Best Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Georgia
Explore the top affordable and flexible online NP programs in Georgia that equip aspiring nurse practitioners like you with the skills they need to reach their potential.
Becoming a nurse practitioner is a rewarding career path that allows you to provide advanced nursing care to patients while enjoying greater autonomy and earning potential than a registered nurse. If you’re an RN in Georgia interested in taking the next step in your career, pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) through an online NP program can make this goal accessible regardless of your location or schedule.
So, what can you expect in this role? A Family Nurse Practitioner focus will prepare you to provide complete, advanced care for the whole family. This master’s option couples theoretical foundations with evidence-based clinical experiences in a wide variety of community-based practice settings. In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the top online nurse practitioner programs in Georgia, exploring key factors like curricula, specializations, costs, and more to help you find the right fit for your needs and interests. Whether you’re drawn to a particular specialization like Pediatrics, Adult-Gerontology, or Psychiatric-Mental Health, or you’re seeking a program with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and leadership development, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to get started.
Profiling Popular Online NP Programs in Georgia
To help get you started in your search, we’ve highlighted three high-quality online NP programs in Georgia known for their comprehensive curricula, flexible formats, and strong student support. While not an exhaustive ranking, these programs exemplify the caliber you should look for as a prospective NP student. From there, you can narrow down the qualities and courses that match your goals best.
Columbus State University
The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at Columbus State University is an excellent, flexible option for registered nurses with a BSN to continue their education. You can complete the program in just two years if you attend full-time.
The course format is delivered 100% online with asynchronous courses, meaning you won’t have to commute to campus and can arrange your studies around your other professional and personal needs. Courses for this program will include research for evidence-based nursing practice, pharmacology, health promotion for the elderly and more.
Columbus State University is ranked among the top regional universities in the South and is regionally accredited by the SACSCOC. The nursing program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Georgia College & State University
Georgia College & State University offers several top options for advancing your nursing career through an online NP program in Georgia, including an MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. The mission of the school is to train nurse leaders through evidence-based practice, lifelong learning, and civic participation.
This program is also offered fully online in a flexible format, with minimal face-to-face on-campus requirements. You’ll have to complete a clinical rotation in Georgia with a preceptor that is approved by the School of Nursing. The school helps students secure their preceptors and arrange their clinical schedules. Additionally, students will be required to participate in on-campus labs and simulations approximately once per semester, with the duration spanning between 1 to 3 days.
To earn the degree, you’ll need to complete your coursework within a period of seven years. On average, however, you can earn your MSN in just two years of full-time study.
Beyond a FNP concentration, you can also pursue specializations for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Nurse Educator (NE), and Nurse Midwifery.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is another excellent option to pursue a master’s degree in nursing. The online master of science in nursing (M.S.) will prepare you to become an advanced practice nurse and equip you with the skills needed for specialized career settings and leadership roles.
You can choose from a variety of specialties, including:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The master’s degree consists of 48 semester hours and can be completed in two to three years full-time, with more time needed for part-time students. The program is offered fully online, but you have access to the campus in downtown Atlanta and an extensive healthcare network to advance your career.
Features of Top Online NP Programs in Georgia
As you evaluate and compare online nurse practitioner programs in Georgia, there are several key factors that you should look for. These features distinguish the highest-quality options and ensure you receive a rigorous, comprehensive education that will prepare you for advanced nursing practice.
Accreditation
Accreditation is one of the most important aspects of any nursing program. For any online program, proper accreditation from recognized nursing bodies like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) is essential, as it ensures your program meets relevant quality standards. Graduating from an accredited NP program is also typically required to qualify for national certification exams.
Affordable Tuition & Fees
Financing your education is another important factor when choosing to continue your studies. An advanced nursing degree can be a major investment; look for programs with reasonable overall costs factoring in criteria like tuition rates, fees, online discounts, and potential expenses like relocation for clinical rotations.
Be sure to check our guide for scholarships and online resources for Nurse Practitioner Students to learn more. You’ll also find state-specific opportunities that can help reduce costs, such as Georgia’s loan repayment program for certain healthcare workers.
Certification Exam Pass Rates
In the same way your undergraduate nursing program’s graduate performance on the NCLEX nursing licensure exam reflected the overall quality of its nursing education, an NP program’s certification exam pass rates can help you determine how well it prepares students for professional practice. Aim for a program whose graduates consistently achieve high pass rates at or above state and national averages.
Comprehensive Curriculum & Clinical Options
Top online NP programs feature rigorous, evidence-based curricula that provide in-depth education in advanced nursing skills, clinical decision-making, interprofessional collaboration, and population health management. The curriculum should extensively cover the intended specialty, with sufficient clinical hours and options for completing rotations in your area.
Flexibility in Format & Enrollment
As a working nurse, you need a program structure that works with your life, whether that means part-time or full-time study options, multiple start dates per year, or curricula designed for fully online or hybrid learning. Look for programs utilizing learning technologies tailored for remote students.
Specialization Options
Many of the best online NP programs in Georgia feature a wide array of specialty options like Family, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Psychiatric/Mental Health, and more. This allows you to shape your degree toward your intended specialty and patient population interests from the start.
Exploring Georgia NP Degree Options: Additional Insights
You have several options when it comes to earning your NP credentials; the right one for you will depend largely on your educational and professional goals. In this section, we’ll explore some of these unique paths, including MSN, certificate programs, and a DNP and link to quality schools in Georgia that offer them so you can learn more.
MSN
A Master of Science in Nursing, MSN, is the most common path to becoming an NP, as it provides comprehensive graduate-level education in advanced nursing practice. These programs typically require 2-3 years of full-time study beyond an BSN for an RN. One of the key benefits of studying for a master’s level nursing degree is the ability to specialize. Most schools with MSN programs have several concentrations to choose from, including areas like Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration, Nurse Midwifery, Women’s Health and more.
Featured Programs:
Certificate
If you already hold an active MSN or DNP degree, earning a post-master’s NP certificate offers a condensed route to adding a new specialty credential. You’ll be able to expand your career opportunities through additional nursing specialty skills and expertise.
These intensive programs concentrate on the clinical and didactic components specific to a chosen NP specialty area like Family, Adult-Gerontology, Pediatrics. Certificate prerequisites include an active RN license and MSN from an accredited program.
Featured Programs:
DNP
The terminal Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree represents the highest level of clinical nursing education.
The curriculum for a DNP covers advanced nursing practice specialties while also emphasizing leadership, evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, and other competencies for clinical leadership roles. DNP admission typically requires an active RN license along with either a BSN (for BSN to DNP programs) or MSN degree (for post-master’s DNP programs).
Featured Programs:
Career and Salary Prospects for Georgia Nurse Practitioners
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Georgia is expected to experience booming demand for nurse practitioners in the years ahead. Employment opportunities in the state are projected to grow 78.6% between 2020-2030 — compared to 52.2% nationally.
Over 1,200 average annual NP job openings are expected statewide through 2030. While salaries vary by region and experience level (see the table below for more granular detail), Georgia NPs earn a median annual wage of $112,090. The Atlanta metro area in particular offers some of the state’s highest NP salaries, with a median of $119,380. Strong career prospects and earning potential make Georgia an excellent place to launch an NP career.
| Area | Employment (2020) | New Jobs (2020-2030) | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings (’20-’30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 8,230 | 6,470 | 78.6% | 1,250 |
| US | 220,300 | 114,900 | 52.2% | 26,000 |
Source: Projections Central
| Location | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $87,340 | $121,610 | $165,240 |
| Georgia | $82,590 | $112,090 | $148,710 |
| Albany, GA | $81,800 | $101,020 | $133,120 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $86,110 | $109,010 | $137,990 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $81,890 | $119,380 | $149,570 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $89,980 | $104,850 | $133,030 |
| Brunswick, GA | $77,560 | $105,290 | $188,510 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $81,490 | $104,640 | $129,550 |
| Dalton, GA | $75,520 | $100,740 | $131,950 |
| Gainesville, GA | $81,700 | $107,260 | $133,860 |
| Macon, GA | $77,800 | $109,800 | $133,730 |
| Rome, GA | $77,710 | $107,450 | $131,970 |
| Savannah, GA | $84,790 | $105,580 | $132,960 |
| Valdosta, GA | $78,730 | $99,170 | $135,200 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $83,890 | $101,220 | $132,760 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
