[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are you interested in becoming a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/best-online-nurse-practitioner-programs/”]nurse practitioner (NP)[/hen-ui-link] in Maryland and wondering which programs are the best? In this article, we’ll highlight the top NP programs in the state to help you take the next step in your nursing career. Whether you’re looking to attend online or in-person, full time or part time — we’ve got you covered. Read on to find the right program for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Maryland Nurse Practitioner Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”strokeLight” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″][hen-ui-icon icon=”badge-check” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] How We Rank Schools[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing programs, making it easy to find a program that meets your needs. Informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our methodology is based on metrics that matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This list is from 2023.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Do Nurse Practitioner Programs Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/maryland/”]Maryland[/hen-ui-link] Board of Nursing requires registered nurses (RNs) to complete a board-approved program at the master’s or doctoral level to work as an NP. These programs must be nationally accredited. Only RNs with formal education are admitted.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The board requires [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/”]NP programs[/hen-ui-link] to include advanced practice coursework, NP core coursework, and specialization coursework. Specific course requirements include physiology/pathophysiology, physical/health assessment, and pharmacology.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NP master’s programs in Maryland typically take 2-3 years to complete, with about credits and 500 clinical hours. Doctorate programs take around four years to complete, requiring about 40 credits and 1,000 clinical hours.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Maryland[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Before applying to an NP program in Maryland, ensure you have the prerequisites needed to meet the school’s acceptance requirements. While specifics can vary by program (i.e. graduate vs. postgraduate), these are the general requirements.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Materials: [/hen-ui-text]Transcripts from previous academic programs; a resume or CV; personal statement; letters of recommendation; copy of valid and unencumbered RN license[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]GPA Requirement: [/hen-ui-text]3.0 GPA or higher[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Other Requirement: [/hen-ui-text]A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or master of science in nursing (MSN); 1-2 years of nursing experience; personal interview[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Is Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/what-is-accreditation/”]During accreditation[/hen-ui-link], a team of objective professionals rigorously evaluates a program for its quality. They assess factors like faculty qualifications, teaching methods, and lab resources to ensure graduates are prepared to practice nursing competently and safely.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]States require NPs to graduate from accredited programs.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Boards do not allow graduates of unaccredited programs to apply for certification.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accredited schools are unlikely to accept transfer credits from non-accredited programs.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates from unaccredited programs may struggle to find employment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Federal financial aid usually requires students to attend accredited schools.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All of the programs featured in our top ranking are fully accredited, ensuring they meet the national and professional standards for certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs in Maryland[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Maryland?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming an NP in Maryland will require at least two years of study for RNs with their BSN. If you have no prior nursing education experience, it can take 6-8 years to become an NP by completing your BSN and then your MSN or DNP.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How much do NPs make in Maryland?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/2400000″ target=”_blank”]U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics[/hen-ui-link], the annual mean salary for NPs in Maryland is $127,100, slightly below the national average of $132,000.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the easiest NP program to get into?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Generally speaking, RN-to-MSN programs are easiest to get into compared to direct entry MSN programs. They have less admission requirements and prerequisites, making the process simpler for RNs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can a nurse practitioner practice in any state?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Technically, yes. A nurse practitioner can work in any state as long as they have the accompanying state license. However, each state’s nursing board has its own specific rules and requirements that NPs must follow.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]