Indiana Wesleyan University Online NP Programs: FNP, PMHNP

What to Expect from Indiana Wesleyan University Online NP Programs: FNP, PMHNP

Admission Requirements: Indiana Wesleyan University’s online nursing programs maintain rigorous admission standards to ensure students are well-prepared for advanced practice roles. Applicants must submit required materials including, professional references, complete background checks, and official transcripts. Admission to any graduate nursing program is valid for 18 months, and the university reserves the right to require interviews or GRE testing as part of the process.

Program Specific Admission Requirements:

• ASN-to-MSN admission: Applicants must hold an associate degree in nursing from an accredited institution with programmatic nursing accreditation (CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA) and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Those with a GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may be conditionally admitted and required to complete nine credits of baccalaureate-level nursing coursework to establish eligibility. Unencumbered nursing licenses and three professional references are required.
• BSN-to-DNP Admission: Applicants for the BSN-to-DNP program must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution, with a GPA of at least 3.25. Conditional admission may be granted for applicants with a 3.0 GPA, contingent upon successful completion of doctoral-level coursework. Proof of current, unencumbered RN licensure, a resume, and a narrative outlining professional goals are also required. Interviews and letters of recommendation may be requested.
• MSN Admission: Master’s-level applicants must possess a BSN from an accredited program or, alternatively, a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of nursing experience supported by a portfolio review. A minimum graduate or undergraduate GPA of 3.25 is required for regular admission, with conditional options available for GPAs as low as 2.75. Professional references, an unencumbered nursing license, transcripts, and background checks are mandatory. Applicants must have at least 500 hours of recent direct patient care prior to enrollment.
• Post-Graduate Certificate Admission: Applicants must hold a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited institution and meet graduate-level GPA requirements (minimum 3.0). Proof of an unencumbered nursing license, professional references, and relevant clinical experience are required. FNP and PMHNP certificate candidates must demonstrate at least 500 hours of direct patient care within the year prior to admission. Background and drug screening are also part of the admission prerequisites.

For all programs, applicants who do not have English as their primary language must submit satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS scores to demonstrate English proficiency.

State Restrictions: IWU accepts applicants from a variety of backgrounds. The IWU website does not currently indicate that international students are eligible to complete the degree program from within the United States. Because academic program offerings can easily change, international applicants are advised to contact IWU directly to verify potential admission eligibility.

Domestic students living outside Indiana are also welcome to apply. Students completing their degree outside of Indiana must maintain an active nursing license in the state where they complete their practicum requirement. In addition, the requirement that students have an unencumbered nursing license is valid for all students regardless of state of residency.

Study Plan: Indiana Wesleyan University’s NP programs are designed to provide comprehensive, flexible, and rigorous education blending online coursework with practical clinical experience. Graduation requirements and program lengths vary based on the pathway, but all emphasize evidence-based practice, professional development, and clinical mastery within a Christ-centered learning environment.

• ASN-to-MSN programs (FNP and PMHNP): Students complete 19 courses over approximately 41 to 45 months, earning between 66 and 68 credits. Graduation requires completing all undergraduate and MSN requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. A minimum of 700 hours of supervised practicum is mandatory, including at least 645 patient encounters with specified adult, pediatric, and women’s health exposures. RN licenses must remain active and unencumbered throughout the program.
• BSN-to-DNP Programs (FNP and PMHNP): These doctoral programs take approximately 48 months to complete, with 20 to 23 courses totaling 76 credits. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25. Completion of at least 1,000 practicum hours is required, alongside successful defense and submission of a doctoral scholarly project. DNP students attend three on-campus residencies focusing on project orientation, proposal presentation, and final defense. Degree requirements must be fulfilled within 78 months of matriculation. RN licensure must be maintained without encumbrance, and a transcultural healthcare experience is required.
• MSN Programs (FNP and PMHNP): The MSN FNP and PMHNP programs each require completion of 13 to 16 courses over approximately 28 months, with around 49 credits. Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Graduates complete a minimum of 700 practicum hours for FNPs (525 for PMHNP students), including onsite advanced health assessment courses and intensives. Licensure must be active and unencumbered throughout program completion.
• Post-Graduate Certificate Programs (FNP and PMHNP): Post-graduate certificate students complete five to eight courses over 12 to 22 months, earning between 20 and 26 credits. Admission prerequisites include prior graduate courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment. Certificates require completion of supervised practicum hours (700 for FNP, 525 for PMHNP) and, for PMHNP students, an on-site residency. Students maintain active, unencumbered RN licensure and meet clinical and agency requirements, including possible drug testing before practicum.

Curriculum: Indiana Wesleyan University’s online nursing program features personalized learning, a supportive facility, clinical practice courses, 24/7 IT support, and many other supports designed to foster students’ learning and enthusiasm for the nursing profession.

IWU offers specialized nurse practitioner courses across its ASN-to-MSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and post-graduate certificate programs. The curriculum combines advanced clinical practice, foundational nursing knowledge, leadership development, and faith integration to prepare graduates for effective advanced nursing roles. Licensed RN students complete clinical practicums in their communities, while some programs include required onsite intensives or residencies.

• ASN-to-MSN – FNP Courses: This 68-credit program includes courses such as introduction to professional nursing; knowledge of nursing practice and person-centered care; quality, safety, & interprofessional practice; informatics & healthcare technologies; systems-based healthcare; evidence based communication; ethics and health policy; theoretical foundations for advanced nursing practice; utilization of research for evidence based practice; epidemiology & care of populations; introduction to professional development for advanced practice in primary care nursing; professional role development for the advanced practice nurse; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment; primary care across the lifespan I; primary care across the lifespan II; primary care across the lifespan III.
• ASN-to-MSN – PMHNP Courses: Comprising 66 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to baccalaureate nursing; foundations for professional practice; transcultural healthcare; nursing from a christian worldview; leadership and management in nursing; population health: local, national, and global approaches; evidence based communication; ethics and health policy; theoretical foundations for advanced nursing practice; utilization of research for evidence based practice; epidemiology & care of populations; introduction to professional development for advanced practice in primary care nursing; professional role development for the advanced practice nurse; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment; primary care across the lifespan I; primary care across the lifespan II; primary care across the lifespan III.
• BSN-to-DNP – FNP Courses: Made up of 76 credits, the program includes purses such as scholarly writing; science of nursing; advanced healthcare policy; critical inquiry and data management; information management; systems and organizational leadership; evidence-based project planning; scholarly project I; scholarly project II; scholarly project III; healthcare across cultures; epidemiology and population health; professional role development for the advanced practice nurse; advanced pharmacology; advanced pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; foundations for primary care practice; primary care across the lifespan I; primary care across the lifespan II; primary care across the lifespan III.
• BSN-to-DNP – PMHNP Courses: Consisting of 76 credits, this program includes courses such as scholarly writing; science of nursing; advanced healthcare policy; critical inquiry and data management; information management; systems and organizational leadership; scholarly project I; scholarly project II; scholarly project III; evidence-based project planning; healthcare across cultures; epidemiology and population health; professional role development for the advanced practice nurse; advanced pharmacology; advanced pathophysiology; neuro-psychopharmacology; advanced health status assessment for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner; diagnostic reasoning; foundations for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice; psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan I; psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan II; psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan III; interprofessional development for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
• MSN – FNP Courses: This program comprises 49 credits and includes courses such as evidence based communication; theoretical foundations for advanced nursing practice; ethics and health policy; epidemiology & care of populations; utilization of research for evidence based practice; introduction to professional development for advanced practice in primary care nursing; professional role development for the advanced practice nurse; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment; primary care across the lifespan I; primary care across the lifespan II; primary care across the lifespan III.
• MSN – PMHNP Courses: This program consists of 49 credits and involves courses such as evidence based communication; epidemiology & care of populations; utilization of research for evidence based practice; professional role development for the advanced practice nurse; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; neuro-psychopharmacology; advanced health status assessment for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner; diagnostic reasoning; psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan I; psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan II; psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan III; interprofessional development for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
• Post-Graduate Certificate – FNP Courses: Made up of 20 credits, the program includes courses such as professional role development for the advanced practice nurse; foundations for primary care practice; primary care across the lifespan I; primary care across the lifespan II; primary care across the lifespan III.
• Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP Courses: Comprising 26 credits, the program includes courses such as professional role development for the advanced practice nurse; diagnostic reasoning; advanced health status assessment for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner; neuro-psychopharmacology; psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan I; psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan II; psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan III; interprofessional development for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Online Experience: Designed to meet the needs of working nurses, Indiana Wesleyan University’s NP programs are delivered primarily online. Students complete the majority of their coursework online, allowing them to balance studies with work and family commitments. The online learning environment includes readings, lectures, interactive assignments, and virtual discussions. Support resources include 24/7 technical support, faculty mentorship, and academic services dedicated to student success. Students will nonetheless have some on-site requirements, as noted immediately below.

On-Site Requirements: Although IWU’s NP programs are primarily online, there are essential on-site requirements. All students must complete practicum or clinical hours, which are arranged at approved healthcare sites within their own communities. In addition, students attend at least one on-site advanced health assessment course and participate in intensives held on the IWU campus. These in-person experiences provide opportunities for assessment practice, direct engagement with faculty and peers, and supervised skill development.