9 Best Michigan FNP Programs (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Family nurse practitioners in Michigan have one of the highest job satisfaction rates of any occupation. FNPs find their work extremely meaningful on a personal level, plus demand for their services is high and expected to increase by 50.88 percent within the next decade. Graduates of FNP programs in Michigan command top dollar, too; on average, they earn $113,500 a year. As a family nurse practitioner in the Wolverine State, you’ll be able to work in a variety of practice settings such as hospital clinics, private physician practices, home healthcare agencies, community clinics, and more. Sound interesting? Learn more by reading about the 9 best FNP programs in Michigan for 2025.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 9 BEST FNP PROGRAMS IN MICHIGAN (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 9 best campus-based and online FNP programs in Michigan.)
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
About the School: If you're searching for one of the best FNP programs in Michigan, why not start by checking out the University of Michigan? The university is consistently ranked as having some of the best nursing programs available in the nation, including options for nurses who want to pursue a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner. As an FNP student at the University of Michigan, you will learn from one of the country's largest public research institutions.
The University of Michigan offers online and residential learning options for students enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner programs, allowing you to decide when and where you will learn and study. Online students participate in on-campus visits three days per term, participating in skills labs, formative learning opportunities, and testing.
MSN Program Details: The University of Michigan MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner pathway offers two- and three-year study options. The MSN-FNP program is available to applicants who have earned or are completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an AACN, CCNE, or NLN-accredited nursing program. If you are currently enrolled in a BSN program, you must earn your degree before the term begins for which you seek admission. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0-grade point average for all undergraduate coursework.
The MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program features a 55-credit hour curriculum and can be completed in two to three years. Pursuing this program, you will take classes, including Pharmacotherapeutics, Biostatistics for Clinical Practice, and Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology. The program includes 560 hours of hands-on clinical practice completed over three semesters.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Michigan offers one of the well-known online DNP-FNP programs in Michigan designed for baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses desiring to earn a doctorate in nursing and pursue a family practice career. The BSN-to-DNP program is available in three- and four-year formats, depending on how many courses you wish to take each term.
The program's curriculum is an 80-credit hour pathway featuring classes such as Epidemiology for Health Professionals, Procedural Skills for Primary Care Providers, and Team-Based Decisions. Students in the BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program complete a minimum of 1,120 clinical practice hours.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: The Post-Master's Certificate program is designed for nurses who hold an MSN and an advanced practice certificate in a specialty other than family practice. This pathway is an excellent way for you to broaden your scope of practice or transition from one patient foci to another. The program is offered in a campus-based format and includes 30 credits of coursework and 500 clinical practice hours.
2. Michigan State University - East Lansing
About the School: Another excellent choice for FNP programs in Michigan is Michigan State University. The university offers several options for registered nurses desiring to broaden their skill set and further their careers.
The MSU college of Nursing boasts expert nursing faculty and staff dedicated to students, the school, and the profession. The university offers access to learning and assessment centers where students complete on-campus intensives, developing and honing skills. The centers feature clinical examination rooms, Pyxis medication stations, low- and high-fidelity manikins, and advanced digital video technology.
MSN Program Details: The Michigan State University MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program is one of the best MSN-FNP programs in Michigan. The program admits a new cohort each fall and is offered with part-time and full-time options. Full-time students can complete the program in two years, while part-time students typically take three years to graduate.
The MSN program features a hybrid format, with online coursework and in-person clinical experiences. Students also visit campus 4 to 5 days each semester for the purpose of lectures, simulation labs, seminars, group work, and testing.
The MSN-FNP program includes a minimum of 55 credit hours. In this pathway, you will take classes, including Clinical Epidemiology for Healthcare Practice, Healthcare Informatics, and Patient Safety, Quality Improvement & Quality Management in Healthcare. Students in the MSN program participate in at least 500 clinical hours.
DNP Program Details: The Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner program provides a solid foundation for organizational, systems, and clinical leadership as an FNP. This program will prepare you to implement and evaluate cost-effective, high-quality healthcare services for patients across their lifespans. The DNP-FNP can be completed in three years of full-time study or four years as a part-time student.
The DNP-FNP program offers baccalaureate- and master's-prepared registered nurse options to earn a doctorate in nursing practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. Post-baccalaureate students complete a 70-credit hour curriculum, and post-master's students earn 23 credits with classes including Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Leadership in Complex Health Systems, and Advanced Physiology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
As per guidelines set forth in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice, established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, all DNP-Family Nurse Practitioner students complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you are certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and desire to transition your career to a family practice perspective, the Michigan State University Post-Graduate Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner program could be an excellent option. The program begins yearly in the spring semester.
The Post-Graduate Certificate program director will complete a gap analysis to determine the number of credits and clinical hours you need to earn the FNP certificate. Typically, students who choose this pathway complete 27 credit hours. The curriculum includes Family Health Promotion and Clinical Diagnosis & Management classes. Additionally, most Post-Graduate Certificate students complete at least 500 clinical hours.
3. Davenport University - Grand Rapids
About the School: Davenport University is home to a few more of the best FNP programs in Michigan we found. The university offers MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner and Post-Graduate Certificate-FNP pathways. Both programs are offered online, making them an excellent option for busy nurses who wish to continue working while in school. The School of Nursing at Davenport University is led by experienced nurse educators and advanced practice nursing clinicians.
MSN Program Details: The MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program at Davenport University will help you expand your career by preparing you to provide comprehensive healthcare services for individuals and families across the health and illness spectrum. Students who enroll full-time can usually complete the MSN-FNP program in five semesters.
The MSN-FNP program is a 45-credit hour pathway, which includes classes like Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice, Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice, and Management of Patients & Families with Chronic Conditions.
Throughout the program, you will have access to online virtual health assessment tools and simulators and complete hands-on simulation experiences. The Davenport University MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program includes direct clinical practice experiences in various primary care settings where you will earn more than 800 clinical hours.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you already have a master's degree in nursing but want to earn a new certification or transition your role to that of a Family Nurse Practitioner, the Post-Graduate Certificate program makes that possible. The program is designed for completion in five semesters.
The Post-Graduate Certificate FNP program emphasizes comprehensive care for individuals and families with varying degrees of wellness and illness. The Post-Graduate Certificate program features a curriculum of 36 credits, with classes including Health Promotion for Advanced Practice Nursing, Acute & Episodic Problems, and Advanced Gerontology. Post-Graduate students participate in 720 clinical hours relevant to the family practice concentration.
4. Oakland University - Rochester
About the School: Oakland University is known for providing high-quality nursing education that offers excellent course delivery from dedicated faculty, diverse clinical opportunities mentored by experienced clinicians, and ongoing post-graduation support to students. Whether you are a baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse seeking a master's degree or a master's-level RN desiring a post-Master's certification as an FNP, Oakland University has something to offer you. The university offers two of our featured family nurse practitioner programs in Michigan, the MSN-FNP and Post-Master's Certificate-FNP programs.
MSN Program Details: With a holistic approach to patient care and the management of routine, complex, and episodic health issues, the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at Oakland University is considered a top FNP program in Michigan. The program admits students twice each year during the Fall and Winter semesters.
The MSN-FNP program features a 48 credit hours curriculum. It can be completed in two years full-time or three years part-time. Coursework for the program includes classes such as Interprofessional Role Development, Leadership & Ethics in Advanced Nursing Practice, Health Promotion Across the Lifespan, and Systems Leadership & Health Policy for Advanced Nursing Practice.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: The Post-Master's Certificate FNP program at Oakland University prepares master's level registered nurses as primary care providers for clients from birth to end of life. The curriculum for this pathway offers a culturally sensitive approach and includes a focus on health promotion and disease prevention.
A GAP analysis is conducted before beginning the program to determine which didactic coursework and clinicals from your MSN program are eligible for transfer to the Post-Master's Certificate FNP program. Depending on the number of credits and clinical hours transferred, you will complete between 15 and 32 credits. The program also includes 500 hours of family practice-related clinical experience.
5. University of Detroit Mercy - Detroit
About the School: Another great school for some of the best FNP programs in Michigan is the University of Detroit Mercy. The school is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Graduate Schools for MSN and for DNP. The university also boasts nursing faculty who are experts in their fields, many of whom remain practicing clinicians.
The university offers three options for earning a graduate or post-graduate degree or certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The FNP programs at the University of Detroit Mercy are designed for baccalaureate- and master's-prepared nurses.
MSN Program Details: The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed for baccalaureate-educated registered nurses desiring to earn a master's degree in nursing and specialize as an FNP. The program offers part-time and full-time study plans. Part-time students usually complete the program in three years, while full-time students graduate in two years.
The MSN- FNP program in Michigan at the University of Detroit Mercy consists of 47 credit hours of coursework and 750 clinical practice hours. In this pathway, you will take classes such as Transformational Leadership & Innovation in Advanced Clinical Practice, Information Management & Decision Support, and Analytic Methods for Clinical Practice.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program takes four years to complete part-time or three years if you enroll full-time. This pathway includes a 71-credit hour curriculum. The first 47 credit hours are master's level coursework, and after completing MSN competencies, the MSN is awarded. The remaining 24 credits include DNP core coursework. During this phase, you will take classes including Psychosocial Issues & Health Integration, Analytics for Evidence-Based Practice, and Ethical Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice. DNP students must earn a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours to meet graduation criteria.
Post-Master's Certificate: The Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program is an excellent option for applicants who possess a Master of Science in Nursing and want to direct their career toward a family nurse practitioner focus. You can earn your certificate in four semesters if you enroll as a full-time student.
The program requires students to complete 29 credit hours of coursework. If you are already a nurse practitioner with a specialty other than Family Nurse Practitioner, you will complete 500 hours (about 3 weeks) of clinical practicum. Students without an NP certification complete 750 hours of clinicals.
6. Wayne State University - Detroit
About the School: If you're looking for BSN-to-DNP FNP programs in Michigan, Wayne State University has a great program worth considering. The university's School of Nursing was founded in 1945 and has provided high-quality nursing education since then. Wayne State University is ranked as one of the Best Grad Schools for Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice by U.S. News.
The Wayne State University School of Nursing is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion. The university's nursing faculty conduct research and offer scholarships to help reduce health disparities and increase access to mental and physical healthcare services for the medically underserved in the Detroit area.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The Wayne State University BSN-to-DNP pathway is an excellent option for baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses desiring a doctorate degree as a family nurse practitioner in Michigan. The program offers a focus on clinical specialty certification and inquiry, leadership development and translation of research into advanced nursing practices.
The curriculum includes 78 credits and can be completed in two to four years. In this program, you will learn from classes, including Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice, Family-Centered Health Promotion & Risk Reduction, and Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan.
Students earn a minimum of 1,000 hours of APRN/Practicum clinical practice. The BSN-to-DNP program requires a one-year residency, which is met by completing at least six graduate credits of coursework in two successive semesters.
7. Madonna University - Livonia
About the School: At Madonna University, prospective students seeking FNP programs in Michigan may choose from three Family Nurse Practitioner pathways, the MSN-FNP, BSN-to-DNP FNP, and Post-Master's Certificate-FNP. The programs feature a hybrid format of online and campus learning as well as clinical practice hours.
Madonna University is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Nursing Schools for Master's and Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice. The school has more than 30 full-time nursing faculty who are practicing clinicians, dedicated to your success.
MSN Program Details: The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at Madonna University is one of the best FNP programs in Michigan. The program, which can be completed in two to three years, features a 50-semester hour curriculum which includes nursing core, advanced practice core and population clinical courses. Classes in this pathway include Advanced Human Pathophysiology, Health Policy Analysis & Advocacy, and Advanced Assessment of Pediatrics & Childbearing Women.
The MSN-FNP program includes a clinical readiness course designed to prepare you for entry into clinical courses. During the clinical course, you will access live simulation and participate in hands-on competency skills including radiology, suturing wounds, and EKG interpretation. Students complete a minimum of 600 direct clinical hours which are family centered and serve diverse populations.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP pathway will prepare you with a terminal nursing degree and the skills needed to function as a family care practitioner providing healthcare services to patients from birth to old age. The DNP-Family Nurse Practitioner program offers part-time and full-time options featuring a hybrid format that combines online and on-campus learning. The program typically takes three to four years to complete, depending on whether you have eligible transferable credits and if you choose to enroll part-time or full-time.
The program consists of a 74-credit curriculum with classes including Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing, Translating & Integrating Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice, and Biostatistics for the Health Professional. Students complete a total of 1,000 clinical including hands-on direct patient care and hours earned from the DNP Scholarly Project.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: The Post-Master's Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner program in Michigan at Madonna University is available to currently certified nurse practitioners desiring to expand their role to include family practice care. The program is designed to be completed in as few as three semesters of full-time study.
The program includes a 32-credit hour curriculum designed to address health promotion, comprehensive health assessment, and management of individuals and families across the spectrum of health and illness. Students in the Post-Master's FNP Certificate program complete 540 hands-on clinical practice hours.
8. University of Michigan - Flint
About the School: The University of Michigan at Flint School of Nursing is dedicated to helping students achieve their goals of becoming professional nurses capable of providing high-quality nursing care in various settings to people from diverse backgrounds. The university offers theoretical and clinical learning opportunities to prepare students, like you, for practice as expert nursing clinicians caring for patients experiencing acute and chronic illness, promoting health and disease prevention.
BSN-to-DNP with MSN Program Details: The University of Michigan at Flint offers another featured DNP online family nurse practitioner program in Michigan. The program offers part-time and full-time curriculum options and two start dates each year, in the Winter and Fall semesters. The BSN-to-DNP with MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program is available to RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree conferred from a regionally accredited school of nursing and who have one year of work experience as a registered nurse.
As a student in the BSN-to-DNP FNP program in Michigan at UM-Flint you will complete the first four and a half semesters of MSN coursework and obtain the Master of Science in Nursing degree. At this time, you will be eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam. The remainder of the program consists of DNP-level courses. The curriculum consists of 70 total credits and 1,090 clinical practice hours. Some of the classes you will take in the program include Epidemiology & Population Health, Healthcare Research & Theoretical Perspectives, and Management of Acute & Chronic Health Problems.
9. Saginaw Valley State University - University Center
About the School: Saginaw Valley State University offers three options for FNP programs in Michigan. The School of Nursing features renowned educators with a broad range of clinical experience and specialties. At Saginaw Valley State University, you will become part of a supportive nursing environment designed to prepare you in both theory and clinical practice.
MSN Program Details: The at Saginaw Valley State University is known as the most affordable MSN program in the state and the only Family Nurse Practitioner program in Michigan offering a focus on rural health. Most classes are delivered online with a few of them having at the most three in-person meetings on campus. You can complete the program in two years of full-time study or three years part-time.
The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program features a 53-credit hour curriculum that includes 16 credits from MSN core and Capstone courses and 37 credits specialty-focused courses. In this pathway, you will take classes, including Pharmacology for Family Nurse Practitioners, Differential Diagnosis, and Health Promotion & Role for Family Nurse Practitioners. Students complete 480 to 960 hours of clinical.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program is designed for registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in nursing who desire to earn a doctorate in nursing and become a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner. The BSN-to-DNP curriculum requires completing a minimum of 79 credit hours. After completing 52 credits, you will be awarded the MSN with a concentration as an FNP. You may then complete the remaining 27 credits and earn the DNP degree. All students in the BSN-to-DNP program must earn a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. 360 practice hours will be earned while completing the DNP Scholarly Project.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: The Post-Graduate FNP Certificate program is designed for nurses who hold a graduate degree and certification in another concentration. The program is offered in a hybrid format and can be completed in two to three years part-time. In this pathway, you will earn 37-credit hours and complete 500 clinical practice hours.
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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