Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) treat children of all ages, from birth to adolescence and even into young adulthood. They generally specialize in either acute or primary care. Like all NPs, the scope of practice of PNPs is defined by state law. As of 2022, New York began granting full practice authority to NPs with over 3,600 hours of practice, meaning that PNPs in the state can practice independently after getting the required amount of experience. Explore all New York nurse practitioner programs, or browse other specialties like FNP, AGNP, and DNP programs. Learn more about what pediatric nurse practitioners do and how to become one.
Nurses who want to pursue a PNP degree have many options in New York, whether they’re looking for on-campus or distance learning.
How to choose a PNP program in New York
New York has 7 CCNE-accredited PNP programs, concentrated around major pediatric academic medical centers: Columbia (NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s), NYU Meyers (Hassenfeld Children’s), Stony Brook (Stony Brook Children’s), University of Rochester (Golisano Children’s), Upstate Medical (Upstate Golisano Children’s), CUNY Lehman, and Molloy. First pick: PNP-PC (primary care) vs. PNP-AC (acute/inpatient).
Certification runs through PNCB. Because NY’s pediatric clinical sites are concentrated in NYC, Long Island, and Rochester/Syracuse corridors, applicants should factor clinical-placement geography early. Upstate RNs often commute or relocate to NYC metro for preceptor access, which is worth weighing against online-forward programs in other states.
New York PNP Programs: Key Facts for 2026
- 7+ CCNE-accredited and ACEN-accredited Pediatric NP (PNP-PC/PNP-AC) programs in New York at the MSN or DNP level.
- NY NP mean annual wage: approximately $146,000 per BLS OEWS data. NYC metro pays well above the statewide average.
- Scope of practice: Under the NY NP Modernization Act, NPs with 3,600+ hours of qualifying practice experience can practice without a written collaborative agreement. New York State Education Department Office of the Professions oversees licensure.
- National job growth: NPs projected to see 40%+ growth 2024–2034 per BLS OOH.
- PNP-PC vs. PNP-AC — Primary Care for pediatric clinics and ambulatory settings; Acute Care for inpatient/ICU/specialty services. Separate certifications via PNCB.
- Academic-medical-center depth — Columbia (NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s), NYU Meyers (Hassenfeld), University of Rochester (Golisano Children’s), Stony Brook (Stony Brook Children’s) all anchor PNP training in major pediatric systems.
New York BSN to Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs
BSN-prepared nurses have several options when pursuing a PNP degree in New York, including doctorate programs for those who want to advance their education.
Columbia University
- New York, New York
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 82 to 83
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $25,312 per term plus fees
Program Overview:
Columbia’s PNP offering is the on-campus BSN to DNP Pediatric Primary Care track, which runs about two years full-time at the Washington Heights campus. Clinical rotations draw from the tri-state network of affiliated sites, and students train in the Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation Center. The program fits applicants who want Ivy-affiliated clinical placements and can commit to full-time in-person coursework rather than hybrid or online schedules.
CUNY Lehman College
- Bronx, New York
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: Varies
Program Overview:
Lehman is the CUNY pick for nurses who want an NYC public-system PNP at in-state tuition. The entry-level BSN to PNP runs 45 credits across 12 courses. The BSN/MSN to DNP PNP moves to 85 credits for BSN entrants and 69 for MSN entrants, with cohorts meeting in person one day a week in the Bronx. MSN-prepared NPs adding pediatrics can enter the 39-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP. CUNY’s published tuition sits well below NYC private programs, which is the main reason applicants pick Lehman over Columbia or NYU.
Molloy College
- Rockville Centre, New York
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,450 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Molloy sits on Long Island and positions itself as a part-time-friendly private alternative to Columbia and NYU for students who don’t want to commute into Manhattan. The BSN to PNP in Primary Care runs 42 credits with 600 clinical hours. The BSN to DNP PNP adds up to 67-70 credits and 1,000 clinical hours and typically takes around five years part-time. MSN-prepared NPs can enter the 27-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP with 500 clinical hours. There is also an MSN to DNP FNP option for nurses who want the doctorate without switching specialties.
New York University
- New York, New York
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $2,400 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
NYU Rory Meyers is built for students who want dual-specialty training at a major Manhattan academic medical center. The 39-credit BSN to PNP Primary Care is the single-specialty option. The 50-credit BSN to PNP Acute/Primary Care dual-specializes graduates across both practice settings, which few NY PNP programs offer. Both tracks are campus-based with hands-on simulation training in the Clinical Simulation Learning Center. Post-MSN NPs can layer on pediatrics through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP Primary Care or the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP Acute Care tracks.
Stony Brook University
- Stony Brook, New York
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: Varies per program; ranges between $471 and $1,047 + fees for residents and $1,097 and $1,394 + fees for non-residents.
Program Overview:
Stony Brook is the SUNY option on Long Island and offers the broadest menu of PNP entry points in the state. At the master’s level, the 45-credit BSN to PNP Acute Care and 45-credit BSN to PNP Primary tracks run mostly online with periodic on-campus requirements, and both accept RNs who hold a diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s in a non-nursing field. At the doctoral level, the BSN to DNP PNP Acute Care and BSN to DNP PNP Primary Care tracks each run 87 credits with 1,000 clinical hours and admit only BSN-prepared applicants. Post-MSN NPs can add pediatrics through the Post-Graduate MSN to PNP Acute Care or Post-Graduate MSN to PNP Primary Care tracks.
University of Rochester
- Rochester, New York
- Online + Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Online or hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,740 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The University of Rochester runs the deepest PNP catalog in upstate New York, and its lineup includes a dual pediatric/neonatal track that is uncommon nationally. The BSN to PNP Primary Care master’s is 45 credits with 616 clinical hours. The BSN to DNP PNP delivers most coursework online but requires on-campus intensives throughout. MSN-prepared nurses can continue through the MSN to DNP PNP track or add pediatrics through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP. The BSN to PNP/NNP dual-specialization program runs 54-58 credits and 976-1,216 clinical hours, and qualifies graduates to practice across pediatric and neonatal populations.
Upstate Medical University
- Syracuse, New York
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: Varies
Program Overview:
The PNP catalog at Upstate Medical University is DNP-only, with flexible scheduling across three entry points. The BSN to DNP PNP is 87 credits with 1,000 clinical hours delivered in hybrid format. The MSN to DNP PNP track runs 40 credits with 500 project hours and 575 clinical hours and is fully online, which fits working NPs in central or upstate NY who can’t relocate. MSN-prepared nurses in other specialties can cross-train through the hybrid Post-Graduate MSN to PNP certificate.
Online New York PNP Programs
All NY PNP programs require in-person clinical hours because precepted practice can’t be done remotely. Where they differ is on classroom delivery. The fully-online option is the MSN to DNP PNP track at Upstate Medical University, which admits only already-certified PNPs extending into a doctorate. For master’s-level applicants, the programs with the lightest on-campus footprint are Stony Brook University (mostly online with periodic on-site requirements) and the University of Rochester (online coursework with scheduled on-campus intensives). Columbia University and NYU Rory Meyers remain fully campus-based for their PNP tracks.
Best PNP Programs in New York
The best fit depends on what you’re training for. For dual-specialty training, two programs stand out: the BSN to PNP Acute/Primary Care dual track at NYU Rory Meyers and the BSN to PNP/NNP pediatric/neonatal dual track at the University of Rochester, both uncommon nationally. For nurses who want an Ivy-affiliated NYC academic medical center, Columbia University’s campus-based BSN to DNP PNP Primary Care is the clearest pick. For the widest SUNY-system catalog, Stony Brook University runs master’s and DNP tracks in both acute and primary care and accepts RNs without a traditional BSN. Molloy College and CUNY Lehman College fill out the Long Island-private and NYC-public lanes respectively.
New York Most Affordable PNP Programs
Cost per credit varies by school, and each layers its own fees, so exact totals depend on residency status and whether the program runs at MSN or DNP rates. By published per-credit tuition, CUNY Lehman College is the most affordable option in the state, followed by SUNY programs at Stony Brook University and Upstate Medical University. Among private programs, Molloy College sits at the lower end of the private tier.
PNP Licensure Requirements in New York
To practice as a pediatric nurse practitioner in New York, candidates must hold a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited NP program with a pediatric focus. After graduating, PNPs must pass a national certification exam through either the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). New York requires NPs to complete 3,600 hours of supervised practice before gaining full practice authority, after which they can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications independently.
Career Outlook for PNPs in New York
New York is one of the strongest job markets for pediatric nurse practitioners in the country, with major pediatric hospitals and health systems concentrated in New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo. PNPs work in settings such as pediatric primary care clinics, children’s hospitals, neonatal intensive care units, school-based health centers, and specialty practices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners in New York earn a median annual salary that is among the highest in the nation, and demand continues to grow as the state expands access to pediatric healthcare in underserved communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a PNP-PC and a PNP-AC?
A PNP-PC (Primary Care) focuses on well-child visits, preventive care, and managing chronic conditions in outpatient settings. A PNP-AC (Acute Care) works with critically ill or injured children, typically in hospital or emergency settings.
How many PNP programs are available in New York?
New York currently has 7 universities offering pediatric nurse practitioner programs, including Columbia University, New York University, Stony Brook University, and the University of Rochester.
Can PNPs prescribe medication in New York?
Yes. After completing 3,600 hours of collaborative practice, PNPs in New York gain full practice authority and can prescribe medications, including controlled substances, independently.
What is the average salary for a PNP in New York?
Pediatric nurse practitioners in New York earn competitive salaries, with median pay well above the national average for NPs. Salaries vary based on location, employer, and experience, with New York City-area PNPs typically earning the most.