Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Programs at UConn
Advance your specialized nursing career with the University of Connecticut's online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program. Designed for experienced neonatal nurses, our curriculum is taught by nationally recognized UConn Elizabeth DeLuca School of Nursing faculty who are active clinical experts.
Program Highlights at a Glance
- Flexible Delivery: Primarily online coursework complemented by two required on-campus simulation experiences.
- Clinical Placement Assistance and Training: 765 direct patient care clinical hours completed across three 15-week practicums, exceeding national benchmarks.
- Admission Prerequisite: Minimum of 2 years of full-time RN experience in a Level III or Level IV NICU prior to beginning clinical coursework.
Choose Your Academic Pathway
Master of Science (MS)
- Credits: 45 credits
- Timeline:
- Full-time: 5 semesters
- Part-time: 6 to 8 semesters (depending on admission term)
BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BS-DNP)
- Credits: 45 credits (NNP APRN portion) + 32–38 credits (DNP portion)
- Timeline:
- Full-time: 10 semesters
- Part-time: 14 semesters
Post-Graduate Certificate
- Credits: 27 to 30 credits
- Timeline: 5 semesters (Full-time & Post-Graduate Certificate students)
Career Outcomes & Certification
Graduates of the UConn NNP program are fully prepared to practice as Neonatal Nurse Practitioners and are eligible to apply for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certification examination offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).
Clinical Experience and National Standards
The 750-Hour National Benchmark
The current APRN educational standards and the National Certification Corporation (NCC) require a minimum of 750 direct patient care clinical hours - the UConn NNP Program requires 765 direct patient care clinical hours.
Completed over three 15-week practicums, these hours provide the experiential foundation necessary to achieve advanced practice competencies and ensure complete preparation for safe, effective clinical care.
Note: Simulation activities supplement learning but do not substitute for required direct patient care hours.
State Authorization & Eligibility
UConn’s ability to offer distance learning programs to students outside Connecticut is governed by state authorization requirements, which may vary by location and are subject to change. Prospective students considering an online program should review UConn Elizabeth DeLuca School of Nursing’s current state authorization information before applying to confirm whether their location is eligible for online study.
Applications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis.
Please submit application materials no later than:
December 13: Spring Semester
April 15: Summer Semester
July 18: Fall Semester
Application Deadlines by Semester:
- Spring: Apply by December 13
- Summer: Apply by April 15
- Fall: Apply by July 18
Start Term Options:
- Part-Time MS NNP students begin in spring, summer, or fall.
- Full-Time MS NNP students begin in the fall only.
- Post-Graduate NNP Certificate students begin in the fall only.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis—completed applications are evaluated in the order they’re received until the cohort is full or the application deadline is reached.
We strongly encourage early application submission.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Visit the School of Nursing for information about Distance Learning & Experiential Learning Requirements.
#5
Ranking among Online Nursing Master’s Programs in the Country
(U.S. News & World Reports 2025)
#4 Ranking among Online Nursing Master's Programs in the Country
NANNP Neonatal Field Videos
Below are several links to videos produced by the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NANNP). They provide a window into the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner profession.