Best Online Nurse Practitioner Schools in Mississippi

Last Updated On Oct 8, 2024

12 Min Read

2025 - Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Mississippi

Introducing RegisteredNursing.org's 2025 Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Mississippi! Our rankings are designed to help aspiring nurse practitioners find the best online programs in the state. We evaluate programs based on key criteria such as completion rates, affordability, institutional reputation, program variety, and faculty expertise. For a detailed look at how we determine our rankings, visit our methodology page

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Jackson, MS

The University of Mississippi Medical Center's nursing department offers a variety of highly competitive nurse practitioner programs, including the Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. These programs provide students with hands-on clinical experience and cutting-edge education to prepare them for advanced practice roles. Online options are available for certain programs, providing flexibility for working professionals.

DNP Programs

BSN-DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
BSN-DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
BSN-DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
BSN-DNP: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks Online/Hybrid

MSN Programs

Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
Acute Care Adult-Gerontology NP Online/Hybrid
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
Acute Primary Care Pediatric NP Online/Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Alcorn State University

Lorman, MS

Alcorn State University's School of Nursing offers a highly esteemed nurse practitioner program. The program provides students with hands-on clinical experience and a strong foundation in advanced nursing practice. Additionally, Alcorn State University offers online options for their nurse practitioner programs, allowing students to pursue their education while balancing other commitments.

MSN Programs

Family Nurse Practitioner Campus

Delta State University

Cleveland, MS

Delta State University's School of Nursing offers highly esteemed nurse practitioner program. This program provides students with advanced clinical skills and leadership training, preparing them to become leaders in the healthcare field. Delta State also offers online options for those seeking a more flexible learning experience.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Post-Master's Family Nurse Practioner Certificate Campus

MSN Programs

Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Fast & Affordable Nurse Practitioner Programs

At some point in their career, many nurses consider more advanced and higher-paying positions within the medical field. The role of a nurse practitioner is one of the highest-paying and independent positions that nurses can strive for but many but few realize just how easy it is nowadays to become a nurse practitioner and how fast and affordable nurse practitioner programs have become, especially if they have already graduated from a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program. Learn about the quickest and cheapest nurse practitioner positions in Mississippi in the sections below.

What Are the Fastest Online NP Programs?

There are many educational routes to becoming a nurse practitioner, but the fastest (in general) is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). These programs typically take between 2 – 6 years to complete but through the use of online learning and summer programs, you may be able to complete your program much faster than a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree or even the minimum 2 years usually needed to graduate from an MSN program. Here are some of the fastest MSN programs located in Mississippi.

NP Program	Length	Online/Campus
Mississippi University for Women	12 Months	Campus
University of Southern Mississippi	5 Semesters	Online (with one visit per semester)
Mississippi College	18 – 24 Months	Online

What Are the Most Affordable Online NP Programs?

There are hundreds of nurse practitioner programs across the state, but students based in Mississippi are fortunate to have access to both well-respected and affordable nurse practitioner programs all equipped with a number of specialized curriculums. Again, MSN programs outshine some of the other nurse practitioner degree routes as they’re much shorter and therefore are much cheaper to attend. Here are just a few of the more affordable MSN options in the state:

School Name	Tuition Range	Estimated Credits
Mississippi University for Women	$9,000 – $14,000	39
Delta State University	$21,000 – $23,000	45 – 48
University of Mississippi	$15,000 – $20,000	42

Schools Offering Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

The ability to specialize in a particular practice area is one major factor that draws many nurses to graduate school every year. Regardless of whether you decide to go with an MSN or DNP, you can find all sorts of fascinating NP specializations throughout Mississippi’s colleges and universities. Here are a few examples you may be interested in:

School Name	NP Specialty	Credits Required
University of Mississippi	Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner	39
University of Southern University	Family Nurse Practitioner	34 – 43
Delta State University	Family Nurse Practitioner	65

Find out more about popular NP specialty programs: Acute Care (ACNP), Adult Gerontology (AGNP), Family (FNP), Pediatric (PNP), Psychiatric (PHMNP), Women’s Health (WHNP).

Educational Routes for Nurse Practitioners – Online & Campus

As mentioned, there are alternative educational routes for becoming a nurse practitioner besides MSN and DNP degrees. Below are a few other degree options you be interested based on your own specific circumstances.

MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs, for most working nurses, are the fastest route to becoming a nurse practitioner. They generally take between 2 and 6 years and come in a variety of specializations. Examples in Mississippi:

Mississippi University for Women – Columbus, MS
Mississippi College – Clinton, MS

RN to NP Programs

RN to NP programs (also known as RN to MSN programs and ADN/ASN programs) are ideal for nurses who want to become nurse practitioners and have an associate’s degree in nursing and an RN license. They usually take about four years, give or take, depending on how many credits you’re able to transfer. Here are some options in Mississippi:

University of Mississippi – Lafayette, MS

DNP Nurse Practioner Programs

If you want to gain the highest level of education you can obtain as a nurse practitioner and you don’t have a limit on the time you want to invest, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a great option. These degrees take a minimum of 6 years to complete, but they often result in higher-paying and more advanced career aspects. In Mississippi, they’re offered by:

Delta State University – Cleveland, MS
University of Mississippi – Lafayette, MS

Post-Master's Certificate NP Programs

While they’re not technically degrees, Post-Master's Nursing Certificates are a great option for licensed nurse practitioners who want to change their specialization or dual specialize in a different practice area. Here are a few that are available in Mississippi:

Mississippi University for Women – Columbus, MS
Delta State University – Cleveland, MS

Accelerated, Direct & Master’s Entry (MENP/MEPN) to Nursing Practice

Master's Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) programs, also called direct-entry or accelerated MSN programs, are perfect for students who have already graduated from a bachelor’s degree program with a non-nursing major but would like to become nurse practitioners without getting another bachelor’s degree. They are longer than a traditional MSN program, but they are shorter than having to earn two degrees. Here are a few located in Mississippi:

Mississippi State University – Meridian, MS

General Admissions Requirements

As with any type of degree program, the specific admissions requirements will depend on the school. However, you can generally expect to submit the following:

BSN from an accredited school
Transcripts from all colleges attended
Minimum grade point average (often 3.0 or above, but varies by school/program)
Active, unencumbered RN license
Essay or statement of purpose outlining career goals
Letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
Resume or CV

Mississippi NP License and Certification Requirements

If you want to become a nurse practitioner in Mississippi, you’ll need to get licensed and certified in a field of your choice. The two main requirements you’ll need to achieve this are a valid RN license and a graduate degree which reflects your specialization. Once these qualifications are met, you will need to submit various documents, including proof of your RN license, transcripts, and evidence of completing clinical training. The application process requires completing a formal application form and paying an application fee, typically around $175. More information and detailed instructions for NP licensure/certification in Mississippi can be found on the state’s licensing website.

Once you’ve gone through the licensure process, you must be certified in your specialty area. Certification can be earned through national organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Certification requirements usually include holding a current RN license and completing a graduate-level NP program in a specialty field. Applicants are often required to pass a certification exam to demonstrate their expertise.

As of 2024, Mississippi offers a reduced practice environment for nurse practitioners. This means that NPs must work under the supervision of a physician for certain aspects of care, including prescribing medications. However, efforts to expand NP practice authority continue in the state. NPs seeking support and additional resources can access information and advocacy through the Mississippi Nurses Association (MNA), which plays a vital role in advancing the profession and providing continuing education opportunities for nurse practitioners.