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Nurse Practitioner Programs

Why Choose the NP Program?

You’re ready to have greater independence in your career and make an even bigger impact in the lives of your patients. As a nurse practitioner, you will bring a level of expertise and professionalism that’s rewarded with a higher salary and a stronger connection with the individuals and families in your care.

The Nurse Practitioner programs (MS and Post-MS) at the UR School of Nursing are some of the best in the nation. It was the groundbreaking work of our founding dean, Loretta Ford, more than 50 years ago which led to the creation of the nurse practitioner role and changed the way health care is provided.

Today, our faculty include pioneering researchers and clinicians that set the standard for nurse practitioners specializing in fields like pediatrics and psychiatric/mental health. The University of Rochester Medical Center — an innovative and leading health care network — provides the ideal setting for in-depth clinical experience.

Clinical Specialties

One of the greatest strengths of the Nurse Practitioner programs is the targeted focus of our six concentrations. Learn alongside experienced practitioners in your specific field of practice. Nurse practitioner students, regardless of their clinical specialty, are also able to take a portion of their required coursework online. 

How to Apply

Review the eligibility and application requirements for the Nurse Practitioner programs before starting your online application. 


Program eligibility requirements include:

  • a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing (cumulative GPA of 3.0 preferred)
  • RN licensure within the United States or U.S. territory
  • clinical experience for the following nurse practitioner specialties:
    • AGPCNP, FNP, PNP, and FPMHNP programs: one year clinical experience is preferred
    • AGACNP program: one year full-time (or equivalent) RN experience in acute care prior to enrollment in NUR 411
    • PNP/NNP: two years NICU experience in the last five years
  • CPR certification (professional course must be taken with the American Heart Association)
  • statistics course with a grade of C or above. (For those who do not currently meet the requirement, we offer an online, self-paced statistics course which can be completed in as little as four weeks)

(Students without clinical experience are also eligible to apply to our NP programs and should discuss their options with our Admissions Office.)

"Admission to matriculated programs, and transfer credit approval, requires previously earned degrees and coursework to be regionally accredited through an approved agency affiliated with the Commission on Higher Education (New England, Middle States, North Central, Southern, Western and Northwest). Nursing degrees must also be accredited through an approved professional agency, which is CCNE, or AACN."

To complete your online application you will need the following:

  • current RN license
  • official transcripts from all schools attended, including prerequisites 
  • two letters of reference
  • professional goal statement
  • resume or CV
  • writing sample (academic paper, clinical document, or publication)
  • for international students, TOEFL with a minimum score of 560 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based) or 88 (iBT)
Please send all supplemental application materials to:
Admissions Office
University of Rochester School of Nursing
Box SON
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14642

Application Deadlines

Students can enroll in a Nurse Practitioner Program in September, January, or May.
  • For a September start date
    The application deadline is the prior April 1.
  • For a January start date
    The application deadline is the prior September 1.
  • For a May start date
    The application deadline is the prior January 2.
  • See details on how to submit an application.

Program Duration

2-3 years

Depending on which specialty you choose, the program can be completed in six semesters (full-time) or nine semesters (part-time).

Salary Potential

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for nurse practitioners in 2018 was:
  • $113,930
    per year

Related Programs

You can also earn your master's or doctoral degree with these related programs:

MS-PhD Combined Accelerated program
Post-BS to DNP program
Clinical Nurse Leader program
Craig Sellers
Locally in Rochester, nurse practitioners are consistently in demand and almost all of our graduates immediately move into a new nurse practitioner role upon graduation.
Craig Sellers, PhD, RN, AGPCNP-BC, FAANP, director of master's programs
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Karrah Hurd, RN
My teachers helped me understand what a privilege it is to care for patients. It’s an opportunity to be an intimate part of someone’s life, and I take that role very seriously... If we can learn to work together at the student level, we will be more effective when we care for patients.
Karrah Hurd, RN, student in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Julie Apperson, RN
The faculty here at U of R has not only facilitated learning opportunities for me to meet my objectives but challenged me along the way. I feel as though I am not only a better nurse from this process, but a better person.
Julie Apperson, RN, Class of 2011
Student in the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program