Graceland University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (RN-to-MSN or ADN bridge)
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (RN-to-MSN or ADN bridge)
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (RN-to-MSN or ADN bridge)
- Post-Graduate Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Certificate
- Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- Post-Graduate Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (For AGACNPs or MSN prepared)
- Post-Graduate Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (For FNPs)
The School of Nursing at Graceland University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post-Master’s Certificates with three nurse practitioner specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
An RN to BSN to MSN pathway is also available.
The PMHNP certificate is available in two pathways: one for those who already hold FNP certification and another for those who hold AGACNP certification or are master’s prepared.
The programs include one campus visit for two to three days and clinical preceptorships at approved sites local to the student. No GRE is required although a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
The RN to BSN to MSN program is designed for nurses with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or Diploma to complete both their BSN and MSN in one sequential program. This pathway eliminates two courses from the BSN degree pathway. Students complete approximately 55 credits in addition to the 47 credits required for the MSN program, depending on prior education and credits transferred in.
The FNP curriculum focuses on the care of pediatric patients, adults, and families. Graduates are eligible to take the FNP certification exam through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). FNPs may work in primary care facilities, hospitals, schools, government facilities, and home health care situations.
Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners typically serve in hospital or in-patient settings where patients are critically or chronically ill. Ages range from adolescence through adulthood and geriatric patients. Other work locations may include nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and home health care situations. Graduates of the AGACNP programs are eligible to take the AGACNP certification exam through the AANPCB or the ANCC.
Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners work with patients across the lifespan with mental health needs and substance abuse treatment. They are able to provide counseling and prescribe some medications. Health care settings vary and may include primary care, hospital settings, schools, government facilities, rehabilitation centers, and correctional facilities. Graduates are eligible to take the PMHNP certification exam through the ANCC.
Graceland University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graceland University is located in Independence, Missouri.
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What to Expect from the Graceland University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the nursing programs at Graceland University must have an unrestricted RN license in their state of residence in approved states. MSN applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree with a grade of B or higher in all nursing courses. RN to MSN applicants must hold an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma. Post-Master’s Certificate applicants must hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. All degrees held must be from a CCNE, ACEN, or NLNAC accredited program and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. No GRE or GMAT is required.
Application materials include official transcripts, three references, and a professional goals statement. Students must pass a criminal background check upon acceptance. TOEFL test scores may be necessary as applicable.
State Restrictions: While Graceland University accepts students from most states, applicants outside of Missouri should check with the School of Nursing to make sure they are eligible for the nursing programs. As well students should verify with their state Board of Nursing as to licensure requirements. Graceland University does not accept students from the following states at this time: Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Additionally, Graceland University is approved to offer practicum experiences in the state of Washington for the graduate nursing programs. This approval has been granted by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
Study Plan: The MSN program with BSN entry can be completed in eight trimesters on a full-time basis or 12 trimesters on a part-time basis. The RN to BSN to MSN program can be completed in two additional years of study. Two BSN courses are removed for the RN to MSN program, reducing the time to completion. The Post Master’s certificates can be completed in four to six trimesters taking six to eight credits each trimester, or longer for part-time.
Students are accepted into the MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate programs in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. The RN to MSN program accepts students every eight weeks. The nurse practitioner programs require one visit to campus for a 2-3 day intensive. Clinical practicums are completed local to the student in approved states.
MSN Core Curriculum: The MSN degree includes the following core courses for all specializations: Introduction to MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate Programs; Pharmacotherapeutics; Theory in Nursing; Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning; Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice; Advanced Pathophysiology; and Application of Research for Best Practices.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Curriculum: The FNP track comprises 47 credits plus 600 clinical hours. In addition to the core curriculum above FNP students take Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care; Advanced Practice Competencies Lab; Primary Care of Families: Pediatrics; Primary Care Families: Adults; Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Pediatrics; Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Adults; Roles and Issues for Advanced Practice Nurses; and Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Family.
MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Curriculum: The AGACNP curriculum comprises 47 credits plus 540 clinical hours. In addition to the core curriculum, students take Advanced Practice Procedures in Acute Care; Advanced Practice Competencies Lab; AGACNP Advanced Practice Competencies Lab; Care Of Adult-Gerontology Populations; Acute Care of Adult-Gerontology Populations I-II; AGACNP Practicum: Chronic Care; AGACNP Practicum: Acute Care; AGACNP Practicum: Final; and Roles and Issues for Advanced Practical Nurse.
MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Curriculum: The PMHNP program comprises 47 credits plus 540 clinical hours. The program includes the core curriculum plus the following courses: Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Practice Competencies Lab; PMHNP Foundations: Roles, Issues, and Ethical/Legal Principles; Psychopharmacology and Psychotherapeutic; Diagnosis and Management I: Adults and Geriatric; Diagnosis and Management II: Pediatric; PMHNP Practicum I-II; and PMHNP Practicum: Final.
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: All specializations take the following core courses: Introduction to MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate Programs and Advanced Practice Competencies Lab. FNP and AGACNP students and PMHNP students who hold AGACNP certification or are master’s prepared also take Pharmacotherapeutics; Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning; and Advanced Pathophysiology. Additionally, FNP and PMHNP – AGACNP or master’s prepared students take Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care. Specialty courses then follow those listed above for the MSN specializations.
The FNP certificate program comprises 33 credits plus 600 clinical hours. The AGACNP certificate program comprises 33 credits plus 540 clinical hours. The PMHNP certificate program for FNPs comprises 25 credits plus 540 clinical hours. The PMHNP certificate program for AGACNPs or master’s prepared nurses comprises 39 credits plus 540 clinical hours.
RN to BSN to MSN Curriculum: The RN to BSN to MSN degree path allows the transfer of up to 28 credits for prior undergraduate nursing courses, plus general education credits may be transferred in, earned through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or from online courses. The following courses must be taken at Graceland University: Health Assessment for Practicing Nurse; Evidence-Based Practice; Pathophysiology and Related Pharmacology; Professionalism in Nursing; Leadership Roles in Nursing; Global Health and Policy Issues; Population Health Nursing; Informatics for the Practicing Nurse; Current Issues in Healthcare; and Senior Capstone.
An additional 28 credits are required including Human Anatomy; Human Physiology; Introduction to Microbiology; Nutrition; Introduction to Statistics; Introduction to Sociology OR Cultural Anthropology; Introductory Psychology; and Developmental Psychology. In total, RN to BSN to MSN students add 55 credits to the 47 required for the MSN, earning both a BSN and MSN at the end of the program. All required clinical practicum hours must also be completed.
Online Experience: Graceland University utilizes the Brightspace Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver online courses. Trimesters last 16 weeks each with a break of one to two weeks in between. Students also complete clinicals in their own community and MSN students complete an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Synthesis Project. Students should expect to spend at least 12-15 hours per week per course researching, studying, reading, viewing lectures, and interacting with faculty and peers online through forums and other multimedia platforms.
Graceland University provides 24/7 technical support, library and bookstore services, career counseling, faculty office hours, and other online student services.
On-Site Requirements: Nurse practitioner students come to the Independence, Missouri campus for one 2-3 day focus session during the Advanced Practice Competencies Lab course. Here they meet faculty and peers, complete hands-on learning experiences, and complete competency requirements. The sessions are full-day, lasting from 8 am to 5 pm. All other coursework is online with clinical preceptorships local to the student.
Paying for the Graceland University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Graceland University online np program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Travel expenses for the campus visit are not included in tuition costs, neither are fees. Interested students should contact the School of Nursing through Graceland University for cost clarifications and updates.
Graceland University graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans through the FAFSA. Other funding options may include tuition reimbursement programs through employers, tuition discounts, and outside loans, grants, and scholarships.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (RN-to-MSN or ADN bridge)
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (RN-to-MSN or ADN bridge)
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (RN-to-MSN or ADN bridge)
Post-Graduate Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Certificate
Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Post-Graduate Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (For AGACNPs or MSN prepared)
Post-Graduate Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (For FNPs)
1401 W. Truman Road
Independence, Missouri 64050
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
102
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC, TN
Program Tuition
102
$649.36
$66,234.72
$649.36
$66,234.72
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
47
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC, TN
Program Tuition
47
$830.00
$39,010.00
$830.00
$39,010.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
47
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC, TN
Program Tuition
47
$830.00
$39,010.00
$830.00
$39,010.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
102
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC, TN
Program Tuition
102
$649.36
$66,234.72
$649.36
$66,234.72
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
47
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC
Program Tuition
47
$830.00
$39,010.00
$830.00
$39,010.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
102
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC
Program Tuition
102
$649.36
$66,234.72
$649.36
$66,234.72
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
33
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC, TN
Program Tuition
33
$830.00
$27,390.00
$830.00
$27,390.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
33
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC, TN
Program Tuition
33
$830.00
$27,390.00
$830.00
$27,390.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
39
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC
Program Tuition
39
$830.00
$32,370.00
$830.00
$32,370.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
25
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MD, NY, NC
Program Tuition
25
$830.00
$20,750.00
$830.00
$20,750.00
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.