
Olivia Chen, NP
July 14, 2025
Ohio’s nurse practitioner programs prepare registered nurses for advanced, autonomous practice in both urban health systems and rural clinics. CCNE‑accredited MSN and DNP tracks are offered by institutions such as Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, and Kent State University. These programs cover specialties like family practice, adult‑gerontology, pediatric, and psychiatric‑mental health. Graduates become eligible for national certification and Ohio APRN licensure with full prescriptive authority.
Cincinnati, OH - Public 4-Year - uc.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Cincinnati's Online MSN in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner transforms experienced nurses into comprehensive healthcare providers. This two-year digital program emphasizes holistic patient care for individuals aged 13 and older, focusing on preventative strategies and chronic disease management. Students develop advanced diagnostic and educational skills applicable across multiple clinical settings, from private practices to long-term care facilities. The flexible online format allows nurses to advance their careers while maintaining professional commitments, preparing them to deliver high-quality, patient-centered healthcare.
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The University of Cincinnati's online Women's Health Nurse Practitioner MSN program equips nurses to deliver comprehensive female healthcare across the lifespan. With three annual start dates and instruction from clinically certified faculty, students develop expertise in primary care, prenatal services, and gynecological management. The 100% online, two-year program provides flexible learning for aspiring Women's Health Nurse Practitioners. Graduates emerge as skilled healthcare professionals capable of providing critical preventive and primary services in diverse medical environments, addressing women's unique health needs with advanced clinical knowledge.
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The University of Cincinnati's online MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner program equips nurses with the skills to diagnose and manage health conditions across all ages. This affordable, flexible program is designed for working professionals, offering 100% online coursework with no campus visits required. Students benefit from faculty support, high certification exam pass rates, and a strong alumni network. Admission requires a BSN and at least one year of RN experience. Graduates are prepared for diverse settings, from private practices to community health centers, ready to provide comprehensive primary care.
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The University of Cincinnati's Neonatal Nurse Practitioner concentration within the MSN program equips experienced nurses to provide advanced, specialized care for newborns and infants. This online program prepares healthcare professionals to manage complex neonatal health challenges, develop critical interventions, and support vulnerable patient populations through evidence-based practice and comprehensive clinical expertise.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Cincinnati's Post-Master's Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificate targets experienced pediatric nurses seeking specialized advanced training. The hybrid program prepares nurses to manage critical pediatric health challenges, focusing on complex medical conditions in children and young adults. Limited to Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana residents, students receive personalized clinical training in Greater Cincinnati pediatric centers. One-on-one preceptorship and eligibility for the Pediatric Nurse Certification Board exam distinguish this program, positioning graduates for high-demand roles in emergency departments, intensive care units, and specialized pediatric clinics.
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Online Learning - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Toledo, OH - Public 4-Year - utoledo.edu
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The University of Toledo's Family Nurse Practitioner M.S.N. program offers a cutting-edge curriculum designed for registered nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise. Students learn comprehensive primary care strategies across patient life stages, from infancy to geriatric populations. The hybrid program combines online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for diverse healthcare environments. Accredited by CCNE, the program emphasizes evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and advanced clinical skills. With a 75% employment rate within 12 months, students benefit from practicing faculty, state-of-the-art simulation centers, and opportunities for service learning and research.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
UToledo's Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program provides an advanced educational pathway for nurses specializing in child and adolescent healthcare. This nationally ranked M.S.N. track prepares practitioners to deliver comprehensive care for patients from newborn stages through young adulthood. The hybrid program combines online theoretical coursework with immersive in-person clinical experiences, emphasizing evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration. Students leverage state-of-the-art simulation centers and service learning opportunities, gaining expertise across diverse pediatric healthcare settings. With a remarkable 75% employment rate within 12 months, graduates are well-positioned for immediate professional advancement.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Toledo equips advanced practice nurses with comprehensive skills in managing healthcare for patients spanning young adulthood to senior years. This nationally ranked M.S.N. program offers a flexible, hybrid curriculum combining online learning with hands-on clinical experiences. Graduates are prepared to work across diverse healthcare environments, with opportunities for ANCC or AANP certification. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, innovative learning through advanced simulation technology, and interprofessional collaboration, ensuring students develop high-level clinical competencies.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
UToledo's Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program provides registered nurses an intensive pathway to advanced clinical specialization. This nationally ranked M.S.N. track prepares healthcare professionals for complex acute care environments, focusing on comprehensive treatment for adult and elderly populations. Through a hybrid model combining online coursework and in-person clinical experiences, students develop specialized skills for intensive care, trauma units, and specialty clinics. Graduates benefit from practicing faculty, advanced technology facilities, and service learning opportunities, with an impressive 75% securing positions within 12 months of program completion.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Toledo's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers comprehensive training for advanced nursing professionals seeking to specialize in mental healthcare. This nationally ranked track equips students with sophisticated skills to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions through a hybrid learning model. Participants learn to conduct psychosocial assessments, provide therapy, and prescribe medications across diverse mental health settings. With fully online coursework and in-person clinical experiences, the CCNE-accredited program emphasizes evidence-based practice and prepares graduates for immediate professional opportunities.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
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Online Learning - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
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Cleveland, OH - Private 4-year - case.edu
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Case Western Reserve University's Family Nurse Practitioner program delivers comprehensive healthcare training through a dynamic 40-credit hybrid curriculum. Students master wellness care and complex illness management across patient lifecycles, gaining profound clinical expertise. The program strategically prepares advanced practice nurses for diverse healthcare environments, offering flexible enrollment with approximately 600 clinical hours. Distance-friendly coursework accommodates working professionals, ensuring comprehensive preparation for primary care and urgent care practice settings.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Case Western Reserve University's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program provides specialized training in patient care from adolescence through older adulthood. This innovative hybrid curriculum emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and comprehensive geriatric assessment. Students complete 41 credit hours with 600 clinical hours, typically finishing in 18 months. The program's minimal campus visits and distance-friendly format enable seamless professional development for nurses seeking advanced gerontological practice credentials.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Case Western Reserve University's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program equips nursing professionals with advanced skills in complex medical interventions. This hybrid curriculum prepares students to deliver specialized acute care for adult and geriatric patients through rigorous academic training and extensive clinical experiences. With over 600 practice hours and comprehensive coursework, graduates develop expertise in managing critically ill patients across diverse healthcare environments.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Case Western Reserve University's Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers intensive 46-credit training for registered nurses seeking advanced mental health specialization. Students develop comprehensive skills in prevention, assessment, and culturally sensitive interventions across all age groups. The program requires 720 clinical hours, preparing graduates for diverse practice settings including community clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Flexible part-time and full-time formats accommodate professional scheduling needs.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Case Western Reserve University's Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program provides comprehensive 38-credit training focused on women's healthcare across their entire lifespan. Students gain advanced clinical skills through approximately 600 clinical hours, mastering reproductive health, gynecological care, and wellness interventions. The hybrid format enables professionals to balance educational pursuits with career goals, preparing graduates to deliver specialized women's healthcare from adolescence through menopause.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
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Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Athens, OH - Public 4-Year - ohio.edu
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Ohio University's online Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner represents a comprehensive 40-credit program designed for advanced practice nurses. This CCNE-accredited curriculum develops sophisticated mental health assessment and intervention skills across patient lifespans. Students complete 750 clinical practicum hours, preparing for the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification. The part-time, six-semester format accommodates working healthcare professionals, emphasizing diagnostic reasoning, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based mental health treatment strategies.
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Ohio University's Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate provides a strategic pathway for advanced practice nurses to enhance their clinical capabilities. This 20-credit online program delivers comprehensive training in primary care, emphasizing patient-centered approaches across diverse populations. Featuring an extensive 750-hour clinical experience, the curriculum integrates advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diagnostic reasoning. Designed for nurses with existing MSN degrees, the program offers flexible learning without GRE/GMAT requirements. Graduates can anticipate substantial career opportunities, with potential annual earnings exceeding $120,000 in an expanding healthcare landscape.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Ohio University's Online Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate delivers specialized training for nurses seeking advanced mental health expertise. This 20-credit program equips professionals with sophisticated skills in psychotherapy, emergency psychiatric interventions, and evidence-based treatment strategies. Students develop nuanced competencies in assessing and treating complex mental health conditions, with emphasis on culturally sensitive care. The curriculum prepares graduates for over 300,000 potential job opportunities, targeting healthcare professionals desiring focused mental health specialization without traditional entrance exam barriers.
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Ohio University's Online Post-Graduate Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate provides targeted training for nurses specializing in complex acute patient care. This 20-credit program addresses emerging healthcare demands, with a projected 45% job growth by 2029. Students complete comprehensive coursework spanning three semesters, gaining 750 clinical experience hours. Designed exclusively for registered nurses holding MSN degrees, the certificate offers affordable tuition and prepares graduates for national certification in acute care environments. The program emphasizes advanced clinical skills and professional development without GRE/GMAT requirements.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Ohio University's BSN-DNP Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program delivers advanced nursing education through a comprehensive online platform. This 70-credit curriculum emphasizes leadership, informatics, and evidence-based practice in acute care settings. Designed for working professionals, the program offers flexible scheduling, 1,000 clinical hours, and specialized training in adult and geriatric acute care. With competitive resident tuition and no GRE requirements, the CCNE-accredited program prepares nurses for complex healthcare challenges and direct patient care leadership roles.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Online Learning - Visit Website
Columbus, OH - Public 4-Year - osu.edu
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Ohio State University's Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program delivers comprehensive training for advanced nursing professionals specializing in pediatric healthcare. Focused on evidence-based practices, the program prepares students to manage children's health from birth through young adulthood. Students gain critical skills in well-child care, acute and chronic illness management across diverse clinical settings. With 600 clinical practice hours and a partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital, graduates develop expertise in direct patient care, innovative interventions, and leadership. The program meets national certification guidelines and offers flexible scheduling for part-time and full-time students seeking specialized pediatric primary care expertise.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Ohio State University's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program equips nurses to provide comprehensive healthcare for patients across adolescence, adulthood, and older age ranges. This flexible online and on-campus program combines rigorous coursework with extensive clinical experiences, enabling students to diagnose and treat complex conditions. Designed for working professionals seeking career advancement, the program offers multiple degree pathways including Traditional Master's, BSN to DNP, and Post-Master's options. Graduates become eligible for ANCC and AANP certification, positioning themselves as versatile primary care providers with advanced clinical training.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Ohio State University's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty prepares advanced practice nurses for high-intensity healthcare environments. Requiring one year of acute care experience, the program develops critical skills in complex patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Students can pursue multiple degree pathways, including Traditional Master of Science and BSN to DNP. The curriculum focuses on high-acuity care preparation, enabling graduates to excel in critical care, emergency departments, and specialized medical units. Successful candidates become eligible for certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, establishing themselves as expert acute care practitioners.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Ohio State's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program comprehensively trains advanced nursing professionals to deliver mental health services across all age groups. With 600 clinical training hours, the hybrid program emphasizes evidence-based mental health curriculum and interdisciplinary healthcare collaboration. Students gain expertise in mental health promotion, behavioral healthcare, and addiction services through intensive clinical experiences. The program offers flexible part-time options and meets national certification standards, preparing graduates to provide mental health care in diverse environments like primary care settings, schools, and community centers.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Ohio State University's Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program cultivates advanced practice nurses specializing in comprehensive women's healthcare. Through extensive precepted clinical experiences and evidence-based coursework, students develop advanced skills in delivering patient-centered care across women's lifespans. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, cultural sensitivity, and leadership development. Graduates become equipped to provide high-quality reproductive and primary care while developing skills to influence healthcare policy. Multiple degree pathway options and national certification preparation ensure students can effectively contribute to advancing women's health practice.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Campus Based - Visit Website
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Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Campus Based - Visit Website
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Many Ohio programs use a hybrid delivery model, combining online lectures and webinars with 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 handful of schools offer fully online didactic phases, requiring only brief campus visits for hands‑on assessments.
| Certifying Board | Ohio Board of Nursing – APRN Section |
|---|---|
| Certification | Active Ohio RN license plus a national APRN credential verified to the Board |
| Renewal | Biennial in odd‐numbered years, renewal window July 1–October 30 |
| Continuing Education | 24 contact hours every two years, including 12 in advanced pharmacology and 1 on the Ohio Nurse Practice Act |
| Application Fee | $150 plus a $3.50 state transaction fee |
| Clinical Hours | Official graduate transcripts and proof of a 45-hour advanced pharmacology course |
| Processing Time | 10–15 business days after all materials are received |
| Endorsement | Must hold Ohio RN licensure by endorsement and submit primary‐source APRN verification |
Nurse practitioners in Ohio earn an average annual salary of about $115,000, with entry‑level positions starting near $90,000 and experienced practitioners in metropolitan areas commanding up to $140,000 or more. Employers often include sign‑on bonuses, loan repayment assistance, and comprehensive benefits packages to attract and retain qualified NPs. Advanced certifications, leadership roles, and specialty practices can further elevate earning potential.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Ohio | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual NP Salary | $118,670 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $57.05 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$133,500 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $118,670 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$99,850 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~44.5% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~4,500 | ~54,000 |
Data from Salary.com and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| Youngstown State University |
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Ohio University
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Many NP graduates pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice to deepen clinical expertise and qualify for leadership, academic, or executive roles. 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 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 Ohio
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Online Learning - Website
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Online Learning - Website
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Online Learning - Website
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Online & Campus Based - Website
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Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Acute Care - Online Learning - Website
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Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
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Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
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Online & Campus Based - Website
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Online & Campus Based - Website
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Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
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Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
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Online Learning - Website
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Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
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Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
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Online Learning - Website
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Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
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Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Website
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Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
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Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
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Online Learning - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
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Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
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Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
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Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website