Which Schools Have Nurse Practitioner Programs in North Carolina?

As a nurse practitioner, you will be able to see and treat patients independently in a hospital or office setting. All programs require a master's degree, and you can specialize in a number of areas upon licensing.

What You Need to Know

Across North Carolina, you can find 4-year private and public schools with nurse practitioner programs. You could build on your registered nursing career by earning a master's degree in nursing; numerous specialization options are available for this degree, including family nursing practice and acute care nursing. These programs typically require two or three years of study, and you'll obtain the skills and knowledge needed to work as a nurse practitioner. Licensure is also required after graduation.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs in North Carolina

Duke University

Duke University's MSN program is available with seven different specializations for licensed RNs who want to become nurse practitioners. For entry to the program, you only need GRE scores if your undergraduate GPA is less than 3.4, but you should have at least a 3.0. The adult, family and geriatric NP programs are available with online coursework and minimal on-campus time, and the core NP courses are offered online once per year.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing
• Specializations: Adult acute care, adult cardiovascular, adult primary care, family, gerontological, oncology, acute care pediatric, primary care pediatric, neonatal
• Program Length: Two years, full-time or three years, part-time
• Tuition: $53,540 per year (costs as of 2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: BSN or associate's/diploma with non-nursing bachelor's degree, nursing experience, statistics course
• Admission Requirements: RN license, GRE scores, three letters of reference, personal statement, resume
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; 16,606 students (6,682 undergraduate)

East Carolina University

In addition to the MSN program, you can participate in an RN to MSN option if you are an RN with a nursing diploma or associate's degree. This option requires that you complete BSN coursework and undergraduate prerequisites. The NP concentrations are available as online programs with limited on-campus dates for clinical evaluations.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing
• Specializations: Adult-gerontology, family, neonatal
• Program Length: Two years, full-time or three years, part-time
• Tuition: $4,749 per year for state residents; $17,898 per year for nonresidents (costs as of 2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a 3.0 GPA, one year of nursing experience, undergraduate statistics and research courses
• Admission Requirements: RN license, GRE scores, personal statement, three letters of reference, interview
• School Type: 4-year, public; 28,718 students (23,071 undergraduate)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

If you completed a BSN for your RN training, you can begin the MSN coursework after admission to the program. However, if you have a nursing associate's degree or diploma or a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing major, you need to complete the 12 credits of bridge courses first. In the program, you'll take courses in your specialty, perform research and participate in clinical rotations.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing
• Specializations: Adult/gerontology, family, pediatric/primary care, psychiatric-mental health
• Program Length: 2-3 years, full-time
• Tuition: $10,243 per year for state residents; $27,454 per year for nonresidents (costs as of 2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: RN program completion, one year of clinical nursing experience, statistics course
• Admission Requirements: Active RN license, GRE scores, three letters of reference, professional statement
• School Type: 4-year, public; 30,011 students (19,117 undergraduate)

Western Carolina University

The courses for Western Carolina University's MSN program are taught at the Biltmore Park campus on Tuesdays and are also available online. You can complete this degree with either a thesis or final project. The program also has an RN to MSN option, which allows undergraduates to take graduate-level coursework.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing
• Specializations: Family nurse practitioner
• Program Length: 3 years, part-time
• Tuition: $4,435 per year for state residents; $14,842 per year for nonresidents (costs as of 2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: BSN, one year of clinical nursing experience, statistics and research courses
• Admission Requirements: RN license, GRE scores, three letters of reference, personal statement, resume
• School Type: 4-year, public; 11,639 students (10,027 undergraduate)

Becoming a nurse practitioner in North Carolina requires a master's degree and licensing. Programs can be found through Duke University, Eastern Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Western Carolina University.