Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Online
Deepen your advanced nursing knowledge, enjoy more autonomy and flexibility in your career, and make a real difference in the lives of patients and families as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Program Overview
Learn more about our accredited MSN FNP online program
The Master of Science – Family Nurse Practitioner online program at St. Thomas University prepares you to succeed as a primary care provider and health management resource for diverse groups of patients in a wide variety of clinical settings—giving you greater autonomy and flexibility in your nursing career.
In this STU Online FNP Master’s program, you will gain the confidence to make independent critical judgments at all levels of health care including health promotion, illness prevention, and diagnosis and management for individuals, families, and communities.
You will learn how to instill compassionate care, cultural sensitivity, and evidence-based protocols into your professional practice, helping you become an invaluable health management resource for your community.
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate advanced knowledge in nursing, related science, and leadership skills that will emphasize ethical and critical decision making to promote safe, high quality, cost effective, and culturally appropriate care across diverse settings
- Incorporate evidence-based research to resolve practice problems and improve knowledge
- Apply patient-care technology, such as informatics, to enhance patient care using a collaborative approach
- Construct processes for self-accountability of professional growth, adopt lifelong learning, and practice safely and effectively within the chosen specialty to maintain health and improve patient outcomes
- Establish an environment of advanced practice that is conducive to the development of effective interactions with patients, other disciplines and other entities in communities
- Advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes for populations and improvement of the quality of the health care system at the local, regional, state, national and global level
- Demonstrate competence in the communication, collaboration and consultation to advance interprofessional teams
- Integrate clinical prevention and health promotion strategies to maintain optimal health and improve patient health outcomes
- Apply advanced knowledge gained from nursing and other related sciences to practice as a competent health care provider
- Integrate advanced knowledge in nursing, related science, and leadership skills that will emphasize ethical and critical decision making to promote safe, high quality, cost effective, and culturally appropriate care across diverse settings
- Incorporate evidence-based research to resolve practice problems and improve knowledge
- Apply patient-care technology, such as informatics, to enhance patient care using a collaborative approach
- Construct processes for self-accountability of professional growth, adopt lifelong learning, and practice safely and effectively within the chosen specialty to maintain health and improve patient outcomes
- Establish an environment of advanced practice that is conducive to the development of effective interactions with patients, other disciplines and other entities in communities
- Advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes for populations and improvement of the quality of the health care system at the local, regional, state, national and global level
- Demonstrate competence in the communication, collaboration and consultation to advance interprofessional teams
- Integrate clinical prevention and health promotion strategies to maintain optimal health and improve patient health outcomes
- Apply advanced knowledge gained from nursing and other related sciences to practice as a competent health care provider
Family Nurse Practitioner Career Opportunities
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Practitioner Supervisor
- Occupational Medicine Nurse Practitioner
- Associate Professor
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Practitioner Supervisor
- Occupational Medicine Nurse Practitioner
- Associate Professor
- Family Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree, master's degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and post-graduate certificate programs in nursing at St. Thomas University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
St. Thomas University’s FNP program is currently under the CCNE Show Cause Directive. During this time, STU's FNP program remains accredited while the university is actively working to address the CCNE concerns. St. Thomas University is dedicated to the success of our students and committed to making the necessary improvements.
Tuition
Pay our affordable program tuition as you go
Tuition for the MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students and can be paid by the course. The total tuition is inclusive of all fees, including a technology fee for each course and lab fees for specific nursing courses. Tuition costs are subject to change at any time.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 3 Hour Credit Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN FNP | $605 | $1,890 | $30,960* |
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
See our application deadlines and course schedules below
The MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that's best for you.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/11/25 | 12/27/24 | 1/2/25 | 1/6/25 | 1/11/25 | 3/7/25 | 7 weeks |
| Spring 2 | 3/15/25 | 2/28/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/10/25 | 3/19/25 | 5/9/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer 1 | 5/17/25 | 5/2/25 | 5/7/25 | 5/12/25 | 5/21/25 | 6/27/25 | 6 weeks |
| Summer 2 | 6/28/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/23/25 | 7/2/25 | 8/8/25 | 6 weeks |
| Fall 1 | 8/23/25 | 8/8/25 | 8/13/25 | 8/18/25 | 8/27/25 | 10/17/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/25 | 10/3/25 | 10/8/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/22/25 | 12/12/25 | 7 weeks |
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Admissions
Explore the qualifications for our online MSN FNP program
Our very reasonable admission requirements allow students from diverse academic backgrounds greater access to the MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online program. You must possess an unencumbered RN license, a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school, and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Due to in-person clinical requirements, only students currently residing in Florida and Georgia can enter this program.
Admission Requirements:
- Free Application
- 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Active RN license
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Online Admission Requirements
The following are required for admission to the MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online program:
- Completed free application
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (Unofficial transcripts are accepted)
- 3.0 or higher GPA
- Active and unencumbered Florida or Georgia nursing license
- Residency in Florida or Georgia for clinicals
Official transcripts can be sent to St. Thomas University through Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. Unofficial transcripts and other documents can be uploaded via your Admissions Portal or emailed to [email protected].
Courses
Read about our MSN – FNP online classes below
The MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online curriculum is comprised of 8 core courses (24 credit hours) and 9 specialization courses (23 credit hours).
Courses in this program are seven weeks long. Courses during the two summer terms, however, are six weeks long.
Students without pre-requisite foundation courses may require additional credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Critique and assess theories and conceptual models from nursing and related fields.
- Provide high-quality care to clients using the appropriate theories from the field of nursing.
- Effectively implement the principles of research and evidence-based practice.
- Understand the application of both classic and modern literature on development and implementation of Middle Range Theory and evidence-based practice (EBP).
- Critically appraise research study and articulate findings.
Learning Outcomes
- Compare physiological and psychologies changes over the lifespan.
- Evaluate physiologic responses to illness and treatment modalities.
- Incorporate and implement evidence-based knowledge regarding changes in selected disease states.
Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize the roles of the professional nurse in conducting a health history on a variety of patients across the lifespan.
- Distinguish normal and abnormal health and physical assessment findings between normal and abnormal variations associated with ethnic/racial origins, socioeconomic status, cultural/spiritual beliefs, gender, and age.
- Utilize special assessments and techniques to certain populations such as obstetric, pediatric, and the elderly population.
- Evaluate health/illness beliefs, culture, values, attitudes, behavior, and lifestyle to collaboratively plan with the patient to promote ideal health.
- Assess evidence-based care for promoting wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention for individuals, families, groups, communities, and diverse populations across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare environments.
Learning Outcomes
- Employ culturally competent care practices for self, individuals, and families.
- Describe conceptual models and theories of cultural diversity and analyze the cultural patterns and behaviors of cultural values of diverse populations.
Learning Outcomes
- Critically appraise health policies proposals and policies that encompass ethics, global health, health care disparities, uninsured, under-insured, complex health care financing issues, and the health care reform (Affordable Care Act).
- Analyze and discuss health services research, evidence-based practice policy and politics for implementation at the institutional, local, state, and federal level.
- Articulate social justice, health equity, and new policy issues to improve care delivery, patient outcomes, and the profession of nursing.
- Utilize leadership skills when developing and implementing policies in the workplace, government, professional organizations, and the community.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate marketing and negotiating strategies to promote acceptance of the advance practice nurse within the practice management system.
- Investigate ethical issues and the cope of practice that governs the advanced practice nurse in Florida and/or other states.
- Evaluate the interprofessional collaborative healthcare team function of the Advanced Practice Nurse.
Learning Outcomes
- Differentiate the pharmacological actions of medications used to treat common diseases.
- Create individualized pharmacotherapy plans based on patient-specific conditions.
- Explain the relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of broad categories of drugs across the lifespan.
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate health maintenance/health promotion situations in clients across the life span.
- Employ evidence-based guidelines to identify and prevent significant healthcare problems affecting populations at risk.
- Advocate for cultural sensitivity and culturally competent care that respects a person's right to be understood as a unique individual.
Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment into comprehensive management plans for children and adolescents with common acute and chronic health problems.
- Apply knowledge, theory, and research findings to develop plans that promote wellness and reduce risk of illness in children and adolescents.
- Plan comprehensive and effective nursing care for primary care and medically complex patients through collaboration, case management, and knowledge of community resources.
Learning Outcomes
- Incorporate physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment into comprehensive management plans for women with common acute and chronic health problems.
- Develop plans that promote wellness and reduce the risk of illness is women.
- Differentiate between problem situations that require nurse practitioner management, collaborative management, or referral to other providers using clinical data and therapeutic options.
Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment into comprehensive management plans for the adult with common acute and chronic health problems.
- Apply knowledge, theory, and research findings to develop plans that promote wellness and reduce risk of illness in adults.
- Analyze the relationships among disease process, clinical presentation, and management of patients with major adult health problems.
- Differentiate between problem situations that require nurse practitioner management, collaborative management, or referral to other providers using clinical data and therapeutic options.
- Use diagnosis tests and evaluation to appropriately diagnosis patients.
Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment management plans for the older adult with common acute and chronic health problems.
- Develop plans that promote wellness and reduce the risk of illness in the older adult.
- Evaluate the relationships among disease process, clinical presentation, and management of patients with major older adult health problems.
- Differentiate between problem situations requiring nurse practitioner management, collaborative management, or referral to other providers.
Learning Outcomes
- Investigate current and relevant research associated with professional nursing practice.
- Collaborate with mentors in the utilization of evidence-based practice.
- Analyze health outcomes to determine the effectiveness of treatment, need for changes, and health status of the patient.
Clinical Requirements
The MSN FNP requires students to complete a total of 500 clinical hours to graduate from the program. There are four clinical courses with 125 clinical hours required for each of these classes: NUR 507 Children & Families, NUR 509 Adults, NUR 514 Women’s Health, and NUR 612 Adult Gerontology. Each clinical course runs over a seven-week period, and the required hours must be completed by the end of each course. See course descriptions for more details.
Prior to beginning clinical courses, you are required to complete and submit proof of the following:
- Current unencumbered RN licensure
- Current Professional Liability Insurance
- Criminal Background Check
- Drug Screening
- Basic Life Support (CPR) certification
- Annual Physical Examination
- Current Immunizations
Finding Clinical Sites and Preceptors
Finding a clinical preceptor and site are essential components for completing this program. STU strongly encourages students to secure their own preceptors, as this is the best way to accommodate schedule and location to the student’s needs. We strongly encourage students to have an alternate preceptor available if needed.
If assistance with clinical placement is needed, you may be required to commute outside your local area, as STU cannot guarantee a clinical site within your immediate location. Please note that your clinical site could be up to 100 miles from your residence.
Restrictions on Clinical Sites
We highly encourage all clinical hours to be conducted in the primary care setting for this program. Students are restricted from completing clinical rotations on their assigned unit. Your immediate supervisor at your place of employment may not serve as your preceptor. Students are not permitted to perform clinical rotations during hours they are working as an employee at a facility. Students are also not allowed to be paid during clinical hours.
STU is ranked #80 in the “Best Regional Universities South” by U.S. News & World Report, 2022
*The total tuition is inclusive of all fees, including a technology fee for each course and lab fees for specific courses. Tuition costs are subject to change at any time.
