Update: As of 2025, the South University-Austin campus is no longer enrolling new students. South University continues to offer the MSN-FNP online through other campus locations. Prospective students should verify current program availability directly with South University.
There are numerous universities in the state of Texas that offer nurse practitioner programs, reflecting the state’s commitment to meeting its growing healthcare needs. As a leader in nursing education, Texas is home to several CCNE-accredited institutions that provide a wide range of NP specialties. There are also various learning options that suit the schedules of busy full-time nurses.
Whether you’re motivated to serve in one of Texas’s rural communities or simply want to advance your role in a major healthcare system, Texas’ NP programs can equip you with the advanced clinical skills and leadership training necessary to make a meaningful impact. Be sure to check any of the programs below, or explore our lists of FNP programs, AGNP programs, or PNP programs in the state.
What to know about Texas NP programs before you apply
Of the 35 Texas NP programs below, only three deliver fully asynchronous online didactic coursework: Schreiner, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Houston Christian University. Every other program requires some combination of on-campus intensives, synchronous online sessions, or in-person clinical cohort meetings. For RNs in Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, that limitation matters less because most programs sit within driving range. For RNs working night shifts in El Paso, Amarillo, or the Rio Grande Valley, the practical shortlist narrows considerably.
Texas NP tuition runs a wider range than most states. At the low end, West Texas A&M charges $50 per statutory credit for Texas residents. At the high end, TCU runs $2,210 per credit. Public universities typically price between $250 and $750 per credit; private programs typically price above that. Per-credit pricing is only part of the picture. Program length, required fees, and whether clinical placement carries its own fee all shift the real total.
Texas Nurse Practitioner Programs: Key Facts for 2026
- 35+ CCNE-accredited NP programs — Texas has one of the largest and most varied NP pipelines in the country, with programs across major medical centers, regional public universities, and private institutions.
- Reduced practice authority — Texas NPs must maintain a collaborative practice agreement with a physician under Texas Occupations Code § 157.0512.
- Salary and employment — Texas employs more than 14,000 NPs per BLS OEWS, one of the largest NP workforces in the U.S.
- Regulatory body — Texas Board of Nursing oversees APRN licensure and renewal.
- Job growth — BLS projects 40% employment growth for NPs from 2023 to 2033, among the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S.
- Most affordable option — West Texas A&M University at $50 per statutory credit hour for Texas residents (46-credit MSN-FNP).
- Broadest specialty menu — The University of Texas at Arlington offers seven NP specialties including FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PNP-AC, PNP-PC, and Neonatal.
- Top-ranked nationally — UT Health San Antonio and UT Austin regularly place among U.S. News top 50 nursing graduate programs.
- Best 100% online options — Schreiner University, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Houston Christian University offer fully online MSN-FNP programs, all CCNE-accredited.
- Specialties offered statewide — FNP (all programs), PMHNP (15+), AGNP (10+), PNP (6), Neonatal NP (UT Arlington, UT Austin), Nurse Midwifery (TWU, UTMB), CRNA (TCU, UT Health SA, UIW, Texas Wesleyan).
Texas NP Program Comparison (2026)
The table below summarizes modality, credits, clinical-hour requirements, and tuition for each CCNE-accredited nurse practitioner program in Texas. Tuition figures reflect published rates at the time of audit. Dashes indicate data that is not publicly listed in a standard per-credit format — contact the program directly for the most current numbers.
| Program | Modality | Credits | Clinical Hours | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelo State University | Online | 49 | 600+ | $654–$920/credit |
| Baylor University | Online | 77 (BSN-DNP) | 1,125 | $1,150/credit |
| East Texas A&M University | Hybrid | 46 | 500+ | ~$18,768 total in-state |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Online | 44 | 500+ | ~$34,700 total (25–26) |
| Houston Christian University | Online | 46 | 733 | $530/credit |
| Lubbock Christian University | Hybrid | 46 | 750 | ~$535/credit |
| McMurry University | Hybrid | 44 | 500+ | Via Patty Hanks Shelton consortium |
| Midwestern State University | Online + visits | 48 | 512 | ~$9,601/yr in-state |
| Prairie View A&M University | Hybrid | 53 | 780 | ~$22,000 total in-state |
| Schreiner University | Online | 54 | 750 | $560/credit |
| St. Edward’s University | Online + intensives | 47 | 600 | Contact program |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | Online | 46 | 720 | ~$11,128/yr |
| Texas A&M International University | Online | 48 | 405 | $77/credit resident (~$17,616 total) |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | Online | 50.5 | 500+ | $661.50/credit |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | Hybrid | 49 | 630 | $506/credit |
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana | Hybrid | 49 | 500+ | ~$11–$13k total in-state |
| Texas Christian University | Hybrid | 68–70 (BSN-DNP) | 1,000+ | $2,210/credit |
| Texas State University | Online + intensives | 43 (FNP) / 40 (PMHNP) | 705 / 840 | ~$23,041 FNP / ~$17,820 PMHNP |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Online | 48 | 630 | ~$22–$25k total |
| Texas Wesleyan University | Online + in-person | 48 (MSN) / 86 (DNP) | 855 / 1,035 | $747/credit |
| Texas Woman’s University | Online | 45 / 40 (DNP) | 780 / 540 | $634.70/credit |
| University of Houston | Hybrid | 47 | 500+ | ~$29,095 total |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Online | 45 | 630 | $1,160/credit |
| University of St. Thomas – TX | Hybrid | 47–50 | 500 | $1,243/credit |
| University of the Incarnate Word | Hybrid | 77 / 76 | 1,152 / 1,216 | $1,060–$1,215/credit |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | Online | 46 | 720 | ~$26,814–$30,084 total |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Hybrid | 45 (DNP) | 840+ | $1,418 resident / $2,035 non-resident per credit |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | Online | 33–49 | 675–775 | ~$552/credit |
| The University of Texas at Tyler | Online + intensives | 47 / 49 | 675 / 750 | ~$25,720 FNP / ~$27,150 PMHNP |
| UT Health Science Center at Houston | Hybrid | 79 (BSN-DNP) | 1,000+ | $248/credit resident |
| UT Health Science Center at San Antonio | Hybrid | 76 (BSN-DNP) | 1,000+ | ~$9,558/yr in-state |
| UT Medical Branch at Galveston | Online/blended | 44 / 49 | 720+ | $339.61 resident / $747.61 non-res per credit |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | Hybrid | 46 | 500+ | $741.35–$1,161.35/credit |
| West Coast University-Dallas | Online | 53 | 600+ | $700–$810/credit (~$52,210 total) |
| West Texas A&M University | Online/hybrid | 46 | 500+ | $50/credit resident (statutory) |
Nurse Practitioner Programs Accepting Texas Applicants
Program Overview:
Angelo State’s Archer College of Health and Human Services runs a 49-credit online MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner track out of San Angelo. The program requires 600+ clinical hours, with clinicals typically placed in the student’s community in Texas. Angelo State has earned recognition from Fortune, EduMed, and Intelligent.com for its combination of affordability and online quality, and it sits within the Texas Tech University System.
Why Students Should Consider Angelo State University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Affordable for public-program online FNP: Per-credit tuition runs $654–$920, well below private competitors like Baylor ($1,150) or UIW ($1,060–$1,215).
- Rural/West Texas focus: Many students complete clinicals at their local healthcare employer; the program is structured to serve regional NP pipelines.
- Strong certification pass rate: Recent cohorts have reported a 94% pass rate on national FNP certification exams per the school.
Additional Considerations:
- FNP-only at the MSN level: For PMHNP, AGNP, or PNP tracks, look at UT Arlington, Texas State, or Texas Woman’s University.
- Texas clinical requirement: Out-of-state residents must still complete clinicals at Texas-based sites.
- Minimal on-campus time: Coursework is online with occasional clinical intensives required.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (49 credits, 600+ clinical hours)
- Post-Master’s FNP Certificate (25 credits, 600+ clinical hours)
Program Overview:
The Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University runs a three-year online BSN-to-DNP program with concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Both tracks run 77 credits and require 1,125 clinical practicum hours, which is significantly more clinical preparation than most MSN-level FNP programs in Texas. The program is Christian-affiliated and integrates ethics and moral philosophy throughout core coursework.
Why Students Should Consider Baylor University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- AACN-terminal degree from the start: BSN-to-DNP in one pathway, skipping the MSN exit point.
- National ranking: Baylor’s DNP consistently places in the U.S. News top nursing graduate programs.
- 100% online didactic: Courses are asynchronous online; clinicals are arranged in the student’s home community.
Additional Considerations:
- Private tuition: $1,150 per credit for the BSN-DNP track. Budget significantly higher than public Texas options like West Texas A&M or UT Health Houston.
- Heavy clinical load: 1,125 clinical hours is more than most MSN-FNP programs (typically 500–750). Students plan for meaningful time away from paid work during clinical semesters.
- No MSN exit option: If you want to test the waters at MSN level before committing to the DNP, consider Texas Wesleyan or UT Arlington instead.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (77 credits, 1,125 clinical hours)
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (77 credits, 1,125 clinical hours)
- Post-Graduate APRN Certificate
Program Overview:
Hardin-Simmons University delivers its MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program through the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, a Christian-affiliated consortium based in Abilene shared with McMurry University and Abilene Christian University. The 44-credit track runs online with clinicals placed in the student’s community. The consortium structure gives students access to a larger combined faculty pool than any of the three member schools could support individually.
Why Students Should Consider Hardin-Simmons University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Consortium faculty model: Broader nurse-practitioner faculty expertise than a single-institution program of this size.
- Fully online didactic: Coursework is delivered online; clinicals are arranged in the student’s community.
- Christian-mission institution: Applicants should expect values-driven framing in ethics and professional-practice coursework.
Additional Considerations:
- Private tuition: Graduate tuition runs ~$34,700 total for 2025–2026. Public Texas alternatives like West Texas A&M, TAMIU, or UT Health Houston are significantly cheaper per credit.
- Single specialty: FNP only at the MSN level.
- Self-sourced clinical preceptors: Students find their own preceptors with program support.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (44 credits, 500+ clinical hours)
- Post-Master FNP Certificate
Program Overview:
Houston Christian University (formerly Houston Baptist University) delivers 100% online MSN tracks through its Linda R. Dunham School of Nursing. The MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner runs 46 credits with 733 clinical hours, and HCU also offers a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner MSN and Nurse Educator/Nurse Leader tracks. At $530 per credit, HCU is among the more affordable private FNP options in Texas.
Why Students Should Consider Houston Christian University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Fully asynchronous online: All didactic coursework is delivered online; one of only three Texas MSN-FNP programs with no on-campus class requirements.
- PNP-Primary Care option: Rare among private Texas schools. Useful for RNs targeting pediatric primary care specifically.
- Moderate per-credit rate: $530/credit is well below most private Texas programs (UMHB at $1,160, UST at $1,243, UIW at $1,060+).
Additional Considerations:
- Christian mission: HCU is a Baptist institution; applicants should expect faith-framed coursework.
- Student-sourced preceptors: Students are responsible for identifying clinical placement sites.
- Additional fees: $250 per semester graduate technology fee stacks on top of tuition.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (46 credits, 733 clinical hours)
- MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Nurse Educator
- MSN – Nurse Leader
Program Overview:
Lubbock Christian University’s B. Ward Lane College of Professional Studies offers an MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program serving the South Plains region. The 46-credit hybrid program requires 750 clinical hours, which is 50% more than the 500-hour national minimum. LCU is Christian-affiliated and emphasizes service to its regional community.
Why Students Should Consider Lubbock Christian University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- 750 clinical hours: Among the highest MSN-FNP clinical requirements in Texas (most run 500–700).
- Regional focus: Strong clinical relationships in the Lubbock/South Plains area.
- Full-time or part-time: 2-year full-time track or extended part-time pathway.
Additional Considerations:
- Hybrid format: Not fully asynchronous; periodic campus visits are required.
- Christian mission: Faith-driven curriculum framing throughout ethics and professional-practice courses.
- Single specialty: FNP only at the MSN level.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (46 credits, 750 clinical hours)
- Post-MSN FNP Certificate
Program Overview:
McMurry University delivers its MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program through the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing consortium in Abilene, shared with Hardin-Simmons and Abilene Christian University. The FNP track runs 44 credits; McMurry also offers a Nursing Education MSN (33 credits). McMurry is United Methodist-affiliated.
Why Students Should Consider McMurry University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Same consortium as Hardin-Simmons and ACU: Shared faculty pool and resources across three Abilene-area Christian schools.
- Two MSN tracks: FNP and Nursing Education under one administration.
- Methodist institution: Alternative tradition to the consortium’s Baptist (HSU) and Church of Christ (ACU) affiliations.
Additional Considerations:
- Abilene clinical preference: Clinical placements work best for students in the Abilene/West Texas region.
- Single NP specialty: FNP only; no PMHNP, AGNP, or PNP options through McMurry.
- Christian mission: Faith-framed coursework throughout the program.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (44 credits, 500+ clinical hours)
- MSN – Nursing Education (33 credits)
Program Overview:
Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) runs MSN tracks for Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the Wilson School of Nursing in Wichita Falls. Both tracks are 48 credits, and the FNP program requires 512+ clinical hours. MSU Texas is part of the Texas Tech University System and offers one of the lowest graduate-nursing tuition rates in Texas at ~$9,601 per year in-state.
Why Students Should Consider Midwestern State University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Dual-specialty school: Both FNP and PMHNP tracks available, rare among smaller Texas public schools.
- Affordable public tuition: ~$9,601/year in-state is among the lowest graduate nursing rates in Texas.
- Post-master’s certificates: APRNs can add FNP or PMHNP to an existing credential.
Additional Considerations:
- Required on-campus visits: 7 visits for FNP students, 3 for PMHNP students. Not a fit for applicants who need fully asynchronous online.
- Wichita Falls base: Applicants outside the North Texas/Oklahoma border region should factor in travel time for the campus intensives.
- Competitive admissions: Seats are limited relative to applicant volume.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (48 credits, 512+ clinical hours)
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (48 credits)
- Post-Master’s FNP Certificate
- Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate
Program Overview:
Prairie View A&M University’s College of Nursing runs an MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program out of Houston. The 53-credit track requires 780 clinical hours, above the 500-hour national minimum. Prairie View is a Historically Black College and University within the Texas A&M University System and plays a meaningful role in Black and Latino representation across Texas advanced nursing practice.
Why Students Should Consider Prairie View A&M University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- HBCU mission: Strong track record of graduating Black and Latino nurse practitioners, a demographic underrepresented in TX advanced practice nursing.
- TAMU System affiliation: Shared resources with the broader A&M system, including research and clinical partnership infrastructure.
- 780 clinical hours: Above the 500-hour national minimum and on par with Texas Woman’s University.
Additional Considerations:
- Moderate in-state tuition: ~$22,000 total for TX residents. Less expensive than private competitors but more than TAMIU or UT Health Houston.
- Hybrid format: Not fully online; students should plan for periodic campus visits.
- Competitive admissions: Seats are limited relative to applicant volume, particularly for Houston-area clinical placements.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (53 credits, 780 clinical hours)
Program Overview:
Schreiner University runs a 100% online MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program out of its Kerrville campus in the Texas Hill Country. The 54-credit track uses 7-week course blocks with six cohort start dates per year, and it requires 750 clinical hours. At $560 per credit, Schreiner is the cheapest of the three fully online MSN-FNP programs in Texas (alongside UMHB and Houston Christian).
Why Students Should Consider Schreiner University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Six cohort starts per year: Unusual flexibility for RNs who need to start on their own timeline.
- Fully online didactic: No on-campus requirements. One of only three Texas MSN-FNPs with this structure.
- $560/credit: Cheapest of the fully online private MSN-FNP options in Texas.
Additional Considerations:
- Liberal arts institution: Schreiner is a small Presbyterian-heritage university, not a health-sciences specialist campus.
- Self-sourced preceptors: Students identify their own clinical placement sites.
- Single specialty: FNP only at the MSN level.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (54 credits, 750 clinical hours, $560/credit)
Program Overview:
South University’s Austin campus is no longer enrolling new students. South University continues to offer its MSN-FNP online through other campus locations, but the Austin ground campus is inactive. Prospective Texas applicants should verify current program availability directly with South University or consider in-state alternatives listed above.
Why Students Should Consider South University-Austin (Campus Closed)’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- National online MSN-FNP still available: South University’s online MSN-FNP can be pursued from Texas without the Austin campus.
- Transfer option: Students who started at South University-Austin should contact the registrar about transfer pathways.
Additional Considerations:
- Austin campus inactive: No new ground-campus enrollment at the Austin site as of 2025.
- Consider Texas alternatives: Schreiner, UMHB, and Houston Christian offer 100% online MSN-FNP programs that fill a similar niche for Texas applicants.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- Online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (via South University’s online division, not the Austin campus)
Program Overview:
Stephen F. Austin State University’s DeWitt School of Nursing runs online MSN tracks for Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator out of Nacogdoches in East Texas. The MSN-FNP runs 46 credits with 720 clinical hours. As of September 2023, SFA joined the University of Texas System, which expanded research and clinical partnership access across the broader UT network.
Why Students Should Consider Stephen F Austin State University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- UT System affiliation (since 2023): SFA transitioned to the UT System, giving students access to UT-wide clinical partnerships and research infrastructure.
- Affordable for a public MSN: ~$11,128/year base tuition is competitive with the cheapest TX public programs.
- East Texas rooted: Strong clinical networks in Nacogdoches, Lufkin, and the Tyler metro.
Additional Considerations:
- Online didactic with local clinicals: Students complete clinicals in their community with faculty approval.
- Limited specialty menu: FNP is the only NP track; for PMHNP, AGNP, or PNP, other TX schools offer broader options.
- Post-master’s pathway available: Existing APRNs can add FNP via the post-master’s certificate.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (46 credits, 720 clinical hours)
- MSN – Nurse Educator
- Post-Master’s FNP Certificate
Program Overview:
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo runs a 36-month online MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program focused on bilingual primary care along the Rio Grande/South Texas border. The 48-credit, 405-clinical-hour program runs $77 per credit for Texas residents, which is among the lowest published rates of any accredited FNP program in the country.
Why Students Should Consider Texas A&M International University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- $77/credit resident: Extraordinarily low. Second-cheapest published MSN-FNP tuition in Texas after West Texas A&M.
- Bilingual focus: Programs oriented around serving Spanish-speaking patient populations along the border.
- 36-month part-time timeline: Structured for working RNs who can’t step away from full-time employment.
Additional Considerations:
- 405 clinical hours: Below the 500+ range at most Texas MSN-FNP programs. Meets national minimums but on the lower end.
- Two campus visits required: Not fully online; applicants outside South Texas should factor travel costs.
- Moderate admission threshold: 2.7+ undergraduate GPA required.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (48 credits, 405 clinical hours, $77/credit resident)
Program Overview:
Texas A&M University’s College of Nursing at College Station runs a 3-year online MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program with required on-campus clinical intensives in Bryan-College Station. The 50.5-credit program requires 500+ clinical hours and runs $661.50 per credit for Texas residents. A post-graduate PMHNP certificate is also available for APRNs adding psychiatric mental health as a specialty.
Why Students Should Consider Texas A&M University-College Station’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- 3-year flexible pathway: Part-time-friendly structure with summer breaks between clinical semesters.
- Mid-range public tuition: $661.50/credit is competitive for a research-university MSN.
- Post-graduate PMHNP option: Existing APRNs can add psychiatric mental health as a specialty.
Additional Considerations:
- On-campus clinical intensives required: Applicants should plan for Bryan-College Station travel across the program.
- Single MSN specialty: FNP is the only track at the MSN level; PMHNP is only available as a post-master’s certificate.
- Selective admissions: 3.0+ GPA; program is highly competitive.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (50.5 credits, 500+ clinical hours)
- Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate
Program Overview:
East Texas A&M University (formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce, renamed November 2024) runs a 46-credit hybrid MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program through its School of Nursing. The program delivers didactic content online with intensive on-campus visits at the Commerce campus in East Texas. Total in-state tuition runs approximately $18,768.
Why Students Should Consider East Texas A&M University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- TAMU System affiliation: Shared research and clinical partnership infrastructure across the A&M System.
- East Texas regional focus: Clinical networks strongest in the Commerce/Greenville/Sulphur Springs area.
- Affordable in-state tuition: ~$18,768 total puts East Texas A&M mid-range for TX public MSN programs.
Additional Considerations:
- Recent name change: The institution was renamed from Texas A&M University-Commerce in November 2024. Credentials earned prior still carry the old name.
- Hybrid format: Not fully asynchronous; students should plan for Commerce campus visits.
- Single specialty: FNP only at the MSN level.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (46 credits, hybrid)
Program Overview:
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences runs an online MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program structured for part-time enrollment with one required on-campus visit for simulation. The 49-credit track requires 630 clinical hours. TAMU-CC also offers a DNP with concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Clinical, and Executive Leadership.
Why Students Should Consider Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- MSN and DNP under one school: Applicants can start at the MSN level and add the DNP later via the RN-to-DNP pathway.
- $506/credit: Mid-range public TX tuition, priced below College Station ($661.50) and TWU ($634.70).
- 630 clinical hours: Above the 500-hour national minimum.
Additional Considerations:
- Fall admission only: Single enrollment cycle per year; applicants miss a full cohort if they miss the deadline.
- Single on-campus visit required: Primarily online but not fully asynchronous.
- Self-sourced clinical sites: Students identify preceptors with faculty approval.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (49 credits, 630 clinical hours)
- DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- DNP – Adult-Gerontology Clinical
- DNP – Executive Leadership
Program Overview:
Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) runs a hybrid MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program along with MSN tracks in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Administration. The Division of Nursing is based in Texarkana, serving the northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas region. Post-master’s certificates are available for adding FNP or PMHNP to an existing MSN.
Why Students Should Consider Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Three MSN tracks: FNP, PMHNP, and Nursing Administration. Broader menu than most small Texas public MSN programs.
- Post-master’s certificates: APRNs can add FNP or PMHNP as a specialty.
- Northeast TX/Ark-La-Tex regional focus: Strong clinical networks for applicants in the Texarkana metro.
Additional Considerations:
- Hybrid format: Coursework is part online, part in-person. Applicants should expect some Texarkana travel.
- Small program size: Limited cohort seats; admissions are competitive.
- Moderate tuition: ~$11–13k total for TX residents, on the more affordable end of public MSN programs.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Nursing Administration
- Post-Master’s FNP Certificate
- Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate
Program Overview:
TCU’s Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences runs BSN-to-DNP programs in Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health, and Nurse Anesthesia. The Fort Worth campus sits in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, which gives students clinical rotation access across Texas Health Resources, Cook Children’s Medical Center, and Harris Methodist-affiliated sites. The BSN-to-DNP runs 68–70 credits with 1,000+ clinical hours.
Why Students Should Consider Texas Christian University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Three doctoral NP specialties: FNP, PMHNP, and CRNA tracks all at the DNP level.
- DFW clinical network: Clinical partnerships across the fourth-largest metro in the U.S.
- Small cohort model: TCU class sizes are smaller than state-run programs, which matters for faculty mentorship during clinical semesters.
Additional Considerations:
- Expensive per credit: $2,210 per credit is among the highest published rates in Texas. Total BSN-DNP tuition runs $100,000+ before fees.
- Hybrid format: Regular on-campus sessions required. Not a fit for RNs who need fully asynchronous online.
- No MSN-only option: If you want to stop at MSN, look at Texas Wesleyan or UT Arlington instead.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (68–70 credits, 1,000+ clinical hours)
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
- Post-Graduate Certificates
Program Overview:
Texas State University’s St. David’s School of Nursing in Round Rock offers online MSN tracks for Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The MSN-FNP runs 43 credits with 705 clinical hours; the MSN-PMHNP runs 40 credits with 840 clinical hours (750 direct + 90 indirect). Both tracks use 8-week courses and typical completion is 18 months, which is among the shorter MSN-NP timelines in Texas.
Why Students Should Consider Texas State University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Dual-specialty school: FNP and PMHNP both available at one institution.
- 18-month completion: 8-week course blocks enable a shorter pathway than traditional semester structures.
- Round Rock/Austin metro: Strong clinical partnerships in the fast-growing Austin-area healthcare market.
Additional Considerations:
- Online + intensives: Not fully asynchronous. Applicants should factor in periodic campus visits.
- Affordable for Texas metro program: ~$23,041 FNP / ~$17,820 PMHNP total.
- Competitive admission: Limited cohort seats relative to Austin-area applicant volume.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (43 credits, 705 clinical hours)
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (40 credits, 840 clinical hours)
- Post-Master’s Certificates
Program Overview:
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Nursing in Lubbock offers MSN tracks for Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. The 48-credit MSN-FNP requires 630 clinical hours. TTUHSC also offers BSN-to-DNP pathways with over 1,000 clinical hours.
Why Students Should Consider Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Three NP specialties at one school: FNP, AGACNP, and PNP-Primary Care. Broader than most TX schools outside UT Arlington.
- Health sciences campus: TTUHSC is a dedicated medical campus (not a general university), which means nursing sits alongside medical and pharmacy schools.
- BSN-to-DNP pathway: Students who want the terminal clinical degree can skip the MSN exit point.
Additional Considerations:
- On-campus visits required: Five campus visits across the MSN-FNP curriculum.
- Competitive admissions: Selective; typically requires clinical experience beyond the minimum RN years.
- Moderate public tuition: ~$22–25k total in-state.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (48 credits, 630 clinical hours)
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- BSN-to-DNP (FNP, AGACNP, PNP-Primary Care)
Program Overview:
Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth offers MSN-FNP, DNP-FNP, and Nurse Anesthesia programs through its Graduate Programs of Nursing. The MSN-FNP runs 48 credits with 855 clinical hours at $747 per credit; the DNP-FNP runs 86 credits with 1,035 clinical hours at the same per-credit rate. Texas Wesleyan is Methodist-affiliated and has one of the largest nurse anesthesia programs in the state.
Why Students Should Consider Texas Wesleyan University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Three NP-related doctoral pathways: MSN-FNP, DNP-FNP, and CRNA tracks under one school.
- CRNA program: Texas Wesleyan is one of the largest and longest-running Nurse Anesthesia programs in Texas.
- DFW location: Fort Worth campus with strong clinical partnerships across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro.
Additional Considerations:
- Private per-credit tuition: $747/credit puts total MSN-FNP at ~$35,856 and DNP-FNP at ~$64,242.
- Online + in-person: MSN-FNP is mostly online; CRNA and some DNP components require in-person attendance.
- Methodist mission: Faith-framed ethics and professional-practice coursework.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (48 credits, 855 clinical hours)
- DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (86 credits, 1,035 clinical hours)
- Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (CRNA)
- Post-Master’s FNP Certificate
Program Overview:
Texas Woman’s University (TWU) runs online MSN programs for Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Midwifery. The MSN-FNP runs 45 credits with 780 clinical hours at $634.70 per credit. TWU also offers a DNP program. With campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston, TWU has broader geographic reach than most Texas graduate nursing programs.
Why Students Should Consider Texas Woman’s University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Four NP-related MSN specialties: FNP, PMHNP, PNP, and Nurse Midwifery under one school.
- Three campuses: Denton, Dallas, and Houston give students access to clinical partnerships in multiple TX metros.
- 780 clinical hours (FNP): Above national minimum, on par with Prairie View A&M.
Additional Considerations:
- Mid-range public tuition: $634.70/credit or about $28,561 total for the MSN-FNP.
- Online with in-person components: Primarily online didactic but some clinical intensives required.
- Nurse Midwifery: One of few Texas schools with a Nurse Midwifery program.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (45 credits, 780 clinical hours)
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Nurse Midwifery
- DNP program (40+ credits, 540+ practicum hours)
Program Overview:
UT Arlington’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation runs the broadest MSN-NP specialty menu in Texas: seven tracks including Family, Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Pediatric Primary Care, Pediatric Acute Care, and Neonatal. The 46-credit MSN requires 720 clinical hours and runs 100% online, with clinicals arranged in the student’s community. UTA also offers post-master’s certificates for adding a specialty to an existing APRN credential.
Why Students Should Consider The University of Texas at Arlington’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Seven NP specialties at one school: Unmatched menu in Texas. Useful for applicants still deciding between FNP, PMHNP, or one of the acute-care or pediatric tracks.
- Fully online MSN: All didactic coursework is online. Students identify their own preceptors and clinical sites with faculty approval.
- Post-master’s flexibility: Existing APRNs can add a specialty through post-master’s certificates.
Additional Considerations:
- Self-sourced clinical placements: Students are responsible for finding preceptors. For applicants in rural Texas without established NP networks, this is often the biggest barrier.
- Asynchronous rigor: The online-only format requires disciplined self-pacing; 720 clinical hours must be coordinated individually.
- Total tuition runs $26,800–$30,000: Mid-range for a Texas public MSN.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificates (all specialties)
Program Overview:
UT Austin’s School of Nursing offers a research-focused DNP program with Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentrations. The 45-credit post-MSN DNP requires 840+ clinical hours and runs at $1,418 per credit for Texas residents ($2,035 for non-residents). UT Austin’s graduate nursing program consistently places in the U.S. News top 50 nationally.
Why Students Should Consider The University of Texas at Austin’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Research-intensive: UT Austin nursing faculty publish prolifically, and doctoral students have opportunities for research apprenticeships.
- Top-50 national ranking: Recognition that matters for academic and research career paths.
- Austin clinical network: Access to Seton Healthcare Family, Dell Medical School affiliates, and Travis County’s broad practice landscape.
Additional Considerations:
- Post-MSN DNP only: UT Austin’s DNP requires an existing MSN; there is no BSN-to-DNP pathway.
- Hybrid format: On-campus sessions are required throughout the program.
- Resident vs. non-resident tuition gap: $1,418 vs. $2,035 per credit is one of the steeper in-state/out-of-state differentials in Texas.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- Post-MSN DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (45 credits, 840+ clinical hours)
- Post-MSN DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Overview:
UT El Paso’s School of Nursing runs online MSN programs for Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Practitioner (adult-focused), plus Nursing Education and Nursing Administration/Management tracks. Credit hours range 33–49 depending on specialty. The school requires 675–775 clock hours of clinical practice with a maximum of three campus visits. UTEP is a Hispanic-Serving Institution along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Why Students Should Consider The University of Texas at El Paso’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- HSI status: UTEP is one of few Hispanic-Serving Institutions with a full graduate nursing program, important for bilingual and border-region healthcare.
- Multiple NP specialties: FNP, PMHNP, and adult-focused NP tracks.
- Online with minimal campus time: Three-visit-max structure works for RNs outside El Paso.
Additional Considerations:
- Affordable UT System tuition: ~$552/credit puts UTEP in the mid-range for TX public MSN programs.
- Credit ranges vary: 33-49 hours depending on specialty track and bridge prior coursework.
- El Paso clinical network: Strong local partnerships; applicants outside the El Paso metro should verify clinical availability.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Nurse Practitioner (Family, PMHNP, adult-focused tracks, 33–49 credits, 675–775 clinical hours)
- MSN – Nursing Education
- MSN – Nursing Administration and Management
- Post-Master’s Certificates
Program Overview:
UT Tyler’s School of Nursing offers MSN tracks for Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The MSN-FNP runs 47 credits with 675 precepted clinical hours; the MSN-PMHNP runs 49 credits with 750 clinical hours. Both are delivered online with limited face-to-face intensives. Tuition runs roughly $25,720 (FNP) or $27,150 (PMHNP) total.
Why Students Should Consider The University of Texas at Tyler’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Dual-specialty school: Both FNP and PMHNP tracks at the MSN level.
- 99% online (PMHNP): PMHNP track has minimal campus attendance.
- East Texas location: Tyler campus serves a clinical network across East Texas into Louisiana.
Additional Considerations:
- Online + intensives: FNP requires face-to-face clinical intensives; PMHNP has fewer.
- Moderate tuition: Total program cost runs $25–28k, competitive with other TX public MSN programs.
- Post-master’s certificates available: APRNs can add FNP or PMHNP to existing credentials.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (47 credits, 675 clinical hours)
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (49 credits, 750 clinical hours)
- Post-Master’s Certificates
Program Overview:
The Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston runs BSN-to-DNP programs with concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The program requires approximately 79 credit hours and 1,000+ clinical hours and runs at $248 per credit for Texas residents, making it the lowest-cost top-tier BSN-to-DNP in the state. Cizik sits within the UTHealth Houston academic medical center.
Why Students Should Consider The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- $248/credit resident: Lowest published BSN-to-DNP rate for a top-tier Texas program.
- Texas Medical Center access: UTHealth Houston sits within the world’s largest medical complex, giving students clinical access at Memorial Hermann, MD Anderson, and specialty affiliates.
- Cizik reputation: Consistently ranked among U.S. News’s top nursing doctorate programs.
Additional Considerations:
- BSN-to-DNP only: No MSN exit option for FNP.
- Hybrid format: In-person clinical rotations and some on-campus sessions required.
- Competitive admissions: Demand for seats consistently exceeds supply.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (79 credits, 1,000+ clinical hours)
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate (29–30 credits)
Program Overview:
UT Health San Antonio’s School of Nursing runs one of the top-ranked nursing doctorate programs in Texas. The BSN-to-DNP pathway runs 76 credits and 1,000+ clinical hours, with tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health, and Nurse Anesthesia. The school is affiliated with UT Health San Antonio’s academic medical center, which gives students clinical rotation access at University Hospital and affiliated specialty sites.
Why Students Should Consider The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Public-program tuition: About $9,558 per year for Texas residents for the 76-credit BSN-DNP. That’s unusually affordable for a top-ranked DNP program.
- Academic medical center: Clinical rotations at University Hospital and University Health System give students exposure to complex tertiary-care patients.
- CRNA option: One of few schools in Texas offering Nurse Anesthesia at the DNP level.
Additional Considerations:
- BSN-to-DNP only: No MSN exit point for FNP; students commit to the full doctoral pathway.
- Competitive admissions: UT Health San Antonio is selective, particularly for CRNA.
- Hybrid format: Regular on-campus sessions required; not a fully online program.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (76 credits, 1,000+ clinical hours)
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)
- Post-Graduate APRN Certificates
Program Overview:
UT Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston runs online-blended MSN tracks for Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. The MSN-FNP runs 44 credits; the NMW/WHNP track runs 49 credits. Clinical hour requirements run 720+ hours. UTMB charges $339.61 per credit for Texas residents and $747.61 per credit for non-residents.
Why Students Should Consider The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Nurse-Midwifery/WHNP track: One of few Texas schools offering Nurse-Midwifery at the MSN level (alongside TWU).
- Affordable resident tuition: $339.61/credit puts UTMB among the more affordable Texas public MSNs.
- Academic medical center affiliation: UTMB is a full academic medical center with clinical rotations across John Sealy Hospital and affiliated sites.
Additional Considerations:
- Significant resident/non-resident gap: Non-resident rate ($747.61/credit) is roughly 2.2x the in-state rate.
- Blended format: Online didactic with in-person clinical requirements.
- Galveston location: Applicants outside Houston-area should plan for travel to clinical intensives.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (44 credits, 720+ clinical hours)
- MSN – Nurse-Midwifery / Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (49 credits)
- Post-Master’s Certificates
Program Overview:
UT Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Nursing offers MSN-NP tracks out of Edinburg and Brownsville, formed from the 2015 consolidation of UT Pan American and UT Brownsville. Per-credit tuition runs $741.35 for Texas residents and $1,161.35 for non-residents. UTRGV is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a key pipeline for bilingual advanced-practice nurses along the South Texas border.
Why Students Should Consider The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- HSI along the border: UTRGV is one of the largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the country, serving as a bilingual NP pipeline.
- Multiple NP specialties: FNP and PMHNP tracks available.
- 5–8 semester pathway: Flexible completion timelines for part-time and full-time students.
Additional Considerations:
- Mid-range tuition: $741.35/credit resident is at the higher end of TX public MSN rates but still below private programs.
- Non-resident rate: $1,161.35/credit for out-of-state applicants.
- South Texas focus: Clinical networks strongest in the Rio Grande Valley region.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificates
Program Overview:
The Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing at the University of Houston runs a 47-credit MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner track with 500+ clinical hours, and a BSN-to-DNP with a broader clinical requirement. Consolidated tuition for the 2024 MSN-FNP is approximately $29,095. The Gessner College is relatively new (established 2018) and sits within the broader UH academic medical partnership network.
Why Students Should Consider University of Houston’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Newer, growing program: Gessner is a relatively young college of nursing with expanding MSN and DNP offerings.
- Houston metro clinical access: UH clinical partnerships span the Texas Medical Center and suburban Houston hospital systems.
- Consolidated tuition structure: ~$29,095 total for the 2024 MSN-FNP with course fees bundled.
Additional Considerations:
- Limited specialty menu: FNP is the primary MSN NP track.
- Hybrid format: Online didactic with clinical components requiring in-person time.
- Admission requirement: 3.0+ GPA; GRE not required with qualifying GPA.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (47 credits, 500+ clinical hours)
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner ($602.32/credit)
- Post-Master’s Certificates
Program Overview:
West Coast University’s Dallas campus runs an online MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program along with post-master’s certificates for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, FNP, and Psychiatric Mental Health NP. The MSN-FNP runs 53 credits with 600+ precepted clinical hours. Per-credit tuition runs $700–$810 depending on core vs. APRN courses, with total MSN-FNP tuition estimated around $52,210.
Why Students Should Consider West Coast University-Dallas’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Four post-master’s certificate options: Existing APRNs can add AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, or PMHNP as a specialty.
- Online MSN delivery: Didactic coursework is online with clinical hours arranged in the student’s community.
- For-profit scale: West Coast University is part of a national online-forward private nursing education network.
Additional Considerations:
- Higher per-credit tuition: $700–$810/credit for MSN and APRN courses, with total FNP cost around $52,210.
- For-profit status: Applicants should verify how financial aid, loan forgiveness, and employer tuition assistance work at WCU vs. nonprofit options.
- Single MSN specialty + post-master’s options: FNP at MSN level; other tracks are post-master’s only.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (53 credits, 600+ clinical hours)
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – FNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
Program Overview:
West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon runs an online/hybrid MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program through the Department of Nursing. The 46-credit program is CCNE-accredited and charges $50 per statutory credit hour for Texas residents, which is by a wide margin the lowest published MSN-FNP rate in the state. Clinical placements are restricted to Texas residents.
Why Students Should Consider West Texas A&M University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- $50/credit statutory resident rate: By far the cheapest MSN-FNP tuition in Texas. Total program cost runs roughly $2,300 plus designation fees for TX residents.
- Panhandle/West Texas focus: Strong clinical networks in Amarillo and the Panhandle.
- TAMU System affiliation: Shared research and clinical partnership infrastructure with the broader A&M system.
Additional Considerations:
- Texas residency required for clinicals: Clinical placements must be in Texas. Applicants planning relocations should verify eligibility.
- Fees stack on top of statutory rate: Designation fees, course fees, and technology fees add to the $50 base.
- Single specialty: FNP only at the MSN level.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (46 credits, 100% online or hybrid)
Nurse Practitioner Licensure Requirements in Texas
Degree level needed: minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Supervised hours total: 500 within the last 24 months
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: Fingerprinting and submitting the prints to the Texas Board of Nursing for review by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
State licensing board: Texas Board of Nursing, 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200 Austin, TX 78701
The State of Nursing in Texas
By 2030, Texas is projected to be short 20,420 physicians, and the state’s physician-to-patient ratio is 26% worse than the national average. Overall, the Lone Star State is in the bottom half of states for physician availability.
Luckily, nurse practitioners are uniquely qualified to step in and fill some of these primary care roles. In Texas, nurse practitioners cannot practice independently, but under the supervision of a physician, they can assess, diagnose, and treat patients in various facilities and patient specialties.
Texas Nursing Organizations and Associations
NP Programs in Other States
Recently Added Texas NP Programs
The following programs have been added in our 2026 audit update. Each has been verified via direct school-of-nursing site to confirm nurse practitioner track availability.
St. Edward’s University
Program Overview:
St. Edward’s is the only MSN-level NP program in Texas built exclusively around adult-gerontology primary care. Larger schools bundle AGPCNP with FNP and PMHNP concentrations. St. Edward’s focused its 47-credit program entirely on aging-adult primary care, from early-onset chronic disease through complex geriatric management. Students complete 600 total clinical hours, split as 540 supervised patient-care hours and 60 hours in a dedicated clinical laboratory.
Why Students Should Consider St. Edward’s University’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Singular AGPCNP focus: Curriculum goes deeper on adult-gerontology topics than programs dividing attention across multiple NP specialties.
- Generous clinical lab time: 60 hours of dedicated clinical lab alongside 540 supervised patient-care hours. Most Texas MSN programs roll lab time into general coursework.
- Austin metro clinicals: Students typically place clinicals within Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties without major travel.
Additional Considerations:
- Initial CCNE accreditation pending: The program is working through initial accreditation. Some employers and certification bodies treat pending-accreditation programs differently than established ones. Applicants should verify their target post-grad path with admissions.
- One specialty only: For broader NP certification options, Texas State, UT Arlington, or University of St. Thomas-Houston each offer multiple MSN tracks.
- On-campus intensives required: Not a fully asynchronous online program; students travel to Austin for periodic clinical intensive sessions.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (47 credits, 600 clinical hours)
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Program Overview:
UMHB’s Scott & White College of Nursing runs one of only three fully asynchronous online MSN-FNP programs in Texas. The 45-credit program delivers all coursework through 7-week accelerated blocks and can be completed in roughly 20 months of full-time study. UMHB places clinical hours in the student’s home community, which matters for RNs in central Texas who can’t travel to a cohort-based campus program.
Why Students Should Consider University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Pure online didactic: No campus visits required; coursework runs entirely online through 7-week blocks.
- Fast completion timeline: 20 months for full-time students, among the shortest MSN-FNP paths in Texas.
- Local clinical placement support: The program helps RNs arrange 630 clinical hours at preceptor-supervised sites close to home.
Additional Considerations:
- Accelerated pace: The 7-week course blocks compress material significantly. Students working more than part-time typically need the extended 30-month track instead.
- Christian affiliation: UMHB is a Baptist institution; applicants should expect values-driven framing in ethics and professional-practice courses.
- Single specialty: Only FNP is offered at the MSN level.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (45 credits, 630 clinical hours, 100% online)
University of St. Thomas (Houston)
Program Overview:
The Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing at the University of St. Thomas offers three separate MSN specialties plus a post-master’s PMHNP certificate and a DNP. Credit loads run 47 to 50 hours depending on the chosen NP track. The Houston campus puts students adjacent to the Texas Medical Center, which opens clinical rotation access at Methodist, Memorial Hermann, and MD Anderson affiliate sites.
Why Students Should Consider University of St. Thomas (Houston)’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Three MSN NP specialties: FNP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health. Useful for applicants still deciding between tracks.
- Texas Medical Center access: Clinical rotations possible at Houston’s academic medical centers rather than a single community hospital system.
- Bridge pathways: Both accelerated BSN and RN-to-MSN options feed the graduate NP tracks.
Additional Considerations:
- Private tuition: UST tuition runs higher than public Texas programs like Texas State or UT Tyler. Budget accordingly.
- Catholic mission: The Peavy School integrates Catholic healthcare ethics throughout coursework.
- In-person clinicals: 500 clinical hours must be completed at preceptor-supervised sites.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
University of the Incarnate Word
Program Overview:
UIW’s Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions runs a three-year, full-time BSN-to-DNP with tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health. Both tracks run significantly more clinical hours than typical MSN programs: 1,152 for FNP and 1,216 for PMHNP. UIW is a Catholic university in San Antonio, and its nursing school serves a student body that is majority Hispanic and Latino, reflecting the demographic makeup of south-central Texas.
Why Students Should Consider University of the Incarnate Word’s Nurse Practitioner Programs:
- Terminal clinical degree: BSN-to-DNP delivers the AACN-recommended terminal degree in one integrated pathway.
- Two NP specialties: FNP and PMHNP tracks available within the BSN-to-DNP structure.
- CRNA program: UIW also runs a separate Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist track, unusual among Catholic-affiliated schools in Texas.
Additional Considerations:
- Full-time requirement: The three-year DNP pathway requires full-time enrollment, which limits options for RNs who can’t step back from full-time work.
- San Antonio location: The blended format requires on-ground sessions every first and third week at the San Antonio campus.
- Higher clinical volume: 1,152+ clinical hours is demanding; students should plan for significant time away from paid work during clinical semesters.
Nurse Practitioner Programs Offered by the School:
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (77 credits, 1,152 clinical hours)
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (76 credits, 1,216 clinical hours)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Post-Graduate Nursing Certification (APRN)
Texas Nurse Practitioner Programs: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an NP in Texas?
Most MSN programs in Texas run 2 to 3 years full-time, while BSN-to-DNP programs take 3 to 4 years. Part-time pathways can extend completion to 4 or 5 years. After graduating, candidates must pass a national certification exam (AANP or ANCC for FNP; ANCC for PMHNP) and apply for APRN licensure through the Texas Board of Nursing.
Does Texas grant full practice authority to NPs?
No. Texas is a reduced practice state. Under Texas Occupations Code § 157.0512, NPs must maintain a collaborative practice agreement with a physician to prescribe medications, including controlled substances. The Texas NP Association continues to lobby for full practice authority, but legislation has not passed as of 2026.
What is the average NP salary in Texas?
Texas employs over 14,000 nurse practitioners, one of the largest NP workforces in the country. The mean annual wage runs above the national median for the occupation per the BLS OEWS Texas data. Wages vary significantly by metro (Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin pay highest) and specialty (CRNA and PMHNP pay higher than FNP).
Which Texas NP programs are most affordable?
West Texas A&M University ($50 statutory credit hour for Texas residents), Texas A&M International University ($77/credit), and UT Health Houston ($248/credit in-state) are among the lowest-cost options. Online public programs generally run $250-$750/credit, while private and out-of-state rates reach $1,500-$2,300/credit.
What NP specialties can I study in Texas?
Texas offers the full range of NP specialties: Family (FNP) available at all 35+ programs; Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP) at 15+ schools; Adult-Gerontology Primary and Acute Care; Pediatric Primary and Acute Care; Neonatal (UT Arlington, UT Austin); Nurse Midwifery (Texas Woman’s University, UTMB); and Nurse Anesthesia (TCU, UT Health San Antonio, UIW, Texas Wesleyan).
Can I complete an NP program online in Texas?
Yes. Schreiner University, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Houston Christian University each offer 100% online MSN-FNP programs. Most other Texas NP programs are hybrid, with online coursework paired with periodic on-campus intensives or in-person clinicals arranged in the student’s local community.
What GPA and admission requirements do Texas NP programs require?
Most Texas NP programs require a BSN from an accredited institution, an unencumbered Texas RN license, and a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Clinical experience of 1-2 years as an RN is commonly required. The GRE is generally no longer required at public Texas universities — Baylor, TCU, and select other private programs have similarly dropped the requirement as of 2026.