10 Best Georgia FNP Programs (Online & Campus) – 2025


Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN

FNP programs in Georgia may be a smart move if you’re a nurse in the Peach State looking to take your career to the next level. Employment opportunities for family nurse practitioners are poised to grow by more than 79 percent in the next 10 years, and FNPs make good money, too: $115,150 annually on average. As a family nurse practitioner, you’ll be able to work in many different healthcare settings ranging from medical centers and ambulatory clinics to community agencies and private physician practices. Does this sound good to you? Keep reading to learn more about the 10 best FNP programs in Georgia for 2025.


FOLLOWING ARE THE 10 BEST FNP PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025

(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 10 best campus-based and online FNP programs in Georgia.)


1. Emory University - Atlanta


Programs Offered: MSN, and Post BSN DNP/Post MN DNP

About the School: Emory University is home to one of the best FNP programs in Georgia. Whether you are a baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse seeking to earn a master's or doctoral degree or an MSN, desiring to become a Doctor of Nursing Practice, there is an option for you at Emory.

The university boasts of nationally certified faculty members who are actively engaged in research and clinical practice. With high-quality, dedicated instructors at the helm, you will be prepared for success as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

MSN Program Details: The Emory University MSN program offers a Family Nurse Practitioner program option for baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses who have an active, unencumbered RN license to practice in Georgia or a Compact state. The program can be completed in just four months.

The MSN-FNP program features a 49-credit curriculum focused on upper-level nursing content. In this pathway, you will learn about subjects including Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics & Management for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Management of Acute & Chronic Illness, and Integrated Behavioral Health for APRNs. In addition to theoretical instruction, you will earn 720 clinical practice hours in diverse healthcare settings.

Post BSN DNP/Post MN DNP Program Details: If you're a registered nurse with a BSN or an MSN and you want to earn a doctoral degree and become an FNP, the Post BSN/Post MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at Emory University is an excellent choice. The program is offered in an online format with part-time and full-time study options. Full-time students can earn a DNP in 2 ½ years.

This program is one of the best online family nurse practitioner programs in Georgia. Depending on your current degree level and the number of transferable credits, you may complete up to 74 credit hours in this program. All students complete a total of 1,140 clinical practicum hours and 120 DNP practicum hours. The DNP practicum hours are earned by completing the required DNP Scholarly Project.


2. Augusta University - Augusta


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate

About the School: Nurses seeking an FNP program in Georgia may need to look no further than Augusta University. Augusta University’s School of Nursing features world-class faculty who are expert clinicians, researchers, and scholars. The university offers post-baccalaureate to DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate pathways to help you achieve your goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you’re searching for a family nurse practitioner program in Georgia where you can transition from a baccalaureate-level nursing degree to a doctorate in nursing, Augusta University has an excellent program option. The DNP-FNP program prepares advanced practice nurses in clinical and leadership roles with a specific focus on the care of individuals and families across the lifespan.

The BSN-FNP program is available in both part-time and full-time plans and is designed in a hybrid format, offering online and campus-based experiences as well as a wide variety of clinical practice opportunities. Full-time students can complete the program in two years, while part-time students typically graduate in four years. The program features a rigorous 77-credit hour curriculum, including coursework, laboratory simulations, clinical practice experiences, and a DNP residency.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: Augusta University also offers a Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate program designed for nurses who have a master's or doctorate in nursing and are already certified as a nurse practitioner in a different specialty. This accelerated online FNP-Post Graduate Certificate option can be completed in just three semesters of part-time study.

The program consists of a 19-credit curriculum including classes such as Health Promotions & Primary Care of Adults, Health Promotion & Primary Care of the Older Adult, and Health Promotion & Primary Care of Children and includes 549 clinical hours. Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to sit for the certification examination administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.


3. Mercer University - Atlanta


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate

About the School: Mercer University’s Georgia Baptist College of Nursing in Atlanta strives to promote its mission of excellence in teaching, leadership, research, scholarship, service, and practice. With high standards and dedication to student success, it’s no surprise the school is home to some of the best FNP programs in Georgia.

Mercer University prepares students for lifelong careers as Family Nurse Practitioners. Whether you’re pursuing a master’s degree, adding a specialty concentration, or have your sights set on a doctorate in nursing, there are options for you at Mercer!

MSN Program Details: The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed around “The Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Nursing Practice." The program is focused on providing the knowledge and clinical skills nurses need to promote patient health and to assess, manage, and prevent illness and disease.

The MSN-FNP program features part-time and full-time enrollment options. The curriculum consists of 48 credit hours and includes classes such as Statistics for Behavioral & Clinical Sciences, Nursing Theory & Knowledge Development, and Role Transition & Issues for the Advanced Practice Nurse. This pathway also features a clinical component made up of 660 clinical practice hours.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you’re interested in FNP programs in Georgia with a BSN-to-DNP option, Mercer University is worth considering. Mercer's post-baccalaureate to DNP program is presented in a hybrid format with synchronous online classes and in-person, campus-based learning.

This program is designed for nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing who wish to pursue a doctorate in nursing and specialize as family nurse practitioners. The eight-semester program features a 76-credit hour rigorous curriculum designed to take you from a BSN degree to a terminal nursing degree, prepared to provide care to families from diverse backgrounds with varying degrees of health and illness. The BSN-to-DNP program also includes 1,020 post-baccalaureate practice hours.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate program is designed for master's-level registered nurses certified as advanced practice nurses. The program is designed to be completed in three semesters with a blended format combining on-campus and online courses as well as in-person clinical experiences.

The curriculum consists of 23 credits, including 660 practicum hours. In this program, you will take one or two classes and participate in one practicum course each semester. Coursework includes the classes Care of Adults in the Primary Care Setting, Care of Children/Adolescents in the Primary Care Setting, Care of Adults in the Primary Care Setting, and Women’s Health.


4. Brenau University - Gainesville


Programs Offered: MSN

About the School: You can find another excellent family nurse practitioner program in Georgia at Brenau University. Brenau offers registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing the opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Nursing and specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Mercer University is known for its diverse student population, with students from more than 50 countries enrolled at any given time in online, on-campus, and hybrid programs. The university offers study abroad, overseas missions experiences, and local service-learning projects, helping to foster the student’s appreciation of diversity and inclusion, which is essential for those desiring a successful FNP practice.

MSN Program Details: The MSN program, which is one of the best FNP programs in Georgia, is available in a full-time, 20-month online format and a part-time, three-year hybrid format. Students in the MSN-FNP program advance clinical knowledge and skills under the instruction of faculty who are actively practicing nurse practitioners.

The program offers a 50-credit hour curriculum with classes, including Population Health for Advanced Practice Nursing, Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Clinical Pharmacology.

Students earn more than 600 clinical practice hours in a variety of healthcare settings. Clinical practicum experiences allow you to gain hands-on experience caring for patients across the lifespan under the mentorship of faculty and approved preceptors.


5. Georgia State University - Atlanta


Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate

About the School: Georgia State University is an excellent school choice for RNs of all degree levels seeking an FNP program in Georgia. The university is known as a leader among nursing schools in the nation for preparing nursing scholars and clinicians capable of providing high-quality care and improving individual, patient, and population health. Georgia State University offers four pathways to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, giving registered nurses of all levels the opportunity to pursue a career as an FNP.

RN-to-MSN Program Details: Are you a registered nurse with an associate degree desiring to move your practice to a graduate level? If so, the RN-to-MSN program at Georgia State University may interest you. The RN-to-MSN bridge program is open to associate degree RNs who have a minimum of one year of work experience as a licensed registered nurse.

Students admitted to the RN-to-MSN Family Nurse Practitioner path complete 56 credit hours. The curriculum consists of eight credits earned through required undergraduate prerequisite coursework.

Prerequisite requirements include two ridge courses: Caring for Families & Communities and Leadership & Management in Nursing. After completing prerequisite courses, students in the RN-to-MSN pathway may transition into the master's level component of the curriculum.

MSN Program Details: The Master of Social Work program is available to baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses. Like the RN-to-MSN pathway, students may choose part-time or full-time options and graduate in two to four years.

The MSN program features a 48-semester hour curriculum, including classes such as Advanced Pathophysiological Concepts in Nursing, Theoretical Foundations & Research Methods for Advanced Practice Nursing, and Gerontological Nursing.

*The RN-to-MSN and MSN programs offer online coursework and in-person clinical experiences. You have the option of enrolling part-time or full-time. Part-time students take three to four years to graduate, and full-time students can complete the program in as few as two years. Students in both pathways complete a minimum of 585 clinical practice hours.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Another of the best FNP programs in Georgia is the BSN-to-DNP program at Georgia State University. This pathway is open to applicants with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minimum of six months of professional nursing work experience.

The BSN-to-DNP program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online classes with limited on-campus sessions. The program consists of an 81-credit hour curriculum and takes two to three years to complete, depending on whether you enroll part-time or full-time. All DNP students must achieve a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical practicum hours.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The GSU Post-Master's Certificate program is a great option for master's prepared RNs who have a specialty in another practice area but wish to transition to a Family Nurse Practitioner role. The PMC program features a rigorous curriculum that includes 43 credit hours, including 585 clinical practice hours.

Most coursework for the Post-Master's Certificate program is delivered online. However, all students attend a week-long campus experience at the beginning of the program and must attend in-person skills testing at various times throughout the program. Most students complete the program in three or four semesters.


6. Columbus State University - Columbus


Programs Offered: MSN

About the School: Columbus State University offers one of a few 100% online family nurse practitioner programs in Georgia. The university is recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the Top Regional Universities in the South, supporting our belief that it is an excellent school to pursue a degree as an FNP.

The school welcomes students into the program three times yearly in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, making it possible to begin pursuing your degree at a time most convenient for you. Out-of-state students pay the same tuition and fees as in-state students, which makes the program attractive to non-Georgia residents.

MSN Program Details: The Master of Science-FNP program can be completed in as few as two years if you attend full-time. The program offers asynchronous course delivery making it a great option for working professionals. Another perk of the program is you can complete clinicals in an area close to your home.

The family nurse practitioner program in Georgia at Columbus State University features a 44-credit hour curriculum. You will take classes, including Healthcare Delivery Models, Economics, & Policy, Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Practice Nursing, Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses, and Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice. Students in the MSN-FNP pathway complete at least 765 clinical hours, learning to provide direct care to individuals across the lifespan.

The MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program is open to baccalaureate-prepared RNs who received their degrees from a regionally accredited university and nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE or NLNAC). Applicants must have an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the state where clinicals will occur.


7. Kennesaw State University - Kennesaw


Programs Offered: MSN

About the School: Are you ready to advance your scope of practice and career with a Master of Science in Nursing and complete a family nurse practitioner program in Georgia? If so, Kennesaw State University could be a great choice for you.

Kennesaw State University boasts exceptional nursing faculty who are leaders in the nursing industry. Faculty commitment to the school, students, and profession means you can have confidence in the people teaching you. Graduates of KSU's Wellstar School of Nursing are known to find employment in world-class medical centers, the United States military, and medically underserved regions in the southeastern part of the country.

MSN Program Details: The Kennesaw State University MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program, another of our featured FNP programs in Georgia, offers a four-semester study plan and is delivered in a hybrid format. The program is open to applicants who earned a BSN from a nationally accredited nursing school and achieved a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. Candidates must have at least one year of verifiable, full-time, direct patient care work experience as a professional registered nurse within the last five years.

The curriculum is based on a 40-semester-hour plan of study and includes three components: core classes, primary care specialization courses, and residency.

In this program, you will study classes including Advanced Assessment, Health Maintenance & Disease Prevention, Theory & Research for Advanced Nursing Scholarship, Evidence-Based Practice, and Roles & Healthcare Issues.

The MSN-FNP program places a heavy emphasis on preceptor-supervised clinical practicum, designed to prepare you for independent practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. All students complete at least 630 direct-contact clinical practice hours.


8. Clayton State University - Morrow


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate

About the School: Clayton State University is devoted to preparing students with rich academic experiences designed to engage critical thinking and sound decision-making, preparing them for professional nursing practices. The university's dedication to strong academic preparation is evidenced in its employment of experienced, professional faculty. With a strong team of nursing faculty, personalized attention for students, and small classes, it's no surprise the school is recognized as having some of the best FNP programs in Georgia.

MSN Program Details: The Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares registered nurses for advanced practice roles as primary care providers for individuals and families of all ages across the health spectrum. The program is designed for post-baccalaureate registered nurses.

The MSN-FNP program at Clayton State University consists of a 47-credit hour plan of study. The program can be completed in two years or four semesters of full-time study.

In this program, you will study Population Health & Emerging Disease, Advanced Pharmacology for Family Nurse Practitioners, and Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan. This pathway also includes clinical practice opportunities through which each student completes at least 585 hours of hands-on patient care.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Another excellent FNP program in Georgia, designed for master's-prepared registered nurses, is the Clayton State University Post-Master's Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner program. The program features a curriculum including 36 credit hours, including 585 clinical practicum hours.

*Upon completion of the required coursework, students in both the MSN-FNP and Post-Master's Certificate-FNP programs are eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination administered by either the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board or American Nurses Credentialing Center.


9. Georgia Southern University - Statesboro


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master's Certificate

About the School: Georgia Southern University offers a few more options for online FNP programs in Georgia. The GSU School of Nursing is dedicated to preparing diverse student populations for professional nursing roles through academic excellence aimed at promoting health and enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families in the communities they serve. Students at Georgia State University learn from experienced faculty aligned with the university's values including a culture of care, scholarship, integrity, and service.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner track prepares registered nurses for leadership roles focused on primary care for individuals and families of all ages. The program offers didactic and clinical practicum experiences to equip nurse practitioners capable of providing mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social care to clients. While most coursework is delivered online, students attend two or three campus days each semester while taking clinical specialty classes.

In this excellent FNP program in Georgia Southern University, you will study content from classes, including Biomedical Ethics, Management of Common Primary Care Health Concerns, and Theoretical & Practical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nurses. All BSN-to-DNP students must complete at least 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours, 720 of which are concentration-specific.

Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: The Georgia Southern University Post-Master's Certificate FNP program is an option available to registered nurses who have an MSN and hold national certification in another advanced practice registered nurse specialty.

The FNP-Post-Master's Certificate pathway requires students to complete 19 credit hours. Classes include Psychodynamics of Health and three FNP-specific classes: Pediatrics, Women's Health, and Adult-Gerontology. Each FNP-specific course has a corresponding clinical practicum assignment consisting of 180 clinical hours. Upon completion of the program, all students will have a minimum of 540 hours of hands-on patient care experience in a Family Nurse Practitioner capacity.


10. Georgia College - Milledgeville


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate

About the School: Georgia College is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as having one of the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs in the nation. The college features renowned faculty who are dedicated to student success.

This college offers several nursing programs, including great options for FNP programs in Georgia. Eligible applicants may choose from the Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program or the Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate program.

MSN Program Details: The Georgia College School of Nursing offers a post-bachelor's Master of Science in Nursing program with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration option. The program is offered in an online format. However, students are expected to attend a few on-campus intensive meetings. The program begins in the summer with a four-day campus experience where you will meet faculty and members of your cohort.

The MSN-FNP program in Georgia College's School of Nursing features a 40-credit hour curriculum. Students study topics, including Perspectives of Advanced Nursing Practice, Nursing Theory: Principles & Applications, and Healthcare Research & Statistical Analysis. The University of Georgia is a public university. Therefore, all clinical hours must be completed in the state of Georgia. All students complete a minimum of 630 clinical hours.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you are a master’s-prepared registered nurse seeking certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, the FNP Post-Master's Certificate pathway could be a great option for you. The online format means flexibility for students with busy home or work schedules.

Post-Masters Certificate students who have not completed supporting core courses known as the "3 Ps," Physical Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology, must do so before taking advanced FNP clinical courses. These students will earn 31 credit hours. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who have already completed supporting core courses will complete 22 credit hours and 630 hours of clinical practicum. Most students complete the program in three semesters.


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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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