# Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Texas
**Author:** NP Degrees Editorial Team
**Published:** May 6, 2025
**Updated:** May 6, 2025
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Texas is home to a wide range of nurse practitioner (NP) programs offered through both public and private institutions. With its size, regional diversity, and growing population, the state presents numerous opportunities for aspiring NPs to specialize and serve in areas ranging from major cities to rural communities.
This article offers an overview of NP programs in Texas, highlighting five respected institutions with graduate-level options and presenting a broader table of other accredited programs worth exploring. Whether you’re pursuing an MSN, DNP, or post-master’s certificate, Texas provides flexible pathways to meet your professional goals.
## **What to Know About NP Programs in Texas**
### **Licensure and Scope of Practice**
To become a nurse practitioner in Texas, candidates must earn licensure as an **Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)** through the **Texas Board of Nursing (BON)** . Licensure requirements include graduating from an approved program, national certification in a specialty area, and meeting state-specific practice regulations.
Texas is currently classified as a **reduced practice state** , meaning NPs must maintain a collaborative agreement with a physician for certain aspects of patient care. However, legislation continues to evolve, and ongoing advocacy efforts aim to expand NP practice authority statewide.
### **Types of NP Programs Available**
Texas institutions offer several academic routes to NP licensure, depending on a student’s current credentials and goals:
- **Master of Science in Nursing (MSN):** Standard entry-level degree for aspiring nurse practitioners
- **Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP):** A terminal degree focused on advanced clinical practice and leadership
- **Post-Master’s Certificate:** Designed for RNs or APRNs who want to add or change an NP specialization
Students can pursue a variety of specialty tracks, such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP). For a detailed breakdown of these roles, visit this guide to[ types of nurse practitioners] (https://npdegrees.org/careers/type-of-nurse-practitioners/) .
### **Program Formats**
Texas NP programs are available in a range of delivery formats to suit different lifestyles and learning preferences:
- **Fully online** , **hybrid** , and **on-campus** options
- **Part-time** , **full-time** , and even **accelerated** pathways for working nurses or career changers
Clinical hours are required for all NP programs and are typically arranged within the student’s local region, though support for placement can vary by institution.
## **Noteworthy Schools with NP Programs in Texas**
Texas offers a broad selection of accredited nurse practitioner programs, but a few institutions stand out for their academic reputation, program variety, and flexible formats. The five schools below each offer NP programs in Texas with CCNE accreditation and a range of specialties to meet diverse student needs. While not ranked, these institutions represent strong options for prospective NP students seeking quality and support.
### **The University of Texas at Austin**
[**School of Nursing** ] (https://nursing.utexas.edu/)
**Location:** Austin, Texas
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing offers nationally ranked graduate programs in nursing and serves as a major hub for nursing education and research in Texas. Its **nurse practitioner pathways** include a **DNP-Advanced Practice Nursing (DNP-APN)** program with tracks in **Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)** , **Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (PNP-PC)** , and **Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)** , as well as a **post-master’s DNP** and **post-master’s certificates** , including one for **Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (AC PNP)** .
### **Texas Christian University (TCU)**
[**Harris College of Nursing** ] (https://harriscollege.tcu.edu/nursing/index.php)
**Location:** Fort Worth, Texas
Texas Christian University (TCU) offers **CCNE-accredited nurse practitioner programs** through its **BSN-to-DNP tracks** in **Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)** , **Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)** , and **Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)** . The school also provides **post-graduate NP certificates** and an **MSN program** in nurse education. All NP tracks are **100% online** with **local clinical practicums** . Additional features include **no GRE requirement** , **automatic tuition reduction** , and eligibility for the **Nurse Faculty Loan Program** .
### **Texas A&M University**
[**College of Nursing** ] (https://nursing.tamu.edu/)
**Location:** College Station, Texas
Texas A&M University’s College of Nursing offers **CCNE-accredited nurse practitioner programs** , including an **MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)** and **post-graduate certificates in FNP and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)** . The **MSN-FNP program** follows a **hybrid format** and is available in both full- and part-time options. Post-graduate NP certificates are delivered **fully online** .
The college emphasizes clinical leadership, rural and population health, and offers a **DNP in Leadership** for nurses seeking advanced roles in health care systems. Students benefit from statewide clinical partnerships and a mission rooted in improving access to care.
### **University of St. Thomas (Houston)**
[**Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing** ] (https://www.stthom.edu/Nursing)
**Location:** Houston, Texas
The University of St. Thomas offers **CCNE-accredited nurse practitioner education** through its **Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)** and **post-master’s certificate** programs. The MSN includes multiple concentrations, and the **Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate** is designed for APRNs seeking advanced mental health training and national certification eligibility. The nursing school emphasizes **holistic care** , **critical thinking** , and a **supportive learning environment** tailored to working nurses. A **Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)** program is also available for those pursuing the highest level of clinical leadership.
### **University of Houston**
[**Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing** ] (https://www.uh.edu/nursing)
**Location:** Houston, Texas
The Gessner College of Nursing at the University of Houston offers **CCNE-accredited nurse practitioner programs** at the master’s and doctoral levels. The **Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)** includes an **FNP track** , and the **Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)** program focuses on advancing clinical expertise and healthcare leadership.
Students benefit from **modern simulation labs** , strong community health engagement, and a commitment to reducing healthcare disparities. The college emphasizes **clinical readiness** , with a high national ranking for NCLEX pass rates and a growing reputation in graduate nursing education.
| **Institution** | **Address** | **Nursing School** |
| [Angelo State University] (https://www.angelo.edu/) | San Angelo, Texas | [Department of Nursing] (https://www.angelo.edu/departments/nursing/) |
| [Midwestern State University] (https://www.msutexas.edu/) | Wichita Falls, Texas | [Wilson School of Nursing] (https://msutexas.edu/academics/hs2/nursing/) |
| [Prairie View A & M University] (https://www.pvamu.edu/) | Prairie View, Texas | [College of Nursing] (https://www.pvamu.edu/nursing/) |
| [Stephen F. Austin State University] (https://www.sfasu.edu/) | Nacogdoches, Texas | [DeWitt School of Nursing] (https://www.sfasu.edu/academics/colleges/sciences-math/nursing) |
| [Texas A&M International University] (https://www.tamiu.edu/) | Laredo, Texas | [Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing] (https://www.tamiu.edu/conhs/) |
| [Texas A&M University – College Station] (https://www.tamu.edu/) | College Station, Texas | [College of Nursing] (https://nursing.tamu.edu/) |
| [Texas A&M University-Commerce] (https://www.tamuc.edu/) | Commerce, Texas | [Department of Nursing] (https://www.tamuc.edu/nursing/) |
| [Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi] (https://www.tamucc.edu/) | Corpus Christi, Texas | [College of Nursing & Health Sciences] (https://www.tamucc.edu/nursing-and-health-sciences/) |
| [Texas Christian University] (https://www.tcu.edu/) | Fort Worth, Texas | [Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences] (https://harriscollege.tcu.edu/nursing/index.php) |
| [Texas State University] (https://www.txst.edu/) | San Marcos, Texas | [St. David's School of Nursing] (https://www.nursing.txstate.edu/) |
| [Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center] (https://www.ttuhsc.edu/) | Lubbock, Texas | [School of Nursing] (https://www.ttuhsc.edu/nursing/default.aspx) |
| [Texas Wesleyan University] (https://www.txwes.edu/) | Fort Worth, Texas | [School of Health Professions] (https://txwes.edu/academics/health-professions/) |
| [Texas Woman's University] (https://www.twu.edu/) | Denton, Texas | [College of Nursing] (https://twu.edu/nursing/) |
| [The University of Texas at Arlington] (https://www.uta.edu/) | Arlington, Texas | [College of Nursing and Health Innovation] (https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/conhi) |
| [The University of Texas at Austin] (https://www.utexas.edu/) | Austin, Texas | [School of Nursing] (https://nursing.utexas.edu/) |
| [The University of Texas at El Paso] (https://www.utep.edu/) | El Paso, Texas | [College of Nursing] (https://www.utep.edu/nursing/) |
| [The University of Texas at Tyler] (https://www.uttyler.edu/) | Tyler, Texas | [School of Nursing] (https://www.uttyler.edu/academics/colleges-schools/nursing/) |
| [The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston] (https://www.uth.edu/) | Houston, Texas | [Cizik School of Nursing] (https://nursing.uth.edu/) |
| [The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio] (https://www.uthscsa.edu/) | San Antonio, Texas | [School of Nursing] (https://uthscsa.edu/nursing/) |
| [The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston] (https://www.utmb.edu/) | Galveston, Texas | [School of Nursing] (https://nursing.utmb.edu/) |
| [The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley] (https://www.utrgv.edu/) | Edinburg, Texas | [School of Nursing] (https://www.utrgv.edu/nursing/) |
| [University of Houston] (https://www.uh.edu/) | Houston, Texas | [Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing] (https://www.uh.edu/nursing) |
| [University of Mary Hardin-Baylor] (https://go.umhb.edu/) | Belton, Texas | [Scott & White School of Nursing] (https://www.umhb.edu/health-sciences/nursing/home) |
| [University of St. Thomas] (https://www.stthom.edu/) | Houston, Texas | [Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing] (https://www.stthom.edu/Nursing) |
| [University of the Incarnate Word] (https://www.uiw.edu/) | San Antonio, Texas | [Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions] (https://nursing-and-health-professions.uiw.edu/) |
| [West Texas A&M University] (https://www.wtamu.edu/) | Canyon, Texas | [Laura and Joe Street School of Nursing] (https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/college-nursing-health-sciences/department-nursing/index.html) |