Clayton State University Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

The Clayton State University School of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN – FNP) program and a Post-Master’s FNP Certificate. Students complete coursework 100% online and are not required to come to campus. Preceptorships are also completed at approved facilities local to the student (in Georgia, as outlined below).

Clinical preceptorships must be completed within the state of Georgia, therefore although Clayton State accepts students from certain other states into the program, this does not mean the clinicals can be completed outside of Georgia. Given that, students must have a current, unrestricted RN license in Georgia, or be able to secure one for clinicals.

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) serve patients across the lifespan from birth to older adulthood. Graduates of the programs are eligible for FNP certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). They may serve in managed care settings, primary care clinics, medical offices, private practice, government establishments, schools, research facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and other organizations.

FNPs work with acute and chronic illnesses, routine checkups, preventive medicine, and quality of life care plans. A major focus is on improving the quality of care for patients and their families and educating the public about healthy living.

Clayton State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The online FNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Clayton State University is located in Morrow, Georgia.

What to Expect from the Clayton State University Online FNP Programs

General Graduate Nursing Admissions Requirements: Students must hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the state of Georgia or be able to get certified in the state of Georgia. Application materials include an application, a non-refundable application fee, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, proof of RN licensure, and a resume or CV. Students whose first language is not English must submit English proficiency test scores. The GMAT or GRE is required of students whose GPA falls below 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Specific Program Requirements:
  • MSN: BSN degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.2
  • Post-Master’s Certificate: MSN degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.2

State Restrictions: Clayton State University does not accept students into their nurse practitioner programs from eCompact or eNLC states which include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North, Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In addition, all clinicals must be completed in the state of Georgia.

Study Plan: The online MSN can be completed in four to six semesters full-time and about three years part-time. The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate will take about the same amount of time depending on how many courses are taken per semester. Students have up to six years to complete the programs which begin in the Fall.

MSN – FNP Curriculum: The online MSN – FNP program comprises a minimum of 47 credits plus at least 585 clinical hours. Students who already hold an MSN may transfer up to nine credit hours, however, they must still complete all 585 clinical hours. Courses may include Theory for Graduate Nursing Practice; Research-Evidence-Based Nursing; Advanced Pathophysiology Across The Lifespan; Health Care Policy; Diagnostic and Clinical Reasoning; Advanced Health Assessment for FNPs; Advanced Pharmacology for FNPs; Population Health and Emerging Disease; Advanced Practice Nursing Roles in Society; Health Promotion of Children and Families; Health Promotion of Adults and Families; Health Promotion of Elderly and Families; and Nurse Practitioner Practicum.

Post-Master’s FNP Certificate Curriculum: The online Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program comprises 36 required credits and up to 41 credits with electives, plus at least 585 clinical hours. Courses may include Advanced Pathophysiology Across The Lifespan; Health Care Policy; Diagnostic and Clinical Reasoning; Advanced Health Assessment for FNPs; Advanced Pharmacology for FNPs; Advanced Practice Nursing Roles in Society; Health Promotion of Children and Families; Health Promotion of Adults and Families; Health Promotion of Elderly and Families; and Nurse Practitioner Practicum. Electives include one to six credits of directed Studies in Nursing.

Online Experience: Clayton State University delivers courses through the Brightspace Desire2Learn Learning Management System (LMS). All courses for the NP programs are fully online with some synchronous sessions. During these sessions, faculty and students will be simultaneously online through webcam and headsets for presented material and discussion. In addition, faculty may be contacted through phone, email, or SKYPE. Other sessions are asynchronous meaning students can access the material at their convenience. Most courses last 16 weeks, although some may follow an 8-week schedule. Online students have access to the Center for Advising and Retention, Center for Academic Success, the Writers’ Studio, as well as other resources such as the library, bookstore, and technical help.

On-Site Requirements: Clayton State University FNP students are not required to come to the Morrow, Georgia campus as the program courses are 100% online. Practicums are completed at approved facilities in Georgia, local to the student.

Paying for the Clayton State University Online FNP Programs

Tuition for each Clayton State University online NP program is listed in its corresponding table below. Prospective students should contact Clayton State University’s School of Nursing for a current breakdown of tuition and fees.

Clayton State University offers unsubsidized federal graduate loans according to the FAFSA. Nursing students should also check with their employers to see if the institution offers a tuition reimbursement program. Nursing students may also seek other opportunities for funding such as outside scholarships and grants.

Clayton State University

Clayton State University offers 100% online FNP programs with no campus visits and local clinicals that must be completed in the state of Georgia.

APRN Programs

MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner

Campus Address

2000 Clayton State Blvd.
Morrow, Georgia 30260

Clayton State University – MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

Yes

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

47

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

585

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

Yes (if GPA <3.2)

GPA Required?

3.2 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

47

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$442.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$20,774.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

N/A

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

N/A

Clayton State University – Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

Yes

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

36

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

585

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

Yes (if GPA <3.2)

GPA Required?

3.2 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

36

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$442.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$15,912.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

N/A

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

N/A

Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.

Sara Navratil

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.