3 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Houston, TX (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
As a student at one of the accredited nurse practitioner schools in Houston, you will have exposure to some of the finest clinical mentors imaginable. Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, which is the largest medical complex in the world, and nearly one in eight Houstonians is employed by the healthcare sector. If you choose to become one of the city’s 3,630 nurse practitioners, you can count on making nearly $134,780 a year on average. On this page you will find information about the best nurse practitioner programs in Houston for 2025.
WHAT ARE THE BEST NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN HOUSTON, TX (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
(Based on our
ranking methodology, the following are the 3 Best NP programs in Houston, Texas (Online & Campus) for the year 2025.)
1. University of Texas Health Science Center
Programs Offered:
MSN and Post-Graduate, RN to MSN, and
BSN to DNP
Are you a registered nurse who is keen on advancing your nursing career? If yes, then you must consider enrolling in any of the top nurse practitioner programs in Houston that effectively prepare you for leadership roles in healthcare. University of Texas Health Science Center’s nursing school is one such distinguished institution that has been recognized by the US News & World Report for the outstanding education it offers through its evidence-based MSN, DNP, and FNP programs. The college is located within the Texas Medical Center, allowing easy access to the vast resources and the interdisciplinary learning environment of the world’s largest medical center. This nurse practitioner school offers three pathways with several specialization options that you can enroll in, depending on your career goals and interests.
MSN and Post-Graduate Concentrations:
Adult/Gerontology Acute Care,
Adult/Gerontology Primary Care,
Family, and
Psych/Mental Health
The MSN and post-master’s certificate programs come with specialization options in adult/gerontology acute care, adult/gerontology primary care, family health, and mental health. If you have completed your baccalaureate education from an accredited school with a minimum GPA of 3.0, you will be eligible to enter the MSN program and complete your practitioner education in any of the four specializations. On the hand, if you have completed your graduate studies, the post-master’s certificate can help you earn the nurse practitioner credential in your chosen field by completing 29 to 30 credits, as compared to the total 41 credits of the MSN program. Regardless of the program, you will complete the coursework online, while visiting the campus only once a week.
RN to MSN Concentrations:
Family Nurse Practitioner
This RN to MSN is one of the few nurse practitioner programs in Houston that offer ADN graduates the opportunity to earn three credentials of a BSN, MSN, and an FNP, seamlessly over six to seven semesters. The online coursework that begins in spring requires completing 54 credits in bridge, core, APRN, and specialization specific courses. This program is typically meant for RNs with one year of clinical work experience and who are interested in providing nursing care to individuals and families across the lifespan.
BSN to DNP Concentrations:
Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
As an entry-level nurse, if you aspire to play advanced practice roles, getting yourself enrolled in this BSN to DNP program can be a prudent step as you can earn the terminal degree of nursing seamlessly. Depending on your interests, you can choose from either of the four specializations and gain the competence of a doctoral-level trained nurse. The 79-credit curriculum is designed to prepare you as a clinical leader who practices innovative evidence-based patient-centric care that ultimately improves the delivery of healthcare and patient health outcomes. The program starts in fall each year and you can choose to enroll either for the full-time or part-time track. Also being a hybrid program most of the courses are offered online, except for the few campus visits which are required each semester.
2. Prairie View A & M University
Programs Offered:
MSN
As a nurse practitioner in Houston, you will be able to explore promising work opportunities as the bustling metropolis continues to require primary healthcare workers to meet the increasing healthcare needs of its large population. Prairie View A & M University College of Nursing enjoys the reputation of contributing to the city and state’s health care delivery for more than 95 years. The college enrolls a diverse student population that comes from 23 U.S. states and almost 39 countries. Besides, the rich cultural and diverse environment that it offers, the college is also known for affordable nursing education which is delivered by a high-quality faculty, many of whom actively engage in research and scholarly activities.
MSN Concentrations:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Through this MSN-NP program in Houston, you will gain the expertise to provide advanced nursing care to children, women, adults, the elderly, and their families. The 53-credit curriculum comprises of core and advanced practice courses and builds upon your baccalaureate education. RNs with a current unencumbered license in the state of Texas along with two years of experience as a nurse are eligible for this program. Once enrolled you will take courses, starting from foundational to complex subjects. Over the 780 hours that you must complete, you will be taught about theoretical nursing foundations, advanced pathophysiology & pharmacology, nursing research, and advanced health assessment. Program graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination.
3. Houston Baptist University
Programs Offered:
MSN
Houston Baptist University stands out among all the nurse practitioner programs in Houston for its industry-aligned education and a competency-based curriculum. This means you are not only trained to meet the requirement of the complex healthcare environment, but you also receive credit for past education as well as work experience. This way you focus on targeted courses and complete your training quickly and in an efficient manner. Also, with the program being delivered completely online and clinical courses completed in your geographical location you can conveniently fit this academic schedule into your busy life. Besides, the small-sized classes of 6:1 make way for personalized attention and support from its acclaimed faculty. To become a nurse practitioner the college offers two specialization options in pediatric primary care and family nursing care, both tracks preparing you for leadership roles in the nursing care of a diverse patient population.
MSN Concentrations:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care and
Family Nurse Practitioner
Depending on your interests, you can choose to complete this MSN program with either of the two specializations. Regardless of the track, you will complete an evidence-based curriculum that makes you eligible to take the certification exam in your chosen specialty. The MSN-PNPPC track that prepares you to provide advanced nursing care to newborns, infants, and children takes 24 months to complete. Similarly, the MSN-FNP coursework takes 24-26 months to complete. While the PNPPC track requires completion of 36 credits, with the FNP track you must complete 42 credits. Additionally, both programs include a clinical component of around 621 hours. Although both programs are 100% online, you are required to visit the campus for two one-day sessions of orientation and skills training. Some of the common core courses you take include advanced nursing research, leadership for quality, safety and health policy, and advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and skills primary care.
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