Eastern Kentucky University Online NP Programs
#12 Best Overall NP School
#19 Most Affordable NP School
#21 Most Flexible NP School
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-MSN certificate)
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate for the Adult NP/CNS)
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate for the Child/Adolescent NP/CNS)
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate)
The Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specializations. In addition, the school offers Post-Master’s Certificates with either an FNP or PMHNP specialization. These programs do not require any campus visits and practicums are completed at approved sites local to the student.
In addition, EKU has designed “second specialization” tracks specifically for nurses already certified as adult or child/adolescent psychiatric NPs or CNSs who are interested in pursuing a second certification as a family PMHNP. Depending on prior education and certification, these certificate programs comprise eight to ten credits. As with the other programs the curriculum is 100% online with local practicums.
EKU offers 100% online graduate nursing programs with 8-week terms for core classes, direct support from faculty and advisors, and innovative, engaging online course design. No GRE or previous work experience is required, although a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Focuses include medical prevention, quality of care, population health, and services coordination. The online NP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Graduates of the online NP programs are eligible to take the respective certification exams for their specialty. The focus of the online NP programs is rural in nature, focusing on serving populations in the country rather than urban settings. FNP graduates may work in hospitals, primary care clinics, schools, private practice, home-healthcare situations, long-term care facilities, and government organizations. PMHNP graduates may also work in these settings along with mental health facilities, rehabilitation centers, and correctional facilities.
Eastern Kentucky 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). Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, Kentucky.
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What to Expect from the Eastern Kentucky University Online NP Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the nursing programs at EKU must have an unencumbered RN license in an approved state for distance learning. Application materials include the online application, application fee, a professional statement for both the Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing, as well as the Graduate School, three professional letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and proof of RN licensure. Professional liability insurance is also required for completing practicums.
- MSN Requirements: Hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The GRE or GMAT is not required. Students must have completed a 3-credit graduate statistics course with a grade of “C” or higher.
- Post-Master’s Certificate Requirements: Hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program; have one year of RN work experience; hold an APRN license if applicable (for second nursing specialty applicants). Prerequisites include Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pathophysiology or equivalents. If these courses are not completed they will be added to the required curriculum. Accepted students must demonstrate mastery of the curriculum for the course Advanced Physical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning before enrolling in practicum courses.
State Restrictions: While Eastern Kentucky University accepts students from most states, applicants outside of Kentucky should check with the Graduate School and the Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate 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: Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, 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 the MSN and PMHNP Post-Master’s Certificate. The core courses for the MSN and certificate programs run on an 8-week schedule while specialty courses cover 16 weeks. The MSN can be completed in about 2.5 years while the certificate can be completed in about 18 months.
For those earning the PMHNP certificate in the adult specialty, the program begins in the Spring, while the child/adolescent specialty begins in the Summer. These programs can be completed in less than one year.
No campus visits are required as all coursework is 100% online with clinicals local to the student.
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; and Principles of Epidemiology; Advanced Pharmacology; Advanced Health Assessment; and Advanced Pathophysiology.
MSN Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Curriculum: The FNP track comprises 47 credits plus 750 clinical hours. In addition to the core curriculum FNP students take Rural Health FNP I-III; Rural Health FNP Internship; and Advanced Practice Clinicals.
MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Curriculum: The PMHNP program comprises 46 credits plus the required clinical hours. The program includes the core curriculum plus the following courses: Rural 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 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Curriculum: The PMHNP certificate program comprises 24 credits plus the required clinical hours. The curriculum includes Advanced Pharmacology; Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pathophysiology if not previously completed. Specialty courses include Rural PMHNP I; Applied Psychopharmacology; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner II-III; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Internship; and Advanced Practice Clinicals.
For those nurses already certified as adult psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists, the child/adolescent PMHNP certificate comprises 8 credits through the following courses: Applied Psychopharmacology; Rural PMHNP Child/Adolescent; and Advanced Practice Clinical.
For those nurses already certified as child/adolescent psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists, the adult PMHNP certificate comprises 10 credits through the following courses: Rural PMHNP I-II and two Advanced Practice Clinicals.
Online Experience: Eastern Kentucky University utilizes Blackboard 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)
Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate for the Adult NP/CNS)
Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Post-MSN certificate for the Child/Adolescent NP/CNS)
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Rural Health Family 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
$689.00
$22,048.00
$689.00
$22,048.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Summer
Yes
0
8
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
8
$689.00
$5,512.00
$689.00
$5,512.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Spring
Yes
0
10
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
10
$689.00
$6,890.00
$689.00
$6,890.00
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
$689.00
$33,761.00
$689.00
$33,761.00
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
$689.00
$32,383.00
$689.00
$32,383.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
24
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
24
$689.00
$16,536.00
$689.00
$16,536.00
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.