Florida A&M University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

What to Expect from the Florida A&M University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants must meet the requirements for the School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR) and then are eligible to apply to the School of Nursing. Admission requirements include a BSN degree from an ACEN-, CNEA- or CCNE-accredited program, an unencumbered RN license in the state of Florida or approved state of residence, and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must submit official transcripts.

Applicants for the post-master’s certificate programs must have a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program recognized by the ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA. Applicants with a doctoral nursing degree, such as a DNP or PhD, may also apply. They must submit official transcripts, hold a current, valid, unrestricted, and unencumbered RN license in Florida or in the state where they practice, and provide evidence of their current APN practice or national certification. 

Non-APN applicants must provide evidence of current practice in a non-APN role, such as nursing administration, nursing education, nursing leadership, or nursing informatics, or show maintenance of national certification in a non-APN specialty.

Applicants to all programs must also identify a clinical preceptor. Students whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency through the TOEFL.

State Restrictions: While Florida A&M University accepts students from most states into their nursing programs, applicants outside of Florida should check with their state Board of Nursing to be aware of the practicum requirements in their state while attending an out-of-state university and to make sure they are eligible to study with Florida A&M University. At this time, students from the following states are not accepted into the nursing programs: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, DC. Students from these states should check with the FAMU School of Nursing to verify enrollment eligibility.

Study Plan: The Florida A&M University online MSN programs can be completed in five semesters of full-time study or eight semesters of part-time study. Start dates are in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.

The post-master’s certificate programs are available for both APN and non-APN applicants. APN applicants may receive credit for up to 22 credits from their previous master’s program when the courses were completed within the past five years with grades of B or above. Non-APN master’s applicants receive six credits and must complete 36 credits at Florida A&M University, with a grade of B or above required for all courses. Both APN and non-APN applicants must complete the population focus and role core courses at Florida A&M University, including 750 clinical hours.

Curriculum: The online AGPCNP and WHNP programs comprise 42 credits plus at least 675 required clinical hours. The core curriculum for both tracks includes Theory application and advanced role development in nursing; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; research methods and evidence-based practice; health policy and nursing; advanced health assessment theory; advanced health assessment practicum; role of APN in health promotion and disease prevention; special issues across the adult lifespan; and clinical management of older adults.

AGPCNP specialty courses include primary care for adults across the lifespan I-II; primary care for adults across the lifespan practicum I-II; and APRN synthesis seminar.

WHNP specialty courses include primary care for adults across the life span I; primary care for adults across the life span practicum I; advanced women’s health theory; advanced women’s health practicum; and APRN synthesis seminar.

The post-master’s AGPCNP certificate curriculum includes clinical management of older adults; clinical management of older adults practicum; primary care for adults across the life span I-II, primary care for adults across the life span practicum I-II; APRN synthesis seminar, and special issues across the adult life span. The post-master’s WHNP certificate curriculum includes clinical management of women; clinical management of women practicum; advanced women’s health theory I-II; advanced women’s health practicum; advanced women’s health practicum II, APRN synthesis seminar, and special issues across the adult life span.

For APN applicants, up to 22 credits may be awarded from a previous master’s program when the relevant courses were completed within the past five years with a grade of B or better. Non-APN applicants receive six credits and must complete 36 credits at Florida A&M University. Both APN and non-APN applicants must complete the population focus and role core courses at Florida A&M University with 750 clinical hours.

Online Experience: Florida A&M University delivers courses through the Canvas online Learning Management System (LMS). Students participate in discussion boards, online chat, web conferencing, and email correspondence. Courses may include recorded video lectures, readings, assignments, and assessments. Tests are administered through the LockDown Browser. Graduate nursing students have access to academic advising, faculty office hours, technical support, an online bookstore and library, and career services.

On-Site Requirements: MSN students must come to the Tallahassee, FL, campus for one clinical skills intensive and 90-hour lab residency throughout the program. All other coursework is online, and practicums are completed locally.