University of Maryland offers 3 Family Nurse Practitioner Tracks:
- BSN-DNP
- Post-Master’s DNP
- Postdoctoral Certificate
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP | $92.4K–$96.2K / $152.0K–$155.8K | 3–5 years (9–14 semesters) | 80 |
| Post-Master’s DNP | $43.3K–$77.0K / $76.9K–$136.6K | Not clearly stated | 45–80 |
| Certificate | Up to $41.4K / $73.4K | Not clearly stated | Up to 43 |
Tuition estimates use UMSON’s published 2026–27 tuition-and-fee totals for the BSN-DNP and its $963 resident / $1,708 non-resident per-credit rates for the individualized tracks.
UMSON assigns every FNP student’s clinical sites from its own Maryland and Washington, D.C. contract network, so you never cold-call preceptors. DNP leadership, not the applicant, also decides whether you enter the 3-, 4-, or 5-year plan.
The trade-off is the clinical stretch. Every plan, including the 5-year plan marketed to full-time workers, ends in the same five back-to-back clinical terms with weekday-hour shifts, and commutes of 1 to 2 hours each way are common.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Types | BSN-DNP, post-master’s DNP with FNP specialty, postdoctoral certificate |
| Format | Hybrid; face-to-face and online classes in Baltimore or Rockville (Shady Grove) |
| Clinical Hours | 1,085 total: 810 FNP clinical + 275 DNP practicum |
| Clinical Placement | Faculty-assigned sites in Maryland and D.C.; not at your own workplace |
| Distinctive Coursework | FNP-specific pediatric pathophysiology; Transition Into APRN Practice Roles |
| RN Experience Gate | Two years of RN experience caring for adults and children at application |
| Plan Assignment | 3-year (summer), 4-year (summer), or 5-year (fall); DNP leadership decides |
| Tuition | $963 resident / $1,708 non-resident per credit, plus fees |
| Accreditation | CCNE (DNP); UMB accredited by Middle States |
BSN to DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner
The estimated tuition for the BSN-DNP at University of Maryland is approximately $96,216 for Maryland residents at the Baltimore campus and $92,411 at the Universities at Shady Grove (80 credits at $963/credit, plus fees; UMSON’s published 2026–27 totals). The program can generally be completed in about 3, 4, or 5 years depending on the plan of study DNP leadership assigns.
Non-resident totals are $155,816 (Baltimore) and $152,011 (Shady Grove). See the official DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner page.
BSN-DNP Curriculum
Students admitted Summer 2027 and later follow a new 80-credit curriculum. The total credits match the prior version, but the sequence changes in ways that matter.
DNP core first. All three plans open with professional writing, advanced practice, health care delivery, population health, and evidence-and-statistics courses. In the 4- and 5-year plans, the full first year is DNP core with no FNP content.
FNP sequence later. The Diagnosis and Management series (six courses, D&M 1–6) carries the specialty. D&M 1 now pairs 45 lab hours of diagnostic reasoning with an FNP-specific pediatric pathophysiology course. The stand-alone 90-hour first clinical from the old curriculum is gone, so precepted hours begin in D&M 2.
New role-transition course. NDNP 860, Transition Into APRN Practice Roles, runs alongside the 180-hour immersion term.
- NDNP 700: Advanced Professional Nursing Practice
- NDNP 704: Population/Global Health (45 practicum hours)
- NDNP 706: Evidence-Informed Practice and Statistics
- NDNP 726: Advanced Pediatric Pathophysiology, Developmental Assessment, and Health Promotion for the FNP
- NDNP 840: D&M 1, Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning (45 lab hours)
- NDNP 842–847: D&M 2–4, common, complex, and multi-system conditions with clinicals
- NDNP 848: D&M 5, Professional Practice Immersion (180 hours)
- NDNP 849: D&M 6, Integration of Practice and Leadership (225 hours)
- NDNP 810–813: four-course DNP project sequence
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- The plans of study in many third-party sources reflect the Fall 2016–Fall 2026 curriculum (old course numbers, a 90-hour D&M 1 clinical, 1,080 hours). Applicants entering in 2027 follow the new version above.
- The 5-year plan starts in fall and ends after 14 semesters, closer to 4.7 calendar years than 5.
- Your plan and start term can be changed at admission. An applicant who wants the summer 4-year plan may be offered the fall 5-year plan if a gap analysis finds missing coursework.
BSN-DNP Clinical Requirements
- Total: 1,085 hours (810 clinical + 275 practicum), per UMSON’s 2027 plans.
- Clinical: D&M 2 (135) + D&M 3 (135) + D&M 4 (135) + D&M 5 (180) + D&M 6 (225) = 810 hours.
- Practicum: population health (45), informatics (45), leadership (45), DNP project development (90), implementation (45), evaluation (5) = 275 hours.
- Clinicals run five consecutive terms (fall, spring, summer, fall, spring) in every plan.
- Placement: faculty assign sites; students may suggest a preceptor, but faculty approve.
- Settings: outpatient and community primary care, urgent care, and public and private clinics across adult, geriatric, pediatric, and women’s health.
- Students may not complete rotations in their own work setting.
- Hours are generally Monday through Friday during office hours.
The 810 precepted FNP hours sit well above the 500-hour certification floor and the 600 to 700 hours common among FNP programs. On a 15-week semester, 135 hours is about 9 hours a week, rising to roughly 15 hours a week in the final 225-hour term. School-assigned placement removes the preceptor search, which is the biggest source of delays elsewhere. The cost is control: you go where faculty send you, during business hours, and the plan length you pick does not shorten that final 20-month clinical stretch.
You Should Know
- UMSON says commutes of 1 to 2 hours one way are not uncommon.
- Full-time workers on the 5-year plan still need weekday availability for five straight terms, including summer.
- UMSON’s FAQ cites a 1,000-hour DNP minimum and its marketing cites “more than 700” clinical hours; the 2027 plans total 1,085 (810 clinical).
BSN-DNP Admissions
Admission requires two years of RN experience with both adults and children, plus an on-campus interview by invitation only.
- BSN from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or NLN CNEA-accredited school (or foreign equivalent)
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- At least two years of RN experience caring for adults and children at the time of application
- Valid, unrestricted U.S. RN license
- Two recommendations, at least one from a supervisor
- Essay (350 words max), résumé or CV, official transcripts, $75 fee
- Priority deadline Nov. 1 each year for summer and fall entry; rolling review afterward until seats fill
- Interviews begin in January; applicants not invited do not advance
You Should Know
- UMSON states the FNP specialty draws an “immense number of applications” and suggests applicants may get greater consideration in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP specialty.
- Only priority-deadline applicants are considered for merit scholarships ($1,500–$3,000 per semester).
- Experience with adults only (for example, an adult ICU background) does not meet the stated gate.
- The program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 visa sponsorship because of its online course share.
- Clinical sites are in Maryland and D.C.; UMSON does not state whether a Maryland or compact license is required before clinicals.
Post-Master’s DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty
The estimated tuition for the Post-Master’s DNP at University of Maryland is approximately $43,335 to $77,040 for residents (45 to 80 credits at $963/credit, derived; fees extra). The program length is not clearly stated because each plan is built from a gap analysis.
This route is for nurses with a master’s degree who want the FNP specialty and the DNP together. Details are on the official DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner page.
Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum
The plan is assembled from three blocks, with credit waived where prior coursework matches. Faculty use the National Task Force Gap Analysis form to decide what transfers.
- DNP core: 33 credits, 275 practicum hours (no more than two courses may transfer)
- APRN core: 11 credits (pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, APRN role transition); may be waived
- FNP specialty core: 33 credits, 810 clinical hours; at least 12 credits required
- Degree minimum: 45 credits
You Should Know
- The three blocks sum to 77 credits, but UMSON lists an 80-credit maximum.
- The $45,844.50 “DNP Post-Master’s Option” total on UMSON’s tuition page is for the non-specialty DNP, not this FNP route.
Post-Master’s DNP Clinical Requirements
- Total required: 1,085 clinical, practicum, or practice hours
- Up to 500 hours from a prior advanced practice program may apply
- At least 585 hours must be completed at UMSON
- Same faculty-assigned placement model as the BSN-DNP
For a master’s-prepared NP in another population, the 500-hour credit cap means at least 585 new hours, which is roughly the clinical load of a full FNP master’s program. A non-NP master’s graduate will likely need most of the 810-hour FNP sequence.
Post-Master’s DNP Admissions
Admission follows the general DNP requirements, with your plan of study set after a gap analysis at admission.
- Master’s degree in nursing or a related field
- Same RN experience, licensure, recommendation, essay, and interview requirements as the BSN-DNP
- Transcripts reviewed course by course for transfer equivalence
Postdoctoral Certificate, Family Nurse Practitioner
The estimated tuition for the Postdoctoral Certificate at University of Maryland is up to approximately $41,409 for residents (43 credits at $963/credit, derived; fewer credits if prior courses count). The program length is not clearly stated; faculty recommend a start term after reviewing each applicant.
This route is limited to nurses who already hold a doctorate. See UMSON’s postdoctoral certificate page.
Certificate Curriculum
The published FNP certificate listing is the full specialty: the 3 Ps plus the six-course Diagnosis and Management series. Faculty remove courses you have already completed.
- NPHY 612, NURS 723, NDNP 819: pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment
- Pediatric pathophysiology and developmental assessment
- D&M 1–6 with paired clinical practicums
- Total listed: 43 credits; UMSON’s range across all specialties is 13–62 credits
You Should Know
- The certificate listing still uses pre-2027 course numbers (NDNP 841, NDNP 725) and may not match what 2027 entrants take.
- UMSON lists 990 clinical hours, but the listed courses sum to 855.
Certificate Admissions
Applicants must submit a Pre-Application Assessment with transcripts and syllabi before applying.
- Graduate degree in nursing and a doctoral degree (DNP, PhD, EdD, or similar)
- Active, unrestricted Maryland or compact-state RN license
- Two recommendations, essay, résumé or CV, transcripts, $75 fee
- Fall entry: priority deadline Nov. 1, final deadline July 31
- Spring entry: priority deadline Oct. 1, final deadline Nov. 15
- Interview for selected applicants
You Should Know
- The FNP page’s two-year adult-and-child RN experience gate is listed for the specialty; UMSON does not say whether it also applies to certificate applicants.
- Adding a second APRN population focus is governed by each state board; confirm recognition with your board.
Tuition
University of Maryland charges $963 per credit for Maryland residents and $1,708 per credit for non-residents (2026–27). With fees, UMSON’s published BSN-DNP totals work out to about $1,203 per credit for residents in Baltimore and $1,155 at Shady Grove (derived from the totals).
| BSN-DNP (80 credits) | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (80 × rate) | $77,040 | $136,640 |
| Fees, Baltimore (derived) | $19,176 | $19,176 |
| Total, Baltimore (published) | $96,216 | $155,816 |
| Fees, Shady Grove (derived) | $15,371 | $15,371 |
| Total, Shady Grove (published) | $92,411 | $152,011 |
Confirmed costs:
- Tuition: $963 resident / $1,708 non-resident per credit
- Clinical and simulation fee (DNP with specialty): $85 per credit
- Per-semester school fees: curriculum technology $250, nursing infrastructure $159, academic and career success $55, clinical management $35
- Baltimore campus center infrastructure fee: $675 per semester full time ($75 per credit part time)
- First semester only: DNP technology fee $100, matriculation fee $55
- Application fee: $75
Be aware that:
- Published totals assume the standard 4-year plan; the 3- and 5-year plans change the number of semesters billed per-semester fees.
- Students taking 9 or more credits must buy university health insurance ($2,686 fall, $2,642 spring) or show equivalent coverage.
- Newly admitted D.C. residents who enroll at Shady Grove qualify for Maryland in-state tuition.
- Post-master’s and certificate totals above are tuition only and depend on your gap analysis.
- The bursar lists a $400 DNP skills immersion fee tied to specific course numbers; whether FNP students pay it is not clearly stated.
- Merit scholarships ($1,500–$3,000 per semester) go only to priority-deadline applicants; UMMC nurses may qualify for tuition remission.
For a Maryland resident, the realistic all-in BSN-DNP cost is about $92,000 to $96,000 before health insurance, roughly 25 percent above tuition alone. Shady Grove saves about $3,800 in fees. Non-residents pay about $59,600 more, which makes this mainly a program for Maryland and D.C. residents.
See UMSON’s tuition and fees page and the UMB graduate nursing fee schedule.
Why Choose This FNP Program?
Best suited for Maryland and D.C. nurses with mixed-age patient experience who want the school, not themselves, to find their preceptors.
For nurses who can’t find preceptors. Faculty assign every clinical site from an established Maryland and D.C. network. That removes the most common reason FNP students stall or delay graduation.
For full-time workers. About 45 percent of students take the 5-year plan, which spreads DNP coursework across early years. Plan for weekday clinical availability in the final five terms, including summer.
For full-time students. The 3-year plan (about 5 percent of students) assumes no outside job and Monday-to-Friday availability. It suits military-sponsored or employer-sponsored nurses who can commit fully.
Honest drawbacks. There is no MSN FNP option, so the doctorate is the only BSN entry route. Admission is competitive and gated by two years of adult-and-child RN experience. You do not choose your plan or your sites, and commutes can be long.
Accreditation
UMSON’s DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This covers the BSN-DNP and post-master’s DNP routes to the FNP specialty.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Regional accreditation supports federal aid eligibility and credit recognition.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the national FNP certification exam (AANP or ANCC). UMSON reports a 100 percent pass rate for its 2024 FNP graduates on both exams.
More FNP Programs in Maryland
- Coppin State University - Baltimore
- Frostburg State University - Frostburg
- Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore
- Notre Dame of Maryland University - Baltimore
- Salisbury University - Salisbury