Middle Tennessee State University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, PMHNP

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentrations. As well a PMHNP Post-Master’s Certificate is offered. Coursework is 100% online, and clinical experiences (preceptorships) are completed at approved facilities within Tennessee. Applicants must be residents of Tennessee to participate in the programs. No campus visits are required. Accepted nurses must earn a grade of B or higher in all courses to graduate.

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) work with patients across the lifespan to assess, evaluate, diagnose, and treat acute and chronic illnesses and promote preventive care and healthcare education. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) also work with patients across the lifespan, addressing mental health needs. Program outcomes include the application of nursing information through evidence-based practice, applying learned knowledge to advanced nursing roles, applying research to practice, developing collaborative relationships within the medical community and the community at large, maintaining ethical, legal, and professional standards in health care, and improving patient quality of care.

FNP and PMHNP graduates may work in a variety of settings, including private practice, primary care clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, government facilities, health maintenance organizations, and community centers. PMHNP graduates may also work in counseling centers, correctional facilities, and drug rehabilitation programs. Upon completion of the programs, graduates will be eligible to take the FNP or PMHNP certification exams through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate programs are accredited by both the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, TN. Note that MTSU is no longer participating in the TN eCampus Program beginning in Spring 2021.

What to Expect from the Middle Tennessee State University Online NP Programs

Admission Requirements: MSN applicants must have earned a bachelor of science in nursing degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, as well as an unrestricted RN license in the state of Tennessee. The applicant must have completed undergraduate statistics successfully. Application materials include an application and fee, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, and a copy of the RN license. Students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL test scores.

State Restrictions: MTSU only accepts students from Tennessee into the online FNP and PMHNP programs.

Study Plan: The MSN program with FNP and PMHNP concentrations is offered both part-time and full-time. Start dates land in the Fall and Spring, although courses are offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. The MSN program can be completed in two to three years, depending on part-time or full-time study. The Post-Master’s Certificate program can be completed in three to four semesters. The total course load is dependent on previous graduate coursework. Some applicants may need to complete Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology in addition to the required certificate courses. All coursework is online, and clinicals are completed in Tennessee.

MSN Curriculum: The MSN – FNP and PMHNP programs comprise 42 credits plus at least 630 clinical hours. Courses for both concentrations include Theory and Evidence-Based Practice; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Life Span; Ethics, Healthcare Policy, and Economics; NP Role and Leadership in Health Care; Advanced Health Assessment; Advanced Pathophysiology; and Advanced Pharmacology.

Family Nurse Practitioner concentration students also take Diversity and Caring for Special Populations; Family Healthcare Diagnosis and Management I-II; and Family Healthcare Diagnosis and Management Intensive.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students also take Psychopharmacology; Psychiatric Mental Health Diagnosis and Management I-II; and Psychiatric-Mental Health Diagnosis and Management Practicum.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The MTSU PMHNP certificate program comprises 20 credits plus at least 630 clinical hours. Courses follow the concentration courses listed for the MSN program. The total course load may vary depending on prior graduate course completion. Some certificate students may need to complete Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology in addition to the required certificate courses.

Online Experience: MTSU uses the Desire2Learn (D2L) Learning Management System (LMS). Although no campus visits are required, there may be optional meetings, and exams may be proctored. Upon login to D2L, a system check will tell the student if everything is installed to run the LMS. Courses are delivered asynchronously with videos, audio recordings, images, assignments, projects, discussion boards, and assessments. Online students have access to the MTSU Walker Library, a library help site, online tutoring through Smarthinking, technical support, academic advising, disability services, online counseling, an online writing center, health services, career development services, online bookstore, and student support services.

On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for the online FNP and PMHNP programs. Students complete clinicals in Tennessee, and all coursework is online. Students may visit campus any time and participate in graduation ceremonies on campus.

Paying for Middle Tennessee State University Online NP Programs

Middle Tennessee State University online nurse practitioner programs are designed for Tennessee residents, so students from out-of-state cannot participate in this program. Tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Prospective students should contact the MTSU School of Nursing for cost updates and clarifications.

Middle Tennessee State University offers federal Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS Loans according to the FAFSA. Online MSN students may also check with their employers about eligibility for a tuition reimbursement program. Other options for funding may exist outside MTSU and federal agencies including scholarships and grants through community and other organizations.

Middle Tennessee State University (Regents Online Campus Collaborative)

MTSU offers online MSN and Post-Master's Certificate FNP and PMHNP programs to residents of Tennessee with no campus visits, local practicums, and outcomes that include developing collaborative relationships with patients and peers, practicing with evidence-based practice, and maintaining ethical, legal, and professional nursing standards.

APRN Programs

Nursing MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Nursing MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Campus Address

1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132

Middle Tennessee State University (Regents Online Campus Collaborative) – Nursing MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall, Spring, Summer

100% Online?

Yes

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

42

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

630

Program Accreditation

ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

42

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$618.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$25,956.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

N/A

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

N/A

Middle Tennessee State University (Regents Online Campus Collaborative) – Nursing MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall, Spring

100% Online?

Yes

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

42

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

630

Program Accreditation

ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

42

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$618.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$25,956.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

N/A

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

N/A

Middle Tennessee State University (Regents Online Campus Collaborative) – Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate

Specialization

PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall, Spring

100% Online?

Yes

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

20

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

630

Program Accreditation

ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

20

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$618.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$12,360.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

N/A

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

N/A

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

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara 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.