Eastern Kentucky University Online NP Programs
Eastern Kentucky University offers online nurse practitioner and doctoral nursing options for nurses who want to continue their education in a flexible format. The programs covered in this article are the master of science in nursing – family nurse practitioner (MSN-FNP), the master of science in nursing – psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (MSN-PMHNP), the post-MSN certificate – family nurse practitioner, and the post-MSN certificate – psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
The MSN-FNP program is designed for nurses with a baccalaureate degree who want to prepare for rural health advanced practice roles as a rural health family nurse practitioner. The MSN-PMHNP program is also designed for nurses with a baccalaureate degree and prepares them for rural psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner roles. Both MSN programs are offered online and are built around advanced practice nursing in rural health settings.
The post-MSN certificate-FNP is for nurses who have already completed a master of science in nursing or higher and want to obtain a second nursing specialty as a rural family nurse practitioner. The post-MSN certificate-PMHNP is for nurses with an MSN or higher who want to earn a second specialty in rural psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice. These certificate programs are also offered online and are designed for nurses seeking advanced specialty preparation.
These online nursing programs are built for convenience, with no campus visits required. The university also offers spring, summer, and fall start dates for these programs, along with seven-week terms for core courses in several of them.
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its baccalaureate degree, master’s degree, doctor of nursing practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, Kentucky.
For the latest academic year, we have over 180 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
Northern Kentucky University
Campbellsville University
Purdue Global
What to Expect from the Eastern Kentucky University Online NP Programs
Admission Requirements: The MSN programs require a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program, an unencumbered RN license from an approved state, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, a three-hour graduate or undergraduate statistics course with a grade of ‘C’ or higher, and one year of RN experience. Applicants must also submit three professional references, a professional statement, and transcripts.
The post-MSN certificate programs require admission to the Graduate School, a master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, or doctor of philosophy in nursing degree from a nationally accredited program, an unencumbered RN license from an approved state, and one year of RN experience. Applicants must also provide a professional statement and three professional references, and if applicable, an active and unencumbered APRN license from all states in which they are licensed.
State Restrictions: While Eastern Kentucky University accepts students from most states, applicants outside of Kentucky should check with the College of Health Sciences and the School of Nursing to make sure they are eligible for the nursing programs. At this time, students from the following states may not enroll in the NP programs through EKU: Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington. It is also the responsibility of the student to verify eligibility with their state licensing board to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.
Study Plan: EKU offers start dates in the Fall, Spring, and Summer for all nursing programs. The core courses for the programs run on a seven-week schedule. No campus visits are required as all coursework is 100 percent online with clinicals local to the student.
Eastern Kentucky University’s MSN-FNP program is an online program that requires 47 credits to graduate. The program includes 750 direct patient care hours, with the last 300 hours used to synthesize prior clinical and didactic coursework. The MSN-PMHNP program is also online and requires 49 credits to graduate. The post-MSN FNP certificate is an online program with a total of 22 to 32 credits required for graduation. The post-MSN PMHNP certificate is also online and requires 34 credits.
MSN Core Curriculum: The MSN degree includes the following core courses: theoretical foundation for evidence-based practice; advanced nursing practice issues; synthesizing evidence for advanced nursing practice; evidence-based project for advanced nursing practice; principles of epidemiology; advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment; and advanced pathophysiology.
MSN-FNP Curriculum: The FNP track comprises 47 credits plus 750 clinical hours. In addition to the core curriculum, FNP students take FNP I-III; FNP Internship; and advanced practice clinicals.
MSN-PMHNP Curriculum: The PMHNP program comprises 49 credits plus the required clinical hours. The program includes the core curriculum plus the following courses: PMHNP I; applied psychopharmacology; psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner II-III; psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner internship; and advanced practice clinicals.
Post-Master’s Certificate FNP Curriculum: The FNP certificate includes the nurse practitioner concentration prerequisites of advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pathophysiology. Certificate Requirements include FNP I, FNP II, FNP III, FNP internship, and advanced practice role.
Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP Curriculum: The PMHNP certificate also includes the nurse practitioner concentration prerequisites of advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment; and advanced pathophysiology. Certificate requirements include PMHNP I; applied psychopharmacology; PMHNP II; PMHNP III; PMHNP Internship; and advanced practice roles.
Online Experience: Eastern Kentucky University utilizes Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Some classes are synchronous and are delivered via web video conferencing. Students must have access to high-speed internet, a current computer, webcam, a headset with a microphone, and a current version of MS Office. In addition to face-to-face courses and discussion boards, students have personalized advising from faculty and staff. Other services include library access, technical support, and career counseling.
On-Site Requirements: The EKU nurse practitioner programs offer 100 percent online coursework with clinicals local to the student. No campus visits are required.
Paying for the Eastern Kentucky University Online NP Programs
Eastern Kentucky University online NP program tuition costs are listed below. Interested nurses should contact the EKU Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing for clarification on costs and fees.
Eastern Kentucky University graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans. Some companies also offer tuition reimbursement programs to their workers, so students are encouraged to check with their employers. There may also be opportunities for outside grants and scholarships for funding.
The Eastern Kentucky University online MSN and certificate programs offer FNP and PMHNP specializations through and innovative, engaging online course design, direct support from faculty and advisors, and no campus visit requirements.
Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-MSN certificate)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate)
33 Stratton Building
Richmond, Kentucky 40475
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
32
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
MN, NM, NY, NC, OR, WA
Program Tuition
32
$733.00
$23,456.00
$733.00
$23,456.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
47
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
MN, NM, NY, NC, OR, WA
Program Tuition
47
$733.00
$34,451.00
$733.00
$34,451.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
49
Not Listed
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
MN, NM, NY, NC, OR, WA
Program Tuition
49
$733.00
$35,917.00
$733.00
$35,917.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
34
Not Listed
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
MN, NM, NY, NC, OR, WA
Program Tuition
34
$733.00
$24,922.00
$733.00
$24,922.00
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.