Are you interested in pursuing a nurse practitioner program in the state of Alabama? The state offers over 35 nursing programs from eleven different universities. Here are some of the top schools and NP programs where you can pursue nurse practitioner degrees in the state of Alabama. We have also provided helpful articles for Alabama FNP programs, AGNP programs, DNP Programs, and PNP programs.
Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Alabama
Program Overview:
Auburn University is located in Auburn, Alabama, about 60 miles northeast of Montgomery. It opened in 1859 as a privately owned Methodist institution and went through many changes through the years, becoming a state-owned school and expanding and growing over the years. In 1960, it was officially named Auburn University. The School of Nursing was founded in 1979 and started with a small class of only 27. Today, the school offers baccalaureate programs as well as master’s programs, doctorate programs, and more. Its online Family Nurse Practitioner Program was ranked number 10 in the country by U.S. News & World Report in 2022. The School of Nursing at Auburn University offers the following nurse practitioner programs:
Program Overview:
Not to be confused with Auburn University, Auburn University at Montgomery was established as a separately accredited university in 1967. The campus is 10 minutes from downtown Montgomery, the capital city. The AUM School of Nursing was established in 1978 and admitted its first class in 1979. Today, it is a part of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and offers a variety of nursing programs, including the following NP option:
Program Overview:
Jacksonville State University is midway between Birmingham and Atlanta in Jacksonville, Alabama. It was founded in 1883 and evolved from a small two-story brick building into the sprawling campus it is today. It took the name Jacksonville State College in 1957 when it established its first master’s degree program and was elevated to university status in 1966. Its Doctor of Nursing Practice degree was the second doctoral degree offered by the university. Today, it offers a range of programs, including the following NP options:
Program Overview:
Samford is a leading Christian university and the 87th oldest institution of higher learning in the U.S. Its Homewood campus is just outside Birmingham. It sits on 247 beautiful acres and is known for its stunning Georgian-Colonial architecture. The Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing was established in 1922 and has been voted one of the country’s best private Christian nursing schools. In 2020, school alums had a 100 percent passing rate for the national certification exam. FNP programs offered at Samford include:
Program Overview:
With a history that dates back to 1887, Troy University has grown significantly over the decades. What started as a small teaching college is now a university system with three campuses offering 90 undergraduate programs and dozens of graduate-level degrees. The Troy University School of Nursing offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. In 2022, the pass rate for national certification exams for MSN students was 80 percent; for doctoral students, it was 100 percent. The FNP programs available here include:
Program Overview:
Founded in 1831, the University of Alabama is the oldest public university. When it first opened in 1831, the university had seven buildings and 52 enrolled students. Today, the University of Alabama is thriving, with more than 38,000 students and 12 colleges and schools. The Capstone College of Nursing was founded in 1975 and partners with various well-respected facilities to help students transition to clinical challenges after graduation.
Program Overview:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham was originally an extension of the University of Alabama, but in 1969 it became an independent institution. Today, it is the only public four-year degree-granting institution in the Birmingham metropolitan area and the largest research institution in Alabama. The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing opened in 1950, moving from the Tuscaloosa campus to the Birmingham campus in 1967, where in 1968 it became an integral component of the newly autonomous university. Today, it offers a range of nursing programs, including the following FNP pathways:
Program Overview:
One of the nation’s premier research universities. The University of Alabama in Huntsville offers high-tech research centers and labs. The UAH College of Nursing is dedicated to providing a diverse, healthy learning environment, giving students access to a 10,615 square-foot Simulation & Learning Innovation Center with a 16-bed hospital lab, 16 assessment roos, advanced practice provider clinical examination rooms, collaboration stations, a Pyxis medication room, and a telehealth room. Students get mock hospital experiences in the seven high-fidelity simulation labs and specialty suites. UAH offers two options for those wishing to pursue an FNP:
Program Overview:
The University of Mobile is a Christian school that started in 1952 when the Mobile Baptist Association began studying the idea of opening a Baptist-affiliated college in Mobile, Alabama. The Alabama Baptist State Convention agreed in 1959, and only one year later, the community of Mobile raised more than $2 million to put toward establishing the school. The College of Health Professions School of Nursing boasts small class sizes where students get individual attention and learn to administer Christ-driven, compassionate nursing care. The Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice is one of the school’s key assets, providing students with cutting-edge augmented reality and simulation experiences that mirror real-life scenarios to prepare them for clinical practice. FNP programs offered at UM include:
Program Overview:
The Anderson College of Nursing at the University of North Alabama has been a leader in nursing education since 1973. It’s rated one of the top 10 most up-and-coming nursing programs in the South and offers flexible programs with affordable schedules. The college offers a variety of nursing tracks for undergraduates and graduate students, including the following FNP programs:
Program Overview:
Founded in 1963, the University of South Alabama now sits on a 1,200-acre campus on the Gulf Coast. The university and the region benefit from the USA Health System, whose facilities are key to training future healthcare professionals. The College of Nursing was established in 1973. The first class has an initial enrollment of 60 students, and the college has continued to grow and thrive. Today, it has about 14,000 students across its various programs, including the FNP pathways below:
The State of Nursing in Alabama
Projections show worsening gaps in supply and demand for family medicine and general internal medicine doctors between now and 2036, with the demand for nurse practitioners skyrocketing. Research shows that, in Alabama, 41 population centers have a shortage of primary care physicians; 36 are rural. Nurse practitioners are specially qualified to step in and fill these gaps, helping the people of Alabama get the care they need.
Alabama offers nurses many opportunities for networking and has multiple professional organizations in which nurse practitioners can get involved, including the Alabama State Nurses Association, the Alabama Organization for Nursing Leadership, the Alabama Nurses Foundation, and the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama.
The largest hospital system in the state is UAB Hospital, which is affiliated with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB has hospitals and clinics in and around Birmingham with affiliates all across the state. Other major hospital systems in the state include Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, USA Health in the south, and DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, serving the western part of the state.
Alabama NP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured Alabama NP Schools | 11 institutions (full directory below) |
| NP Specialty Tracks Covered | FNP, AGNP, PNP, PMHNP, and DNP entry (varies by school) |
| Practice Authority | Reduced — Alabama NPs require a collaborative practice agreement with a physician for prescriptive authority |
| Licensing Board | Alabama Board of Nursing |
| Typical Program Length | 2–3 years MSN-NP; 3–4 years BSN-to-DNP; 12–24 months post-master’s certificate |
| Required Clinical Hours | 500–750 (MSN); 1,000+ (DNP) — AACN Essentials |
| Alabama NP Mean Annual Wage | $112,300 (BLS OES, May 2024) |
| National NP Growth (2023–33) | +46% — BLS Occupational Outlook |
| Certifying Bodies | AANPCB, ANCC, PNCB |
2026 Updates — What Changed for Alabama NPs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — Alabama NP mean annual wage was $112,300. Birmingham metro leads the state.
- AACN 2025 DNP Position Statement — CCNE-accredited programs continue to align curricula with the 2025 Essentials; DNP-level entry expands.
- Alabama-specific update — Alabama anchors academic-medical-center DNP preparation via UAB (Birmingham), U of Alabama, and Auburn. USA (Mobile), Samford, and Troy round out the top-tier options.
- WHNP → WHGRNP rebrand — NCC expanded the Women’s Health NP scope to include gender-related care; track currency varies by school.
- 11 Alabama schools tracked — current CCNE/ACEN NP-track institutions verified.
Educational Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Alabama
Five distinct routes appear across Alabama’s NP schools. Each suits a different starting credential and timeline. All five satisfy the Alabama Board of Nursing APRN-certification requirements when paired with national NP certification.
1. MSN-NP (Most Common Route)
Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty track. Designed for working RNs with a BSN. Length: 2 to 3 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time; 500 to 750 clinical hours. Alabama MSN-NP options span all 11 on-page schools. UAB, U of Alabama, USA, Samford, and Auburn are the flagship options; Troy, Jacksonville State, and UAH serve regional markets.
2. RN-to-MSN Bridge
For ADN-prepared RNs. Adds 12 to 18 months of BSN-level coursework before the master’s begins. In Alabama, Samford, Troy, and University of Mobile all offer RN-to-MSN bridge pathways into NP tracks. Total time-to-degree typically 3 to 4 years.
3. BSN-to-DNP (Doctoral-Entry NP)
Aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement. Combines NP specialty training with doctoral coursework over 3 to 4 years and roughly 1,000 clinical hours. 11 Alabama schools offer a DNP program — see the Alabama DNP programs guide.
4. Post-Master’s Certificate
For nurses who already hold an MSN-NP and want to add a specialty. Length: 12 to 24 months and roughly 500 clinical hours. Alabama post-master’s certificate options include UAB, U of Alabama, and Samford.
5. Accelerated & Direct-Entry
For career changers with a non-nursing bachelor’s. Accelerated BSN (12 to 16 months) then NP master’s or DNP track. Alabama’s flagship direct-entry option is UAB’s Accelerated BSN-to-MSN pathway. Total time-to-licensure: typically 4 to 5 years.
Fast & Affordable Alabama NP Programs (Editorial Picks)
These editorial picks balance time-to-degree, total program cost, and accreditation. All are CCNE or ACEN accredited and currently enrolling Alabama residents.
Fastest Alabama NP Programs
- Troy University — Online MSN-FNP: Multiple intakes per year; accelerated hybrid delivery.
- Samford University — MSN-FNP: Birmingham hybrid; 5-semester full-time cohort.
- Jacksonville State University — MSN-FNP: Northeast Alabama hybrid; year-round enrollment.
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Post-Master’s NP Certificate: 12 to 18 months for current MSN holders.
Most Affordable Alabama NP Programs
- University of North Alabama — MSN-FNP: Public Alabama tuition at one of the lowest per-credit rates.
- University of Alabama in Huntsville — MSN-NP: Public UAH tuition; strong North Alabama clinical pipeline.
- Auburn University at Montgomery — MSN-NP: Public AUM tuition with capital-region placements.
- Jacksonville State University — MSN-FNP: Public JSU tuition; competitive Anniston/Gadsden clinical network.
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — MSN-NP: Public UAB tuition; nationally-ranked nursing school.
Alabama Schools Offering Popular NP Specialties
The matrix below maps Alabama NP-track schools to the two most-published specialty paths — FNP and DNP entry.
Family NP (FNP)
The most common specialty in Alabama. All 11 schools listed on this page offer an FNP track.
- Auburn University
- Auburn University at Montgomery
- Jacksonville State University
- Samford University
- Troy University
- University of Alabama
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- University of Alabama in Huntsville
- University of Mobile
- University of North Alabama
- University of South Alabama
BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP Programs in Alabama
11 Alabama schools offer a DNP program. See the dedicated Alabama DNP programs guide.
- University of Alabama-Birmingham
- Jacksonville State University
- Samford University
- Troy University
- University of Alabama
- University of Alabama-Huntsville
- University of Mobile
- University of South Alabama
- Auburn University
- Auburn University at Montgomery
- University of North Alabama
Nurse Practitioner Programs in Alabama by City & Region
Alabama’s 11 featured NP schools cluster across five regions: Birmingham metro, Tuscaloosa, Auburn/Montgomery, Huntsville/North AL, and Mobile/Gulf Coast.
Birmingham Metro
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham
- Samford University — Homewood
Tuscaloosa
- University of Alabama — Tuscaloosa
Auburn / Montgomery
- Auburn University — Auburn
- Auburn University at Montgomery — Montgomery
- Troy University — Troy
North Alabama
- University of Alabama in Huntsville — Huntsville
- University of North Alabama — Florence
- Jacksonville State University — Jacksonville
Mobile / Gulf Coast
- University of South Alabama — Mobile
- University of Mobile — Mobile
NP Programs in Other States
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nurse practitioner programs are in Alabama?
Alabama has more than 10 accredited nurse practitioner programs across the state. Schools such as the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of South Alabama, Samford University, and the University of Alabama offer a wide range of NP specializations including FNP, AGNP, PNP, PMHNP, and DNP pathways. Most programs hold CCNE accreditation, with some accredited by ACEN.
What are the requirements to become a nurse practitioner in Alabama?
To become a nurse practitioner in Alabama, you must hold an active RN license, complete an accredited graduate-level NP program (MSN or DNP), and pass a national certification exam in your specialty area. You then apply for CRNP licensure through the Alabama Board of Nursing. Alabama requires a collaborative practice agreement with a physician, though recent legislative efforts have aimed at expanding NP practice authority.
Can I complete an NP program online in Alabama?
Yes, many Alabama NP programs offer online or hybrid formats that allow working nurses to continue their education while maintaining employment. Schools like the University of Alabama, Troy University, and Auburn University at Montgomery offer online MSN and DNP options. Clinical hours are typically completed at approved sites near your location.
What is the average salary for a nurse practitioner in Alabama?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners in Alabama earn an average annual salary that is competitive with national figures, though it varies by specialty and location. NPs working in metropolitan areas like Birmingham and Huntsville tend to earn higher salaries. Specializations such as psychiatric mental health NP and acute care NP often command higher compensation.