ACNP Programs in Maryland (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Earning a degree from one of the ACNP programs in Maryland may be a great move if you're an RN with the ability to stay cool and collected in frenetic, high-pressure situations. Acute care nurse practitioners earn excellent salaries that typically run around $131,110 a year. They're a hot commodity on the healthcare job market, too, and the demand for their services is estimated to rise by 42 percent over the coming decade. Could this be the nursing career path you've been searching for? Decide for yourself by reading our guide to the best ACNP programs in Maryland.
FOLLOWING ARE THE ACNP PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online ACNP programs in Maryland.)
1. Johns Hopkins School of Nursing - Baltimore
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Dual Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The BSN-to-DNP program is considered a campus-based program. However, many courses and course content are offered in an online format, with campus attendance required to complete immersion experiences. The DNP Adult Gerontology ACNP curriculum requires the completion of 70 credits and 1,000 clinical and project practicum hours. The Dual Pediatric Primary & Acute Care NP program is a 76-credit pathway that includes 1,120 hours of clinical and project practicum experience. Each pathway features advanced practice core courses and relevant specialty-specific courses, which are complemented by clinical practicums in various healthcare settings. You will collaborate with the Track Director and the Clinical Placement Team to identify preceptors and request clinical sites.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates interested in pursuing the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and specializing in an ACNP specialty must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited college or university or an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign institution. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted RN license in the state where clinicals will be completed and at least one year of full-time experience as an RN in an acute or critical care setting.
In addition to completing an online application, prospective students are required to submit three letters of academic and professional recommendation, a current resume or curriculum vitae, a Goals Statement, and official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. A cumulative scholastic grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale and completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of "B" or higher are also required. Once the admissions committee forwards your application, you will be notified and scheduled for an interview with the program faculty.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Clinical practicums are an essential part of your DNP program. At Johns Hopkins, the Clinical Placement Team works with you throughout the course of your program. The Team participates in advising sessions, orientation, and on-site immersions to ensure you have the best clinical experiences and to promote your success.• As a student in the ACNP program in Maryland at Johns Hopkins University, you have access to multiple sources of financial aid, which could help reduce the cost of earning your degree. Financial aid advisors can work with you to identify available scholarships, grants, work-study, and other programs for which you may qualify.
• When speaking with potential students searching for a reputable program, I recommend looking for schools that have a proven track record of success. One way to determine this is to check with reputable sources to see if they have ranked the school/program you are interested in attending. For example, the Nurse Practitioner/DNP (Adult Gerontology Acute) program is ranked as one of the Best Grad Schools by U.S. News & World Report.
• Graduates of the ACNP program at Johns Hopkins University have outstanding job placement rates! In fact, many students receive employment offers before completing the program.
2. University of Maryland School of Nursing - Baltimore
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Postdoctoral Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner / Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Postdoctoral Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner / Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
This excellent ACNP program in Maryland offers a blended learning format that combines face-to-face instruction with online classes, specialty coursework, laboratory experiences, and clinical practicum experiences. The program requires the completion of 80 credits. You will study in classes, including Integration of Multiple Health Problems & Complex Clinical Syndromes, Pathological Alterations in the Critically Ill, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Across the Lifespan, and Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice. Additionally, the program includes a minimum of 1,080 practicum hours.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates for the BSN-to-DNP program must have a bachelor's degree in nursing from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or NLN CNEA-accredited college or university, possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse, and have at least two consecutive years of full-time acute care nursing experience providing care for adults in an inpatient setting. In addition to submitting an online application, applicants are required to provide two letters of recommendation, a typed resume or curriculum vitae, a copy of their current RN license, and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions they have previously attended. An undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is required. After applications are reviewed, you may be selected to interview with program faculty before receiving an admission offer.
Postdoctoral Certificate Program Details: As a doctoral-prepared nurse, you can add or change a Pediatric Acute Care or Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP/AGNP Clinical Nurse Specialist certification to your list of credentials through the Postdoctoral Certificate program at the University of Maryland. While the dual AGACNP/AG-CNS and Pediatric ACNP pathways have 46- and 43-credit curriculum plans, respectively, a Gap Analysis of your previous graduate coursework will be conducted. If you have already taken some of the required courses, the option of taking fewer credits is possible, and in that case, a personalized plan of study will be developed for you.
Postdoctoral Certificate Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the Postdoctoral Certificate Program, candidates must have a graduate degree in nursing (Master's or DNP) and a doctoral degree (DNP, PhD, EdD, etc.) and an active registered nursing license. Adult Gerontology candidates must have a minimum of two years of work experience in an inpatient acute care setting for adults. Pediatric pathway candidates must have at least two years of inpatient RN experience, including one year working in pediatrics, before enrolling in their first clinical course.
Applicants must complete a Pre-Application Assessment form and submit an online application. Additionally, prospective students are required to provide two letters of recommendation, an admission essay, a typed CV or resume, and official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The University of Maryland School of Nursing has clinical contracts with healthcare agencies and providers in a variety of settings across Maryland and in Washington D.C. While you may forward information for your preferred clinical site and preceptors, program faculty handle practicum arrangements. With faculty collaboration, you can rest assured that you will have adequate clinical experiences with well-qualified preceptors.• The University of Maryland's ACNP programs feature highly sought-after faculty with extensive experience in their field. Each faculty member is certified in their respective fields, including some who hold dual certifications.
• As a nurse educator, I find that utilizing simulated learning experiences is very beneficial to students. At the University of Maryland, you will participate in simulations in the school's state-of-the-art simulation lab. The lab features high-fidelity simulation models and innovative technology, utilizing real-life scenarios to teach approaches to patient care and foster professional expertise.
• As you search for the perfect ACNP program in Maryland, I recommend checking the program's student outcomes, which are typically published on the program's website. Student Outcome Reports are an excellent way to gauge the quality of a program and tell how well students are prepared for their chosen roles. For example, graduates of both the Adult Gerontology ACNP/Adult Gerontology CNS and Pediatric ACNP programs have excellent records of success on national certification exams. According to the school, almost all graduates pass their exams on the first attempt!
• Nursing education is a significant investment of both time and money. At the University of Maryland, financial aid opportunities can help bring your dreams to life. The School of Nursing offers several opportunities to help you afford your education, including graduate assistantships, donor-funded scholarships, merit-based scholarships, and the Conway Scholarship.
HOW MUCH DO ACNP GRADUATES MAKE IN MARYLAND?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF ACNP PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND EXPECT?
| Hourly | $46.38 |
| Weekly | $1,855 |
| Monthly | $8,040 |
| Annual | $96,460 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF ACNP PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $46.38 | $1,855 | $8,040 | $96,460 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $52.47 | $2,099 | $9,100 | $109,140 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $61.94 | $2,478 | $10,740 | $128,830 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $68.98 | $2,759 | $11,960 | $143,480 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $82.43 | $3,297 | $14,290 | $171,460 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE ACNP SALARY IN MARYLAND?
| Hourly | $63.03 |
| Weekly | $2,521 |
| Monthly | $10,930 |
| Annual | $131,110 |
HOW MUCH DO ACNPS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF MARYLAND?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $63.37 | $2,535 | $10,980 | $131,800 |
| California-Lexington Park | $56.77 | $2,271 | $9,840 | $118,080 |
| Cumberland | $59.44 | $2,378 | $10,300 | $123,640 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $55.01 | $2,201 | $9,540 | $114,430 |
| Salisbury | $64.42 | $2,577 | $11,170 | $133,990 |
ACNP SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. OTHER SALARIES
ACNP SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. ACNP SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Maryland ACNP Annual Salary | Average National ACNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $131,110 | $131,620 | -$510 | -0.39% |
ACNP SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. ACNP SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $165,480 | -$34,370 | -20.77% |
| Nevada | $152,290 | -$21,180 | -13.91% |
| Washington | $148,940 | -$17,830 | -11.97% |
| New Jersey | $148,560 | -$17,450 | -11.75% |
| Oregon | $148,480 | -$17,370 | -11.70% |
| Massachusetts | $147,520 | -$16,410 | -11.12% |
| New York | $146,310 | -$15,200 | -10.39% |
| Connecticut | $140,320 | -$9,210 | -6.56% |
| New Mexico | $140,100 | -$8,990 | -6.42% |
| Minnesota | $138,300 | -$7,190 | -5.20% |
| District of Columbia | $138,130 | -$7,020 | -5.08% |
| Rhode Island | $136,710 | -$5,600 | -4.10% |
| Hawaii | $135,840 | -$4,730 | -3.48% |
| Arizona | $135,790 | -$4,680 | -3.45% |
| Delaware | $134,300 | -$3,190 | -2.38% |
| Iowa | $134,010 | -$2,900 | -2.16% |
| New Hampshire | $133,920 | -$2,810 | -2.10% |
| Texas | $133,180 | -$2,070 | -1.55% |
| Wisconsin | $131,460 | -$350 | -0.27% |
| Maryland | $131,110 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Utah | $130,930 | +$180 | +0.14% |
| North Dakota | $130,870 | +$240 | +0.18% |
| Pennsylvania | $130,550 | +$560 | +0.43% |
| Illinois | $129,990 | +$1,120 | +0.86% |
| Alaska | $129,240 | +$1,870 | +1.45% |
| Vermont | $129,170 | +$1,940 | +1.50% |
| Montana | $127,680 | +$3,430 | +2.69% |
| Idaho | $127,580 | +$3,530 | +2.77% |
| Oklahoma | $127,360 | +$3,750 | +2.94% |
| Wyoming | $126,570 | +$4,540 | +3.59% |
| Indiana | $126,320 | +$4,790 | +3.79% |
| Maine | $125,930 | +$5,180 | +4.11% |
| Ohio | $125,860 | +$5,250 | +4.17% |
| Colorado | $124,960 | +$6,150 | +4.92% |
| Nebraska | $124,640 | +$6,470 | +5.19% |
| North Carolina | $124,550 | +$6,560 | +5.27% |
| Georgia | $124,100 | +$7,010 | +5.65% |
| South Dakota | $123,930 | +$7,180 | +5.79% |
| Virginia | $123,810 | +$7,300 | +5.90% |
| Michigan | $123,620 | +$7,490 | +6.06% |
| Florida | $122,630 | +$8,480 | +6.92% |
| Kansas | $122,180 | +$8,930 | +7.31% |
| Louisiana | $121,560 | +$9,550 | +7.86% |
| Mississippi | $120,350 | +$10,760 | +8.94% |
| South Carolina | $119,790 | +$11,320 | +9.45% |
| Missouri | $119,520 | +$11,590 | +9.70% |
| West Virginia | $116,210 | +$14,900 | +12.82% |
| Arkansas | $116,170 | +$14,940 | +12.86% |
| Kentucky | $113,060 | +$18,050 | +15.96% |
| Alabama | $112,700 | +$18,410 | +16.34% |
| Tennessee | $106,250 | +$24,860 | +23.40% |
ACNP SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN MARYLAND
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $187,420 | -$56,310 | -30.04% |
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $131,110 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Midwife | $128,400 | +$2,710 | +2.11% |
| Registered Nurse | $92,090 | +$39,020 | +42.37% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $88,610 | +$42,500 | +47.96% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $66,460 | +$64,650 | +97.28% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,770 | +$90,340 | +221.58% |
ACNP SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN MARYLAND
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Podiatrist | $239,460 | -$108,350 | -45.25% |
| Dentist | $234,670 | -$103,560 | -44.13% |
| Optometrist | $166,770 | -$35,660 | -21.38% |
| Pharmacist | $132,530 | -$1,420 | -1.07% |
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $131,110 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physician Assistant | $117,280 | +$13,830 | +11.79% |
| Physical Therapist | $105,520 | +$25,590 | +24.25% |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,710 | +$29,400 | +28.91% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,140 | +$29,970 | +29.63% |
| Radiation Therapist | $98,220 | +$32,890 | +33.49% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,310 | +$35,800 | +37.56% |
| Audiologist | $90,180 | +$40,930 | +45.39% |
| Chiropractor | $73,940 | +$57,170 | +77.32% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits ACNP Programs In Maryland?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited ACNP Schools Are There In Maryland?
| 2 |
3. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Hour In Maryland?
| $63.03 |
4. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Week In Maryland?
| $2,521 |
5. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Month In Maryland?
| $10,930 |
6. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Year In Maryland?
| $131,110 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For ACNPs In Maryland?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030) |
| +42.18% |
Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
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