10 Best Texas FNP Programs (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Graduating from one of the FNP programs in Texas will prepare you to offer more in-depth care than your current role as a registered nurse allows. It’s a perfect opportunity to expand your scope of practice and become a primary healthcare provider. Family nurse practitioners in the Lone Star State earn $124,350 on average, and employment opportunities for these skilled specialists are expected to increase by 66 percent within the coming decade. Much of your FNP coursework can be taken online so you can continue meeting your current job and family opportunities while you’re in school. Keep reading to learn about the 10 best FNP programs in Texas for 2025.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 10 BEST FNP PROGRAMS IN TEXAS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 10 best campus-based and online FNP programs in Texas.)
1. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston
Programs Offered: RN to MSN,
MSN and Post-Master's, and
BSN to DNP
Counted among the best FNP programs in Texas, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston prepares evidence-based FNP graduates through the MSN, post-masters, RN to MSN, and BSN to DNP pathways. From enrollment to post completion, the college stays committed towards student success and also offers merit-based and need-based financial assistance to deserving students. Here, FNP education is delivered through online and on-campus classes, with the option of taking exams either in the distance format or by visiting the campus.
RN to MSN Program Details: Are you an ADN prepared registered nurse? Do you see yourself offering primary care, serving as an FNP in Texas? If yes, then you have a chance to reach your goals with this unique RN to MSN-FNP track, which seamlessly allows you to graduate as an MSN-FNP in about six to seven semesters of full-time study. The program starts once a year in spring and requires completing a total of 54 credits to graduate.
MSN and Post-Master's Program Details: The MSN and post-masters certificate programs focus on health promotion, risk education, disease prevention, and management of illness. While the MSN program is meant for BSN graduates, to be eligible for the certificate, you must have completed your masters in nursing. The MSN requires completing 41 credits, whereas with the certificate although the program requirements are individualized, you must complete around 29 to 33 credits. Furthermore, as an MSN student, you can concurrently pursue an add-on specialty in Emergency/Trauma Care after which you will be eligible to take the certification exam for both, FNP as well as an emergency nurse.
BSN to DNP Program Details: This BSN to DNP program is open to BSN graduates who are keen on achieving the highest level of nursing education. Being an integrated format, the program does not allow an exit after completing the MSN courses, so once you enter, you straightaway graduate with a population-focused DNP degree along with a specialization in the primary care of families across the lifespan.
2. The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington
Programs Offered: MSN and
Post-Master's Certificate
If you are looking at online FNP programs in Texas to undergo evidence-based family nurse practitioner education, then your search may end with University of Texas Arlington’s MSN and post-masters certificate programs. Not only will you complete the entire coursework online, but even the clinical experiences can also be completed in your geographical location, which leaves you with enough room to fulfill other life responsibilities.
MSN Program Details: This online MSN program prepares you for the role of a primary care provider capable of serving diverse groups of patients in various types of clinical settings. The program is offered with multiple start dates, so you can begin when you are ready. To graduate you must complete a total of 46 credits and 720 clinical hours. Also, if you are someone who desires face to face interaction, you can instead enroll in the on-campus MSN which combines online learning with few campus visits. Regardless of the format you prefer, you will graduate within 24 months of full-time study.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: This post-master’s certificate is ideal if you desire to improve the health of patients across the lifespan. The coursework builds on your previous nursing degree of an MSN and expands it to make you an advanced primary care provider. The program is available in a 100% online as well as in the on-campus format for those who seek to attend face-to-face classes. Typically, program requirements are decided based on a gap analysis after which most students usually complete the program in around 10 months.
3. Baylor University, Waco
Programs Offered: DNP
Is a DNP-FNP degree from one of the best Texas FNP schools a top priority on your mind? In that case, you may want to know about Baylor University, a top-ranking nursing school that takes pride in 100% of its FNP graduates passing the certification exam on the first attempt. By completing your DNP-FNP program here, you will be prepared as a holistic nurse who is authorized to practice autonomously. Program graduates are playing impactful roles in healthcare, including that of public health program directors, health policy specialists, nursing faculty, and other leadership roles in patient services.
This DNP program can be entered either after a BSN or after your complete a master's in nursing. Either way, the program can be completed online with campus visits required only for immersions. While after a BSN you require completing 75 credits which usually takes three years, post an MSN you can complete it in two years by earning 31-37 credits. Regardless of the pathway, you will complete 1,125 clinical hours at a placement site provided by the college. To prepare you as a holistic nurse who treats the patient’s body, mind, and soul, the coursework also includes a course in servant leadership that teaches you to serve the patient as a whole. Besides, you also take courses in pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, healthcare policy and business, epidemiology, and family healthcare management.
4. The University of Texas at Austin, Austin
Programs Offered: MSN and
Post-Master's Certificate
University of Texas Austin’s FNP training incorporates courses in nursing science, professional foundations, and related sciences to design a curriculum of advanced specialized nursing practice. The school has consistently received acclaim for its graduate education with the US News & World Report ranking it among the top MSN-FNP programs in Texas as well as in the nation.
MSN Program Details: To qualify for this MSN-FNP program you must be a registered nurse with either a bachelor's in nursing or a non-nursing field. A non-nursing bachelor’s is applicable provided you have completed either an ADN or a diploma in nursing. The program is available in the face-to-face format and can be completed in 1.5 to 2 years by attending full-time classes or longer if you choose the part-time schedule. The 48-credit curriculum takes you through courses that mainly focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses of patients across the lifespan. Additionally, hands-on skills are perfected by completing 645 hours of clinical training.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: This post master's certificate FNP program in Texas requires you to have completed either an MSN or DNP with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, you must be a registered RN with at least two years of work experience as a nurse. Upon completion of the 27 credits and 645 clinical hours, you will be eligible to take the FNP certification exam.
5. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio
Programs Offered: BSN to DNP and
Post-Graduate Certificate
As a registered nurse, have you aspired of practicing as an FNP in Texas at varied healthcare settings? If so, what better then completing your FNP education through University of Texas Health Science Center’s DNP or postgraduate certificate programs that prepare you for advanced primary care leadership and clinical expertise. With the college’s more than 400 clinical affiliations, you are guaranteed clinical placements at various sites where you not only gain hand-on learning but often these clinical experiences translate into employment for many of its well-trained FNP graduates.
BSN to DNP Program Details: This BSN to DNP program is open to BSN graduates holding an active RN license in Texas. You can complete this program either on a full-time or a part-time basis, with full-time taking three years whereas part-time spanning across five years. Regardless of the schedule you choose, this advanced practice DNP degree requires you to complete 76 credits and a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: To qualify for this postgraduate certificate you must be a licensed RN holding an MSN degree. The graduate you must complete 28 credits which take about two years. An overall GPA of 3.0 is required to earn your FNP degree.
6. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock
Programs Offered: MSN,
BSN to DNP, and
Post-Master's Certificate
Do you wish to make a difference to Texas’s healthcare delivery system? Are you interested in pursuing advanced practice nursing in primary care? Well, to achieve both these goals you can consider enrolling in either one of the three Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s FNP programs in Texas. Through its MSN, BSN to DNP, and post-master’s certificate programs that produce primary care leaders, the school has been at the forefront in bridging the gap of competent primary care providers in the state.
MSN Program Details: This FNP program in Texas is open to BSN graduates who carry a valid unencumbered RN license. Besides, the college seeks candidates who possess leadership qualities, have relevant work experience, and are fluent in a language, in addition to English. To earn your MSN-FNP degree you must complete 48 credits, after which you will be eligible to take the specialty-specific certification exam.
BSN to DNP Program Details: If you are a registered nurse who can solve complex healthcare problems, then maybe you should consider this BSN to DNP track that takes your baccalaureate education straight to the doctoral level and prepares you to improve healthcare at the community level. The program is available only as a full-time option and takes three years to complete. To earn your degree, you must complete 74 to 76 credits and a total of 1000 clinical hours.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: These post-masters certificate expands your MSN knowledge and prepares you for the specialized primary care of individuals across the lifespan. Although the exact program requirements depend on your previously completed coursework, you must earn up to 36 credits to earn your FNP certificate.
7. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston
Programs Offered: MSN
UTMB has been producing leaders in primary care from 1988 and today its FNP graduates work as competent members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams, collaborating with other healthcare professionals to improve health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Applauded for its innovative FNP education, as an advanced practice nursing student here, you achieve excellence by going through leadership immersions where you will be provided opportunities to apply leadership theoretical concepts to practice in actual clinical settings. Furthermore, your training involves enhancing skills in real-world applications such as management of healthcare costs, problem-solving to reduce costs, and improving the process of healthcare delivery.
This MSN program is meant for BSN graduates who are keen on advancing their careers as a holistic primary care provider. Like most other online FNP programs in Texas, you take the coursework online while visiting the campus 2-3 times each semester for clinical training. Also, you enjoy the flexibility of completing the clinical practicum in your community. Throughout the seven semesters of your program, you complete 14 courses. To earn your MSN-FNP degree you must earn a total of 49 credits comprising courses, some of which include pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, public policy, informatics & quality improvement, and primary care ranging from infants to older adults.
8. Texas Woman's University, Denton
Programs Offered: MSN and
Post-Master's Certificate
Texas Woman’s University offers online FNP programs in Texas that can be accessed by students residing in Texas as well as in 30 other states across the U.S. With a competitive tuition cost, the program prepares you as a holistic advanced primary caregiver who treats patients as a whole, considering various factors that can impact their health and well-being. If you are an out-of-state student, whether it’s in finding a placement site closer to home or organizing a preceptor, the college takes care of it so that you can simply stay focused on reaching your academic and career goals. TWU is currently offering two different types of FNP programs in Texas.
MSN Program Details: You need to have a BSN and a current RN license to be eligible for this program. This MSN-FNP program comes with three start dates and requires completion of 13 courses or 46 credits which spans across three years. Some of the courses you take include theoretical foundations of nursing practice, research, and quality improvement in nursing, health policy and promotion, and advanced practice role as a family nurse practitioner.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: This post-master’s certificate is open to candidates with an MSN and an active RN license. The program comprises 34 credits or nine courses and takes about two years to complete. With three intakes, you can start either in spring, summer, or fall.
9. Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
Programs Offered: BSN to DNP and
Post-Graduate Certificate
Whether you desire to become an advanced primary care provider and explore a broad range of employment options or simply wish to improve health on an individual and community level, Texas Christian University’s FNP programs in Texas have got you covered. Even though these programs are offered in an online format, only students residing in-state and in New Mexico are eligible to apply. Depending on your previous nursing degree and career goals you can enroll in either the BSN to DNP program or the post-graduate certificate and gain specialized skills in the primary care of patients across the lifespan.
BSN to DNP Program Details: This BSN to DNP program requires you to have completed a BSN and hold an active RN license to be eligible. The program is offered once a year in summer and can be completed within three years on a full-time basis. If you prefer the flexibility of attending part-time classes, the college offers part-time enrolment as well. Although mainly online, you are required to attend the campus twice for intensives. To earn your doctoral degree, you must earn 67 credits and complete a total of 1000 clinical hours.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: APRNs who are prepared with either a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing can apply for this post-graduate certificate program. The program starts in spring and takes 1.5 years to complete. As an advanced practice nurse by completing this 22-credit coursework you will achieve the competence to promote health and offer primary care to families of all ages.
10. The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler
Programs Offered: MSN and
Post-Master's Certificate
If you are checking out FNP programs in Texas that stand out for the employability of their graduates, then you must consider the FNP programs offered by University of Texas Tyler. Not only does the college boasts of a 100% first-time pass rate on the FNP certification exam, but graduates are also known to possess an enhanced skill set in problem-solving, written & verbal communication, cultural relevance, and other relevant marketable hard skills that are required to do the job well. Ut Tyler currently offers two types of FNP programs in Texas.
MSN Program Details: This MSN program is a combination of online and on-campus classes. Out of the total 47 credits that you must complete, 25 credits can be earned online, while the remaining 22 credits can be completed through attending on-campus classes, 1 to 2 days per semester. The coursework is designed to prepare you for direct patient care as well as indirect improvement of healthcare through administration, research, and education. Upon graduation, you can explore employment options in primary care, education, and research.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: This post-master’s certificate is a 29-credit curriculum, open to MSN graduates with an active RN license. Out of the total program credits, 7 are to be completed online, whereas 22 are through on-campus web-enhanced classes.
VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY
Nearby States
Popular Related Articles