Herzing University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PNP, PMHNP, WHNP

#7 Most Flexible NP School

• MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• MSN – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AG-ACNP)
• Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AG-PCNP)
• Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
• Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Master's Certificate – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
• RN to MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• RN to MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
• RN to MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• RN to MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• RN to MSN – Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

Herzing University offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) with BSN and ADN entry points, as well as an online post-master’s certificate in six specializations: family nurse practitioner (FNP), adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP), adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP), psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP), and women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP). 

These programs offer 100 percent online coursework with no campus visits, and preceptorships take place at approved locations near the student. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take their respective nurse practitioner certification exams through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

One of the Herzing tenets is that students are never alone, and as such, they have dedicated clinical coordinators who help students secure approved clinical sites and preceptors for clinical practicums. In the same vein, in addition to the required courses and clinical practicum experiences, students have access to two preparation courses that will contribute to their overall success: the Clinical Readiness Course prepares students to be successful in the clinical practicums, and the Virtual Bootcamp helps prepare students for the certification exams.

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The online NP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Herzing University’s online nurse practitioner programs are based in Menomonee Falls, WI.

What to Expect from Herzing University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PNP, PMHNP, WHNP

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Herzing online NP programs must have a current, unrestricted RN license in the state in which they live, or have a multi-state, compact state license for residents of compact license states. All applicants complete an interview with an admissions representative or the graduate program chair. As part of the admissions process, students must have the proper immunizations, pass health checks, required drug tests, and background checks. Online applications include an application fee, transcripts, a resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. In addition, students must provide a copy of their RN license. No GRE or GMAT is required.

• Program Specific Admission Requirements
• MSN: Hold a BSN from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; it is expected that licensed RNs have clinical experience
• Accelerated RN to MSN: Hold an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or nursing diploma from an accredited program with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Post-Master’s NP Certificate: Hold an MSN degree from an accredited institution; it is expected that licensed RNs have clinical experience

State Restrictions: Herzing University’s online NP programs, including MSN, post-master’s, and RN-to-MSN tracks across all specialties (FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PNP, and WHNP) are available to students in most U.S. states. Eligible states generally include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Some programs also extend eligibility to North Dakota and Utah, depending on the specialty. Applicants should verify availability with Herzing for their specific state before enrolling, as restrictions may apply.

Study Plan: The Herzing University online NP programs offer start dates six times per year. The MSN – FNP, AGPCNP, and PNP programs can be completed in just 20 months or five semesters on a full-time basis. The MSN – PMHNP, AGACNP, and WHNP takes about 24 months.

The accelerated RN-to-MSN program takes 20 to 28 months to complete. Students do not earn a BSN in this accelerated program. There is also an RN-to-BSN-to-MSN program pathway for students interested in earning both a BSN and MSN degree, which takes about 32 to 36 months to complete.

The post-master’s certificate FNP program takes 16 to 20 months. All other post master’s certificate specialities take 20 months to complete.

Herzing University has dedicated clinical coordinators who help students secure approved clinical sites and preceptors for clinical practicums. This is possible through their clinical guidance process, along with established relationships with healthcare providers across the country. Students complete the required courses online and participate in 540 to 675 hours of clinical practicum, depending on their specialization. Each specialization features a 180-hour immersion experience that prepares graduates to earn their first job as a nurse practitioner.

Students also have access to two preparation courses to improve their success: the Clinical Readiness Course prepares students to be successful in the five clinical practicums; the Virtual Bootcamp helps prepare students for the NP certification exams.

MSN Curriculum: Herzing University’s MSN NP programs generally require 48 to 54 credits, depending on the specialty. The required clinical practicum hours range between 540 and 630 hours. For example, most tracks such as FNP, PNP, and AGACNP require 585 or more clinical hours, while AGPCNP and PMHNP include 540 hours of supervised clinical practice. The WHNP specialty carries a slightly heavier academic load with 54 credits and 630 clinical hours.

Core courses and direct care courses for all specializations include health policy and management; knowledge for nursing practice; technology and nursing informatics in advanced practice; systems-based practice; scholarship for nursing practice; advanced health assessment; advanced pathophysiology; and advanced pharmacology.

• AGACNP concentration courses include adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner I-II; AGACNP practicum; clinical decision-making for the AGACNP; advanced practice specialty procedures and skills for acute care; and professionalism and leadership for advanced practice.
• AGPCNP concentration courses include adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner I-II; AGPCNP practicum; professionalism and leadership for advanced practice; population health; women’s health for adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner; and clinical decision-making.
• FNP concentration courses include adult healthcare; geriatric healthcare; healthcare of women across the lifespan; healthcare of infants, children, and adolescents; professionalism and leadership for advanced practice; population health; and clinical decision-making.
• PNP concentration courses include healthcare of infants, children, and adolescents; clinical decision-making for the PNP; pediatric primary care nurse practitioner I-II; pediatric primary care nurse practitioner practicum; professionalism and leadership for advanced practice; and population health.
• PMHNP concentration courses include advanced psychopharmacology and health promotion; clinical decision-making in psychiatric mental health; counseling and psychotherapy; psychiatric mental healthcare I-II; psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practicum; and professionalism and leadership for advanced practice.
• WHNP concentration courses include clinical decision-making; introduction to women’s health across the lifespan; primary care for women; women’s health nurse practitioner I-II; women’s health nurse practitioner practicum; professionalism and leadership for advanced practice; and population health.

Accelerated RN to MSN Curriculum: The RN-to-MSN NP tracks typically require 64 credits and between 540 and 630 clinical practicum hours, depending on the specialty. For instance, the AGPCNP track requires 540 hours, while the PMHNP track requires 585 hours, and the FNP, PNP, and AGACNP tracks usually involve 630 hours. The exception is the women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) pathway, which carries a heavier academic and clinical load at 70 credits and 675 clinical hours.

The accelerated RN-to-MSN program includes the entire MSN curriculum plus the following bridge courses: English composition II; statistics; advanced leadership and management; community and public health nursing; and dimensions of advanced nursing practice. Graduates of this program do not earn a BSN. Those interested in earning both a BSN and MSN should check into the RN-to-BSN-to-MSN program.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: For nurses who already hold a master’s degree, the post-master’s NP certificate programs are more streamlined, typically requiring 33 to 39 credits based on the chosen track. Clinical practicum requirements remain consistent with MSN-level expectations, ranging from 540 to 630 hours. For example, post-master’s FNP and AGACNP programs include 585 hours, while PMHNP, AGPCNP, and PNP tracks require 540 hours. The WHNP post-master’s certificate demands the most with 39 credits and 630 clinical hours.

Direct care courses include advanced health assessment; advanced pathophysiology; and advanced pharmacology. Concentration courses follow the MSN pathways as listed above.

Online Experience: Herzing University students begin with an online orientation to familiarize themselves with the online platform. Herzing utilizes Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are mainly delivered asynchronously, with any synchronous sessions scheduled in advance. Resources may include recorded lectures, readings, assignments, assessments, discussion forums, video conferencing, and chat rooms. Student services include admissions counseling and faculty office hours, an online library, an online bookstore, career counseling, online tutoring, and 24/7 technical support.

On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements as the program courses are 100 percent online with practicums completed locally. Students are welcome to visit one of the Herzing University campuses around the country and to participate in graduation.