The University of Southern California (USC) offers an online MSN program with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner through the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing. This program is designed for registered nurses who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses specializing in nursing care for individuals of all ages within the context of the family unit. The program is unique in its emphasis of social work concepts and how they intersect with effective nursing care.
Coursework for the Nursing@USC Online FNP Program
The Nursing@USC online MSN program consists of 49 credits and 784 clinical hours, which students can complete in five semesters (21 months) of full time study or eight semesters (33 months) of part-time study. The program includes classes such as Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice, Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan, Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Research/Analytical Methods, Theory: Family Primary Care, and Clinical Practicum: Family Primary Care.
Course content is delivered through live online classes in a seminar format, with class sizes limited to 12 students. The synchronous instruction is comprised of lecture, video case studies, peer discussions under the supervision of the instructor, and independent readings and research. In addition to attending classes and completing the required readings and assignments, students must also attend two on-campus intensives that involve faculty-supervised skill assessments and the opportunity for students to network with instructors and their peers.
Clinical Practicums for the Nursing@USC Online FNP Program
Students of USC’s online FNP program must complete 784 clinical hours in settings that allow them to work with adult patients in primary care settings, adult patients with complex and/or severe conditions, women of child-bearing age, and children. They must also gain experience in an integrated family practice. Each clinical rotation that students complete consists of 14 weeks, and students generally work for 14 hours each week divided into two 7-hour stretches. USC has a designated clinical placement team that works with students to match them to clinical sites and preceptors that match their needs.
Admission Requirements for the Nursing@USC Online FNP Program
Applicants to the program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing from an institution that has been accredited by either the CCNE or ACEN, and have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 during their undergraduate career. They must also have completed a course in statistics with a grade of C or higher, worked for at least a year as a registered nurse, and hold an active RN license in their state of residence. Candidates must submit their transcript, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a resume with their application. GRE scores are not required.
At present, Nursing@USC does not accept students from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
Overview: University of Southern California: Department of Nursing
Programs Offered: FNP
Degree Types: MSN (BSN required)
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Instruction Methods: Classes use synchronous instruction with students attending live face-to-face classes weekly. Students can also access lectures and self-paced coursework 24/7 in the online learning platform. Small class sizes limited to 12 students.
Phone Number: (844) 487-2676
Social Media: Facebook and Twitter
University of Southern California Online FNP Program
Online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program
Program Overview
Program Specialty: Family Nurse Practitioner
Degree Type: MSN (BSN Required)
Program Structure: Online with on-campus intensives and clinical hours requirements
Program Requirements
Clinical Hours Requirements: 784 clinical hours required
Number of Credits Required: 49 credit hours of coursework required
Number of Campus Visits Required: 2 (throughout entire program)
Program Options
Curriculum Options: Full-time and Part-time
Program Length: Full-time program takes 21 months to complete; Part-Time program takes 33 months to complete
Program Start Date: Multiple start dates per year: September, January, May
Number of Terms: Full-Time: 5 terms; Part-Time: 8 terms
Requirements and Tuition
Application Requirements: BSN; current RN license; at least one year experience of clinical experience
GPA: Minimum GPA 3.0
Standardized Testing: Not required
Tuition: ~$84,917 + fees
Cost Per Credit Hour: $1,733 per credit
Eligibility Restrictions: Program currently does not accept students from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia
