Program Overview
Consider the MSN — Pediatric Acute Care NP online program
The accelerated, 100% online Master of Science in Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program (PNP-AC) is designed for experienced, BSN-prepared pediatric nurses who wish to expand their professional scope of practice as a nurse practitioner. This highly specialized online program was developed from UTA's on campus PNP-AC program, one of the first programs of its kind in the U.S. when founded in 2004.
Why Choose UTA Online:
$29,430
Total Tuition*
As few as 31-33 months
Program Duration
45
Credit Hours
$29,430
Total Tuition
As few as 31-33 months
Program Duration
45
Credit Hours
Residents of certain states may not be eligible to enroll in all UTA accelerated online programs. See program map for details. Currently enrolled students who reside in ineligible states will need approval to continue uninterrupted in their programs in accordance with applicable state laws. Approval is not guaranteed.
This online MSN acute care NP program prepares you to work with the growing number of children with complex, high–acuity healthcare needs. You will learn to provide children with evidence-based interventions to facilitate optimum health and growth. Learn essential elements of advanced nursing practice for pediatric acute and chronic healthcare in a wide range of environments, including critical care, emergency rooms and specialty office practices or clinics, as well as intensive rehabilitation and early intervention programs.
Coursework is designed to expand knowledge and experience to practice in high acuity areas as laid out by the scope of practice and includes the role of the nurse in health assessment and advanced practice, pediatric primary care, pediatric acute care and an advanced clinical nursing practicum.
UTA's online MSN in Acute Primary Care Nurse Practitioner includes these key elements:
- A high-quality program which produces highly employable graduates
- Preparation to utilize expertise in providing care to acutely ill children, including diagnostic reasoning, complex monitoring, and intense therapies
- Provide pediatric care and case management for pediatric patients and their families through the management of acute, chronic, complex and unstable illness
- Practice in using research and theoretical knowledge to implement therapies that restore health, minimize complications, reduce risk factors and improve the growth and development of the child
- Instruction in coordinating the acute care of the child in collaboration with other healthcare professionals with attention to principles of ethics, advocacy for the child and family, and an understanding of varying constructs of culture
- Develop interprofessional and collaborative relationships to address health problems related to economic, psychosocial, cultural and environmental factors in the quality improvement of healthcare delivery to the pediatric population
Graduates are eligible to be licensed as Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioners by the Texas Board of Nursing and to take the PNP-AC National Certification Exam through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
Clinical Requirements
The clinical requirements included in the MSN in Pediatric Acute Care NP program at UTA are intended to provide students with experiential learning opportunities to enable them to transition successfully into the role of the nurse practitioner. An essential part of each clinical experience is active, hands-on practice, guided by a licensed preceptor with expertise in their advanced nursing practice specialty.
Clinical placement at The University of Texas at Arlington in the graduate nursing department is a collaborative process with each student. Students are asked to locate a preceptor which is aligned with their program requirements; however, the Graduate Nursing Department will provide assistance with clinical placement when a student is experiencing difficulty. Clinical placement policies are available in the Graduate Nursing clinical management system, InPlace, and are available to all students upon admission.
Nursing programs also available:
Not looking for an online program?
- We also offer this program on campus!
Tuition
Discover the value of our low-cost tuition
UTA is committed to providing an outstanding education that is also affordable. Tuition is structured to give our students the best value and flexibility.
View full tuition breakdown [+]
Anticipated Course Materials**
| Equipment | Approximate Cost | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam 1080p | Varies $20-$100 | Required for all courses |
| Tripod | Varies $5-$10 | Required for all courses |
| Assessment Kit | $49.95 | N5418 – Advanced Assessment |
| Otoscope/Ophthalmoscope Rental | $155.00 | N5418 – Advanced Assessment |
| Suture Kit | $112.50 | N5313 – Clinical Skills |
Tuition Guarantee
Did you know if you enroll now and complete your program without interruption, you can lock in your tuition rate? Read more
Additional Tuition Information
All degrees are subject to application fees and graduation fees. Additional fees may apply.
For more information regarding your application fee and tuition, including our Tuition Guarantee, Refund, Cancellation for Non-Payment and/or Reactivation/Readmission policies, please visit our Tuition Policy page.
If you have additional questions regarding payment information, please visit our Payment FAQs
Calendar
Know the important dates for our students
Our MSN in Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner online program offers multiple start dates to accommodate your busy lifestyle.
To see which courses are going to be offered on each start date, download the course schedule.
| Course Start | Application Deadline | All Supporting Documents Due | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Session |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/20/2023 | 1/20/2023 | 2/3/2023 | 2/15/2023 | 2/17/2023 | Spring |
| 4/3/2023 | 3/3/2023 | 3/17/2023 | 3/29/2023 | 3/31/2023 | Spring |
| 5/22/2023 | 4/21/2023 | 5/5/2023 | 5/17/2023 | 5/19/2023 | Summer |
| 7/3/2023 | 6/2/2023 | 6/16/2023 | 6/28/2023 | 6/30/2023 | Summer |
| 8/21/2023 | 7/21/2023 | 8/4/2023 | 8/16/2023 | 8/18/2023 | Fall |
| 10/2/2023 | 9/1/2023 | 9/15/2023 | 9/27/2023 | 9/29/2023 | Fall |
| 11/6/2023 | 10/6/2023 | 10/20/2023 | 11/1/2023 | 11/3/2023 | Fall |
Admissions
Understand the application process for the online MSN — PNP—AC program
The College of Nursing and Health Innovation admission process is the first step towards changing your life and enriching the lives of others. Familiarize yourself with these admission requirements, along with information on required documentation.
Online Application
Official Transcripts
Active RN License
2 Years Experience
Online Application
Official Transcripts
Active RN License
2 Years Experience
View full admission requirements [+]
Online Admission Requirements
- An unencumbered RN license
- Two years clinical RN experience within the area of concentration, in an acute care setting within the previous five (5) years is required
- GRE not required for students with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Completion of all prerequisites, including: Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing from ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program.
- Undergraduate (basic) statistics course with a minimum grade of "C"
- Probationary admission for students taking the GRE. GRE required for applicants with a 2.8-2.99 GPA with minimum score of 149 on the verbal section, 141 on the quantitative section, or 3.5 on the analytical writing section (best 2 of 3 sections)
- International students required to have two years clinical experience in a United States (or equivalent) healthcare system
- International students are required to have a TSE score of 40 or higher. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam is required if the applicant's native or first language is not English and if he or she does not hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution. TOEFL score requirement includes minimum of 550 on paper-based test, 213 on computer-based test, or 79 on the internet-based test, and achieve the following minimum scores of subtests: Writing, 22; Speaking, 21; Reading, 20; and Listening, 16; or IELTS minimum score of 7.0
Visit Graduate Nursing Advising for a list of AO Graduate advisors.
Transfer Credits
The maximum amount of credit that may transfer from another university is 10 semester hours. The syllabus for the course(s) you wish to transfer will need to be reviewed. You must apply before we can review your syllabus.
Have a question? Call us at 866-489-2810.
Learn more about our admission requirements, review the nursing handbook and policies, and discover tips for success on the UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) page.
Courses
Take a look at the online curriculum
To complete the MSN in Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online program, students must complete the following courses.
NURS 5315: Advanced Pathophysiology
Duration: 11 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on developing an advanced knowledge base of pathophysiology. Principles of biochemistry, molecular biology and nutrition are applied to disease processes. Clinical Hours: 0 hours
NURS 5327: Exploration of Science and Theories for Nursing
Duration: 5 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A critical examination of the philosophical and theoretical bases for nursing science.
NURS 5366: Principles of Research in Nursing
Duration: 5 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on integration of theoretical and empirical principles of nursing research to generate evidence for nursing practice.
NURS 5334: Advanced Pharmacology
Duration: 11 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study of clinical pharmacological therapeutics for advanced nursing practice.
NURS 5367: Evidence-Based Practice
Duration: 5 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on preparation to implement evidence-based change in practice.
NURS 5220: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
Duration: 5 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
Apply theoretical foundations and clinical skills in comprehensive health assessment across the lifespan.
NURS 5130: Pediatric Assessment Lab
Duration: 3 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
Lab for all tracks who see Pediatric patients.
NURS 5350: Role of the Nurse in Advanced Practice
Duration: 5 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Theory and application of the multiple roles of the advanced practice nurse within the healthcare system.
NURS 5465: Pediatric Primary Care
Duration: 8 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
This course focuses on advanced concepts and knowledge for nurse practitioners management of designated minor acute, chronic and complex health problems of pediatric patients and their families in primary care healthcare settings.
NURS 5467: Primary Complex Chronicity
Duration: 8 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
This course focuses on advanced concepts and knowledge for nurse practitioner management of designated acute, chronic and complex health problems of pediatric patients and their families in multiple healthcare settings.
NURS 5466: Pediatric Acute Care
Duration: 8 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
This course focuses on advanced concepts and knowledge for nurse practitioner management of designated critical, acute, chronic and complex health problems of pediatric patients and their families in an acute care facility.
NURS 5373: Pediatric Acute Care Clinical Practice I
Duration: 11 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Initial clinical preceptorship in selected acute and chronic care health practice sites with opportunities to apply knowledge and concepts of advanced nursing practice implementing the pediatric acute care nurse practitioner role in evidenced-based patient care.
NURS 5374: Pediatric Acute Care Clinical Practice II
Duration: 11 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Continue clinical preceptorship in selected acute and chronic care health practice sites with opportunities to apply knowledge and concepts of advanced nursing practice implementing the pediatric nurse practitioner role in evidenced-based patient care.
NURS 5680: Pedi Acute Care NP Advanced Practicum
Duration: 13 weeks | Credit Hours: 6
Clinical preceptorships in selected health practice sites with opportunities to apply knowledge, skills and concepts in a guided, progressive context of advanced nursing practice.
View additional information [+]
Due to the rigorous nature of the graduate nursing program and the time commitment of the coursework and clinical, students can expect to spend a significant amount of time studying and preparing required assignments. Generally, a student will be expected to spend 5 hours per week outside the class room for every 1 credit hour of the course. This means a 3 credit-hour class would require approximately 15 hours per week of student study time. Given this, it is strongly recommended that accepted applicants limit work schedules to keep up with the academic rigor of the program.
* Per-course tuition based on 3 credit-hour courses.
** Textbook costs not included. To view textbooks, please visit the UTA Bookstore.
