The University of Delaware offers 3 Family Nurse Practitioner Tracks:
- MSN
- BSN-DNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN | $43.8K | 3 years (part-time; term count not published) | 48 |
| BSN-DNP | $85.0K–$93.1K | 3 years full-time (5 years part-time) | 74–81 |
| Certificate | $21.9K–$36.5K | 1–2 years (part-time) | 24–40 |
Tuition estimates multiply published credit totals by UD’s $913 Dean’s Scholarship rate (MSN, certificate) or its $1,149 DNP rate.
The University of Delaware works to secure an initial preceptor for every nurse practitioner student. UD calls clinical placement a shared responsibility, but the school takes on the first search, a task many online FNP students handle alone. Its 48-credit MSN also carries 816 practicum hours, including separate rotations in older adult, women’s, and pediatric care.
The trade-off is time and travel. Every NP track at UD takes at least three years part-time, there is no full-time MSN, and students attend occasional campus intensives in Newark. The BSN-DNP adds 2 to 8 campus days per semester and does not receive the scholarship rate.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Types | MSN, BSN-DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate |
| Format | Mostly Online. Online coursework with occasional campus intensives in Newark. |
| Clinical Hours | MSN 816; BSN-DNP 1,016–1,120 (sources conflict); certificate minimum 750 |
| Clinical Placement | School secures an initial preceptor; replacement not guaranteed if a student declines. |
| Distinctive Coursework | Separate older adult, women’s, and pediatric practicums; financial management seminar |
| RN License Requirements | Delaware or compact RN license; license required in each clinical state |
| Tuition | $913/credit (MSN, certificate); $1,149/credit (DNP); no university fees for online students |
| Pace | Part-time MSN only; NP tracks take at least 3 years |
| Accreditation | CCNE (MSN, DNP, post-graduate APRN certificate) |
MSN, Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
The estimated tuition for the MSN at the University of Delaware is approximately $43,824 (48 credits at $913/credit). The program can generally be completed in about 3 years of part-time study, the minimum UD states for its NP tracks.
UD’s Online Master of Science in Nursing admits students into a three-year part-time plan of study with Summer and Fall entry.
MSN Curriculum
The 48 credits split into 36 didactic credits and 12 practicum credits. Two features stand out. First, after two general primary care practicums, students complete three short population practicums (older adults, women’s health, and pediatrics) that each pair with a matching didactic course. Many FNP programs fold these populations into general rotations, so the dedicated hours make it easier to show pediatric and women’s health exposure on a certification application. Second, the plan includes a financial management seminar, which is useful for nurses heading toward independent or practice-ownership roles.
- NURS 620 Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 630 Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning (2)
- NURS 691 and NURS 693 Primary Care I and II (4 each)
- NURS 695 Primary Care of Frail/Older Adults (3)
- NURS 678 Primary Care of Women (3)
- NURS 679 Primary Care of Children (3)
- NURS 619 Seminar: Financial Management for Healthcare Practitioners (2)
- NURS 921 Clinical Role Immersion (3)
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinical Requirements
- 816 practicum hours at 68 hours per credit
- Primary Care NP Practicum I and II: 204 hours each
- Older adult, women’s health, and pediatric practicums: 68 hours each
- Clinical Role Immersion: 204 hours
- School makes reasonable efforts to secure an initial preceptor; students must accept placements that meet program criteria
- Clinicals may be completed in any state, subject to faculty approval and a contract between the site and UD
At 816 hours, the MSN sits well above the 500-hour certification floor and above the 600 to 700 hour range common in FNP programs. Each 204-hour practicum works out to roughly 13 to 14 hours a week across a 15-week term, a load that can fit around full-time shifts. The placement model is support, not a guarantee: UD finds the first preceptor, but a student who turns it down may have to find the next one alone.
You Should Know
- UD markets a “100% clinical placement” rate, while the 2026-27 graduate handbook commits only to “reasonable efforts” for an initial placement.
- Students need an RN license in each state where they complete direct-care hours.
- Out-of-state sites require a signed agreement with UD before hours can begin. Start the search early.
MSN Admissions
The MSN has no RN experience requirement, unlike UD’s BSN-DNP.
- BSN from an accredited college or university
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- RN license (see license note below)
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- TOEFL or IELTS within 2 years for non-native English speakers
- Application through NursingCAS, followed by a UD supplemental application
- Annual deadlines: April 1 for Summer start (NursingCAS verification May 1); June 1 for Fall start (verification July 1)
You Should Know
- License language conflicts. The MSN page asks for “RN licensure in the United States,” the handbook requires a Delaware or compact license, and the DNP FAQ says graduate students must hold a Delaware license. Nurses in non-compact states should confirm before applying.
- The 2026 Summer and Fall deadlines have passed; the dates above are the annual cycle.
- Completion limits conflict: the MSN page sets five years, while the handbook allows 14 consecutive semesters.
BSN to DNP, Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
The estimated tuition for the BSN-DNP at the University of Delaware is approximately $85,026 to $93,069 (74 to 81 credits at $1,149/credit). The program can generally be completed in about 3 years full-time or 5 years part-time.
UD’s Doctor of Nursing Practice is the only FNP route at UD with a full-time option.
BSN-DNP Curriculum
The DNP combines the FNP population courses with doctoral coursework in population health, health systems leadership, and practice innovation, ending in a DNP project. UD does not publish the FNP-specific course list outside its catalog, which did not render for review. UD’s two published credit totals also differ by seven credits.
You Should Know
- The DNP program page lists 81 credits; the 2026-27 graduate handbook lists 74 credits for the same FNP concentration.
- Post-master’s DNP entry exists, but NPs seeking FNP certification through it must dual-enroll in the DNP and the FNP certificate.
BSN-DNP Clinical Requirements
- DNP page: 1,120 hours (784 direct care, 336 indirect)
- 2026-27 handbook: 1,016 hours (816 direct care, 200 indirect)
- Same placement model as the MSN
- 2 to 8 on-campus days per semester in Newark
Either figure is roughly double the 500-hour certification floor. The direct-care portion (784 to 816 hours) is close to the MSN’s 816 total, so the extra DNP hours are mostly indirect project and leadership work rather than more patient care.
You Should Know
- Clinical hour totals conflict between the program page and the handbook. Ask which plan of study applies to your entering cohort.
- The per-semester campus requirement adds travel cost for out-of-state students and is the main format difference from the MSN.
BSN-DNP Admissions
The BSN-DNP adds three gates the MSN does not have: one year of RN experience, an interview, and a writing sample.
- BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited school; GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Active RN license in Delaware or a compact state
- At least one year of clinical experience as an RN
- Three recommendations, including at least one doctorally prepared academic reference
- Goal statement, writing sample, and CV
- Successful interview with graduate leadership and DNP faculty
- No GRE; up to 9 graduate credits may transfer
You Should Know
- DNP application deadlines are not clearly stated.
- Completion limits conflict: seven years on the program page, five years in the FAQ.
Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
The estimated tuition for the Post-Master’s Certificate at the University of Delaware is approximately $21,912 to $36,520 (24 to 40 credits at $913/credit). The program can generally be completed in about 1 to 2 years of part-time study.
UD’s Post-Master’s Certificate is built for practicing NPs and clinical nurse specialists adding the family population focus.
Certificate Curriculum
A free gap analysis at matriculation sets each student’s courses and clinical hours based on prior graduate work. The credit range shown above covers all UD certificate specialties; UD does not publish an FNP-specific figure.
Certificate Clinical Requirements
- Minimum of 750 clinical hours
- Same placement model as the MSN
The 750-hour minimum is above the common range, so prior clinical hours from another population focus reduce coursework more than they reduce clinical time.
Certificate Admissions
This certificate is limited to nurses who already hold NP or CNS certification, and NP applicants have one start term a year.
- MSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited school
- Master’s GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Multistate compact RN license
- Current certification or licensure as an NP or CNS
- Annual deadline for NPs: December 10, Spring start only
You Should Know
- The certificate page also lists Summer (April 1) and Fall (July 1) deadlines for applicants “without NP,” which conflicts with the NP/CNS admission requirement. Non-NP applicants should confirm eligibility.
- The page states a 1 to 2 year completion in its description and 2 to 3 years in its summary box.
- The handbook sets a 9-credit minimum, below the page’s 24-credit floor.
- The compact license requirement excludes nurses licensed only in non-compact states.
- State boards set their own rules for adding a second APRN population focus. Check your board before enrolling.
Tuition
The MSN and certificate cost $913 per credit, and the BSN-DNP costs $1,149 per credit. The $913 rate reflects a College of Health Sciences Dean’s Scholarship that UD applies to all MSN and certificate students, a 20.5% reduction from the standard 2026-27 graduate rate of $1,149.
| Track | Credits | Rate | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN | 48 | $913 | $43,824 |
| BSN-DNP | 74–81 | $1,149 | $85,026–$93,069 |
| Certificate | 24–40 | $913 | $21,912–$36,520 |
All totals are derived from published rates and credits. UD does not publish program totals.
- MSN at the standard rate would cost $55,152; the scholarship saves $11,328.
- UD states there are no additional university fees for these online programs.
- The graduate cost of attendance page confirms online students are exempt from the wellbeing, student center, and recreation fees.
Be aware that:
- The DNP rate matches the university’s standard graduate rate and is likely to rise with it each year.
- Students in sustaining status after finishing coursework pay $892 (master’s) or $1,347 (doctoral) per semester.
- Full-time graduate students (9 or more credits) must carry health insurance; UD’s plan costs $3,887.54 unless waived with existing coverage. This mainly affects full-time DNP students.
- Some courses carry course-related fees, and summer registration may add tuition or fees.
- Campus intensives and DNP campus days add travel and lodging costs.
- UD does not say whether the Dean’s Scholarship rate is locked for the full program.
For the MSN, the published rate is close to the all-in cost, since online students pay no university fees. The real gap is between credentials: the BSN-DNP costs roughly twice the MSN for similar direct-care hours, so it makes sense mainly for nurses who want the doctorate itself.
Why Choose This FNP Program?
A strong fit for nurses who want school-led clinical placement, a high clinical hour count, and a steady part-time pace, and who can travel to Newark occasionally.
MSN for working nurses who need placement help. The MSN combines the scholarship rate, no fees, 816 practicum hours, and an initial preceptor search handled by UD. The three-year part-time plan suits nurses keeping a full-time job. Nurses who want to finish in two years will find no faster option here.
BSN-DNP for nurses committed to the doctorate. It is the only full-time route and adds leadership and project training. It costs about twice as much, adds an experience gate and interview, and requires regular campus days. Choose it for the degree, not for extra patient-care hours.
Certificate for current NPs and CNSs. The gap analysis can shorten coursework, but the 750-hour minimum, a compact license, and a single Spring start for NPs make it a planned commitment.
Accreditation
The master’s degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). That scope covers all three FNP tracks on this page.
The University of Delaware holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Institutional accreditation supports federal financial aid eligibility and the transfer of graduate credit.
UD’s School of Nursing is also a member of the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence, which aligns with the MSN’s dedicated older adult practicum.
Graduates of all three tracks meet the educational requirements to sit for the national FNP certification exam (AANP or ANCC).
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