Case Western Reserve University
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Online/On-Campus
Modality: Online/On-Campus
Credit Hours: 40/45
How to choose a PNP program in Ohio
Ohio PNP applicants first pick between PNP-PC (Primary Care for outpatient pediatric clinics and ambulatory settings) and PNP-AC (Acute Care for inpatient/ICU/specialty services). Separate certifications run through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). Unlike some states, Ohio has dedicated pediatric academic medical centers (Nationwide Children’s in Columbus, Cincinnati Children’s) that provide strong clinical networks for either track.
Flagship public picks are Ohio State (with Nationwide Children’s affiliation) and University of Cincinnati (with Cincinnati Children’s). Case Western Reserve and University of Akron offer additional paths. Cedarville University is the faith-based option for applicants prioritizing Christian-affiliated programs. Under Ohio’s Standard Care Arrangement requirement, PNPs practice with physician supervision; no full practice authority.
Ohio PNP Programs: Key Facts for 2026
- 5+ CCNE-accredited Pediatric NP (PNP-PC/PNP-AC) programs in Ohio at the MSN or DNP level.
- Ohio NP mean annual wage: approximately $120,500 per BLS OEWS data. Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati metros pay above the state average.
- Scope of practice: Ohio requires a Standard Care Arrangement (SCA) with a supervising physician for APRN prescriptive authority. No full practice authority. Ohio Board of Nursing oversees licensure.
- National job growth: NPs projected to see 40%+ growth 2024–2034 per BLS OOH.
- PNP-PC vs. PNP-AC — Primary Care tracks work in pediatric clinics and ambulatory settings; Acute Care tracks work in inpatient/ICU/specialty services. Separate certifications via PNCB.
- Best academic medical centers — University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati Children’s) and Ohio State (Nationwide Children’s) provide the strongest pediatric clinical networks in the state.
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: Between $1,091 and $2,248 per credit
Program Overview:
Case Western’s Pediatric NP in Primary Care runs part-time or full-time (finishing in as little as 18 months over 4 semesters full-time) through the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. Its hybrid format pairs online coursework with on-campus intensives, and clinical rotations pull from UH Rainbow Babies, Cleveland Clinic Children’s, and regional pediatric practices. A fit for Cleveland-area RNs who want a top-50 nursing school with strong academic-medical-center pediatric volume; price is the trade-off versus Ohio State’s flagship-public option.
Case Western Reserve also offers a PNP program specializing in Pediatric Acute Care. This program requires 45 hours of coursework and over 600 clinical hours in pediatric intensive care units and inpatient centers at various sites, including Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, and Akron Children’s Hospital. Students must have at least a year of recent acute care pediatric nursing and PALs certification to be considered for the program. Full-time students can complete this program in two years, while part-time can take three to five years. Distance-friendly options are available that require three to four visits to campus per term. Students can co-major in PNP-Primary Care and Acute Care by taking one additional course and completing 200 additional clinical hours.
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 800
Tuition: $680 to $707 per credit
Program Overview:
Cedarville’s Pediatric NP is a Christian-affiliated program that frames practice as ministry, with 12 core MSN credits plus 22 PNP-specialty credits and direct-care practica. A fit for faith-aligned applicants who want a pediatric primary-care credential from a small Christian university; secular applicants should compare Ohio State’s in-state public rate or Case Western’s clinical breadth.
University of Akron
- Akron, Ohio
- On-campus
Modality: On-campus
Credit Hours: Varies; all programs require 14 nursing core credits
Clinical Hours: not available
Tuition: $462.50 per credit for Ohio residents; $782.50 per credit for non-residents
Program Overview:
Akron’s College of Nursing offers multiple pathways into pediatric practice (MSN, BSN-to-DNP, post-master’s certificate). Public in-state tuition and Northeast Ohio clinical partnerships make it a practical pick for Akron/Canton-corridor RNs interested in primary-care pediatrics; applicants wanting pediatric acute care should compare University of Cincinnati or Case Western.
The Child and Adolescent Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track is 27 to 29 credits in addition to the core nursing requirements. This program focuses on caring for children and adolescents in acute or critical care settings and managing complex and chronic health conditions. This option is a good fit for students who want to work in critical care units, acute care areas of hospitals, or emergency rooms.
The Child and Adolescent Health Nurse Practitioner Primary Health Care Track focuses on primary healthcare needs and prepares students for careers in doctor’s offices and other primary-care settings. This program is 27 to 29 credits, in addition to the core nursing curriculum.
The Child and Adolescent Health Nurse Practitioner Primary/Acute Care Track is 37 to 39 credits in addition to the core classes. Students in this program can go on to work in either primary or acute care settings.
University of Cincinnati
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 152 to 158
Clinical Hours: not available
Tuition: $8,359 per semester for residents; $8,509 per semester for non-residents
Program Overview:
UC’s online Acute Care Pediatric NP leads to a DNP credential and prepares graduates to manage complex, acute, and critical pediatric presentations. Clinical rotations anchor at Cincinnati Children’s, which gives students exposure to tertiary/quaternary pediatric volume. It’s the strongest Ohio option for PNP-AC specifically; primary-care-focused applicants should pair UC’s program with its pediatric primary-care options or compare Case Western.
Ohio State University
- Columbus, Ohio
- Online/On-Campus
Modality: Online/On-Campus
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $972.50 per credit
Program Overview:
Ohio State’s Pediatric NP program runs through the College of Nursing with clinical access to Nationwide Children’s Hospital — one of the largest pediatric systems in the country. Multiple entry paths (MSN, BSN-to-DNP, post-master’s APRN certificate) across primary and acute-care tracks make it a fit for Columbus-area RNs who want flagship-public tuition plus academic-medical-center pediatric depth.
Frequently Asked Questions About PNP Programs in Ohio
How many PNP programs are in Ohio?
There are 5 accredited PNP programs in Ohio, offering both primary care (PNP-PC) and acute care (PNP-AC) tracks. Schools include Case Western Reserve University, Cedarville University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University.
What is the average salary for a PNP in Ohio?
According to BLS data, nurse practitioners in Ohio earn a mean annual wage of $121,250 and a median of $126,740. PNPs in specialty children’s hospitals may earn above these averages.
Are there online PNP programs in Ohio?
Yes. Several PNP programs in Ohio offer online or hybrid options. Cedarville University and the University of Cincinnati offer fully online programs, while Case Western Reserve, Ohio State offer online/on-campus hybrid formats.
What certification do PNPs need in Ohio?
PNPs in Ohio must pass a national certification exam from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)–either the CPNP-PC for primary care or the CPNP-AC for acute care. Ohio also requires an APRN license, a Standard Care Arrangement, and a Certificate to Prescribe for prescriptive authority.
What is the difference between PNP-PC and PNP-AC?
PNP-PC (Primary Care) nurse practitioners focus on well-child visits, preventive care, and managing chronic conditions in outpatient settings. PNP-AC (Acute Care) nurse practitioners care for children with complex, acute, or critical illnesses in hospital and inpatient settings such as PICUs and emergency departments.
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) cares for the medical needs of children from infancy to adolescence. They provide various care, from diagnosing and treating acute illness to managing chronic health conditions.
The state of Ohio has many hospital systems that employee experienced pediatric nurse practitioners. Cleveland Clinic, UH, and Cincinnati Children’s are three large hospitals that have a major focus on the treatment and care of infants and children.
Several PNP programs in Ohio prepare graduates for primary care or acute care roles. A PNP focusing on primary care will likely work with patients in an outpatient environment, like a doctor’s office or community clinic. In contrast, a PNP focusing on acute care generally works with patients in an in-patient hospital setting. Ohio is a Reduced Practice state, so PNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement with a collaborating physician. The PNP programs in Ohio listed below offer multiple options for both of these paths. Students interested in other NP specialties can explore PMHNP, AGNP, or NNP programs in the state.
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) cares for the medical needs of children from infancy to adolescence. They provide various care, from diagnosing and treating acute illness to managing chronic health conditions.
The state of Ohio has many hospital systems that employee experienced pediatric nurse practitioners. Cleveland Clinic, UH, and Cincinnati Children’s are three large hospitals that have a major focus on the treatment and care of infants and children.
Several PNP programs in Ohio prepare graduates for primary care or acute care roles. A PNP focusing on primary care will likely work with patients in an outpatient environment, like a doctor’s office or community clinic. In contrast, a PNP focusing on acute care generally works with patients in an in-patient hospital setting. Ohio is a Reduced Practice state, so PNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement with a collaborating physician. The PNP programs in Ohio listed below offer multiple options for both of these paths. Students interested in other NP specialties can explore PMHNP, AGNP, or NNP programs in the state.
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) cares for the medical needs of children from infancy to adolescence. They provide various care, from diagnosing and treating acute illness to managing chronic health conditions.
The state of Ohio has many hospital systems that employee experienced pediatric nurse practitioners. Cleveland Clinic, UH, and Cincinnati Children’s are three large hospitals that have a major focus on the treatment and care of infants and children.
Several PNP programs in Ohio prepare graduates for primary care or acute care roles. A PNP focusing on primary care will likely work with patients in an outpatient environment, like a doctor’s office or community clinic. In contrast, a PNP focusing on acute care generally works with patients in an in-patient hospital setting. Ohio is a Reduced Practice state, so PNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement with a collaborating physician. The PNP programs in Ohio listed below offer multiple options for both of these paths. Students interested in other NP specialties can explore PMHNP, AGNP, or NNP programs in the state.
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) cares for the medical needs of children from infancy to adolescence. They provide various care, from diagnosing and treating acute illness to managing chronic health conditions.
The state of Ohio has many hospital systems that employee experienced pediatric nurse practitioners. Cleveland Clinic, UH, and Cincinnati Children’s are three large hospitals that have a major focus on the treatment and care of infants and children.
Several PNP programs in Ohio prepare graduates for primary care or acute care roles. A PNP focusing on primary care will likely work with patients in an outpatient environment, like a doctor’s office or community clinic. In contrast, a PNP focusing on acute care generally works with patients in an in-patient hospital setting. Ohio is a Reduced Practice state, so PNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement with a collaborating physician. The PNP programs in Ohio listed below offer multiple options for both of these paths. Students interested in other NP specialties can explore PMHNP, AGNP, or NNP programs in the state.
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) cares for the medical needs of children from infancy to adolescence. They provide various care, from diagnosing and treating acute illness to managing chronic health conditions.
The state of Ohio has many hospital systems that employee experienced pediatric nurse practitioners. Cleveland Clinic, UH, and Cincinnati Children’s are three large hospitals that have a major focus on the treatment and care of infants and children.
Several PNP programs in Ohio prepare graduates for primary care or acute care roles. A PNP focusing on primary care will likely work with patients in an outpatient environment, like a doctor’s office or community clinic. In contrast, a PNP focusing on acute care generally works with patients in an in-patient hospital setting. Ohio is a Reduced Practice state, so PNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement with a collaborating physician. The PNP programs in Ohio listed below offer multiple options for both of these paths. Students interested in other NP specialties can explore PMHNP, AGNP, or NNP programs in the state.
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) cares for the medical needs of children from infancy to adolescence. They provide various care, from diagnosing and treating acute illness to managing chronic health conditions.
The state of Ohio has many hospital systems that employee experienced pediatric nurse practitioners. Cleveland Clinic, UH, and Cincinnati Children’s are three large hospitals that have a major focus on the treatment and care of infants and children.
Several PNP programs in Ohio prepare graduates for primary care or acute care roles. A PNP focusing on primary care will likely work with patients in an outpatient environment, like a doctor’s office or community clinic. In contrast, a PNP focusing on acute care generally works with patients in an in-patient hospital setting. Ohio is a Reduced Practice state, so PNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement with a collaborating physician. The PNP programs in Ohio listed below offer multiple options for both of these paths. Students interested in other NP specialties can explore PMHNP, AGNP, or NNP programs in the state.
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) cares for the medical needs of children from infancy to adolescence. They provide various care, from diagnosing and treating acute illness to managing chronic health conditions.
The state of Ohio has many hospital systems that employee experienced pediatric nurse practitioners. Cleveland Clinic, UH, and Cincinnati Children’s are three large hospitals that have a major focus on the treatment and care of infants and children.
Several PNP programs in Ohio prepare graduates for primary care or acute care roles. A PNP focusing on primary care will likely work with patients in an outpatient environment, like a doctor’s office or community clinic. In contrast, a PNP focusing on acute care generally works with patients in an in-patient hospital setting. Ohio is a Reduced Practice state, so PNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement with a collaborating physician. The PNP programs in Ohio listed below offer multiple options for both of these paths. Students interested in other NP specialties can explore PMHNP, AGNP, or NNP programs in the state.