Skip to content

MSN - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online

Advance your education and specialize in the area of acute care—without having to stop your current career.

Apply by
arrow icon
Start class

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:

tuition icon $29,430 Total Tuition*
academic calendar program duration icon As few as 31-33 months Program Duration
credit hours clock icon 45 Credit Hours
tuition icon $29,430 Total Tuition
academic calendar program duration icon As few as 31-33 months Program Duration
credit hours clock icon 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.

Have questions or need more information about UTA's online programs?

Read more [+]

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?

Have questions or need more information about UTA's online programs?

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.

tuition icon
$29,430 Total Tuition
tuition icon
$1,962 Per Course*
tuition icon
$654 Per Credit Hour

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

Read more [+]

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.

calendar icon
Apply By:
calendar icon
Start class:

View full calendar [+]

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

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from UTA?

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.

application icon Online Application
transcripts icon Official Transcripts
license icon Active RN License
experience icon 2 Years Experience
application icon Online Application
transcripts icon Official Transcripts
license icon Active RN License
experience icon 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.

Expand All [+]

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.

Learn more about the online experience

* Per-course tuition based on 3 credit-hour courses.

** Textbook costs not included. To view textbooks, please visit the UTA Bookstore.

Request More Information

Submit the form below, and a representative will contact you to answer any questions.

*all fields required
or call 866-489-2810 866-489-2810
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend UTA or to purchase any other goods or services.

Begin Application Process

Start your application today!

Apply Now