Hone Your Advanced Practice Skills with an Online MSN
Ohio University's online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) degree helps you build advanced practice skills to provide high-quality treatment in primary care settings.Throughout the program, you will develop the ability to manage patient care across the lifespan by using advanced assessment and diagnostic skills to develop, implement and evaluate treatment plans. When you complete this flexible, 40-credit MSN program, you will be well-prepared to sit for the AANP or ANCC certification exam.
Program Benefits
- No GRE/GMAT required
- Low Teacher-to-Student ratio
- Faculty are practicing nurses, prepared at the Masters or Doctorate level
- 2 start dates per year
- Most graduates become certified on their first attempt
- Fully accredited
- #20 Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs (tie) – U.S. News & World Report 1
Earn the Online MSN-FNP Degree to Provide Advanced Care
With job openings for nurse practitioners expected to grow 40% by 2031 1 , pursuing your online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner degree will empower you to advance in a fulfilling career and provide much-needed quality care to your community. By honing a master's-level ability to assess, diagnose and treat patients at each stage of their lives, you can prepare for fulfilling and rewarding opportunities in hospitals, community health clinics, home care practices and more.
Top Careers for MSN-FNP Graduates
Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
40 credits | 11 courses
Working with expert faculty mentors, you will earn an online MSN degree that will help you care for patients through a combination of didactic and clinical experiences. Didactic courses present the nursing knowledge, theoretical concepts, models, and research that will inform your patient care and evidence-based practice. Meanwhile, clinical courses provide opportunities for you to apply knowledge, practice skills, plan and implement interventions as you learn the full scope of the FNP role you are working toward.
Online MSN-FNP Course Highlights
- NRSE 7230 Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NRSE 7210 Advanced Pathophysiology in Nursing Practice
- NRSE 7220 Advanced Pharmacology
Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Requirements
No GRE/GMAT required | 25% amount of transfer credit permitted
Earning the online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Ohio University holds immense value as you seek to advance your career. When you graduate, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide comprehensive healthcare services to individuals and families across the lifespan. In addition, you will gain an elevated mastery of how to diagnose and treat both acute and chronic conditions, promote preventive care and advocate for your patients' well-being. With a focus on evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration, this degree opens doors to a rewarding and impactful career.
Spring 2025:
- Application Deadline: 05/01/25
- Classes Begin: 08/25/25
Admission requirements include:
- Online application: Apply Now
- BSN from a regionally accredited institution
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to complete graduate-level coursework and practice abilities. A minimum of 2 of these must be from individuals prepared at or above the master’s level. One must be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse.
- Resident of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in an approved state. View a list of approved states
- A web-based admission interview with faculty
- Evidence of the equivalent of two years of full-time relevant experience working as an RN within the past five years
- Pre-clinical requirements:
- Specified health status/clinical requirements (i.e., immunization status, BLS certification) per the current Graduate Handbook
- Federal and state background checks free from disqualifying offenses
- Evidence of malpractice insurance
Tuition and Aid Details
$26,720 Total Tuition (Resident)* | $668 Per Credit (Resident)
Investing in the online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner degree will equip you with advanced clinical skills and specialized primary care knowledge, helping you become a preferred candidate for the growing number of advanced practice opportunities. With this degree, you will gain master's-level treatment skills and prepare to significantly impact patient outcomes in your community.
Listed tuition is for estimating purposes only and is subject to change.
Financial Aid
OHIO is committed to offering affordable, competitive tuition and has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year as a best-value university by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, student veteran, active military members, alumni, and corporate partners are automatically eligible to receive a 15% scholarship. Depending on your background, costs and credit hours will differ.
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Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Ohio University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education .
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Online Learning at OHIO
Ohio University has a long tradition of offering online programs specifically designed for the modality and created for working professionals. Our online students complete engaging, comprehensive coursework that combines the academic excellence and experience-based learning of a traditional program with all the flexibility and convenience of online study.
With asynchronous courses and part-time scheduling (one course per fifteen weeks), you can earn your degree while maintaining your current work and personal commitments. Virtual office hours give you the opportunity to connect with peers and faculty. Access your coursework 24/7 and complete your assignments on a schedule that fits your life.
What You'll Learn
The online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at Ohio University covers the full scope of a family nurse practitioner's role. You will delve into leadership and organizational principles, evidence-based practice, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment. The program also emphasizes professional presence, effective writing, quality and safety in population health, advanced diagnostics, and clinical reasoning. Through rigorous coursework and extensive clinical experience, you will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to excel as a family nurse practitioner.
Program Outcomes
- Synthesizes knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as a basis for clinical judgment, clinical reasoning, and innovative evidence-based education and practice.
- Incorporates evidence-based practice in the delivery of person-centered care to enhance health outcomes and improve health systems.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to select and apply principles of population health and advocacy strategies that optimize health outcomes for individuals, families, communities, and populations.
- Integrate and evaluate evidence-based practice to inform and promote advanced clinical practice.
- Analyze and apply quality improvement strategies to create a culture of safe, professional nursing practice that optimizes health and protects all.
- Apply leadership skills as a member of the interprofessional team to optimize the health of individuals, families, and populations within complex healthcare environments.
- Apply evidence-based, innovative strategies based on organizational and systems policies to enhance value, access, quality, and cost-effectiveness within complex healthcare delivery systems.
- Integrate information technology systems to drive decision making, healthcare change and interdisciplinary communication in complex healthcare delivery systems.
- Integrate the role of the advance practice nurse utilizing effective professional communication and presence to promote person-centered care.
- Contribute to an environment that promotes self care, personal health, well-being and professional development in a culture of accountability and collaboration.
Learn From Leading Experts
At Ohio University, you have the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the nursing field. The nursing faculty consists of highly experienced professionals who bring a wealth of clinical expertise and research knowledge to the classroom. Their commitment to excellence in teaching ensures that you will receive a comprehensive and cutting-edge education to excel in your career as a family nurse practitioner.
- All faculty are currently practicing nurses, prepared at the Masters or Doctorate level
- Benefit from faculty's real-world experiences in collaborative settings
- Low student-to-teacher ratio enables close student-mentor relationships
Related Programs
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Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Gain the skills and confidence to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP) through flexible coursework and practicum hours. Program admits in Fall & Spring semesters.
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Online Post-Graduate Nurse Leader Certificate Program
This program prepares graduates for the advanced role of nursing and health care management. This specialty is designed to prepare nurses at the graduate level to manage the delivery of nursing and healthcare services across the spectrum of healthcare settings.
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MSN-AGACNP
Gain the skills needed to provide care in acute and complex care settings with our Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Excel in your nursing career with a curriculum that combines didactic and practice-based courses.
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MSN-PMHNP
Gain specialized skills to provide advanced nursing practice to patients and families with mental health needs. Become a trusted provider in a critical field with our MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Answers to Common Questions
Find answers to common questions about the online program. For information not covered here, our expert admissions team is available to provide additional details and guidance .
Can I work full-time and go to school?
Many students do work full-time and average 20-28 hours of school work each week. Students need the time to read, study, complete assignments, write papers, participate in class discussion boards, watch lectures, prepare for tests/quizzes, and document clinical encounters. Starting a graduate nursing program is like adding a part-time job to your current schedule and is something that should be discussed with your family and employer.
If I graduate from the program, will I be licensed in my state as an APRN?
The AG-ACNP, FNP, and PMHNP degree and certificate programs at Ohio University are intended to prepare students for advanced practice nursing and national certification in those areas. State Boards of Nursing set individual standards for licensure in their state. It is highly recommended that students who seek admission to Nursing programs at Ohio University contact their home state’s Board of Nursing to verify that the desired program and its graduates will meet the eligibility criteria for approval for those credentials. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has contact information for Boards of Nursing on their site, located here: www.ncsbn.org .
What certification exams do students take? What is your first-time pass rate?
Our programs are intended to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the educational eligibility to meet standards for APRN certification or other professional distinctions through examination. A list of examinations and their credentialing bodies are below:
Certification Exams and Credentialing Bodies
The graduate nursing programs at Ohio University are intended to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the educational eligibility to meet standards for advanced practice certification or other professional distinction through examination. For the best information regarding eligibility and standards for these examinations, please visit the website for the credentialing bodies below.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): www.nursingworld.org/ancc
Family Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): www.nursingworld.org/ancc
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (NP-C)
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP): www.aanpcert.org
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): www.nursingworld.org/ancc
Nurse Educator
- Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
- National League of Nursing (NLN): www.nln.org
Nurse Leader
- Eligibility is dependent upon experience criteria in addition to education.
- Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
- American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL): www.aonl.org
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
How long is the program?
The MSN-FNP program is six fifteen-week semesters in length with students taking courses in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Semesters are fifteen weeks in length. Students have up to six years to complete the program.
How many hours do I take per semester? Is this a full-time program?
Most students take 2 fifteen-week courses each semester for 5-9 total credits. Students can take fewer courses but it will take longer to complete their program. The definition of a full-time program can differ among financial aid or tuition reimbursement programs. Contact us for more information.
Is the program completely online?
The programs combine online education and in-person education. Students take their courses through an online- format and are only expected on campus for the required On-Campus Intensives. Software applications utilized in nursing classes will work on either PCs or MACs. Office 365 Pro Plus is required and is now available at no charge to Ohio University students.
What are On-Campus Intensives?
On-Campus Intensives (OCIs) are brief visits to a campus that may be required for specific instruction and assessment. These OCIs typically occur at the beginning, middle, and end of your program. The Virtual Orientation Intensive for all programs consists of a half-day virtual conference.
The On-Campus Clinical Skills Workshop associated with the first clinical course in our APRN programs is an on-campus visit to receive specific tack-specific instruction and coaching in preparation for the advanced practice role.
The schedule and details for program-specific OCIs will be provided at Orientation.
Sources
- Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/nursing/rankings .
- "Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners.” BLS.gov. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm .
- "Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner Salary in the United States.” Salary.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/urgent-care-nurse-practitioner-np-salary#:~:text=How%20much%20does%20a%20Urgent,falls%20between%20%24114%2C810%20and%20%24125%2C340 .
- "Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner Salary in the United States.” Salary.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/hospitalist-nurse-practitioner-np-salary .
- "Nurse Practitioner-Specialty Care Salary in the United States.” Salary.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/nurse-practitioner-specialty-care-salary#:~:text=How%20much%20does%20a%20Nurse,falls%20between%20%24111%2C947%20and%20%24130%2C571 .
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