Best Online FNP Programs

Walsh University

Walsh University is a privately owned Catholic school located in North Canton, Ohio. The university offers online MSN classes with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. Walsh ranked in the top 50 Midwest Regional Universities by U.S. News and the #5 Best Nursing School in Ohio by Nursing School Almanac.

Admission requirements for this program include:

• An undergraduate nursing degree
• A valid nursing license
• An MSN degree (if applying for their post-master’s FNP program)

Some of the biggest advantages of this online FNP program include:

• Low tuition – As far as private nursing programs go, Walsh University’s tuition prices fall on the affordable end of the spectrum. Students can expect to pay $725 per credit hour with plenty of financial aid and scholarship options for students who qualify.
• Flexible scheduling – Students can enroll in the program part-time, taking as few as one or two classes per semester. This makes it easy for working nurses to advance their education without disrupting their current job. Most students, even those enrolled part-time, can complete the program within two and a half years.
• One-on-one mentorship – From enrollment to graduation, students will receive direct support and coaching from faculty members and advisors.
• Clinical placement support – A clinical placement team helps students find nearby sites to fulfill their 500 mandatory clinical practice hours. This, along with a residency period, is the only aspect of the program that involves an in-person commitment but thankfully, the school helps secure local placements to avoid relocation or burdensome commutes. With the rest of the coursework happening entirely online, this is still a highly flexible alternative to in-person education.

Carson Newman University

Carson Newman University is a private liberal arts college located in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The university offers a number of affordable online FNP programs, including an MSN-FNP and a post-master’s FNP certificate. Classes for this program take place entirely online, with the exception of in-person clinical hours and a three-day on-campus residency program.

Admission requirements to Carson Newman’s online FNP program include:

• A BSN degree from an accredited university
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or a minimum GRE score of 290
• A written personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation

Pursuing your MSN-FNP at Carson Newman will come with the following advantages:

• Experienced faculty – Carson Newman’s online FNP classes are taught by experienced nurse practitioners who are still working in the field. By employing current nurses as professors, Carson Newman is able to provide their students with the most up-to-date information and techniques. These faculty members also work within the community and teach practical lessons to help students succeed in the local healthcare industry.
• Out-of-state acceptance – Unlike many other online nursing programs, Carson Newman accepts out-of-state applicants from 32 other states in the country.
• High employment rates – Students of Carson Newman’s online FNP program find relevant employment with incredible success. In fact, 78% get hired directly out of school and 95% find jobs within four to six months after graduation.
• Affordable tuition – Carson Newman provides an affordable tuition rate for their online MSN-FNP program. Students pay $650 per credit hour and complete a total of 46 credits in order to graduate. The university also has a number of financial aid options, including benefits for military personnel and their dependents.

Texas Woman’s University

Texas Woman’s University is a public institution with a highly-acclaimed nursing school in Denton, Texas. Their online Family Nurse Practitioner program was ranked #1 in Texas and #9 nationwide by U.S. News. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that 98% of TWU’s graduates go on to pass their ANCC and AANP licensing exams on the first try.

Texas Woman’s University offers both an MSN-FNP program and a post-master’s FNP certificate. Admission requirements for the school’s online FNP program include:

• A completed BSN degree (or MSN degree for the post-master’s program)
• A valid RN license
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• A prerequisite statistics course

Some advantages of this online FNP program include:

• Program length – TWU’s online FNP program includes a total of 46 credit hours and 13 courses. With three 13-week sessions, happening annually in the summer, spring, and fall, students will typically graduate from this program within three years at a part-time pace.
• Thorough curriculum – Students of TWU’s online FNP program will receive a well-rounded education in the field of primary family care. Core classes for this program will focus on important Family Nurse Practitioner skills and knowledge, such as:
  • Pharmacology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Advanced health assessment
  • Managing treatment plans
  • Evidenced based practice

The curriculum also goes beyond what is considered the requisite FNP knowledge by delving into advanced topics that are relevant to any practicing nurse. To prepare nurses to provide fair, equitable and appropriate medical care, the coursework includes preventative care and societal determinants that affect health and wellbeing.

• Competitive tuition – Texas Woman’s University offers competitive tuition for their online nursing programs, evidenced by College Factual’s recent rankings that put them at #8 for Top Value Schools in the nation. Each credit hour is priced at $572.40 for a total of $26,330. The school also offers a significant number of financial aid and scholarship options for qualifying students.
• Clinical placement support – All TWU nursing students receive clinical placement support through their placement coordinators. The clinical support advisor will help students find a nearby placement site close to their home, and ensure they complete the required number of clinical hours for graduation.

There are 13 core courses within the FNP program and six incorporate mandatory clinical hours, giving students plenty of valuable, real-world experience within an otherwise remote program—the best of both worlds.

Marymount University

Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia is known for its highly acclaimed Malek School of Nursing. While most of the university’s nursing programs consist of in-person coursework, their MSN-FNP program offers online options for busy nurses looking to advance their careers.

Registered nurses will be able to complete their coursework and earn their MSN degrees on a part-time basis. The program’s specialized courses will focus on the responsibilities of a Family Nurse Practitioner, including laboratory, and campus residency hours.

Requirements for admission to this program include:

• A BSN degree from an accredited nursing program
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• A valid RN license
• At least one year of experience as a registered nurse

If you meet the qualifications for admission, you’ll be able to experience the following advantages that are unique to this program:

• Fast track to graduation – Although this MSN-FNP program is part-time, students will still earn their degree within seven consecutive semesters (or just over two years). Marymount also offers an online FNP post-master’s certificate, which takes five semesters (20 months) to complete. Their fast track to graduation allows students to break into the field sooner and begin advancing professionally as nurse practitioners.
• Exam preparation – Marymount’s online FNP program is designed to fully prepare students for their national licensing exams prior to graduation. In 2019, 100% of Marymount’s graduating class passed their AANP and ANCC exams on the first try.
• No GRE or GMAT requirement – Students are not required to submit a GRE or GMAT test score with their application, which allows BSN-educated nurses to begin their FNP journey more quickly, and places greater importance on aptitude, previous academic achievement, and clinical experience over standardized test scores.
• Highly-rated – Marymount’s online MSN-FNP program was rated in the top 15% of nursing programs for veterans, and the top 15% for non-traditional students. This program is ideal for busy professionals in the medical field who require a flexible class schedule but demand a high caliber of academics.

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor University is a private institution in Spring Arbor, Michigan that offers a wide selection of online nursing programs. ADN and BSN graduates who wish to pursue a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner can apply for Spring Arbor’s RN to MSN-NP program, with a concentration in FNP.

Applicants will need to satisfy the following requirements for admission to this program:

• A valid nursing license
• A BSN or ADN degree
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Undergraduate transcripts

Some advantages to this online FNP program include:

• ADN bridge program – Spring Arbor is one of the only online MSN-FNP programs that offers a direct bridge program for ADN graduates. Nurses with an associate’s degree and a valid RN license can enroll in this accelerated program to earn the necessary credentials for Family Nurse Practitioners, without first receiving a bachelor’s degree. To that end, both BSN and MSN courses are covered during this program, and students will graduate with an MSN degree.
• Seven-week model – Spring Arbor’s MSN-FNP program is broken up into seven-week periods, with a one-week break in between sessions. This model gives busy nursing students a chance to rest before taking on more classes and gives them additional time to plan their schedules for the coming semester.
• Flexible classes – Every nurse practitioner student of Spring Arbor’s online FNP program can create a schedule that meets their unique needs. Nursing students can progress slowly but surely by taking just a single class per semester, in order to leave room for other responsibilities—such as a current RN job. On the flip side, students with more availability have the option to take a full course load and graduate earlier.
• Licensure preparation – The Spring Arbor MSN-FNP program thoroughly prepares its graduates for the national nurse practitioner licensing exams, such as the ANCC and AANP. Their graduating classes have an 88% first-time passing rate on these important tests.