Online MSN FNP Programs – Selecting the Best Program for You
The online Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a popular route for nurses looking to become Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs). In order to be eligible for a family nurse practitioner MSN, you must be an active, licensed RN who holds a nursing diploma, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN). You’ll then need to complete a master’s degree that is specifically designed to train you as a family nurse practitioner.
Compare the 2024 Top Ranked Online FNP MSN Programs
Earning an MSN in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty can be the ticket to a long and rewarding career in advanced nursing practice. With the recent expansion of online program options, finding the right FNP MSN program can be a daunting proposition. That's why we have analyzed and ranked the best online FNP MSN programs across the country. Peruse our rankings below, and learn more about our rankings methodology here.
Spring Arbor, MI
Overview:Michigan's Spring Arbor University offers several innovative online programs for aspiring FNPs. Options including several traditional MSN programs as well as post-master's certificate pathways for current NPs and non-NPs.
- Multiple intakes with up to 6 start dates.
- Faith-based education.
- Dedicated support from enrollment to graduation.
Joliet, IL
Overview:The online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) MSN program at the Illinois-based University of St. Francis prepares nurses with the competencies and leadership abilities needed to become advanced practitioners. Health promotion, maintenance, and restoration via applied research are key components of the program.
- An online program designed to be flexible and accessible.
- The MSN FNP is 47 to 56 credit hours in length.
- A welcoming, Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts.
Spokane, WA
Overview:As a leader in the field, Gonzaga University provides nurses with several unique online Family Nurse Practitioner programs. There is a post-bacc DNP pathway, as well as traditional and second-master's MSN tracks in the FNP specialty.
- Flexible Online Courses
- Short-term Hands-on Immersions
- Student Support - Student Services Team with Extended Hours
Grayson, KY
Overview:Advancement-committed RNs can transition into Family Nurse Practitioners via the online MSN offering at Kentucky Christian University. The flexible, one-course-at-a-time program instructs students on how to assess, diagnose, and treat acute and chronic illnesses for all patient populations.
- Christ-centered nursing and academic environment.
- Graduates can test for national certification.
- Clinicals can be done at students’ residential locations.
Nashua, NH
Overview:Situated in Nashua, New Hampshire, Rivier University has an evening, on-campus program as well as an online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) MSN program. Graduates of this top-reputed school can provide primary care to patients across the healthcare spectrum.
- Several program entry points are available.
- The program takes 3-5 years to complete.
- Higher than average pass rates for the national cert exam.
Why Get a Family Nurse Practitioner MSN Degree?
Pursing a master’s degree to become a family nurse practitioner means dedicating time, money, and effort into furthering your healthcare career. Obtaining an MSN as an FNP boosts your knowledge and skillset. You’ll be highly in-demand and have the ability to work in a range of settings. The following are just a few of the career choices that are open to you once you graduate:
- Internal medicine
- Emergency services
- Private practice
- Urgent care
The MSN degree is a popular route for FNPs for many reasons. Let’s take a look at why this route might be right for you.
Pros
- Online MSN family nurse practitioner programs are readily available at many levels, from RN to MSN up through BSN to MSN
- The MSN pathway is generally the shortest and most direct route to becoming an FNP
- FNP programs at the MSN level focus on hands-on clinical care
Cons
- Those who already hold an MSN in another specialty may find the FNP post-master’s certificate route cheaper and quicker
- Nurses looking for leadership roles in administration, research, or academia may find the DNP a better choice
How to Choose an Online MSN FNP Program
Online family nurse practitioner MSN programs range in different aspects. For example, while they are mostly online, some programs require you to come to their campus at least once. Other educational institutions offer a truly online program without an on-site requirement. Whether the program is fully online or in a blended hybrid format, students are advised to choose a properly accredited family nurse practitioner MSN to ensure that their education will help them meet their goals.
The length of time it takes to complete this degree also differs. Some students might need to take bridge courses which could increase the duration of their schooling. Most programs range from 20 months to 32 months in length. As many as 63 credits could be required by a particular college, though the average tends to be around 45. Part-time and full-time study options are readily available.
MSN FNP Curriculum
While every school and family nurse practitioner MSN program is different, this list provides a general idea of what type of curriculum and courses you’ll encounter:
- Pathophysiology
- Qualitative data analysis
- Pharmacology
- Quantitative data analysis
You’ll also learn about advanced physical assessment, differential diagnosis and primary care, as well as leadership and the role of the advanced practice nurse as you move through the different portions of your education.
A capstone project is often the last requirement before graduation. Some colleges might offer an internship instead or require both. The number of clinical hours also differ, with some programs requiring more than 700 direct clinical hours. Those enrolled in online programs can work with their program’s clinical coordinator to arrange a placement in their local area or in the medical facility in which they work.
List of Online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Browse our listings below to find the perfect online or hybrid MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program for you.
Select Your State:
Alabama
Samford University | Birmingham, AL |
The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL |
Troy University | Troy, AL |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL |
University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL |
University of Mobile | Mobile, AL |
University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL |
Alaska
University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage, AK |
Arizona
Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ |
Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ |
University of Phoenix | Tempe, AZ |
Arkansas
Arkansas State University | State University, AR |
Harding University | Searcy, AR |
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock, AR |
University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR |
California
California Baptist University | Riverside, CA |
California State University Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA |
Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, CA |
United States University | San Diego, CA |
Western University | Pomona, CA |
Colorado
Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO |
Regis College | Weston, CO |
University of Colorado | Aurora, CO |
Connecticut
Sacred Heart University | Fairfield, CT |
University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT |
Florida
ECPI University | Lake Mary, FL |
Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL |
Keiser University | Tallahassee, FL |
Georgia
Emory University | Atlanta, GA |
Georgia College | Milledgeville, GA |
Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA |
Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA |
Hawaii
Hawai‘i Pacific University | Honolulu, HI |
Idaho
Northwest Nazarene University | Nampa, ID |
Illinois
Bradley University | Peoria, IL |
Lewis University | Romeoville, IL |
Loyola University of Chicago | Chicago, IL |
Resurrection University | Chicago, IL |
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing | Peoria, IL |
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford | Rockford, IL |
University of St. Francis | Joliet, IL |
Indiana
Ball State University | Muncie, IN |
Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN |
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, IN |
University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN |
Iowa
Allen College | Waterloo, IA |
Briar Cliff University | Sioux City, IA |
Graceland University | Lamoni, IA |
Morningside University | Sioux City, IA |
Kentucky
Bellarmine University | Louisville, KY |
Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY |
Frontier Nursing University | Hyden, KY |
Kentucky Christian University | Grayson, KY |
Morehead State University | Morehead, KY |
Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY |
Spalding University | Louisville, KY |
Louisiana
Grambling State University | Grambling, LA |
McNeese State University | Lake Charles, LA |
Nicholls State University | Thibodaux, LA |
Northwestern State University of Louisiana- Online | Natchitoches, LA |
Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA |
Southern University and A&M College | Baton Rouge, LA |
Maine
Husson University | Bangor, ME |
University of Maine | Orono, ME |
Massachusetts
Endicott College | Beverly, MA |
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences | Boston, MA |
University of Massachusetts Boston | Boston, MA |
Michigan
Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI |
Oakland University | Rochester, MI |
Saginaw Valley State University | Center, MI |
Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor, MI |
Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS |
University Of Mississippi Medical Center | Jackson, MS |
Missouri
Maryville University | St. Louis, MO |
Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO |
University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO |
University Of Missouri Kansas City | Kansas City, MO |
Nebraska
Clarkson College | Omaha, NE |
Nevada
Touro University of Nevada | Henderson, NV |
University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV |
New Hampshire
Rivier University | Nashua, NH |
New Jersey
Felician University | Rutherford, NJ |
Monmouth University | West Long Branch, NJ |
Ramapo College | Mahwah, NJ |
New Mexico
The University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM |
New York
Dominican College | Orangeburg, NY |
Long Island University | Brookville, NY |
Mount Saint Mary College | Newburgh, NY |
Pace University | New York, NY |
Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY |
SUNY Polytechnic Institute | Utica, NY |
North Carolina
Duke University | Durham, NC |
Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs, NC |
Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem, NC |
North Dakota
University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND |
Ohio
Kent State University | Kent, OH |
Malone University | Canton, OH |
Ohio University | Athens, OH |
The Ohio State University | Columbus, OH |
University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH |
Walsh University | North Canton, OH |
Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma | Oklahoma City, OK |
Pennsylvania
Clarion University of Pennsylvania | Clarion, PA |
Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA |
Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA |
Edinboro University | Edinboro, PA |
La Salle University | Philadelphia, PA |
South Carolina
Anderson University | Greenville, SC |
Francis Marion University | Florence, SC |
University of South Carolina | Columbia, SC |
South Dakota
South Dakota State University | Brookings, SD |
Tennessee
Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN |
East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN |
King University | Bristol, TN |
Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN |
Tennessee State University | Nashville, TN |
Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN |
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Knoxville, TN |
University of Memphis | Memphis, TN |
Texas
Angelo State University | San Angelo, TX |
Midwestern State University | Wichita Falls, TX |
Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View, TX |
Texas A&M University | College Station, TX |
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi, TX |
Texas State University | Round Rock, TX |
The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX |
The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX |
The University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, TX |
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | Galveston, TX |
University of Houston | Houston, TX |
University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston | Houston, TX |
West Texas A&M University | Canyon, TX |
Utah
Roseman University of Health Sciences | South Jordan, UT |
Vermont
Norwich University | Northfield, VT |
Virginia
George Mason University | Fairfax, VA |
Jefferson College of Health Sciences | Roanoke, VA |
Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA |
Washington
Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA |
Washington, DC
Georgetown University | Washington, DC |
The George Washington University | Washington, DC |
West Virginia
West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV |
West Virginia Wesleyan College | Buckhannon, WV |
Wheeling University | Wheeling, WV |
Wisconsin
Bellin College | Green Bay, WI |
Concordia University Wisconsin | Mequon, WI |
Are we missing your school's nurse practitioner program or need to update any of the information listed? Please contact us.