Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) treat patients from birth to adolescence and even into young adulthood. Like all NPs in PA, they must complete a collaborative agreement period before practicing independently. Pennsylvania became a Full Practice Authority state in 2025 under Act 68, allowing NPs to practice independently after a three-year collaborative period.
Nurses who want to pursue a PNP degree, whether in acute or primary care, have a few options in Pennsylvania, whether they’re looking for on-campus or distance learning.
Pennsylvania BSN to Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs
BSN-prepared nurses have several options when pursuing a PNP degree in Pennsylvania, including acute and primary care options and doctorate programs for those wanting to advance their education.
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,115 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions runs the most comprehensive PNP catalog in PA, with three BSN-to-MSN tracks and matching post-graduate certificates. The BSN to PNP Acute Care runs 57 quarter credits with 720 clinical hours. The BSN to PNP Primary Care is 52 quarter credits with 640 clinical hours. The BSN to PNP Acute/Primary Dual track dual-specializes graduates at 62 quarter credits with 1,000 clinical hours, which is uncommon in PA and nationally. MSN-prepared PNPs can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP in Acute Care, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP in Primary Care, or Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP Acute/Primary Dual tracks.
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy offers a CCNE-accredited MSN with a Primary Care PNP concentration delivered in a flexible online format. The program runs 585 clinical practice hours and prepares graduates to practice primary care with children from birth through age 21. Typical completion is about two years for working nurses, which fits the working-RN audience Gwynedd Mercy targets.
Thomas Jefferson University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $1,298 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Thomas Jefferson runs a flexible BSN to PNP Primary Care that combines online coursework with on-site clinicals at the Center City or Dixon Campus. Students attend a mandatory in-person orientation and build individualized plans of study, which lets those with capacity take more than two classes per term. MSN-prepared nurses in other specialties can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP, with credit load set by gap analysis of prior coursework.
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varier
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $6,392 per course unit
Program Overview:
Penn’s School of Nursing runs the deepest acute-care PNP catalog in PA, with three specialized tracks that aren’t available elsewhere in the state. The BSN to PNP Acute/Chronic runs 12 courses and can finish in one calendar year, delivered on-campus. The BSN to PNP Critical Care concentration prepares graduates to practice in pediatric ICUs and requires at least one year of prior pediatric ICU RN experience plus an eight-month clinical preceptorship. The BSN to PNP Oncology concentration requires at least one year (two recommended) of pediatric oncology RN experience before admission. The subspecialty tracks are a clear signal that Penn positions itself as the PA academic medical center option for high-acuity pediatric practice.
University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,231 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Pitt’s DNP-focused PNP catalog runs three entry points at the doctoral level. The BSN to DNP PNP in Primary Care is 84 credits with 1,000 clinical hours. MSN-prepared PNPs can continue through the MSN to DNP PNP in Primary Care or MSN to DNP PNP in Acute Care tracks, each 37 credits and 1,000 clinical hours. For MSN-prepared nurses in other specialties, the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN/DNP to PNP in Acute Care runs 18 to 21 credits with 500 clinical hours. Pitt’s partnership with UPMC gives students clinical placements across the Western PA academic medical center network.
Villanova University
- Villanova, Pennsylvania
- Hybrid + Campus + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 610
Tuition: $1,050 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Villanova’s BSN to PNP in Primary Care allows seven core courses in an asynchronous, synchronous, or hybrid format, with upper-level courses and clinicals completed in person. Students complete clinical rotations across PA, New Jersey, and Delaware, which fits applicants across the Philadelphia metro. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the 30-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP in Primary Care, which runs 610 clinical hours and finishes in as little as 18 months.
Pennsylvania Online PNP Programs
Every PA PNP program requires in-person clinical hours because precepted pediatric practice can’t be done remotely. Among the six options in the state, Villanova University offers the lightest on-campus footprint: core classes run asynchronously online with campus visits only for clinicals. Thomas Jefferson and Drexel both run hybrid schedules with online coursework plus periodic on-site sessions. Penn and Pitt remain campus-based for their PNP tracks, which trade flexibility for access to the academic medical center clinical networks.
PNP Salary in Pennsylvania
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania earn a mean annual wage of approximately $124,590, with the national median at $129,210. PNPs specializing in pediatric care are in strong demand as children’s hospitals and pediatric clinics across Pennsylvania continue to expand. Salaries vary by setting and region, with hospital-based PNPs and those in the Philadelphia metro area typically earning more. Pennsylvania is now a Full Practice Authority state, which may further enhance PNP career opportunities and earning potential.
Compare PNP Programs in Pennsylvania
| School | Degree Type | Specializations | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drexel University | MSN | PNP-AC, PNP-PC, Dual AC/PC | Online + Campus |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | MSN | PNP-PC | Online |
| Thomas Jefferson University | MSN | PNP-PC | Hybrid |
| University of Pennsylvania | MSN | PNP Acute/Chronic, PNP Critical Care | On-Campus |
| University of Pittsburgh | DNP | PNP-PC, MSN to DNP | Varies |
| Villanova University | MSN | PNP-PC | Hybrid |
Best PNP Programs in Pennsylvania
What counts as best depends on what you’re training for. For subspecialty depth, the University of Pennsylvania is the clear pick — Penn runs BSN-to-PNP tracks in Acute/Chronic, Critical Care, and Oncology, and the Critical Care and Oncology concentrations aren’t available elsewhere in PA. The University of Pittsburgh positions itself as the DNP-first option with matched primary and acute care doctoral tracks and clinical placements across the UPMC network. Drexel is the choice for dual-specialty training, with a BSN-to-PNP Acute/Primary Dual track that’s uncommon in PA and nationally. Thomas Jefferson fits applicants who want flexible delivery without sacrificing access to a Philadelphia academic medical center.
Pennsylvania’s Most Affordable PNP Programs
Per-credit tuition on PNP programs in PA sits in the $1,000+ tier because all six options are at private schools — there’s no SUNY/CUNY-style public PNP track in the state. The most affordable per published rates are Villanova University at $1,050 per credit plus fees and Drexel University at $1,115 per credit plus fees. Gwynedd Mercy, Thomas Jefferson, and the two research-tier schools (Penn and Pitt) sit at higher per-credit rates, though fee structures and scholarship availability vary widely. Total program cost depends heavily on fees and pace of completion.
Where PNPs Work in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has several major children’s hospitals that employ PNPs. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is one of the top-ranked pediatric hospitals in the country and hires PNPs across primary care, specialty clinics, and inpatient units. UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia also employ PNPs in a range of clinical settings.
Outside hospital systems, PNPs in Pennsylvania work in pediatric primary care offices, school-based health centers, and community health clinics. Rural parts of the state, especially in the northern tier and western counties, have ongoing shortages of pediatric providers. Since Pennsylvania became a Full Practice Authority state under Act 68 in 2025, PNPs who complete the three-year collaborative period can practice and prescribe independently, which has made rural practice more feasible for PNPs working in underserved areas.
Interested in other NP specializations in Pennsylvania? See our Pennsylvania nurse practitioner programs page for a full list of schools, or explore FNP programs, AGNP programs, and DNP programs in the state. For more about pediatric NP education nationally, visit our Pediatric Nurse Practitioner guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About PNP Programs in Pennsylvania
How many PNP programs are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania offers PNP programs at five accredited universities: Drexel University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, and Villanova University. Programs are available in both primary care and acute care specializations.
What is the average PNP salary in Pennsylvania?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania earn a mean annual wage of approximately $124,590. Salaries vary by employer, location, and experience, with hospital-based PNPs in metropolitan areas earning more.
What is the difference between PNP-PC and PNP-AC?
PNP-PC (Primary Care) prepares nurses for outpatient and preventive pediatric care, including well-child visits and chronic disease management. PNP-AC (Acute Care) trains nurses to work with acutely ill or injured children in hospitals, emergency departments, and intensive care settings.
Can PNPs practice independently in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania became a Full Practice Authority state under Act 68 of 2022, effective in 2025. After completing a three-year collaborative agreement period, PNPs can practice independently without physician oversight.
Are there online PNP programs in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Drexel University offers online PNP programs with on-campus requirements, and several other Pennsylvania schools offer hybrid formats that combine online coursework with in-person clinical rotations.