Anderson University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, PMHNP
The School of Nursing at Anderson University offers online MSN and BSN to DNP programs with two nurse practitioner specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Additionally, a Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate is offered. Students complete coursework 100% online and come to the Greenville or Anderson, SC campus for four to six intensives. Clinical hours are completed local to the student.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are educated in the skills and knowledge to serve patients across the lifespan in a variety of care settings which may include schools, hospitals, urgent care facilities, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, private practices, government facilities, and emergency departments. FNPs are authorized to diagnose acute and chronic illnesses, perform routine physical exams, and prescribe medications. Additionally, they may recommend physical or other therapies, conduct patient education seminars, and educate patients, and families in one-on-one care settings. FNPs generally focus on health care prevention strategies. At the completion of the FNP program, graduates are eligible to take the national certification exams for nurse practitioners.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) work with the mental health issues of patients across the lifespan. They are prepared to assess, evaluate, diagnose and treat mental illness and issues. PMHNPs typically work with healthcare teams to provide treatment plans for patients suffering from mental health issues and struggling with addiction. These may include recommendations for counseling, psychotherapy, treatment programs, and medications. PMHNPs may work in treatment centers, hospitals, schools, counseling firms, and other mental health organizations. Graduates of this online program are eligible to sit for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certification exam.
As a Christian institution, Anderson University nursing programs integrate faith throughout the courses and into the nursing practice. The NP programs provide a holistic approach to healthcare and to working with the patient’s physical and mental health needs.
Credentialing organizations for the national certification exams include the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Anderson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Anderson University is located in Anderson, South Carolina.
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What to Expect from the Anderson University Online FNP and PMHNP Programs
Admission Requirements: All nursing students must hold an active and unencumbered RN license. In addition, a minimum GPA of 3.2 is required, averaged from all nursing degree programs completed at the time of application. All applicants must hold current CPR certification and have a current immunization record at the start of the program.
Materials for application include an application and application fee, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a resume, and official transcripts. Students whose primary language is not English must also provide proof of English language proficiency. No GMAT or GRE exam scores are required.
- Program Specific Admission Requirements
- MSN – FNP and PMHNP: Hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program
- BSN to DNP – FNP and PMHNP: Hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program.
- Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate: Hold a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree from a nationally accredited program
State Restrictions: There are no state restrictions for the Anderson University online nursing programs, however, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the appropriate state agencies as well as the School of Nursing at Anderson University to verify eligibility.
Study Plan: Anderson University offers start dates in January only for the BSN to DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate programs. The MSN programs begin in August. Students can complete the MSN programs in four semesters full-time and the certificate programs in four semesters part-time. The BSN to DNP can be completed in three years or nine semesters. Students move through as a cohort while completing courses online and coming to campus for four to six visits depending on their program. Clinicals are completed in a location near the student.
BSN to MSN – FNP and PMHNP Curriculum: The MSN – FNP degree comprises 48 credits and includes at least 600 hours of clinicals. The MSN – PMHNP degree comprises 49 credits and includes at least 500 hours of clinicals.
Core courses for both specialties include Health Policy and Advocacy; Informatics in Healthcare Delivery; Integration of Scholarship into Practice; Faith and Learning Worldview; Advanced Pharmacology; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Physical Assessment; Organizational and Systems Leadership; Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Promotion; Care of Aging Adults; and Improving Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Outcome.
- FNP Specialty Courses: APRN Procedures in Primary Care; Primary care Across the Life Span; FNP I-II; Care of Special Populations; Integrated Care of Individuals and Communities; FNP Certification Review; and FNP III Practicum.
- PMHNP Specialty Courses: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Introduction to the Clinical Experience; PMHNP I-II; Advanced Assessment Processes in Mental Healthcare Across the Life Span; Management of Behavioral Health Populations Across the Life Span; Psychopharmacological Therapies Across the Life Span; Management of the Complex Mental Health Client Across the Life Span; and Certification Review Seminar – PMHNP.
BSN to DNP – FNP and PMHNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP – FNP comprises 74 credits and includes at least 1,100 hours of clinicals. The BSN to DNP – PMHNP comprises 75 credits and includes at least 1,100 hours of clinicals.
Core courses for both specializations include Advocacy in Healthcare Policy; Informatics in Healthcare Delivery; Integration of Scholarship into Practice; Faith and Learning Worldview; Advanced Pharmacology; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Physical Assessment; Organizational and Systems Leadership; Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Promotion; Care of Aging Adults; and Improving Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Outcome.
DNP courses for both specializations include Scientific Underpinnings for Nursing Practice; DNP Project I-III; Clinical Epidemiology and Analytical Methods; Clinical Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice; Improving Health Outcomes; Organizational and Systems Leadership – Role Development; Applied Informatics and Change Systems; DNP Residency I-III; and DNP Transition to Practice.
- FNP Specialty Courses: APRN Procedures in Primary Care; Primary care Across the Life Span; FNP I-II; Care of Special Populations; Integrated Care of Individuals and Communities; FNP Certification Review; and FNP III Practicum.
- PMHNP Specialty Courses: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Introduction to the Clinical Experience; PMHNP I-II; Advanced Assessment Processes in Mental Healthcare Across the Life Span; Management of Behavioral Health Populations Across the Life Span; Psychopharmacological Therapies Across the Life Span; Management of the Complex Mental Health Client Across the Life Span; and Certification Review Seminar – PMHNP.
Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate Curriculum: The Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate comprises 22 credits and includes at least 500 hours of clinicals. Courses include Faith and Learning Overview; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Introduction to the Clinical Experience; PMHNP I-II; Advanced Assessment Processes in Mental Healthcare Across the Life Span; Management of Behavioral Health Populations Across the Life Span; Psychopharmacological Therapies Across the Life Span; Management of the Complex Mental Health Client Across the Life Span; Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Promotion; and Certification Review Seminar – PMHNP.
Online Experience: Anderson University utilizes Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Graduate students have access to an Academic Success Advisor who will help to create an educational plan and help students navigate all parts of the online experience. In addition, online students have access to the online library system, admissions counseling, academic advising, faculty office hours, career counseling, and 24/7 technical support. Students should contact course instructors with course questions regarding assignments, assessments, and other requirements. Beyond technical support, students may contact the Center for Innovation and Digital Learning (CIDL) for help with other online learning issues.
On-Site Requirements: Online students in the NP programs must come to the University Center of Greenville, SC campus for intensives. Some intensives may also take place at the main campus in Anderson, SC. MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate students come to campus four times – once each semester – for 2-3 days each. BSN to DNP students come to campus for 2-3 day intensives once each of the first five semesters and during the final semester for a total of six visits.
During intensives, students will meet with their cohort, practice simulations, and participate in cadaver labs for hands-on practice and assessment. PMHNP student intensives will zone in on mental health assessment, mental health management skills, and interactive simulations experiences. All other coursework is 100% online with clinicals local to the student.
Paying for the Anderson University Online FNP and PMHNP Programs
Anderson University charges $700 per credit plus fees for the online MSN and post-graduate certificate programs. The DNP program costs $775 per credit plus fees. Prospective students should inquire with the School of Nursing at Anderson University for complete and current costs. Note that travel costs to and from campus for intensives are not included with tuition.
Anderson University offers financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and unsubsidized federal student loans according to the FAFSA. Some employers also offer a tuition reimbursement program. In addition, Anderson University online nursing students may seek outside opportunities for funding including matching church scholarships as well as organizational and community grants and scholarships.
Offering affordable tuition and campus visits to develop cohort/faculty relationships, Anderson University delivers graduate nursing programs from a Christian worldview of service, faith, learning, servant leadership, and emotional intelligence.
DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner – BSN to DNP
DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health NP – BSN to DNP
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – BSN to MSN
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health NP – BSN to MSN
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate – PMHNP
316 Boulevard
Anderson, South Carolina 29621
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January
No
6
74
1,100
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
None
Program Tuition
74
$775.00
$57,350.00
$775.00
$57,350.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
January
No
6
75
1,100
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
None
Program Tuition
75
$775.00
$58,125.00
$775.00
$58,125.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
August
No
4
48
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
None
Program Tuition
48
$755.00
$36,240.00
$755.00
$36,240.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
August
No
4
49
500
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
None
Program Tuition
49
$755.00
$36,995.00
$755.00
$36,995.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
January
No
4
22
500
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
None
Program Tuition
22
$755.00
$16,610.00
$755.00
$16,610.00
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
WriterSara 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.