There are five universities in the state of Mississippi that provide nurse practitioner programs. The flagship University of Mississippi leads nursing education in the state, housing a collection of CCNE-accredited programs. The school offers in-person, hybrid, and fully online options to its students, as well as a collection of postgraduate certificates. Whether you’re aiming to help address the state’s primary care workforce shortage or want to advance your career, these nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi can help you acquire the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
Mississippi NP Programs Quick Facts
- Universities Offering NP Programs in Mississippi: 5
- CCNE Accredited NP Programs in The State: 3
- ACEN Accredited NP Programs in the State: 1
- Average Tuition Costs: $14,000-$30,000
The Best NP Programs and Schools in Mississippi
Alcorn State University
- Lorman, Mississippi
Program Overview:
Founded in 1977, the Cora S. Balmat School of Nursing offers students the opportunity to become skilled yet caring nurses who make a difference in their chosen organizations.
Alcorn State’s MSN program is geared towards baccalaureate-prepared nurses who want to serve clients across the life continuum (FNP specialty). This 44-credit program has both thesis and non-thesis options. The university also has an MSN-Nurse Educator track for aspiring academicians.
A post-master’s certificate option is also offered to Master’s-prepared nurses who wish to pursue FNP certification. This 20-credit hour program may be completed in 20+ months.
All of these programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, so students are sure to meet the competency demands in whatever workplace they choose.
Alcorn State’s 3-year (2020-2022) certification passing rate for its nurse practitioner students is 68.42%.
Why Students Should Consider Alcorn State’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Affordable & Online: Low-cost, fully online for working nurses.
- Practical Focus: Offers only FNP and Nurse Educator tracks.
- Supportive HBCU: Strong cultural focus and faculty support.
Additional Considerations:
- ACEN Not CCNE: May limit recognition in some settings.
- Few Specialties: No psych, acute care, or DNP options.
- Tech Limitations: Reports of platform and interaction issues.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- BSN to MSN: FNP
- Post-master’s certificate: FNP
Delta State University
- Cleveland, Mississippi
Program Overview:
The Robert E. Smith College of Nursing offers undergraduate and graduate nursing programs that combine life sciences, behavioral sciences, and liberal arts with nursing practice.
Delta State’s online MSN is a flexible program that may be completed in 2 years. It covers core concepts, as well as research, role-specific, and practicum courses. While courses are mostly delivered online, students will need to visit the campus 1–3 times per semester. The clinical practicum portion may be completed in Mississippi or Arkansas.
Delta State also has a post-master’s option, with specialization tracks in FNP and Nurse Education.
Delta State’s certification passing rate for 2020 and 2021 was 100% and 80% for 2022, culminating in a 3-year passing rate of 94.12%. In 2024, its graduates also scored a 100% passing rate.
Delta State’s online MSN has been ranked the second most affordable program in the nation by The Best Master’s Degrees. The university also takes pride in its 100% employment rate.
Why Students Should Consider Delta State’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Flexible Format: Primarily online with minimal campus visits.
- Well-Established Program: Known FNP track with regional clinical site access.
- Affordable Tuition: Competitive cost, especially for in-state students.
Additional Considerations:
- Limited Tracks: Only offers FNP and Nurse Educator options.
- In-State Clinical Focus: Clinical placements mostly in Mississippi/Arkansas.
- Smaller Cohort: Fewer networking or specialization opportunities than larger universities.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- BSN to MSN: FNP
- Post-master’s certificate: FNP
- MSN to DNP: FNP
Mississippi University for Women
- Columbus, Mississippi
Program Overview:
Established in 1974, the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences has been offering undergraduate and graduate programs to aspiring nurses.
MUW offers a BSN to MSN-FNP track for baccalaureate-prepared nurses with at least 2 years of experience. There is also a post-graduate certificate option for nurse practitioners who want to specialize in FNP, which may be completed in 1.5 years. There is also a track for non-nurse practitioners who hold a master’ degree.
MUW has been named one of the top nursing schools in Mississippi by RegisteredNursing.org. The university’s 3-year passing rate for nurse practitioner certification is 93.42%.
Why Students Should Consider Mississippi University for Women’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- 12-Month Completion: FNP can be completed in just 12 months full-time, faster than most Mississippi programs.
- 100% Online: Fully online format with asynchronous learning, ideal for working RNs.
- Longstanding Program: Graduate nursing programs offered since 1974, demonstrating stability and experience.
Additional Considerations:
- Only FNP Track: No options for PMHNP, AGACNP, or DNP specializations.
- Limited National Reach: Smaller school with less name recognition outside the Southeast.
- High Intensity: Full-time load + clinicals compressed into three semesters may overwhelm working nurses.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- BSN to MSN: FNP
- Post-graduate certificate: FNP
University of Mississippi Medical Center
- Jackson, Mississippi
Program Overview:
Founded in 1948, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) School of Nursing is known for its evidence-based practice and research, community-based systems, and innovative partnerships. As the only institution located in an academic health sciences campus, it was the first school to offer a BSN and MSN in the state.
Known as Mississippi’s flagship nursing school, UMMC offers top-ranking programs, such as its online MSN, which was listed 33rd nationally in the 2023 rankings of US News & World Report. In 2022, its DNP program ranked 87th in the country.
Graduates of its nurse practitioner programs are eligible to sit in the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board examinations.
UMMC’s 3-year certification passing rate for its nurse practitioner students is at 94.91%, which is the highest in the state.
Why Students Should Consider University of Mississippi Medical Center Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Extensive Specialization Options: Offers 4 BSN–DNP NP tracks (FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PMHNP) plus MSN and RN–MSN pathways.
- Academic Medical Center Advantage: Mississippi’s only academic health science center, providing access to top-tier faculty, simulation labs, and clinical partners.
- Multiple Entry Points: Accepts BSN, RN-to-MSN, and MSN-entry applicants, offering part-time and full-time options with hybrid delivery.
Additional Considerations:
- Hybrid, Not Fully Online: Most tracks require in-person intensives and on-campus days, which may limit flexibility for remote learners.
- Competitive Admissions: High demand and selective admissions — preference given to Mississippi residents; acceptance rates are not publicly published but considered competitive.
- Higher Cost for Non-Residents: Out-of-state tuition exceeds $1,000/credit hour, significantly more than in-state rates.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by School:
- RN to MSN: AGACNP
- RN to MSN: FNP
- RN to MSN: PMHNP
- BSN to MSN: AGACNP
- BSN to MSN: AGPCNP
- BSN to MSN: FNP
- BSN to MSN: NNP
- BSN to MSN: PMHNP
- BSN to DNP: AGACNP
- BSN to DNP: FNP
- BSN to DNP: PMHNP
- Post-graduate certificate: AGACNP
- Post-graduate certificate: FNP
- Post-graduate certificate: PMHNP
University of Southern Mississippi
- Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Program Overview:
The School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice houses the university’s graduate programs. The BSN-DNP program is open to baccalaureate-prepared nurses who wish to specialize in either FNP or PMHNP. Both may be completed in 3 years.
A post-graduate certificate program is also available to graduate degree holders who wish to pursue a career as an FNP or PMHNP. They may be completed in 4 and 5 semesters, respectively.
Both programs, which are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, may be pursued on campus or via hybrid modality.
USM is listed as the 97th best DNP program in the country, being the only program in Mississippi to have entered the rankings. As for its nurse practitioner certification passing rates, its 3-year average is at 80.30%.
Why Students Should Consider Southern Miss’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- BSN-to-DNP Pathway: Offers a direct BSN-to-DNP FNP track, eliminating the need for a separate MSN and streamlining progression to a terminal degree.
- Hybrid Flexibility: Coursework is mostly online, with one required campus visit per semester, supporting work-life balance.
- Community-Based Clinicals: Students complete clinicals in their home communities, reducing travel and relocation burden.
Additional Considerations:
- Single NP Focus: Only offers the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track — no PMHNP, AGACNP, or pediatric NP options.
- DNP Commitment: Requires a minimum of 3 years (full-time) for BSN-to-DNP students, which may be longer than MSN routes.
- Moderate Cohort Size: Smaller program than UMMC — may mean fewer electives or advanced specialty options.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by School:
- BSN to DNP: FNP
- BSN to DNP: PMHNP
- Post-graduate certificate: FNP
- Post-graduate certificate: PMHNP
Nurse Practitioner Licensure Requirements in Mississippi
Degree level needed: Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice
Supervised hours total: 720 (post-graduate)
Required exams: Specific to NP specialty
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) – AGPCNP, AGACNP, ENP, FNP, PNP-Primary, PMHNP
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) – AGPCNP, ENP, FNP, PMHNP
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) – AGACNP
- National Certification Corporation (NCC) – NNP, WHNP
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) – PNP-Primary, PNP-Acute
Background-check: fingerprint-based criminal background check conducted by the Mississippi Board of Nursing (MSBN)
State licensing board: Mississippi Board of Nursing, 713 Pear Orchard Road, Plaza II, Suite 300, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable nurse practitioner program in Mississippi?
The Mississippi University for Women’s FNP program is the most affordable nurse practitioner program in the state, with tuition rates comparable for both in-state and out-of-state students. The University of Mississippi, which is the state’s flagship institution, also offers affordable MSN programs for in-state students.
What Mississippi nurse practitioner program has the highest pass rate for the national certification exam?
There is little information about the recent pass rates for NP certification programs in Mississippi. However, institutions that have registered 100% pass rates in recent years include the University of Southern Mississippi (2015 and 2016), the Mississippi University for Women (2015), and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Delta State University has also registered a relatively high passing rate of 95% for its FNP program.
Question: What financial aid and scholarships are available to Mississippi residents?
- Mississippi Nurses Foundation Scholarships
- The University of Mississippi Medical Center Graduate Nursing Scholarships
- Mississippi Board of Nursing – Office of Nursing Workforce Scholarships
The State of Nursing in Mississippi
Access to medical services in Mississippi is limited, especially in rural areas. After all, the state has the worst physician shortage in the country, as per a report. As such, the Mississippi House of Representatives has passed a bill allowing advanced practice registered nurses to treat patients outside a collaborative physician agreement after 8,000 hours of experience. While Mississippi APRNs can provide care without physician supervision, they are required to hold collaborative agreements with them.
This bill opens up more healthcare options in the state, which has been dubbed ‘the worst state for health and wellness’ in 2024. After all, many locals — especially in underserved areas — already consider NPs their medical care providers.
