacologic interventions. Admission requires an APRN graduate degree, RN licensure, a 3.0 GPA, and a background check, with courses starting in Spring 2025. No entrance exam is mentioned for this graduate-level certificate.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate at the University of Kansas is a 19-credit hybrid program for APRNs, specializing in acute care settings with online didactic courses and clinical experiences at KU Health System. It requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, RN licensure, and completion of an accredited advanced practice nursing program. No entrance exam is specified for this certificate-level program.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate at the University of Kansas is a hybrid program for registered nurses with graduate education, focusing on adult and geriatric healthcare in settings like primary care clinics and long-term care. It includes 16 graduate credit hours, a 3.0 GPA requirement, and clinical intensives. No entrance exam is mentioned for this certificate-level program.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration at the University of Kansas is a campus-based program preparing nurses for advanced practice with over 1,000 supervised clinical hours. Admission requires a BSN, minimum 3.0 GPA, clinical experience, and national certification, with credit hours ranging from 73-79. No entrance exam is specified for this doctoral-level program.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration at the University of Kansas is a campus-based program for nurses with a BSN or MSN, emphasizing evidence-based care, leadership, and over 1,000 clinical hours. It prepares graduates for high-level practice in diverse settings. No entrance exam is mentioned for this doctoral-level program.
Topeka, KS - Public 4-Year - washburn.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Washburn University's fully online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate program allows advanced nurses to specialize in mental health care. It can be completed in four semesters with a 94% certification exam pass rate, featuring virtual simulations and flexible clinical placements. No entrance exam is required, and graduates are eligible for ANCC certification, entering a field with strong job growth and a median salary near $140,000.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Washburn University focuses on the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, preparing nurses for leadership roles. It requires 74-76 credit hours and 1,000 clinical hours, delivered online with flexibility for working professionals. An entrance exam is not mentioned as required. Graduates can expect an average salary of $120,610, with the program emphasizing healthcare innovation and practical experience.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online Learning - Visit Website
Washburn University's online BSN to DNP program with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration is designed for working nurses, requiring 74-76 credit hours and 1,000 clinical hours. It includes live virtual classes and minimal on-campus visits, focusing on leadership and quality improvement. No entrance exam is specified as required. Graduates enter primary care with an average FNP salary of $120,610, supported by financial aid options.
Hays, KS - Public 4-Year - fhsu.edu
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Fort Hays State University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration is a hybrid program that prepares nurses for advanced primary care roles. It emphasizes evidence-based practices, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration, boasting a 100% national certification exam pass rate. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.0-3.25 and professional licensure; no entrance exam is specified, indicating it may not be required for this doctoral-level program.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Fort Hays State University's BSN to DNP program, specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner, is a hybrid format blending online learning with clinical experiences. It focuses on primary care across the lifespan, leadership, and evidence-based practice, with a 100% certification exam pass rate from 2020-2023. Admission requires a BSN, RN license in KS, NE, or OK, and a minimum 3.0 GPA; no entrance exam is mentioned, suggesting it is not required for this doctoral-level pathway.
Leavenworth, KS - Private 4-year - stmary.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Saint Mary offers a Master of Science in Nursing–Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, designed to train advanced practice nurses in providing comprehensive mental health care across all age groups. This hybrid program requires 53 credits over two years, combining online asynchronous classes with two on-campus intensives and over 700 clinical hours. Admission necessitates a BSN from an accredited program, a current RN license, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and at least one year of nursing experience. The program is CCNE accredited and does not require an entrance exam, with competitive tuition at $775 per credit hour.
Pittsburg, KS - Public 4-Year - pittstate.edu
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Pittsburg State University offers a BSN to DNP program with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, designed as a hybrid model blending online and on-campus learning for flexibility. This program prepares nurses for advanced practice roles, focusing on clinical expertise, leadership, and education, with graduates often earning over $100,000. Admission requires a BSN degree, and applications are accepted from August 1 to October 10 for a Summer Session start. As a doctoral-level program, it may require an entrance exam, though specifics are not provided in the data.
To accommodate working nurses and those in remote areas, many Kansas NP programs deliver didactic content online through asynchronous lectures and live webinars, supplemented by periodic on‑campus intensives for simulation labs and skills workshops. Clinical rotations are arranged locally at approved healthcare sites, allowing students to fulfill practicum requirements close to home. A few programs even offer fully online didactic phases with minimal in‑person visits. This blended structure helps learners balance professional duties with academic progress.
School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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University of Kansas |
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Washburn University |
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University of Saint Mary |
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Certifying Board | Kansas State Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Section |
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Certification | Requires an approved national APRN credential (e.g., AANPCB or ANCC) with primary‐source verification sent to the Board |
License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal on the last day of the nurse’s birth month, alternating odd/even years based on birth year |
Continuing Education | 30 contact hours every two years, APRNs with DEA registration complete a one-time 8-hour opioid/substance-use-disorder course |
License Application Fee | $50 initial APRN licensure fee |
Clinical Hours | Official graduate transcript documenting completion of the NP program’s clinical practicum hours |
Application Processing Time | Allow 7–10 business days before checking status, all qualifications must be met within 180 days or the application is closed |
License by Endorsement | Out-of-state APRNs must obtain Kansas RN endorsement and APRN licensure, submitting primary-source verification of national certification, prescriptive authority is include |
Nurse practitioners in Kansas earn an average annual salary of about $112,000, with metropolitan areas like Kansas City and Wichita offering slightly higher wages and rural regions starting closer to $105,000. Employers often enhance compensation with sign‑on bonuses, loan repayment assistance, and benefits packages that include health insurance and retirement plans. Specialty certifications, advanced degrees, and leadership roles can further increase earning potential. Seasonal or rural incentives, such as housing stipends, are sometimes available in underserved areas.
Salary & Career Outlook | Kansas | USA |
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Avg Nurse Practitioner Salary | $127,900 | $62,340 |
Avg Hourly Wage | $61.50 | $29.97 |
90th Percentile Salary | >$? (~$145K) | $80,510 |
Median Salary | $127,900 | $62,340 |
10th Percentile Salary | <$100K | $47,960 |
Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~45% | ~3% |
Annual Job Openings | ~N/A | ~54,000 |
Data from Salary.com and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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Washburn University |
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University of Saint Mary |
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Fort Hays State University |
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Many NP graduates pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice to deepen clinical expertise and qualify for leadership, faculty, or executive roles within healthcare organizations. Post‑master’s certificate programs allow practitioners 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, policy development, or telehealth leadership. Kansas’s growing focus on rural health and population health management also opens doors to innovative practice models.
Learn more about Nurse Practitioner specialities.
Additional Nursing Programs in Kansas
Concentration: Family 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
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Website