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Pitt Nursing Launches Hybrid MSN Nurse Practitioner Program to Address Nationwide Workforce Shortage

Published June 11, 2026

The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing has introduced a new hybrid Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner (NP) program, offering registered nurses across the country a flexible, high-quality pathway to advanced practice — without stepping away from their careers or communities.

Dean Christine E. Kasper announced the program, which launches through Pitt Online and is designed specifically for working nurses seeking to advance into one of health care’s most in-demand and financially rewarding roles.

Three Concentrations Targeting Critical Workforce Gaps

The program offers three concentrations aligned with the nation’s most urgent health care workforce needs:

Nurse practitioners hold one of the most secure career paths in American health care, with a near-zero unemployment rate of just 0.6 percent, according to U.S. News & World Report. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the profession among the fastest-growing occupations in the country, with median annual salaries reaching $129,210 nationally as of May 2024. Psychiatric-Mental Health NP specialists earn even more, with median pay reported at $140,400.

A Hybrid Model Built for Working Nurses

The two-year program delivers coursework online in a flexible format, with three focused on-campus immersions held at Pitt’s Oakland campus in Pittsburgh. These in-person sessions provide hands-on simulation, skills labs and collaborative learning central to a Pitt Nursing education.

“Pitt Nursing is proud to offer a new pathway for nurses across the nation to earn a first-rate education,” said Dean Kasper. “Through state-of-the-art teaching methods, we are preparing high-performing nurse practitioners to meet the growing primary care needs of patients in Pennsylvania and beyond.”

Pitt Nursing Coordinates All Clinical Placements

One of the most significant barriers in NP education — securing clinical placements — is fully managed by the School of Nursing. The program coordinates all clinical hours required for graduation and works to place students in supervised clinical experiences near their home communities.

With 780 clinical hours, the program exceeds most state and national minimum requirements for clinical preparation.

“By managing clinical placements and integrating immersive, in-person experiences, we are ensuring our graduates are not only well-prepared academically but are truly practice-ready from day one,” said Brayden Kameg, associate dean for Graduate Clinical Education. “The program was uniquely developed by our Pitt Nursing faculty who have contributed their knowledge and expertise to deliver a high-quality program that prepares graduates with the clinical acumen to meet the evolving needs of the various populations they serve.”

Ranked Among the Nation’s Best

Pitt Nursing brings nationally recognized academic strength to this new program. The undergraduate BSN program is currently ranked eighth in the nation — a top-10 ranking for the third consecutive year — according to U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges. In graduate rankings, Pitt Nursing is ranked 26th among MSN programs, 9th among DNP programs, and ranks 14th among Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner doctoral programs.

The School of Nursing is part of Pitt’s Schools of the Health Sciences, one of the nation’s leading academic health science centers comprising six schools that have ranked among the top 10 nationally in NIH grant support every year since 1998.

Apply for Fall 2026

Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural Fall 2026 cohort. The application deadline is August 1, 2026.

For program details and to request more information, visit our Master of Science in Nursing program.

Pitt Online programs are developed and supported by Pitt EDGE — the University Center for Excellence in Digital Education. Learn more at pitt.edu/edge.

Last Updated:
June 11, 2026, 1:14 p.m.