Concordia University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, AGPCNP

What to Expect from the Concordia University Online NP Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the College of Nursing at Concordia University must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA for all prior coursework. Online applications require an application fee, official transcripts, an admissions essay, a professional resume, and a Certified Background Check through Castle Branch. All nursing applicants must show proof of a current, unencumbered RN license. International students must also provide proof of English language proficiency.

• Program Specific Admission Requirements
• MSN – FNP and AGPCNP: Hold a BSN degree from an accredited nursing institution; three letters of recommendation
• RN to BSN to MSN – FNP and AGPCNP (Completion Option): Hold an RN license in the state in which the student works with an ADN degree from an accredited nursing school; hold current CPR certification; two letters of recommendation
• BSN to DNP: – FNP and AGPCNP: Hold a BSN degree from an accredited nursing institution; three letters of recommendation
• Post-Master’s FNP Certificate: Hold an MSN degree from an accredited nursing institution; three letters of recommendation

State Restrictions: While Concordia University accepts students from most states, applicants outside of Wisconsin should check with the admissions department to make sure they are eligible for the nursing programs. Students from the following states and territories are not accepted at this time into the nursing programs through Concordia University: Alabama, Alaska, California, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming. Note that Washington D.C students must complete their clinicals in Virginia. Prospective students should also contact the licensing board of their specific state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.

Study Plan: Concordia University admits nursing students in the Fall and Spring. Students are expected to complete their degree within 5 years of the start date. Both full-time and part-time study plans are available. Online nursing program coursework is delivered 100% online and practicums are completed locally. All NP students are required to attend an initial campus orientation before beginning MSN coursework. BSN to DNP students also attend two mandatory cohort meetings on the Mequon, WI campus. Students complete clinical rotations beginning either in the Fall or Spring.

The MSN degree can be completed in three to four years. The RN-BSN-MSN program completion time varies: the BSN completion portion can take as little as 18 months and then students move on to the MSN portion. The BSN to DNP program can be completed in three to five years. The certificate program can be completed in 3 to 3.5 years, but as little as 2 years depending on prior coursework.

MSN FNP and AGPCNP Curriculum: The MSN program comprises 41 credits and includes at least 720 clinical hours. Core courses applying to both specializations include Healthcare Policy and Issues in Advanced Nursing; Genetics, Immunology and Microbiology; Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration; Advanced Evidence-Based Nursing Practice; Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Life Span; Role Transition for APN; Pharmacotherapeutics; Foundations of Healthcare Informatics; and Advanced Health Assessment.

Students then choose an elective from Project Management; Special Topics-Health Care; Public Speaking: Reports/Presentations; Global Perspectives in Health Care; or Public Program Evaluation.

MSN-FNP specialization courses include Advanced Primary Care Clinical I-III – FNP.

MSN-AGPCNP specialization courses include Advanced Primary Care Clinical I-III – AGPCNP.

RN-BSN-MSN FNP and AGPCNP Curriculum: Students moving from an ADN degree to an MSN degree complete 120 credits. Up to 84 credits may be transferred in. Liberal arts courses include credits in theology, humanities, cross-cultural studies, social science, communication, and science courses. A minimum of 36 credits must be taken through Concordia to earn the BSN degree. Nursing courses include Nursing Research for RNs; Population Health; Dimensions of Professional Nursing; Advanced Evidence-Based Nursing Practice; Genetics, Immunology, and Microbiology; Leadership: The Future of Nursing; and Basic Statistics for Health Care Professionals. Students then follow the required 41 credits of courses for the MSN FNP or AGPCNP as described above.

BSN to DNP FNP and AGPCNP Certificate Curriculum: The BSN to DNP FNP and AGPCNP programs comprise 70 credits and require completion of 1,008 clinical hours through practicums and a DNP project. DNP courses include Biostatistics and Epidemiology; Advanced Evidence-Based Practice; Six Sigma Process and Application; Economics and Public Policy of Health Care; Ethics and Organizational Leadership; Healthcare Informatics; Managerial Communications, Practices, and Principles; and DNP Project Practicum I-IV. The MSN portion follows courses in line with the appropriate specialization of the MSN FNP or AGPCNP courses.

Post-Master’s FNP and AGPCNP Certificate Curriculum: The Post-Master’s FNP and AGPCNP Certificate program comprises 35 credits and requires completion of at least 720 clinical hours. Credits may be reduced depending on prior education and required courses depend on a review of prior coursework. Courses follow in line with the appropriate specialization of the MSN FNP or AGPCNP courses.

Online Experience: Concordia University uses Blackboard as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Each online student is assigned an Online Student Success Advisor who supports them throughout their program offering assistance and guidance as needed. Online degree courses are asynchronous and some degree paths are cohort-based. Course units run Monday to Sunday and have specific due dates for assignments and assessments. Courses are collaborative and require students to actively engage in the material and with faculty and peers. Requirements may include papers, reading assignments, discussion questions, case studies, journal reviews, and assessments. Students should expect to logon at least four times per week and submit work weekly. Students have access to 24/7 technical support, tutoring, library and career services, as well as advising and faculty support.

On-Site Requirements: Students in all degree paths are required to attend an initial one-day campus orientation on the campus located in Mequon, Wisconsin. In addition, BSN to DNP students come to campus for two mandatory cohort meetings.