Loyola University New Orleans Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
What to Expect from the Loyola University New Orleans Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Admission Requirements: The BSN-to-DNP programs at Loyola University New Orleans share a common set of requirements. Applicants must submit a completed application, official transcripts from each degree-granting college or university attended, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing. They must also provide copies of a current, unencumbered RN license, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, complete a minimum of one year of full-time work experience, submit letters of recommendation, and include a personal statement or essay. The AGACNP track adds requirements for recent critical care RN experience, BLS, ACLS, CCRN certification, at least two recommendation letters from critical care leaders, and an interview for selected applicants.
The MSN programs also share common requirements. Applicants must submit a completed application, official transcripts, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing, and a current, unencumbered RN license. They must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, complete a three-credit undergraduate statistics course with a grade of B- or better (for the FNP track), complete a minimum of one year of full-time work experience, submit letters of recommendation, and include a personal statement or essay. For the RN-to-MSN bridge or BLEND option, candidates must be working RNs and complete additional qualifying coursework throughout their studies.
Applicants to the post-master’s certificate programs must submit a completed application, official transcripts, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from an accredited school of nursing, a current, unencumbered RN license, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must also complete a minimum of one year of full-time work experience, submit letters of recommendation, and provide advanced practice licensure and APRN certification if applicable. Specific programs require students to obtain and maintain a Louisiana registered nursing license or a multistate nursing license while enrolled, and some tracks also require a personal statement.
State Restrictions: Loyola University New Orleans’ nursing programs require students to hold current, unencumbered RN licensure, and for some programs, advanced practice licensure and APRN certification if applicable, in the state where clinical practicums will occur. The university also states that specific programs require students to obtain and maintain a Louisiana registered nursing license or a multistate nursing license while enrolled. For the MSN-FNP program, practicum requirements must be completed in a state where the student holds a valid nursing license.
To be sure of eligibility, applicants should check with the College of Nursing and Health’s School of Nursing. In addition, applicants outside Louisiana 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.
Study Plan: Loyola University New Orleans offers several advanced nursing pathways with different timelines, formats, and clinical requirements. The BSN-to-DNP FNP program includes 63 credits and can be completed in 36 months. Its curriculum includes 800 practicum hours in family primary care management and 540 practicum hours in the three DNP scholarly project courses, for a total of 1,340 practicum hours. Applications are accepted year-round for fall, spring, and summer enrollment.
The BSN-to-DNP AGACNP program includes 48 credits. Its curriculum includes a minimum of 250 practicum hours in each of three AGAC practicum courses and 180 practicum hours in each of three DNP scholarly project courses, for a minimum total of 1,290 practicum hours. Applications are accepted year-round for fall, spring, and summer enrollment. The program is described as hybrid, with core DNP coursework delivered entirely online and AGACNP specialization beginning in the third semester with on-campus intensives and clinical experiences.
The MSN-FNP program includes 48 credits and 800 hours of supervised practicum experience. It is offered in a 100 percent online, asynchronous format. Applications are accepted year-round for fall, spring, and summer enrollment.
The MSN-PMHNP program can be completed in seven semesters with continuous year-round enrollment. It includes 49 credits and 750 supervised clinical hours in direct patient care. The program uses a hybrid format that combines online asynchronous and synchronous teaching methods with annual on-campus intensives and clinical practicums.
The post-master’s FNP certificate can be completed with as few as 24 to 33 credits depending on the applicant’s previous academic experience. Students must complete a minimum of 800 supervised hours in direct patient care, and a minimum of 24 credits must be completed at Loyola. Applications are accepted year-round for fall and spring enrollment. The program uses an individual gap analysis to create a customized plan of study.
The post-master’s AGACNP certificate includes 18 credits, with a minimum of nine credits completed at Loyola after a gap analysis. The program requires a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours completed with qualified preceptors in the student’s local area. Applications are accepted year-round for fall, spring, and summer enrollment. The coursework is online and asynchronous.
The post-master’s PMHNP certificate can be completed with as few as 28 credits, and the full listed curriculum is 28 to 37 credits depending on previous coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 750 supervised hours in direct patient care, and students must complete a minimum of 28 credits at Loyola. The program uses hybrid delivery and requires students to come to campus once per semester for in-person clinical intensive skills education.
BSN-to-DNP Curriculum: Loyola University New Orleans’ BSN-to-DNP programs share a common set of core courses. These core courses are advanced pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; advanced pharmacotherapeutics; scientific inquiry and translational research; leadership and evolving health systems; health policy, economics, and social justice; population health, epidemiology and statistical methods; quality care and health outcomes; transition to advanced role; research for evidence-based practice; and the three-part DNP scholarly project sequence.
The BSN-to-DNP FNP track adds family primary care management I-IV theory; and family primary care management I-IV practicum. The DNP scholarly project courses in this track include 180 practicum hours each in planning and proposal, implementation, and evaluation and dissemination.
MSN Curriculum: The MSN programs also share a common set of core courses. These core courses are social justice and health; advanced pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; advanced pharmacotherapeutics; informatics, economics, and health policy; leadership and transition to advanced role; population health and epidemiology; and research for evidence-based practice.
The MSN-FNP concentration includes family primary care management I-IV theory; and family primary care management I-IV practicum.
The MSN-PMHNP concentration includes mental health management I-IV practicum; advanced psychiatric assessment; advanced psychiatric assessment practicum; mental health foundations and theory; mental health lifespan: disorders and diagnosis; mental health lifespan: special populations; mental health lifespan: advanced practice; psychopharmacology I: general neurobiology and pharmacology; and psychopharmacology II: clinical practice guidelines and treatment approaches.
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The post-master’s FNP certificate includes advanced pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; advanced pharmacotherapeutics; family primary care management I-IV theory; and family primary care management I-IV practicum.
The post-master’s PMHNP certificate advanced pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; advanced pharmacotherapeutics; leadership and transition to advanced role; mental health management I-IV practicum; advanced psychiatric assessment; advanced psychiatric assessment practicum; mental health foundations and theory; mental health lifespan-disorders and diagnosis; mental health lifespan-special populations; mental health lifespan advanced practice; psychopharmacology I: general neurobiology and pharmacology; and psychopharmacology II: clinical practice guidelines and treatment approaches.
Online Experience: Loyola University New Orleans utilizes Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS). It offers both online and hybrid nursing pathways. The BSN-to-DNP FNP, MSN-FNP, post-master’s FNP certificate, and post-master’s AGACNP certificate are described as online or online asynchronous programs, while the BSN-to-DNP AGACNP, MSN-PMHNP, and post-master’s PMHNP certificate use a hybrid format. These formats are designed to give students flexibility while they complete advanced nursing study and supervised practicum work.
On-Site Requirements: Some Loyola programs include required in-person elements in addition to online coursework. The BSN-to-DNP AGACNP includes on-campus intensives, the MSN-PMHNP includes annual on-campus intensives, and the post-master’s PMHNP certificate requires students to come to campus once per semester for in-person clinical intensive skills education. Clinical practicums are also completed in person in approved practice settings, even for programs with online coursework.
Paying for the Loyola University New Orleans Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Loyola University New Orleans charges a bit more for online graduate nursing courses than it does for undergrad. Total estimated program tuition for each Loyola online NP program is listed in the table below. Interested students should contact the Loyola University New Orleans College of Nursing and Health for cost clarifications and updates.
Graduate nursing students may be eligible for federal Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS Loans according to the FAFSA. Those employed may want to explore tuition reimbursement through their employers. There may also be outside funding opportunities, such as private and community scholarships and grants.
The Loyola University MSN, DNP, and NP certificate programs have varying entry points, 3-4 campus visits, and local clinicals, with a curriculum undergirded by Jesuit values of service to humanity, preparing nurses who serve their patients in a holistic, mind-body-spirit manner.
BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – BLEND Option (RN to MSN bridge)
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
6363 St. Charles Ave
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
4
63
1,340
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MA, NH, NJ, NY, WA, WY
Program Tuition
63
$885.00
$55,755.00
$885.00
$55,755.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
3
48
800
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MA, NH, NJ, NY, WA, WY
Program Tuition
48
$885.00
$42,480.00
$885.00
$42,480.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
3
54
800
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
Bachelor's (Non-Nursing) – Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
KY, MA, NH, NJ, NY, WA, WY
Program Tuition
54
$838.67
$45,288.18
$838.67
$45,288.18
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
33
800
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
None
Program Tuition
33
$885.00
$29,205.00
$885.00
$29,205.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
3
49
860
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
None
Program Tuition
49
$885.00
$43,365.00
$885.00
$43,365.00
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.