Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Michigan: Find Top Schools
If you’re an RN looking to expand your skills and autonomy, becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) could be your next career step. This guide highlights online NP programs in Michigan, answers common questions about certification, and ranks top schools to help you advance your nursing career.
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NursingNursing Ed.Types of NP Programs in Michigan
For nurses working in Michigan, becoming certified as an NP can lead to meaningful career advancement. This is especially true today as NPs are in demand in Michigan. Policymakers in the state are even considering expanding the scope of practice for NPs, so that they can help meet the state’s primary care provider shortage.
Nurse practitioner programs typically offer a variety of specialization options, including family, pediatric nursing, women’s health, adult gerontology, acute care, neonatal, and psychiatric. You can earn a master’s or doctoral degree as part of an NP program, and many of these programs offer either fully online or hybrid study schedules alongside live instruction or clinicals.
Details vary from school to school, but there are certain features that accredited online NP programs in Michigan share. See below for more details on these program types and how they might expand your education and career opportunities.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
An MSN degree takes an average of two to three years to complete, depending on its structure and enrollment type. Many MSN programs, including online MSN programs, offer concentrations/specializations including:
- Family Health
- Neonatal
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatric / Mental Health
- Adult-Gerontology
- Women’s Health
These courses also prepare you to take the NP certification exam. Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and an active registered nurse (RN) license. You may additionally need to submit an essay, provide letters of recommendation, or share your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score.
- Duration: Two to three years
- Mode: Online
- Cost: $1,056 per credit hour
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Post-Master’s Certificate
A post-master’s certificate program allows nursing students who already hold an MSN or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to expand their expertise by acquiring further NP specialization.
Program details:
- May be completed in one to two years, depending on full- or part-time enrollment status
- Admission requires a current nursing license, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose
- May require students to have a minimum number of hours of recent clinical experience
- Duration: One and a half years
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $867 per credit hour
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
A DNP program equips students for roles in specialized care, evidence-based practice, and healthcare leadership. Most students can earn their DNP-NP in three to four years, but there are MSN to DNP and BSN to DNP online bridge programs available, often with a required specialization. Prospective students must have a BSN or MSN and an active nursing license. Other possible requirements include:
- Admissions interview
- Letters of recommendation
- Recent clinical experience
- GRE scores
- Duration: Two years (post-MSN); three years (post-BSN)
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $1,128.50 per credit hour
Frequently Asked Questions from Michigan NP Students
What are accelerated and direct-entry programs for nurse practitioner students?
Accelerated programs and direct entry programs allow professionals with a bachelor’s degree to earn a master’s degree or doctorate in nursing in a shorter time frame.
This can be a good option for nursing professionals who wish to earn an NP certification quickly. This is accomplished through transfer credits, little to no general education requirements, and an often aggressive learning timeline. Graduates from accelerated NP programs and direct-entry MSN programs will still need to pass certification as an NP after classes end.
Expert Insight
I once taught in a direct-entry MSN program. Coursework can be quite heavy. These programs admit students who have bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields. The first year or so of your program, you’ll learn how to be an RN. You’ll obtain your RN license before progressing to the MSN coursework, which you will take for the remainder of the program. Excellent time management skills are a must.
Is accreditation important for online NP programs?
Nursing school accreditation is one of the most important things to consider when choosing any type of nursing program, as accreditation organizations approve programs that have met quality standards and adequately prepare graduates to be skilled NPs. It’s also very likely that employers will have more confidence in your skills if you graduate from an accredited program.
Two organizations qualified to give accreditation NP programs in Michigan are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
What should I expect to be studying as part of an NP program?
A quality nurse practitioner program has a comprehensive curriculum that covers important topics, such as:
- Health assessment
- Pharmacology
- Healthcare policy
- Leadership
- Clinical Judgement
NP programs may also include courses that cover specialized topics, depending on what you choose for individual study tracks. These can include elderly care, mental health best practices, and nursing research. As an NP student, you should seek a well-rounded education that prepares you for the complexities you’ll face in a variety of potential roles.
Will there be financial aid available for online NP programs?
Yes, many university programs include financial aid for NP students. The three most common forms of financial assistance for NP students are scholarships, grants, and loans.
Scholarships and grants can come from a variety of sources, such as private organizations, professional associations, community groups, and educational institutions. Both scholarships and grants are excellent options for NP students looking to minimize their educational debt, as they typically don’t require repayment. However, loans are still an option for NP students who need further assistance covering their educational expenses.
What can you do after becoming a nurse practitioner?
Many certified NPs take on healthcare leadership and educational roles, while others may work in a specialty capacity or as a primary care provider for a hospital or facility. For nurses who enjoy providing direct patient care, becoming a primary care provider is a great way to expand their care practices.
Popular leadership positions for NPs include chief nursing officer and director of nursing services. Alternatively, experienced NPs with a desire to teach can pursue professorships at colleges and universities.
Expert Insight
I’ve seen so many job openings for NPs. You can work for insurance and pharmaceutical companies. You can become a health coach. You can even become a nursing textbook author. There’s also travel nursing jobs for NPs, including working on cruise ships. Nurse practitioners are very much in demand, making now a great time to consider returning to school.
Licensing and Certification for Michigan NPs
The road to becoming a licensed NP in Michigan can be smooth and straightforward, involving program enrollment, passing a state exam, and applying for licensure through the Michigan Board of Nursing. After graduating from an accredited MSN or DNP nurse practitioner program, complete the following:
- Take and pass the NP certification exam: Michigan recognizes national NP certification tests, so you just need to make sure you are taking the correct one for your specialty. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) test is for clinical practice roles, while the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) exam also covers clinical management, research, and education in its questions.
- Apply for an NP license: You’ll need to complete a background check and fingerprinting (about $130), undergo training to identify human trafficking victims (between $10 and $50), and pay the license fee ($45 to $60). There is also a list of things to submit: transcripts for the degree and certification test, RN license proof, and an overview of your clinical experience.
Once you become a fully licensed NP in Michigan, you must renew your license every two years and complete 25 hours of continuing education.
Salary & Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners in Michigan
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $97,960 | $129,210 | $169,950 |
| Michigan | $101,200 | $125,620 | $149,330 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $102,620 | $136,350 | $145,680 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $100,960 | $120,140 | $140,140 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $103,690 | $126,110 | $145,600 |
| Flint, MI | $103,200 | $121,630 | $142,810 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $98,140 | $124,480 | $136,410 |
| Jackson, MI | $104,260 | $126,290 | $164,000 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $101,600 | $127,600 | $162,390 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $104,130 | $127,790 | $154,140 |
| Midland, MI | $106,300 | $126,320 | $155,890 |
| Monroe, MI | $102,620 | $121,910 | $239,200+ |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $61,670 | $109,040 | $132,200 |
| Niles, MI | $100,810 | $122,800 | $140,770 |
| Saginaw, MI | $101,110 | $126,580 | $162,160 |
| Traverse City, MI | $98,050 | $122,540 | $169,120 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| Michigan | 7,370 | 10,410 | 3,040 | 41.20% | 700 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Michigan’s Top Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Here’s EduMed’s ranking of top online and hybrid nurse practitioner (NP) programs for Michigan students, based on factors like tuition, average grant aid, student-to-faculty ratio, and other key measures of student experience and success. The data comes from schools’ voluntary submissions to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). For more details on our selection process and tips for choosing the right NP program, see the “About the Ranking” section.
