The Best Michigan Nurse Practitioner Programs
RNs who earn a nurse practitioner (NP) degree can look forward to a rewarding career, top salaries, and expanding job opportunities. These advanced practice registered nurses must complete a graduate degree in nursing and the training required for NP specialty certification.
Interested in learning about nurse practitioner programs in Michigan? This guide introduces you to the best NP programs in the state, along with an overview of how these programs work and information about accreditation and admission requirements.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best NP programs in Michigan, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
Learn More About the Best Michigan Nurse Practitioner Programs and Schools
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI- 4 year
- Campus + Online
MSU offers a hybrid master of science in nursing with a nurse practitioner concentration, with both online and on-campus course components. Students can add a specialization in adult-gerontology, family, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
The full program comprises 54 credits. Those enrolled full time can finish the program in two years, while part-time learners often take three years to graduate. While distance learners take core courses entirely online, clinical courses require students to attend campus 4-5 times a semester. These on-campus programs might include lectures, simulations, group work, and exams. Each enrollee must also complete 585 direct care clinical hours and 45 clinical hours in advanced physical assessment.
- Campus: East Lansing, Michigan
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $838/credit
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA; current nursing license; three recommendation letters; statement of purpose
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Program: MSN - Nurse practitioner
- In-State$15,966
- Out-of-state$41,778
- In-State$20,202
- Out-of-state$39,696
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled50,023
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
Spring Arbor University
- Spring Arbor, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
As a private, Christian institution, SAU offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) with a nurse practitioner concentration. The 55-credit degree allows students to enroll in one course at a time, with each course lasting seven weeks.
This online nurse practitioner program in Michigan also offers two further specializations: family nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. Overall, each enrollee needs to fulfill 625 clinical hours in cardiac, psychiatric, orthopedic, and other healthcare facilities.
Finally, a registered nurse with an associate degree can opt for the university's online RN-to-MSN program, which simultaneously grants students a bachelor's degree and nurse practitioner MSN.
- Campus: Spring Arbor, Michigan
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $712/credit
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA; current nursing license; at least six months of professional RN experience preferred; two recommendation letters; statement of purpose
- Minimum Time Commitment: Varies
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- Program: MSN - Nurse practitioner
- In-State$30,440
- Out-of-state$30,440
- In-State$8,093
- Out-of-state$8,093
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled2,685
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment73%
- AccreditationYes
University of Michigan-Flint
- Flint, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
At UM-Flint, the master of science in nursing with a family nurse practitioner track allows students to complete most of their coursework online with 3-6 campus visits each year. The full degree consists of 47 credits, although students can transfer in up to nine credits. Full-time students and part-time students can graduate in two or three years, respectively.
Core courses cover epidemiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Courses within the family nurse practitioner emphasis focus on acute and chronic care for children and adults, in addition to in-person clinical experiences. Distance learners can also get involved with research opportunities on campus.
- Campus: Flint, Michigan
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $684.50/credit for Michigan residents; $1024 per credit for non-Michigan residents
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a minimum 3.2 GPA; current nursing license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Program: MSN - Family nurse practitioner
- In-State$11,868
- Out-of-state$23,604
- In-State$12,740
- Out-of-state$19,080
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled5,985
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment87%
- AccreditationYes
Davenport University
- Grand Rapids, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Grand Rapids-based DU offers several master of science in nursing programs, including one with a family nurse practitioner specialization. The 45-credit degree includes mostly online courses with in-person clinicals and two on-campus courses. The first one-credit course includes an intensive simulation of clinical nursing skills. At the end of the program, students must also attend campus for a three-day capstone experience.
In addition to core courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment, distance learners enroll in courses exploring care across the lifespan. The curriculum emphasizes illness management, health promotion, and health education. Students can only enroll full time to complete the program in five semesters.
- Campus: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $777/credit hour
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA; current nursing license; two recommendation letters; statement of purpose
- Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Program: MSN - Family nurse practitioner
- In-State$20,064
- Out-of-state$20,064
- In-State$16,308
- Out-of-state$16,308
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled5,384
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment81%
- AccreditationYes
How Do Nurse Practitioner Programs Work?
Most nurse practitioner programs in Michigan admit RNs who hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Several Michigan schools offer online programs that allow RNs to continue working while taking classes. Bridge programs that lead to a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) provide a path to NP careers for associate degree-holders.
The NP curriculum consists of evidence-based coursework and clinical experiences. Students can finish a master’s degree in as little as one year. When starting their program, students should determine their patient population focus. Population-focused coursework and clinical rotations provide the skills needed to pass the national NP board certification exam in their field. National certification is a requirement for state licensure in Michigan.
Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Michigan
Before applying to any of Michigan’s nursing schools, make sure you meet the institution’s admission requirements. Find out if you need to submit GRE scores. Do you have the necessary prerequisites or minimum GPA? Entrance requirements vary by school but most Michigan nurse practitioner programs accept applicants who can demonstrate the following:
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold an unrestricted RN license, an associate or BSN from an accredited program, and at least one year of clinical experience.
- Admission Materials: General admission materials typically include official transcripts from previously attended schools, 2-3 letters of recommendation, a resume, a personal essay, and an in-person or online interview.
- GPA Requirement: 3.0 GPA or higher
- Prerequisites: Each program establishes its own prerequisites consisting of undergraduate courses in chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and statistics.
Why Is Program Accreditation Important for NP Programs?
Aspiring nurse practitioners should only consider programs at regionally accredited colleges and universities, with programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). All Michigan nurse practitioner programs in this ranking are accredited.
Accreditation establishes the quality of the program and ensures that graduates have adequate preparation to practice as nurse practitioners. Students who attend an unaccredited program may not qualify for federal financial aid and may not be able to transfer their credits to an accredited school. Doctoral programs and prospective employers generally look for applicants who hold degrees from accredited institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs in Michigan
Michigan NPs have limited practice authority. Because Michigan does not have a Nurse Practice Act, NPs fall under the jurisdiction of the state’s Public Health Code. As one of 11 states where NPs practice with restricted authority, Michigan law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider in order for NPs to provide patient care.
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