6 Schools • 2 Campus • 2 Hybrid • 2 Mostly Online
Six Florida universities offer 17 acute care NP pathways: a BSN-to-DNP at all six, an MSN at four, and a post-graduate certificate at five.
Every school runs adult-gerontology acute care, and the University of Florida adds pediatric acute care and a dual pediatric track. In-state tuition runs from $9K to $96K, and programs take one to 4.5 years.
Highlights include:
- UCF assigns every clinical placement and charges Florida residents about $27K for its DNP.
- UF is the only pediatric acute care option and requires a year of ICU or ED experience at application.
- Miami finishes an MSN in three full-time semesters.
- Nova Southeastern caps MSN and DNP campus time at eight days.
Compare each school’s online format, campus commitment, cost, and degree options below.
| School | Track | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University Miami Shores | AG-ACNP | Campus | no distance option published | $1,050 CPC $1,195 DNP | MSN, BSN-to-DNP, Certificate | Nurses without ICU or ED experience |
| Nova Southeastern University Palm Beach | AG-ACNP | Mostly Online | Three intensives, 8 days | $926 CPC $868 DNP | MSN, BSN-to-DNP, Certificate | Florida-licensed nurses wanting few campus days |
| University of Central Florida Orlando | AG-ACNP | Hybrid | Live labs plus a simulation day per clinical course, | $369.65 | BSN-to-DNP, Certificate | Lowest resident cost with assigned placement |
| University of Florida Gainesville | AG-ACNP, PNP-AC, Dual PNP PC/AC | Mostly Online | One-day orientation plus periodic visits | $532.52 | BSN-to-DNP | Pediatric acute care; ICU and ED nurses seeking a DNP |
| University of Miami Coral Gables | AG-ACNP | Campus | On campus | Block rate | MSN, BSN-to-DNP, Certificate | Critical care nurses wanting a one-year MSN |
| University of South Florida Tampa | AG-ACNP | Hybrid | Classes or activities about monthly | $431.43 | MSN, BSN-to-DNP, Certificate | Lowest-cost MSN |
What’s the Best ACNP Program for You?
Best Overall Value
University of Central Florida charges Florida residents about $27K for the BSN-to-DNP and $9K for the certificate, and its coordinators assign every clinical site and preceptor.
Lowest-Cost MSN
University of South Florida delivers 780 clinical hours, the same total its DNP students log, for about $25K at the resident rate.
Best Pediatric Acute Care
University of Florida is the only Florida school offering PNP-AC, and it adds a dual pediatric acute and primary care DNP with placements arranged by the school.
Fastest MSN
University of Miami full-time students finish 37 credits and 616 clinical hours in three consecutive semesters at a published block price.
Most Predictable Campus Schedule
Nova Southeastern University limits MSN and DNP students to three Palm Beach intensives of two, four, and two days.
Best Option Without Critical Care Experience
Barry University accepts one year of recent full-time RN practice in any setting, with no ICU or emergency requirement.
Florida DNP ACNP Programs
All six schools offer a BSN-to-DNP, and it is the only acute care entry point at UCF and UF. None lists an MSN-to-DNP acute care track. Resident tuition runs from $27K to $96K. Each doctorate layers project, residency, or immersion work on top of the specialty practicum, so headline hour totals overstate the gap in acute care patient contact between schools.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University | AG-ACNP | $96K | 3 yrs | Not published |
| Nova Southeastern University | AG-ACNP | $63K | 3.7 yrs | 1,455 hrs |
| University of Central Florida | AG-ACNP | $27K resident | 3 yrs full-time | 1,200 hrs |
| University of Florida | AG-ACNP | $40K resident | 3 yrs full-time | 1,260 hrs |
| University of Florida | PNP-AC | $42K resident | About 4 yrs part-time | 1,260 hrs |
| University of Florida | Dual PNP PC/AC | $50K resident | About 4.5 yrs part-time | 1,740 hrs |
| University of Miami | AG-ACNP | $94K | 2 yrs full-time | 1,176 hrs |
| University of South Florida | AG-ACNP | $33K resident | 3 yrs | 780 hrs |
- Lowest doctoral cost: University of Central Florida — $27K resident, but DNP students must live in Florida for the whole program and complete clinicals in nine Central Florida counties.
- Pediatric acute care: University of Florida — the only PNP-AC and dual pediatric tracks in the state; dual-track students apply after admission to the DNP, and UF’s 2024 plan runs 93 credits and 1,740 clinical hours.
- Strictest experience gate: University of Florida — AG-ACNP applicants need a year of ICU or ED work by the application deadline; step-down, intermediate care, and PACU do not count.
- Same specialty hours as the MSN: University of South Florida — 780 hours on both degrees; the DNP adds systems coursework and a project, not acute care clinical time.
Florida MSN ACNP Programs
Four schools offer a BSN-to-MSN in adult-gerontology acute care: Barry, Nova Southeastern, Miami, and USF. All four are AG-ACNP only, and none offers a pediatric MSN. Tuition runs from $25K resident to $55K before discounts. Pace and start term vary more than cost, from Miami’s one-year full-time plan to USF’s seven-semester lock-step sequence.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University | AG-ACNP | $55K | 2 yrs | Not published |
| Nova Southeastern University | AG-ACNP | $42K | 2 yrs | 855 hrs |
| University of Miami | AG-ACNP | $47K | 1 yr full-time | 616 hrs |
| University of South Florida | AG-ACNP | $25K resident | 2.3 yrs | 780 hrs |
- Lowest MSN cost: University of South Florida — $25K resident, with a monthly campus day in Tampa for the full program.
- Automatic discount: Barry University — a 25% MSN scholarship cuts tuition to about $41K (30% on the DNP, about $67K), but a required AG-ACNP program fee is unpublished.
- Fastest finish: University of Miami — three full-time semesters, but full-time students start only in fall and part-time students only in spring.
- ACLS at application: Nova Southeastern University — applicants need a current ACLS certificate when they apply, not before clinicals.
Florida Post-Graduate Certificate ACNP Programs
Five schools offer an AG-ACNP certificate for nurses who already hold a graduate degree. UCF and USF require a current Florida APRN license and national certification in another specialty; Nova Southeastern and Barry accept MSN-prepared RNs. Resident tuition runs from $9K to $30K where a total can be calculated. Clinical hours range from 616 to 780.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University | AG-ACNP | Set by gap analysis | Not published | Not published |
| Nova Southeastern University | AG-ACNP | $22K | 1.3 yrs | 765 hrs |
| University of Central Florida | AG-ACNP | $9K resident | 1.5 yrs part-time | 660 hrs |
| University of Miami | AG-ACNP | $30K | About 1 yr | 616 hrs |
| University of South Florida | AG-ACNP | $10K resident | 1.3 yrs | 780 hrs |
- Lowest certificate cost: University of Central Florida — $9K resident for 660 hours, with spring entry only and a September 1 deadline.
- No federal aid: University of South Florida — the certificate is non-degree, so the $10K must come from savings, an employer, or private loans.
- Residency radius: Nova Southeastern University — applicants must live within 225 miles of the campus; those missing graduate prerequisites take 33 credits, about $31K.
- Gap-analysis pricing: Barry University and University of Miami — added courses raise the total after admission; Miami bills each added credit at $1,500.
National Online ACNP Options
Five national schools offer AG-ACNP pathways with little or no campus time.
- Walden University runs online RN-to-MSN, BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and MSN-to-DNP tracks.
- Purdue Global offers an online MSN, an MSN-DNP Path, and a post-graduate certificate.
- Maryville University offers an online MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s certificate.
- Chamberlain University delivers a Mostly Online MSN and graduate certificate.
- South College offers an online BSN-to-MSN and post-graduate certificate.
FAQ
How many ACNP programs are in Florida?
Six universities offer 17 acute care NP pathways: eight BSN-to-DNP tracks, four MSNs, and five post-graduate certificates. Barry, Nova Southeastern, Miami, and USF offer all three degree levels; UCF offers the DNP and certificate; UF offers only the DNP.
Are any Florida ACNP programs fully online?
No. UF and Nova Southeastern come closest. UF requires a one-day Gainesville orientation plus periodic visits it does not count, and Nova Southeastern requires eight days across three Palm Beach intensives. UCF and USF require recurring campus days, and Barry and Miami are campus programs.
Which Florida ACNP program costs the least?
For Florida residents, UCF has the lowest DNP ($27K) and certificate ($9K), and USF has the lowest MSN ($25K). Non-residents lose most of that advantage: UCF’s DNP rises to about $93K and UF’s AG-ACNP DNP to about $110K.
Can I study pediatric acute care in Florida?
Only at UF, and only through the BSN-to-DNP. UF offers a PNP-AC track and a dual pediatric acute and primary care track, both preparing graduates for PNCB certification. Applicants need a year of pediatric acute care experience; NICU counts, but mother-baby does not.
How much ICU experience do Florida ACNP programs require?
UF requires a year of ICU or ED experience for AG-ACNP and strongly recommends CCRN. USF requires 12 months of full-time critical care or high-acuity practice before the program starts. Miami requires a year of critical care, counting step-down and intermediate care. Nova Southeastern requires 12 months of independent clinical practice plus ACLS. Barry requires a year of full-time RN practice within the last year in any setting, and UCF publishes no minimum.
Do I need a Florida RN license?
At most schools, yes. Nova Southeastern requires an unrestricted Florida license from every AG-ACNP applicant, and Barry, UCF, and USF require one before or shortly after the program starts. UF accepts a multistate license. Miami’s MSN and DNP accept a license from your current state of practice, but its certificate requires Florida licensure.
Will the school arrange my clinical placements?
UCF assigns every site and preceptor. UF arranges placements but only inside Florida, and Miami’s faculty coordinate preceptors within Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Barry supplies a preceptor list but expects students to secure the placement themselves. Nova Southeastern and USF do not publish who finds preceptors.