Accredited Maryland Nurse Practitioner Programs
The University of Maryland is a popular choice for advancing a nursing career, with hands-on coursework, a strong research faculty, and several NP concentrations.
- Campus: Baltimore, MD
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: Varies by program
- Minimum Time Commitment: Varies by pathway
- Online Availability: Some, with DNP
- Degree Requirements: Varies by pathway
- Programs: DNP, MSN in various concentrations
Coppin State University has trained nurses since 1974, with a focus on serving marginalized communities. The school reports that 100% of its students find work in the field, often before graduation.
- Campus: Baltimore, MD
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $4,089 for two semesters for Maryland residents; $9,350 for non-residents
- Minimum Time Commitment: Varies by track
- Online Availability: No
- Degree Requirements: Varies by track
- Programs: DNP, FNP, post-master's certificate
Johns Hopkins offers both classroom and online NP options across a range of concentrations.
- Campus: Baltimore, MD
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $34,824 per year for master's; $40,626 per year for DNP
- Minimum Time Commitment: Varies by track
- Online Availability: Some
- Degree Requirements: Varies by track
- Programs: DNP, post-master's certificate, various master's programs
Salisbury University offers a DNP with an FNP specialization built around the demands of frontline healthcare.
- Campus: Salisbury, MD
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $358 per credit hour for residents; $647 for non-residents
- Minimum Time Commitment: 68 credits
- Online Availability: No
- Degree Requirements: Transcripts, three letters of recommendation, residency documentation, personal statement, writing sample, essay, resume, RN license
- Programs: DNP with FNP
How Nurse Practitioner Programs Work
The Maryland Board of Nursing requires RNs to complete a nationally accredited, board-approved program at the master's or doctoral level to work as an NP. Only RNs with formal education are admitted.
Programs must include advanced practice coursework, NP core coursework, and specialization coursework, with specific requirements in physiology and pathophysiology, physical and health assessment, and pharmacology.
Master's programs typically take two to three years and roughly 500 clinical hours. Doctoral programs take about four years, 40 credits, and 1,000 clinical hours.
Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Maryland
Confirm you meet each school's prerequisites before applying. Requirements vary between graduate and postgraduate tracks, but these are the general ones.
- Admission Materials: Transcripts from prior programs; resume or CV; personal statement; letters of recommendation; copy of a valid, unencumbered RN license
- GPA Requirement: 3.0 or higher
- Other Requirements: A BSN or MSN; one to two years of nursing experience; personal interview
Why Program Accreditation Matters
Accreditation means an outside team has evaluated a program's faculty, teaching methods, and lab resources to confirm graduates are prepared to practice safely. It carries real consequences:
- States require NPs to graduate from accredited programs.
- Boards reject certification applications from graduates of unaccredited programs.
- Accredited schools rarely accept transfer credits from unaccredited ones.
- Graduates of unaccredited programs often struggle to find work.
- Federal financial aid usually requires an accredited school.
Every program ranked here is fully accredited.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an NP in Maryland? For an RN who already holds a BSN, becoming an NP takes at least two years. Starting with no nursing education, expect six to eight years to finish a BSN and then an MSN or DNP.
How much do nurse practitioners earn in Maryland? The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an annual mean NP wage of about $127,990 in Maryland (May 2024), close to the national NP median of $132,050. Advanced practice employment is projected to grow about 35% from 2024 to 2034.
Is it easier to get into an RN-to-MSN or a direct-entry program? RN-to-MSN programs are generally easier to enter than direct-entry MSN programs because they carry fewer admission requirements and prerequisites.
Can a Maryland NP work in another state? An NP can work in any state as long as they hold that state's license. Each board sets its own rules, so requirements differ from one state to the next. Maryland is one of the 41 Nurse Licensure Compact states, so a multistate RN license issued here covers RN practice in other compact states, though APRN authority is still licensed state by state (NCSBN).
Do I need a DNP, or is an MSN enough? An MSN qualifies you to sit for NP certification and practice in Maryland. A DNP is the more advanced degree and can open teaching, leadership, and higher-paying roles, but it is not required to begin practicing as an NP.