The Best Missouri Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Maryville University
Maryville's 47-credit online MSN family nurse practitioner program runs asynchronous courses in policy, leadership, and pharmacotherapeutics, plus 745 clinical hours. The university also offers an online doctorate with an FNP specialization.
- Campus: St. Louis, Missouri
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $813/credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN; minimum 3.0 GPA; RN license and 12 months of relevant experience; recommendations; resume or CV; essay
- Minimum Time Commitment: Four semesters
- Onsite Requirements: No
- Program: MSN, family nurse practitioner
Cox College
Cox College's 42-credit MSN family nurse practitioner program runs eight- and 16-week classes on NP roles, ethics, and pharmacology, plus 660 clinical hours caring for children, women, adults, and older patients. Graduates qualify to sit for FNP certification exams.
- Campus: Springfield, Missouri
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: $600/credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN; minimum 3.0 GPA preferred; RN license; CV; two recommendation letters; essay
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- Onsite Requirements: Yes
- Program: MSN, family nurse practitioner
University of Central Missouri
UCM's MSN offers a family nurse practitioner concentration spanning 44 credits, with classes in leadership, policy, and pharmacology and a capstone of clinical hours. Students can study part or full time and must earn a "C" or better in every course to continue without interruption.
- Campus: Warrensburg, Missouri
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $365.90/credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN; minimum 3.0 GPA; RN license and 12 months of experience
- Onsite Requirements: No
- Program: MSN, family nurse practitioner
University of Missouri-Kansas City
UMKC's MSN includes a family nurse practitioner track: 47 credits covering health assessment, pharmacology, and diagnostic reasoning, with clinical institutes that require some on-campus visits. The program prepares students for certification through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
- Campus: Kansas City, Missouri
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $600/credit (resident and graduate metro); $900/credit (Midwest exchange); $1,142/credit (nonresident)
- Admission Requirements: BSN; minimum 3.2 GPA; nursing license; interview; prerequisite coursework in statistics and health assessment
- Onsite Requirements: Yes
- Program: MSN, family nurse practitioner
Steps to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Missouri
NPs work as primary care providers, much like physicians. Before enrolling, choose a specialty: family practice, pediatrics, women's health, geriatrics, acute care, or mental health. The path runs about six to eight years:
- Complete an RN program and earn an undergraduate nursing degree
- Work as an RN for at least one year
- Complete an NP program and earn an MSN or DNP (about two to four years)
- Obtain an NP license
Length varies with your degree and specialty.
Note that Missouri remains a restricted-practice state. NPs must maintain a collaborative practice arrangement with a physician to prescribe and deliver certain treatments, a requirement under active legal and legislative challenge as of 2026.
Why Accreditation Matters
Accreditation confirms a program meets the standards set by bodies like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accredited programs prepare you to meet specialty competencies and pass the boards, make you eligible for financial aid, and let you transfer credits to other accredited schools. Every Missouri program listed here is accredited.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an NP in Missouri?
About six to eight years: two to four years of undergraduate nursing, one year of RN experience, and two to four years of NP school. Specialty, enrollment status, and whether you pursue an MSN or DNP all affect the timeline.
How much do nurse practitioners earn in Missouri?
As of May 2024, Missouri NPs averaged about $124,600 a year. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a combined median of $132,050 for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse-midwives. Pay varies by specialty, location, and experience.
Where do most Missouri NPs work?
A 2023 University of Missouri workforce report found the largest share of employed Missouri NPs worked in hospitals, concentrated in family practice and acute care.
Can nurse practitioners practice independently in Missouri?
No. Missouri is a restricted-practice state, so NPs must maintain a collaborative practice arrangement with a physician to prescribe and deliver certain treatments. That requirement is under active legal and legislative challenge as of 2026.
Do I need a BSN to enter an NP program in Missouri?
Most programs require a BSN, an unrestricted RN license, and often a year of clinical experience. RNs with an associate degree can use an RN-to-MSN bridge, and some schools accept a bachelor's in another field with prerequisite coursework.
Why does program accreditation matter?
Accreditation from CCNE or ACEN is required to sit for national NP certification, qualify for federal financial aid, and transfer credits. Every Missouri program listed here is accredited; confirm current status before you apply.