Master of Science in Nursing in Acute Pediatrics Care Nurse Practitioner

NP with teenage patient
Next Application Deadline:
October 16, 2025
Credit hours: 59
Next Term Start Date:
August 25, 2026

Overview

The Master of Science in Nursing – Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) program at Ohio State prepares graduates to deliver advanced, specialized care to acutely ill and medically complex children from infancy through young adulthood. Designed for practice in high-acuity environments such as pediatric intensive care units, emergency departments, and specialty clinics, the program equips students to manage a broad spectrum of pediatric health challenges.

The curriculum integrates evidence-based coursework with a structured clinical practicum series—Advanced Practice in Pediatric Acute Care I–III—totaling 600 precepted hours in acute care settings under the guidance of experienced pediatric providers. Applicants must have at least one year of full-time pediatric nursing experience prior to admission, preferably in high-acuity or ICU environments.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC) certification exam through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and will be well-prepared to lead in clinical practice, quality improvement, and health advocacy. The program aligns with the curricular standards set by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and is strengthened by Ohio State’s robust clinical partnerships, including affiliations with Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic.

Academic Calendar

Your application will receive a holistic review, meaning all aspects of who you are as an applicant will be considered including your academic preparedness, professional background, formative life experiences, and your unique strengths and attributes. The following list of applicant attributes and experiences is not all encompassing but is meant to help guide you in highlighting your strengths as you prepare your written application materials and recorded online interview.

Academic Calendar

Your application will receive a holistic review, meaning all aspects of who you are as an applicant will be considered including your academic preparedness, professional background, formative life experiences, and your unique strengths and attributes. The following list of applicant attributes and experiences is not all encompassing but is meant to help guide you in highlighting your strengths as you prepare your written application materials and recorded online interview.

Admission Criteria

Students must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an ACEN/CCNE/CNEA-accredited institution to be eligible to apply. Applicants must also have an active RN license and a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last degree earned relevant to the program of study.

Who We Are Looking For

Your application will receive a holistic review, meaning all aspects of who you are as an applicant will be considered including your academic preparedness, professional background, formative life experiences, and your unique strengths and attributes. The following list of applicant attributes and experiences is not all encompassing but is meant to help guide you in highlighting your strengths as you prepare your written application materials and recorded online interview.

  • Understanding of the advanced practice nurse role
  • Experience with your chosen population – Leadership, teamwork, and collaboration
  • Community engagement
  • Diversity of thought and experiences
  • Resilience, growth, critical thinking
  • Emotional intelligence, communication skills
  • Personal attributes like humility, professionalism, compassion
  • Commitment to the nursing profession

How to Apply

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The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.

California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.

The Application Process

Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.

Career Outlook

Earning a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Acute Pediatrics from The Ohio State University offers a promising career outlook. Graduates are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for advanced practice nurses specializing in acute pediatric care, which is driven by increasingly complex healthcare needs in children and advancements in medical technology.

Career opportunities include roles as Pediatric Nurse Practitioners or Clinical Nurse Specialists in various settings such as children’s hospitals, specialized pediatric units, and outpatient clinics. These roles come with competitive salaries and opportunities for further specialization and professional development. Additionally, graduates can pursue leadership and educational positions, contributing to the advancement of pediatric care and impacting the lives of children and their families significantly.

Whether you’re looking to grow in your current career or make a career change altogether, Ohio State’s online programs can help you achieve your goals. Learn what the outlook is for your current or next career move using O*Net’s My Next Move tool.

Top Occupations by Median Income

National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.

Curriculum

Below is a curriculum sample for Ohio State’s online Master of Science in Nursing in Acute Pediatrics Care Nurse Practitioner program.

Clinical coursework

Below is the clinical coursework for Ohio State’s online Ohio State’s online Master of Science in Nursing in Acute Pediatrics Care Nurse Practitioner program.

Stephanie Hosley

Assistant Clinical Professor Director, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialty Track
NP Acute Professor

Angela Blankenship

Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice
angela blankenship

Rosie Zeno

Associate Clinical Professor Assistant Dean for APRN and Masters Education
NP Acute Professor

Testimonials

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Tuition Fee Overview

Tuition Fees Fee Per Credit Hour Part-Time – Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) Full-Time – Total Cost Per Semester
Instructional Fee $972.50 $5,835.00 $7,780.00
General Fee $32.63 $195.78 $261.04
Program Fee $250.00 $1,500.00 $2,000.00
Nursing Distance Learning Fee $228.00 (per semester)
Distance Learning Fee $100.00 (per semester)
Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) $200.00 (per semester)

Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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