Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Online MSN-NP Programs

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania offers nationally recognized online MSN nurse practitioner programs designed to prepare nurses for advanced roles. Students can choose between two specialized concentrations: adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) and family/individual across the lifespan nurse practitioner (FNP). These programs empower nurses to deliver excellent patient care, specialize according to their interests, and positively impact the health and well-being of both individuals and communities.

Courses are delivered fully online, with core courses offered asynchronously to provide working nurses the flexibility to balance professional responsibilities and graduate study. The curriculum includes a blend of theory, advanced practice training, and clinical experience. Faculty members are practicing nurse practitioners, offering guidance and expert mentorship.

Students in the AGPCNP concentration acquire the expertise necessary to care for patients across the lifespan, from adolescence to old age, in various settings, including clinics, homes, and long-term care facilities. The FNP program prepares graduates to deliver family-centered care to diverse age groups. Both programs include clinical experiences and provide eligibility to pursue national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

What to Expect from the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Online MSN-NP Programs

Admission Requirements: Admission into the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania online MSN NP programs requires applicants to meet academic, professional, and documentation criteria.

Prospective students must submit a completed graduate school application and the required application fee. Applicants must provide official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required. Candidates must hold a current, unencumbered professional nursing license and submit a resume detailing professional nursing and clinical experience.

Additional requirements include a statement of career goals and one completed recommendation form. Applicants are expected to have at least one year of current clinical practice experience as a registered nurse before starting clinical rotations. Interviews with the Graduate Nursing Department Admissions Committee are conducted as part of the rolling admissions process, and GRE scores are not required for admission.

State Restrictions: Commonwealth University participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This participation allows online delivery within 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as many programs in California.

However, SARA agreements do not guarantee that graduates will be eligible for nursing licensure in all states. For the MSN NP programs, Commonwealth University specifically lists the following states as those where the online programs currently meet out-of-state licensure and certification requirements: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Study Plan: The Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania online MSN-NP programs are designed with flexibility for working nurses, offering both full-time and part-time options. Both study plans are fully online, with asynchronous core courses that allow nurses to balance education with ongoing professional responsibilities.

For the AGPCNP track, students can choose the full-time option, completing the program in two years across five semesters, or the part-time option, which takes around three years. This program includes 10 courses totaling 41 credits and requires 770 clinical hours.

The FNP program can be completed full-time in two and a half years (six semesters) or part-time in three and a half years. Students in this track complete 12 courses for a total of 50 credits and fulfill 980 clinical hours.

Core Curriculum: The Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania online MSN NP programs offer two specialized concentrations designed to prepare advanced practice nurses in primary care. Both programs include nine credits of core nursing courses. These include theoretical bases for role development in advanced nursing practice; epidemiology; and bases of research for advanced nursing practice.

  • MSN-AGPCNP Curriculum: The AGPCNP program requires completion of 10 courses totaling 41 credits and 770 clinical hours. In addition to the core nursing courses, the curriculum includes 10 credits of advanced practice nursing courses, such as pathophysiology across the lifespan for the advanced practice nurse; pharmacology across the lifespan for the advanced practice nurse; and lifespan health assessment & promotion for the advanced practice nurse. The curriculum also includes 22 credits of nurse practitioner courses, such as diagnosis & management of adults & aged I and II; comprehensive assessment of older adults; and AGPCNP practicum & seminar.
  • MSN-FNP Curriculum: The FNP program includes 12 courses totaling 50 credits and 980 clinical hours. In addition to the core nursing courses, the curriculum includes 13 credits of advanced practice nursing courses, such as pathophysiology across the lifespan for the advanced practice nurse; pharmacology across the lifespan for the advanced practice nurse; lifespan health assessment & promotion for the advanced practice nurse; and family theory across the lifespan. The curriculum also includes 28 credits of nurse practitioner courses, such as diagnosis & management of adults & aged I and II; comprehensive assessment of older adults; diagnosis & management of pregnant women & children; and family nurse practitioner practicum & seminar.

Online Experience: The Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania MSN NP programs are delivered through Brightspace, the university’s primary online learning management system (LMS). Courses are offered in a flexible, fully online learning environment suitable for working nursing professionals. The platform provides 24/7 access to course materials, lectures, assignments, and faculty interaction. Students are able to watch videos, turn in assignments, view assignments and assessments, and communicate with faculty and peers.

On-Site Requirements: While the courses are delivered 100 percent online with flexible and asynchronous formats, practical clinical components are a critical part of the curriculum.

Students in both tracks complete required clinical hours through supervised practicum and seminar courses. These clinical experiences take place in community and hospital-based primary care clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term care settings.

The clinical rotations allow students to apply theoretical knowledge gained in online coursework to assess, diagnose, and manage patients with acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan. While no fixed campus visits are required, students must meet the clinical hour requirements in approved practice settings for certification eligibility.

Paying for the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Online MSN-NP Programs

The tuition numbers for the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania online NP program are listed in the tables below. Interested students should contact the admissions department for cost clarifications and updates.

Financial aid is available to students who qualify. Options may include federal student aid, private loans, scholarships, or employer tuition assistance. The first step in applying for financial aid is to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are encouraged to contact the university’s Office of Financial Aid for personalized support and guidance.

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

Recognized as a leading accredited undergraduate and graduate level nursing program, Commonwealth University prepares future nurses for a wide range of careers in critical care, obstetrics, pediatrics, rehabilitation, trauma, home care, and other clinical specialties and case management. The baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degree in nursing programs at Commonwealth University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

APRN Programs

MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family/Individual Across the Lifespan NP

Campus Address

400 East Second Street
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania 17815

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania – MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

AG-PCNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Spring, Summer, Fall

100% Online?

Yes

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

41

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

770

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

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

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

41

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$534.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$21,894.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$801.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$32,841.00

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania – MSN – Family/Individual Across the Lifespan NP

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Spring, Summer, Fall

100% Online?

Yes

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

50

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

980

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

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

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

50

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$534.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$26,700.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$801.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$40,050.00

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.

Farheen Gani

Farheen Gani

Writer

Farheen Gani is a freelance writer, marketer, and researcher. She writes about technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).