The Catholic University of America has an online MSN program with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner for registered nurses who wish to work with patients across the lifespan in primary care settings. Family nurse practitioners are trained to understand how family dynamics affect people’s health, and to address patients’ health challenges within the context of the family unit. They work in such settings as internal medicine departments of hospitals, private practices, and community health clinics. This program prepares students to sit for the national certification examination administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and/or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Coursework, Clinical Practicums, and On-Campus Intensives
The Catholic University of America’s online MSN program is comprised of 47 course credits and requires the completion of 700 clinical practicum hours. Core courses include Advanced Health Assessment, Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing, Pathophysiology, and Research in Nursing: Methods and Outcomes. The Family Nurse Practitioner concentration courses include The Well Child, Women’s Health, Primary Care of Adolescent Seminar, and Primary Care of Adults.
Students complete the 700-hour clinical practicum requirement over the course of five practicum courses at a local medical facility. In addition to their practicum hours, students must visit The Catholic University’s campus for two on-campus intensives that typically take place between the fifth and the eighth semester of the program. These on-campus intensives give students the opportunity to interact with their fellow students as well as course faculty.
Admission Requirements for The Catholic University of America’s Online FNP Program
Applicants to the program must hold an active and unrestricted registered nurse license in their state of residence, and have obtained a BSN degree from a program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Candidates must have maintained a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 during their undergraduate career, and have completed a graduate-level statistics course within the past five years with a grade of B or higher. Additionally, applicants must have some experience as a registered nurse in settings that are relevant to their desired concentration in advanced practice family nursing.
Overview: The Catholic University of America: School of Nursing
Programs Offered: FNP
Degree Types: MSN (BSN required)
Accreditation: CCNE
Instruction Methods: Classes use asynchronous instruction and students can access coursework in the online learning environment whenever they have time (as long as they complete assignments by the assigned due dates).
Phone Number: (855) 295-5711
Social Media: Facebook and Twitter
The Catholic University of America Online FNP Program
Online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner track
Program Overview
Program Specialty: Family Nurse Practitioner
Degree Type: MSN (BSN Required)
Program Structure: Online with two on-campus visits required (in semesters 5 and 8) with clinical hours requirements
Website: online.cua.edu
Program Requirements
Clinical Hours Requirements: 700 clinical hours required
Number of Credits Required: 47 credits needed to graduate
Number of Campus Visits Required: 2 (throughout entire program)
Program Options
Curriculum Options: Part-time only
Program Length: Program can be completed in 3 years
Program Start Date: Fall admission only
Number of Terms: 9 terms
Requirements and Tuition
Application Requirements: BSN required; current RN; relevant nursing experience recommended
GPA: Minimum GPA 3.0
Standardized Testing: Not required
Tuition: ~$42,535 + fees
Cost Per Credit Hour: $905 per credit hour
Eligibility Restrictions: Online program does not accept students from Washington DC, Maryland, and parts of Northern Virginia (including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudon), students should consider the campus-based program instead. Program also does not accept students from Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee and Washington.
