Nurse Practitioner Programs (MSN)

• Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Part-Time Degree Requirements
  • Full-Time Degree Requirements
• Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
  • Part-Time Degree Requirements
  • Full-Time Degree Requirements

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2024. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2024, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

• The patient population focus for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) includes adolescents (above 13 years of age), young to middle age adults, and older adults. Our AGPCNP graduates will have the capabilities to practice in community and hospital based primary care clinics, in patient’s homes, in sub-acute/skilled nursing facilities, and in long-term care settings. The AGPCNP works inter-professionally with other members of the health care team.
• Full-time and part-time programs are offered for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. The full time program is completed in two years (5 semesters). The Graduate Core Curriculum provides students from any specialty area advanced knowledge in nursing theory and research, community health, epidemiology, evidence-based practice, and socio-cultural issues. Programs with advanced practice role preparation include lifespan physical assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology.
• The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program has met the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC’s) certification eligibility educational requirements. Students who complete this program have the educational preparation to sit for the ANCC national certification in this role and population. Applicants must also meet any additional eligibility criteria in effect when they apply for certification. Graduates of the program are also eligible for national certification through examination through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

I. Core Courses: (19 Credits)

• NURSING 501 Theoretical Bases for Role Development in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 crs.)
• NURSING 502 Epidemiology Concepts in Population Health (3 crs.)
• NURSING 503 Bases of Research for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 crs.)
• NURSING 504 Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 crs.)
• NURSING 507 Pharmacology Across the Lifespan for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 crs.)
• NURSING 508 Lifespan Health Assessment and Promotion for Advanced Nursing Practice (4 crs.)

II. Clinical Sequence: (22 Credits)

• NURSING 515 Diagnosis and Management of Adult and Aged I (6 crs.) (210 clinical hours)
• NURSING 529 Comprehensive Assessment of the Older Adult (4 crs.) (140 clinical hours)
• NURSING 516 Diagnosis and Management of Adult and Aged II (6 crs.) (210 clinical hours)
• NURSING 534 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum and Seminar (6 crs.) (210 Clinical Hours)
• TOTAL CREDITS = 41

• The patient populations focus for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) includes children, adolescents, adults, and older and frail older adults. Our program prepares the graduate to value collaborative, family-centered care as well as the interaction among the physical, emotional, mental, and sociocultural systems of patients to meet the individual healthcare needs, as well as those of the family. In addition, the program has a strong emphasis on meeting the needs of the community, underserved, high-risk, and multi-cultural populations. Graduates of the program can provide primary health care in a variety of primary care settings. The FNP works inter-professionally with other members of the health care team.
• Full-time and part-time programs are offered for the Family Nurse Practitioner. The full-time program is completed in two and half years (six semesters). The Graduate Core Curriculum provides students from any specialty area advanced knowledge in nursing theory and research, community health, epidemiology, evidence-based practice, and socio-cultural issues. Programs with advanced practice role preparation include lifespan physical assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology.
• The core clinical courses provide the student with the skill set and knowledge to provide health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and management across the lifespan to patients and families who present with both acute and chronic conditions. Practice-based learning experiences provide the student with opportunities to apply the theory and skills learned in the classroom setting in their role as primary care providers.
• The Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner program has met the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC’s) certification eligibility educational requirements. Students who complete this program have the educational preparation to sit for the ANCC national certification in this role and population. Applicants must also meet any additional eligibility criteria in effect when they apply for certification. Graduates of the program are also eligible for national certification through examination through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

I. Core Courses: (22 Credits)

• NURSING 501 Theoretical Bases for Role Development in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 crs.)
• NURSING 502 Epidemiology: Concepts in Population Health (3 crs.)
• NURSING 503 Bases of Research for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 crs.)
• NURSING 504 Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 crs.)
• NURSING 507 Pharmacology Across the Lifespan for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 crs.)
• NURSING 508 Lifespan Health Assessment and Promotion for Advanced Nursing Practice (4 crs.)
• NURSING 522 Family Theory Across the Lifespan (3 crs.)

II. Clinical Sequence: (27 Credits)

• NURSING 515 Diagnosis and Management of the Adult & Aged I (6 crs.) (210 clinical hours)
• NURSING 516 Diagnosis and Management of the Adult & Aged II (6 crs) (210 clinical hours)
• NURSING 517 Diagnosis and Management of Pregnant Women and Children (6 crs.) (210 clinical hours)
• NURSING 529 Comprehensive Assessment of the Older Adult (4 crs.) (140 clinical hours)
• NURSING 541 Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner Practicum and Seminar (6 crs.) (210 clinical hours)
• TOTAL CREDITS = 50

The MSN Nurse Practitioner program admits students on a rolling basis. Completed applications should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester in which a student is applying.

Application requirements include:

• Graduate school application and fee
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
• 3.0 GPA required for admission consideration
• Copy of current, unencumbered professional nursing license
• Resume which includes description of professional nursing and clinical experience
• Career Goals
• One completed recommendation form and 2 additional names with contact information
• One year of current clinical practice experience as a registered nurse
• Interviews with the Graduate Nursing Department Admissions Committee will be conducted via a rolling admission process.

For more information contact Jennifer Sheaffer, DNP CRNP, Chairperson, Graduate Nursing.

• Q: Do I need professional experience in order to be admitted?
  A: No - Students do not need acute experience in order to be considered for admission. However, students do need to have 1 year of acute primary care experience prior to starting clinical rotations in the MSN program.
• Q: What career opportunities will a master's in nurse practitioner open up?
  A: By completing our MSN Nurse Practitioner degree, you're more likely to advance your scope of practice, have increased level of autonomy, and increase your salary potential.
• Q: How is the program delivered?
  A: Courses are offered 100% online. Program is available in part-time and full-time formats.
• Q: When can I start?
  A: Applications are accepted for the spring, summer, and fall semesters.
• Q: Do I need to take the GRE in order to apply?
  A. No- the GRE is not required for admission.
• Q: If I'm using my employer's tuition reimbursement program, can my tuition bills be deferred until after the semester?
  A: Yes. Completion of the Application for Deferment will enable you to defer 75% of your tuition and fee charges (after paying 25% down) until 45 days after the conclusion of the semester. During this time, you should be able to secure reimbursement from your employer. The remaining payment will be drawn from your account automatically through the payment plan 45 days after the end of the semester, unless paid prior to that date. More information available here under the 'Tuition Statements, Charges, and Payments' section. If you have any questions, you can contact the Student Billing Office at 570-389-4013 or studentbilling@commonwealthu.edu.