Delaware NP Programs at a Glance
| State practice authority | Full Practice Authority – NPs evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe independently |
| Delaware Board of Nursing | Delaware Board of Nursing |
| Delaware median NP wage | ~$125,000 (Payscale/BLS, 2024). See Delaware state OES tables for current detail. |
| National median NP wage | $129,210/year (BLS, May 2024) |
| Projected NP job growth | 46% (2023–2033) nationally – one of the fastest-growing professions |
| Primary accreditors | CCNE · ACEN |
| Common NP specialty tracks | FNP, AGNP (Primary/Acute), PMHNP, PNP, WHNP, NNP |
| Typical program length | 2–3 years (MSN-NP) or 3–4 years (BSN-to-DNP), full-time post-BSN |
Our Editorial Process
This guide is written by a credentialed nurse and reviewed against source-of-truth references at least annually. Program accreditation is verified against the CCNE program directory and ACEN directory. Delaware licensure information is verified against the Delaware Board of Nursing. Salary and growth figures come directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Delaware data. Read our full editorial standards.
2026 Updates for Delaware NP Programs
- Delaware practice authority. Delaware is a Full Practice Authority state. Licensed nurse practitioners can evaluate, diagnose, order tests, and prescribe medications independently of physician supervision. Delaware is one of 27 states + DC granting full NP autonomy under state law.
- BLS data refresh (May 2024 OES). National median NP wage is now $129,210; Delaware-specific data is published in the Delaware state OES tables.
- Projected NP job growth. 46% projected employment growth from 2023 to 2033 nationally – one of the fastest-growing occupations the BLS tracks.
- AACN 2025 Position Statement. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reaffirmed the DNP as the preferred terminal degree for advanced practice. BSN-to-DNP and post-master’s DNP pathways continue to be the dominant educational routes for new NPs in Delaware.
- Telehealth permanence. Federal and state telehealth flexibilities introduced during 2020 have largely been made permanent, expanding remote NP roles across primary care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.
- PMHNP demand surge. Mental health workforce shortages are particularly acute nationwide; PMHNP-specific job postings have outpaced general NP postings consistently. See our PMHNP career guide.
Physician shortages across the country are projected to worsen in the coming years. While this is likely to affect states across the country, Delaware faces some unique challenges. One of them is that the state only has one medical school, making it challenging to attract and keep physicians in the First State. Of Delaware’s three counties, Kent and Sussex, the more rural of the three, have been designated as medically underserved areas.
In 2021, Delaware enacted a law giving nurse practitioners in the state full practice authority, meaning they can practice independently. This law gives nurses a unique opportunity to fill these healthcare gaps, particularly in the rural areas that are disproportionately affected.
Delaware may be a small state, but it offers many opportunities for nurse practitioners. There are two organizations, the Advanced Practice Nurse Council of the Delaware Nurses Association and the Delaware Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, where advanced practice nurses can network, and multiple hospital systems where they can work. These include Christiana Care Health System, Bayhealth, and St Francis Healthcare.
There are also plenty of ways to spend your free time in this state. Head to Rehoboth Beach and spend the day on the boardwalk, spend a day in historical Lewes, head to Cape Henlopen State Park to spot the wildlife, or go for a long bike ride on the trails at Cape Henlopen State Park.
In Delaware, there are three universities where interested nurses can pursue a nurse practitioner degree. These universities and their programs are detailed below.
Program Overview:
Delaware State University has two locations, one in the northern part of the state in Wilmington and the other about 50 miles south in downtown Dover. (The university acquired Wesley College in 2021 and renamed it DSU Downtown.) DSU has a long and unique history dating back to 1891 when it was established as the Delaware College for Colored Students. Today, it is one of the country’s premier Historically Black Colleges and Universities and serves a diverse population.
The Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at DSU offers an online BSN to FNP option that emphasizes holistic, evidence-based care and addresses healthcare disparities. This program consists of 47 credits and 765 in-person clinical hours over 16 courses, offered in eight- or sixteen-week blocks. Students have 24/7 access to online courses and can complete the program in two to 2.5 years.
Program Overview:
The University of Delaware is one of the oldest universities in the country, with roots dating back to 1743. It began as an institution for educating clergy, originally located in New London, Pennsylvania. By 1765, the college relocated to Newark, Delaware, and was renamed Delaware College in 1843. A women’s college opened in 1914, and in 1921, the two schools merged and became the University of Delaware.
The School of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences offers multiple NP pathways. The online BSN to FNP program is 48 credits with 816 clinical hours. UD also offers master’s-level NP options for those wishing to pursue a 42-credit BSN to AGNP Acute Care program with 816 clinical hours, a 45-credit BSN to AGNP Primary Care program with 748 clinical hours, and a 44-credit BSN to PNP option with 816 clinical hours. These programs are designed to be completed in three years, and nurses can complete them while working full-time.
UD also offers two doctorate programs for BSN-prepared nurses. Both the BSN to DNP FNP option and the BSN to DNP AGNP Primary Care require 81 credit hours and 1120 clinical hours. While the MSN programs offer programs 100% online, the DNP tracks offer some online courses combined with on-campus learning. Students may have to come to campus between two and eight days a semester.
Multiple post-graduate certificates are available at UD, too, including a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP, a Post-Graduate certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care, a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary Care, and a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP. Specific requirements vary from one program to the next, but they can generally be completed in one or two years with part-time study, and most require 500 clinical hours. Students will be given a formal gap analysis of previously completed coursework to determine if they are eligible for a reduction in coursework.
Program Overview:
Established in 1968, Wilmington University is a private nonprofit that serves a wide range of students, including working adults and non-traditional students. The College of Health Professions & Natural Sciences offers several flexible options for those who wish to pursue an NP degree.
The BSN to FNP option is available in two formats, online and hybrid, with in-person classes held at the Dover and Brandywine campuses. This program is 55 credits with a minimum of 700 clinical hours and takes seven semesters to complete. The hybrid option consists of a combination of online learning and synchronous virtual classes with two in-person seminars twice a year during practicums.
Wilmington University also offers a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP option for nurses who already hold an MSN in another discipline. This program requires 700 clinical hours and has 55 credits. Each student will undergo a gap analysis to determine what courses they must complete. Courses are offered online and in-person at the New Castle, Brandywine, and Dover campuses.
Nurses also have the option of a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP and DNP, which is the only NP DNP option in the state. This dual degree program allows students to earn a post-master’s certificate and doctorate at the same time. The program is 75 credits total. The Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate portion is 42 credits and 700 clinical hours and the DNP portion is 33 credits. Note that this program requires students to apply to both the Post-Masters Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program and the DNP program, and acceptance into one does not guarantee acceptance to the other. These programs are offered online and in a traditional classroom setting, and in-person classes are held on the New Castle campus.
Educational Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Delaware
Five distinct routes appear across the NP schools listed on this page. Each suits a different starting credential and timeline. All five satisfy the Delaware Board of Nursing APRN-certification requirements when paired with national NP certification.
1. MSN-NP (Most Common Route)
The traditional Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty track. Designed for working RNs who already hold a BSN. Typical length: 2 to 3 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time, with 500 to 750 clinical hours. Delaware MSN-NP options are anchored by the University of Delaware (Newark) and Wilmington University. Delaware State University (Dover) runs an MSN-FNP track serving central Delaware.
2. RN-to-MSN Bridge (No BSN Required)
For ADN-prepared RNs who want to skip a separate BSN program. The bridge adds 12 to 18 months of BSN-level coursework before the master’s component begins. In Delaware, Wilmington University and Delaware State University both offer RN-to-MSN bridge pathways into NP tracks. Total time-to-degree typically lands at 3 to 4 years. See the broader top RN-to-NP programs ranking.
3. BSN-to-DNP (Doctoral-Entry NP)
Aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement. Combines NP-specialty training with terminal-degree coursework over 3 to 4 years and roughly 1,000 clinical hours. 2 Delaware schools offer a DNP program — see the full Delaware DNP programs guide for state-specific detail, or online BSN-to-DNP programs for ranked national options.
4. Post-Master’s Certificate (Existing MSN Holders)
For nurses who already hold a master’s-level NP credential and want to add a second specialty — an FNP adding AGNP, an FNP adding PMHNP, etc. Typical length: 12 to 24 months and ~500 clinical hours. Delaware post-master’s certificate options are concentrated at the University of Delaware. The NP Certifications hub covers the certificate landscape in depth.
5. Accelerated & Direct-Entry (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)
For career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The student earns an accelerated BSN first (12 to 16 months), then enters an NP master’s or DNP track. Delaware’s direct-entry option is the University of Delaware’s Master of Science in Nursing entry pathway for non-nursing bachelor’s holders. Total time-to-NP-licensure: typically 4 to 5 years from start of accelerated BSN.
Fast & Affordable Delaware NP Programs (Editorial Picks)
These editorial picks balance time-to-degree, total program cost, and accreditation. All programs listed are CCNE or ACEN accredited and confirmed to currently enroll Delaware residents.
Fastest Delaware NP Programs
- Wilmington University — MSN-FNP: Multiple monthly intakes; accelerated track for working RNs across the Mid-Atlantic.
- Delaware State University — MSN-FNP: Dover-based HBCU with 24-month accelerated path.
- University of Delaware — Post-Master’s NP Certificate: 12 to 18 months for current MSN holders adding a Delaware specialty.
Most Affordable Delaware NP Programs (In-State Tuition)
- University of Delaware — MSN-NP: Public flagship tuition with the broadest specialty footprint in Delaware.
- Delaware State University — MSN-FNP: Public HBCU tuition with competitive in-state rate.
- Wilmington University — MSN-FNP: Private nonprofit with competitive per-credit rate and year-round enrollment.
Delaware Schools Offering Popular NP Specialties
The matrix below maps Delaware NP-track schools to the two most-published specialty paths in the state — FNP and DNP entry. Most Delaware schools lead with FNP at the master’s level; 2 schools offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice option. Each H3 links to the relevant child page.
Family NP (FNP)
The most common specialty in Delaware. All 3 schools listed on this page offer an FNP track in some format — MSN, BSN-to-DNP, or post-master’s certificate.
- Delaware State University
- University of Delaware
- Wilmington University
BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP Programs in Delaware
Aligned with the AACN 2025 DNP position statement. The 2 Delaware schools below offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. See the dedicated Delaware DNP programs guide for admissions detail.
- University of Delaware
- Wilmington University
Nurse Practitioner Programs in Delaware by City & Region
Delaware’s 3 featured NP schools span the state’s small geography: New Castle County (University of Delaware in Newark, Wilmington University with multiple campuses) and Kent County (Delaware State in Dover).
New Castle County
- University of Delaware — Newark
- Wilmington University — New Castle / multi-campus
Kent County
- Delaware State University — Dover
