Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Online
Advance your nursing practice and prepare to deliver superior care to patients of all ages with our CCNE-accredited MSN – FNP online program, designed to be flexible and accessible for working professionals like you.
Program Overview
Consider the MSN – FNP online program at NKU
Equip yourself with the clinical experience, knowledge, and qualifications you need to become an advanced practice Registered Nurse by earning your Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner from Northern Kentucky University. This quality online program prepares you to provide a full range of primary healthcare services, make referrals, and serve as an educator, counselor, and advocate for patients of all ages. As a graduate, you will be eligible to take the FNP certification examination.
The program's coursework emphasizes advanced healthcare standards, theory, and evidence-based practice that support delivering primary care across the life span. MSN core curriculum includes interactive courses focused on all aspects of primary care for adolescents and adults, diagnostic reasoning and advanced physical assessment, human pathophysiology, and advanced clinical pharmacology for APRNs. The FNP concentration courses cover pediatrics and adults, clinical residency, and a capstone to synthesize your learning.
In this online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner program, you will:
- Prepare for your nurse practitioner certification exam and expanded practice opportunities to diagnose and treat patients of all ages
- Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
- Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
- Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
- Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations, including patients and providers
- Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
- Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
- Prepare for your nurse practitioner certification exam and expanded practice opportunities to diagnose and treat patients of all ages
- Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
- Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
- Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
- Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations, including patients and providers
- Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
- Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
As a graduate and certified family nurse practitioner, you will be prepared to practice in a variety of clinical settings, such as:
- Family practice clinics
- Urgent care clinics
- County and state health departments
- Primary healthcare
- Hospice facilities
- Physician practices
- Schools
- Family practice clinics
- Urgent care clinics
- County and state health departments
- Primary healthcare
- Hospice facilities
- Physician practices
- Schools
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of nursing programs online. Learn more about our online healthcare programs.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Tuition
Learn more about our affordable tuition
The Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total Program with Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN – FNP | $578 | $6,813 | $34,557 |
Tuition and fees subject to change at any time. Some fees are course-based and subject to change based on date student enters such course.
Tuition Breakdown:
Renowned for Quality Nursing Programs
Ranked among the “Best Colleges for Nursing in America” by Niche.com, 2023
Calendar
Jot down these important deadlines
The MSN – FNP online program is flexible and efficient for busy schedules, with accelerated courses that start multiple times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to submit your application, registration, documents and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 1/3/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/10/25 | 1/13/25 |
| Spring 2 | 3/17/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/10/25 | 3/14/25 | 3/17/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/5/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/12/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/30/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/23/25 | 6/27/25 | 6/30/25 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
Read the details of our admissions
The admission process is the first step toward earning your MSN – FNP degree online. Before you apply, please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.
Admission Requirements:
- 3.0 GPA or higher on undergraduate coursework
- Current and unencumbered RN license
- 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse
MSN – FNP Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee; the fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from both a regionally accredited program and an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA-accredited program
- Students who have earned a BSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the BSN come from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA-accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate academic work and any graduate work completed
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or better
- Verification of your current, unencumbered RN license with expiration date from the state in which you are licensed and practice
- 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse; fill out the verification form here
- A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. Applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Instructions on how to purchase and initiate the background check can be found here.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Note: The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Licenses are granted by the licensing authority in individual states, and those licensing boards might require an additional exam on laws and regulations specific to that state. Some states may also have other requirements. Out-of-state students who require subsequent licensure by the state of residence (e.g., nursing or education) should check with the state licensure office.
If at any time during your program of study you relocate to another state, restrictions may apply and adversely affect your program progression. Change of state residency may affect student program status. Notify your advisor and concentration coordinator immediately if you plan to relocate.
Courses
Take a look at the online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum
For the MSN – FNP online program, students must complete a total of 48 credit hours, including eight core courses (24 credit hours), six clinical courses (6 credit hours) with a total of 750 clinical hours, and six specialty courses (18 credit hours). Each course is seven weeks in length.
