University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Nurse Practitioner Programs

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Nursing in Little Rock offers six NP population focuses: family (FNP), psychiatric-mental health (PMHNP), adult-gerontology primary care (AGPCNP), adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP), pediatric primary care (PNP-PC), and pediatric acute care (PNP-AC).

Each specialty is available as a Master of Nursing Science (MNSc), a post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and a post-graduate certificate. The DNP also includes a dual primary and acute care pediatric track. Coursework is distance-delivered, with onsite orientation days and in-person labs in Little Rock or at a UAMS Regional Campus.

Three policies shape the decision at UAMS more than anything else:

• Resident tuition across seven states. Nurses in Arkansas and six border states pay $525 per credit.
• Coordinator-negotiated placement. A specialty coordinator works with each student to arrange local clinical sites. Placement is not guaranteed.
• The same specialty training at every degree level. MNSc and DNP students complete the same 770 specialty practicum hours. The DNP adds doctoral coursework and 350 project-related hours.

Quick facts

Category	Information
Nursing School	College of Nursing
Location	Little Rock, AR
NP Specialties	FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PNP-PC, PNP-AC, dual PNP-PC/AC
Degree Options	MNSc, post-BSN DNP, post-graduate certificate
Format	Mostly Online
Campus Visits	Onsite orientation days; labs in Little Rock or at a Regional Campus
Clinical Placement	Negotiated with the specialty coordinator; not guaranteed
Minimum GPA	2.85 MNSc; 3.00 DNP
RN License	Arkansas or compact state for degrees; Arkansas only for certificates
Cost per Credit	$525 resident and six border states; $888 non-resident (2026-27)
Accreditation	CCNE; Higher Learning Commission institutional

Comparing UAMS’s NP programs

Every specialty is offered at all three credential levels. Credits vary by specialty. Clinical hours vary mainly by pathway.

NP Specialty	MNSc Credits	Post-BSN DNP Credits	Certificate Credits
FNP	45–48	72–73	20
PMHNP	48	72	24
AGPCNP	45–48	72	22
AGACNP	45	72	22
PNP-PC	45–48	72	18
PNP-AC	45–48	72	18
Dual PNP-PC/AC	—	89	—

UAMS lists its MNSc NP tracks at 45–48 credits; exact totals are stated for AGACNP and PMHNP. Certificate credits assume no added coursework from the gap analysis.

Clinical hours by pathway:

Pathway	Specialty Practicum Hours	Added DNP Hours	Total Practicum Hours
MNSc	770	—	770
Post-BSN DNP	770	350	1,120
Dual pediatric DNP	1,400	350	1,750
Post-graduate certificate	FNP: 770; other specialties not stated	—	—

On the added DNP hours: the 350 hours come from Advanced Nursing Clinical Practice, a final-semester course tied to the DNP project. They are not specialty patient-care hours.

What stands out about UAMS’s NP programs

• The doctorate adds no specialty hours. MNSc and DNP students share the same 770 specialty hours. The DNP costs about $12,600–$14,175 more in resident tuition.
• Border-state pricing. Residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas pay the resident rate. On a 72-credit DNP, that is worth $26,136.
• A dual pediatric DNP. One 89-credit degree includes 1,400 pediatric practicum hours and prepares graduates for both CPNP exams.
• No ICU or PICU gate for acute care. AGACNP and PNP-AC applicants meet the same 2,000-hour general RN requirement as other tracks.
• AGPCNP depends on cohort size. UAMS needs at least ten new enrollees to run it and may route applicants to FNP.

Which UAMS NP program fits your goal?

• FNP: Primary care across the lifespan, including reproductive health
• PMHNP: Psychiatric-mental health care for children, adults, older adults, and families
• AGPCNP: Primary care from late adolescence through older adulthood, with a separate psychiatric practicum
• AGACNP: Acute and critical care for adults and older adults
• PNP-PC: Pediatric primary care from birth through young adulthood
• PNP-AC: Acute, complex, and critical care for infants through young adults
• Dual PNP-PC/AC: Both pediatric roles in one DNP

Family Nurse Practitioner

Credits 45–48 / 72–73 / 20 · MNSc · BSN-DNP · Certificate

UAMS offers the FNP as an MNSc track, a Family Nurse Practitioner DNP, and a post-graduate certificate.

The clinical sequence is organized by population. Three theory courses pair with three practicums: child and family (210 hours), family reproductive health (210 hours), and adult and family (350 hours).

The FNP DNP runs 72–73 credits because it includes an elective, and DNP students need ACLS before FNP clinicals. The 20-credit certificate carries the full 770-hour practicum sequence. Graduates can sit for FNP certification through the ANCC or AANP.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Credits 48 / 72 / 24 · MNSc · BSN-DNP · Certificate

The PMHNP is available as a 48-credit MNSc, a 72-credit Psychiatric-Mental Health NP DNP, and a 24-credit certificate.

One course sets the curriculum apart. A separate Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Diagnosis and Psychopharmacology course precedes a three-course theory sequence. That fourth theory course puts the MNSc at the top of the credit range.

The specialty sequence is term-locked: theory and practicum I in spring, II in summer, and III in fall. Missing a term can delay progress by a year. The certificate uses the same specialty courses, but UAMS does not publish its clinical-hour total. Graduates are eligible for the ANCC PMHNP exam.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care

Credits 45–48 / 72 / 22 · MNSc · BSN-DNP · Certificate

AGPCNP is offered as an MNSc, a post-BSN AGPCNP DNP, and a 22-credit certificate. The population runs from late adolescents and young adults through older adults.

Behavioral health is a separate graded sequence. Alongside two primary care theory courses, students take Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Psychiatric Nursing Theory and a 140-hour psychiatric practicum. The other two practicums run 280 and 350 hours.

Applicants should pay particular attention to cohort size. UAMS needs at least ten new enrollees to offer the AGPCNP program. If the minimum is not met, applicants may be routed to FNP.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

Credits 45 / 72 / 22 · MNSc · BSN-DNP · Certificate

AGACNP is available as a 45-credit MNSc, a 72-credit Adult-Gerontology Acute Care DNP, and a 22-credit certificate. Three acute care theory courses pair with practicums of 280, 140, and 350 hours.

Specialty courses use team-based learning, task trainers, and simulation. UAMS states graduates are prepared for hemodynamic monitoring, central and arterial line placement, suturing, incision and drainage, lumbar puncture, paracentesis, and ventilator management. Clinical settings include emergency departments, ICUs, inpatient medicine, subspecialties, and procedural areas.

No ICU or ED experience is required. Applicants meet the same 2,000-hour general RN requirement as other tracks. Graduates are eligible for the ANCC AGACNP-BC and AACN ACNPC-AG exams.

UAMS offers both pediatric NP tracks at every level, plus a dual track in the DNP. The single-population tracks cross over: primary care students take the first acutely ill child theory course, and acute care students take the first primary care PNP theory course. Graduates sit for the PNCB CPNP-PC or CPNP-AC exam, depending on track.

Pediatric Primary Care

Credits 45–48 / 72 / 18 · MNSc · BSN-DNP · Certificate

Pediatric primary care covers birth through young adulthood. Three PNP theory courses plus Acutely Ill/Hospitalized Child Theory I pair with practicums of 280, 140, and 350 hours. The last is an integrated capstone practicum.

The 18-credit certificate includes the four theory courses and two practicums. UAMS does not publish its clock hours.

Pediatric Acute Care

Credits 45–48 / 72 / 18 · MNSc · BSN-DNP · Certificate

Pediatric acute care prepares nurses to manage acute, complex, critical, and chronic illness in infants through young adults. A three-course Acutely Ill/Hospitalized Child sequence, plus PNP Theory I, pairs with practicums of 280, 140, and 350 hours.

UAMS publishes no PICU or pediatric acute care experience requirement for this track. The 18-credit acute care certificate serves certified NPs, including primary care PNPs, adding the acute care role.

Dual Primary and Acute Care Pediatric DNP

Credits 89 · BSN-DNP

The dual certification DNP runs both complete pediatric sequences: six theory courses and two practicum progressions, each with its own capstone. It totals 89 credits and 1,750 practicum hours, including 1,400 pediatric hours split evenly between primary and acute care. Graduates can sit for both CPNP exams.

UAMS states the second population adds two to three semesters to the plan of study. Students can choose the dual track after enrolling, but a later decision changes the plan more.

MNSc or DNP?

The practical difference is credential, cost, and time, not specialty training. MNSc and DNP students take the same specialty courses and complete the same 770 specialty practicum hours.

• MNSc: 45–48 credits, about two years full-time, with part-time plans available. UAMS reports an average completion time of three to three and a half years and a six-year maximum. The degree ends with an outcomes portfolio.
• Post-BSN DNP: 72–73 credits (89 for the dual pediatric track), with three-year and four-year plans. The first four semesters, 33 credits, are shared by all NP specialties. Specialty courses begin in spring of year two. Students do not earn a master’s along the way.
• DNP final semester: Integration of DNP Competencies and the 350-hour Advanced Nursing Clinical Practice course, which carries the DNP project.
• DNP workload: UAMS expects at least 36 hours a week on coursework and up to 24 hours a week in clinic once specialty courses begin. It states that working during the program will be difficult.

Transfer credit and specialty changes. Up to 12 graduate credits may transfer into the MNSc or DNP, subject to review. Certified APRNs entering the DNP for a second specialty may apply up to 18 credits. Students cannot switch NP specialties after admission; a change requires a new application.

See the DNP nurse practitioner plans of study for semester-by-semester sequences.

Clinical placement

Placement rules are shared across specialties:

• Coordinator-negotiated: each student works with the specialty coordinator, who tries to place students with an approved preceptor in their own area. UAMS does not publish a placement guarantee.
• Preceptors: a licensed NP, PA, or physician with at least one year in that role. See the UAMS Preceptor Hub.
• Faculty oversight: faculty evaluate each site, meet the preceptor, and make at least one clinical evaluation visit per semester. Hours are logged in Typhon.
• Site rules: FNP and PMHNP materials state that students cannot precept where they work and must move to a different facility each semester, unless faculty approve an exception.
• Location: UAMS describes its clinical sites as located throughout Arkansas.

Out-of-state applicants, including those in border states, should confirm placement options with the specialty coordinator before applying.

Format and campus requirements

UAMS describes the DNP as hybrid. Under NPPrograms.com definitions, all pathways are Mostly Online: coursework is distance-delivered, with limited required in-person events rather than regular weekly classes.

• Orientation days: one onsite orientation day attached to each distance-delivered core course and to some specialty courses
• Labs: held on the Little Rock campus or at UAMS Regional Campuses
• On-campus classes: telecommunicated across the state

UAMS does not publish a total count of campus days by track. Applicants outside driving distance of Little Rock or a Regional Campus should confirm the schedule for their specialty.

Admissions

Degree applicants apply by March 1 for fall admission. No GRE or MAT is required.

Requirement	MNSc	Post-BSN DNP
Nursing degree	BSN from an ACEN/NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited program	Same
GPA	2.85 on the last 60 undergraduate hours; 2.50–2.84 considered conditionally	3.00 cumulative; applicants ranked on the last 60 hours
RN license	Unencumbered Arkansas or compact-state	Same
RN experience	2,000 verified hours before Advanced Health Assessment	Same; two years recommended
Prerequisites	Health assessment course	Health assessment; statistics with a C or better
Other	Interview and essay possible; Arkansas residents receive preference	Interview and essay possible; letter of good standing from prior graduate programs; annual background check and drug screen

Grade history matters for the DNP. UAMS will not consider applicants with a C or NC in any two graduate nursing courses, or a D, F, WD, or WF in any one. The 2,000-hour rule is a progression gate, so new BSN graduates can apply before meeting it.

APRNs applying for a second specialty must also show national certification and an unencumbered APRN license.

See the MNSc admission requirements and DNP admission requirements.

Post-graduate certificate eligibility

The post-graduate certificate adds a population focus for nurses who already hold a graduate nursing degree. It covers the specialty theory and practicum sequence only. The normal eligibility route requires:

• A master’s or DNP in nursing from a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited institution
• A current, unencumbered Arkansas RN license; the compact-state option available to degree applicants is not listed
• An application through the MNSc application, with certificate interest noted in the supplemental questions
• An interview and essay, if requested

Admission is space-available, so meeting every requirement does not secure a seat. A gap analysis after admission determines whether core courses such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, or health assessment must be added. The certificate credits above are minimums.

Certificate students are non-degree-seeking, and UAMS does not guarantee their credits will later apply to a degree. See the certificate plans of study.

Tuition

For FY 2026-27, UAMS charges $525 per credit for residents and $888 for non-residents, for both graduate and DNP coursework. Residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas pay the resident rate for all College of Nursing programs except nurse anesthesia.

Pathway	Credits	Resident or Border State	Non-Resident
PNP certificate	18	$9,450	$15,984
FNP certificate	20	$10,500	$17,760
AGPCNP or AGACNP certificate	22	$11,550	$19,536
PMHNP certificate	24	$12,600	$21,312
MNSc	45–48	$23,625–$25,200	$39,960–$42,624
Post-BSN DNP	72	$37,800	$63,936
Dual pediatric DNP	89	$46,725	$79,032

These are tuition-only estimates calculated from published per-credit rates, not UAMS-published program costs. UAMS bills per credit with no full-time cap. The 73-credit FNP DNP option adds one credit.

Example resident cost for one fall or spring semester:

Item	9 Credits
Tuition	$4,725
Graduate program fee	$260
Student liability insurance	$20
University services fee	$500
Student health fee	$145
Technology fee	$130
Transportation fee	$78
Student activity fee	$25
Semester total	$5,883

Estimate from FY 2026-27 published rates. Summer carries fewer fees. Students in UAMS-designated 100% online programs pay reduced or no amounts for several institutional fees; UAMS does not state whether its NP tracks carry that designation. One-time charges include a $50 application fee, a $150 enrollment deposit credited to first-semester tuition, and a $75 graduation fee.

Total cost varies with residency, credit load, number of semesters, transfer credit, gap-analysis coursework, and future rate changes. Students outside central Arkansas should also budget for travel to orientation days and labs.

Funding differs by specialty. UAMS’s PREPARE scholarship pays $12,000 to $15,000 per year to full-time degree students in the AGPCNP, FNP, PMHNP, and primary care PNP tracks. Acute care students are not eligible.

See the UAMS College of Nursing tuition and fees page for current rates.

Accreditation and certification

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits UAMS’s MNSc, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs through December 2035. UAMS is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. See the College of Nursing accreditation page.

UAMS states that graduates are eligible to sit for national certification in their specialty. The specialty sections above name the exams tied to each track.

State authorization

UAMS participates in NC-SARA and states it can also enroll California residents. Out-of-state students may take online courses with approval. Nursing is not among UAMS’s published professional-licensure disclosures, so distance applicants should verify requirements in their own state. See UAMS’s state authorization page.

Licensure is the binding limit. Degree applicants need an Arkansas or compact-state RN license, and certificate applicants need an Arkansas RN license.

Who is UAMS best for?

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