Ohio University Online Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner (MSN-NP) Programs

The Ohio University School of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing with three nurse practitioner specializations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Coursework is 100% online with two to four campus visits depending on which specialty is chosen and students complete practicums at approved facilities local to the student.

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) MSN prepares graduates to improve the quality of patient care in acute and complex care settings through advanced clinical diagnostic skills and evidence-based decision-making skills. Courses are both theoretical and practice-based and provide graduates with opportunities to plan and evaluate patient care, practice AGACNP skills, and apply knowledge to specific cases. Included in this program are four on-campus intensives. Students in this track will be prepared to take the AGACNP certification exam.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) MSN program is both knowledge- and practice-based, giving students opportunities to learn and apply nursing skills in actual clinical situations. Focusing on evidence-based practice and quality of patient care, FNP graduates learn how to care for patients across the lifespan. One course focuses specifically on the health and well-being of children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age, while another focuses on the care of adults and older adults. FNPs focus on preventive medicine, physical assessment, yearly exams, and healthcare patient education, as well as diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses. Graduates will be eligible to take the FNP certification exam.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) MSN prepares graduates to diagnose and treat the mental health of patients across the lifespan. Learned skills include advanced therapeutic modalities including individual, group, and family psychotherapy, mental health assessment, and diagnostic reasoning. PMHNP students are also trained in advanced psychopharmacology and pathophysiology. Courses cover assessment and management of mental health disorders, neurobiology and theory in psychiatric mental health, and psychotherapeutic treatment. Graduates will be eligible to take the PMHNP certification exam.

Nurse practitioners work in various care settings depending on their specialization including hospitals, acute and complex care units, private clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health situations.

Ohio University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The online MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Ohio University is located in Athens, Ohio.

What to Expect from the Ohio University Online MSN – AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Ohio University online MSN program must have a BSN from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. In addition, prospective students must hold a current, unrestricted RN license and have earned a grade of C or better in the following courses: chemistry, statistics, anatomy and physiology I-II, research, and microbiology. Prospective students must present proof of the equivalent of two years of full-time nursing experience within the past five years. Application materials include official transcripts, a resume or CV, three letters of recommendation, specified health status requirements, background checks, statement of professional goals, and an application fee. International students must reside in one of the states listed in the State Restrictions section below and must have appropriate English language test scores. Students will also participate in an online admission interview with faculty. No GRE or GMAT is required.

State Restrictions: In order to attend the MSN program through Ohio University students must be a resident of Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. In addition, students should check with their state of residence for licensing requirements.

Study Plan: The Ohio University online MSN nurse practitioner specializations can be completed in six semesters by taking two courses per term. Students complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours through practicums. Students can take up to two courses each semester and semesters run 14 weeks. The AGACNP program begins in the Fall only, the FNP in the Fall, Spring, and Summer, and the PMHNP program begins in the Summer only.

MSN Core Curriculum: Core courses for the online MSN include Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology; Analyzing EBP for the APN; Health Appraisal for NPs; Assessment and Intervention for Families; and Theoretical Basis of Practice.

AGACNP Curriculum: The AGACNP specialty comprises 38 credits plus 500 clinical hours. Specialization courses include AGACNP Management of Common Adult Health Problems I-II; Applied Clinical Pharmacology for the AGACNP; Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures for Clinical Decision-Making; and AGACNP in Practice. This specialty also includes the 2-credit Capstone Experience for Nurse Practitioners.

FNP Curriculum: The FNP specialization comprises 37 credits plus 500 clinical hours. Specialization courses include Advanced Maternal and Child Care; Primary Care of Adults and Older Adults; Family Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care Practice; and Capstone Experience for Nurse Practitioners.

PMHNP Curriculum: The PMHNP specialization comprises 38 credits plus 500 clinical hours. Specialization courses include Neurobiological and Theoretical Basis for Psychiatric Mental Health in Advanced Nursing Practice; Assessment and Management of Mental Health Disorders for Advanced Nursing Practice I-II; Psychotherapeutic Treatment Modalities for advanced Nursing Practice; PHM Practicum for APN I-III; and Capstone Experience for Nurse Practitioners.

Online Experience: Ohio University utilizes Blackboard as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are asynchronous while remaining interactive and collaborative. Blackboard offers collaborative tools such as discussion boards and video collaboration tools. The Ohio eCampus offers students free online tutoring and writing services, academic advising, learning support, library services, 24/7 tech support, services through the Career and Leadership Development Center (CLDC), counseling and psychological services, and a student Success Center.

On-Site Requirements: Ohio AGACNP students are required to come to the Athens, Ohio, campus four times for intensives. These include orientation, pre-clinical, mid-clinical, and final clinical intensives. FNP students come to campus three times, once for orientation, once for a clinical on-campus intensive, and once for a final clinical on-campus intensive related to assessment, clinical management, and preparation for the FNP certification exam. PMHNP students come to campus twice. The first intensive helps prepare PMHNP students for success in the program, and the other focuses on health appraisals and incorporates a capstone experience.

Paying for the Ohio University Online MSN – AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP Programs

Ohio University has varying tuition for residents and non-residents, as well as varied cost-per-credit depending on specialization. Ohio residents pay $668/credit for AGACNP and FNP specializations and $574/credit for the PMHNP program. Non-residents pay $19 more per credit respectively. Future students should contact the admissions department at Ohio University for up-to-date tuition information as costs typically change from year to year.

Ohio University offers unsubsidized federal graduate loans administered according to the FAFSA. Nursing students may check with their employers to see if they qualify for a tuition reimbursement program. Ohio University students may also seek outside opportunities to fund their MSN degree including scholarships and grants.

Ohio University

Offered to students in 28 states with affordable tuition rates and AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP specializations, the Ohio University online MSN focuses on the unique challenges of nurse practitioners with a comprehensive curriculum and in-depth learning through online coursework, three to four immersions, and clinicals local to the student.

APRN Programs

MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Campus Address

Ohio University in Athens
Athens, Ohio 45701

Ohio University – MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

4

Credits Needed to Graduate

38

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

500

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

Yes (if GPA <3.2)

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AZ, CO, DE, DC, GA, ID, IA, KS, LA, MD, MN, NE, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

38

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$668.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$30,728.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$687.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$31,602.00

Ohio University – MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Fall, Spring

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

3

Credits Needed to Graduate

37

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

500

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

Yes (if GPA <3.2)

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AZ, CO, DE, DC, GA, ID, IA, KS, LA, MD, MN, NE, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

37

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$668.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$24,716.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$687.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$25,419.00

Ohio University – MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Summer

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

3

Credits Needed to Graduate

38

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

500

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

Yes (if GPA <3.2)

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AZ, CO, DE, DC, GA, ID, IA, KS, LA, MD, MN, NE, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

38

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$574.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$21,812.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$593.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$22,534.00

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.