Post University Online MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs
Post University’s American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers advanced online nursing programs designed to prepare registered nurses for specialized roles in healthcare. The university provides online master of science in nursing (MSN) programs with nurse practitioner specializations in adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPNP), family nurse practitioner (FNP), and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).
Each specialization equips students with the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality patient care in their chosen focus areas. The AGPNP specialization prepares nurses to care for adults of all ages, focusing on the prevention, assessment, and management of acute and chronic health conditions. The FNP specialization trains nurses to deliver comprehensive primary care across the lifespan, including care for maternal and pediatric populations. The PMHNP specialization emphasizes mental health assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and therapeutic interventions across all ages.
These programs are designed for RNs who hold a BSN degree and have at least one year of clinical nursing experience. The flexible online format with monthly start dates allows working nurses to balance their professional commitments while advancing their education. While most coursework is online, students benefit from individualized precepted clinical experiences conducted locally, giving them practical opportunities to apply their learning in real healthcare settings.
Post University is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and its baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Post University is located in Waterbury, Connecticut.
What to Expect from the Post University Online MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to Post University’s MSN NP programs hold a BSN degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. A resume or curriculum vitae documenting professional accomplishments is also required. Additionally, they must submit a completed application along with a driver’s license or state-issued ID. A current, active, and unencumbered United States RN license is required. If the RN license is not from the United States, applicants may submit a validation of licensure report from an accepted agency, such as CGFNS International.
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be provided. At least one year of full-time clinical nursing experience within the last three years is also required. Applicants must reside in and hold an active, unencumbered RN license in a state approved for their specialization and may only participate in clinical activities in approved states.
Applicants must also complete or transfer in the prerequisite 3P courses (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced physical assessment) and pass the corresponding 3P exam with a minimum 3.0 GPA before officially enrolling in the NP specialization courses.
State Restrictions: Nurse Practitioner programs at the American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences have state restrictions based on licensure requirements in individual states. The MSN NP specializations offered by Post University do not satisfy full licensure requirements in certain states. Specifically, students residing in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Guam, Kansas, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington do not meet educational requirements for NP licensure with these programs.
Post University assists students with licensure research, but each state’s rules may include additional conditions like exams, background checks, or work experience. Therefore, students are responsible for ensuring they meet all state requirements for licensure and practice.
Study Plan: Designed to accommodate the needs of working nurses, Post University’s online MSN NP programs offer flexible study plans. Programs can be completed full-time. The typical completion time for all specializations is approximately 28 to 34 months. Courses are offered in eight-week terms, and students take one course at a time. Monthly start dates provide flexibility in enrollment.
Credit requirements vary slightly by specialization. The FNP and AGPCNP programs require between 42 and 45 credits, while the PMHNP program requires 51 to 54 credits. All specializations involve individualized precepted clinical experiences. Students must complete clinical hours each term within the eight-week course timeframe. These programs do not offer part-time or accelerated options, and students are expected to complete the clinical hours and coursework sequentially within the designated timeframe.
MSN Curriculum: The curriculum for Post University’s MSN NP specializations begins with a set of core courses common to all concentrations. These core courses include advanced role development and organizational leadership; policy advocacy and healthcare ethics; research design; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; advanced physical assessment; and diagnostic reasoning.
Each MSN concentration is then followed by specialty-specific courses tailored to prepare graduates for their focused clinical roles.
- FNP Specialty Courses: Advanced practice nursing I; advanced practice nursing I preceptorship experience; advanced practice nursing II: women’s health; advanced practice nursing II preceptorship experience: women’s health; pediatric health; pediatric health preceptorship experience; advanced practice nursing integration; and advanced practice nursing integration preceptorship experience
- AGPCNP Specialty Courses: Advanced practice nursing I; advanced practice nursing I preceptorship experience; advanced practice nursing II: women’s health; advanced practice nursing II preceptorship experience: women’s health; complex concepts of aging; complex concepts of aging preceptorship experience; advanced practice nursing integration; and advanced practice nursing integration preceptorship experience.
- PMHNP Specialty Courses: Advanced practice psychiatric nursing I – psychiatric assessment across the lifespan; psychotropic psychopharmacology; advanced practice psychiatric nursing I preceptorship experience; advanced practice psychiatric nursing II: child and adolescent; advanced practice psychiatric nursing preceptorship II: child and adolescent; advanced practice psychiatric nursing III: adults and older adults; advanced practice psychiatric nursing preceptorship III: adult and older adult; psych specialty for advanced practice; advanced practice psychiatric nursing preceptorship: psych specialty for advanced practice; advanced practice psychiatric nursing integration IV; and advanced practice psychiatric nursing integration IV preceptorship experience.
Online Experience: Designed for busy working nurses seeking advanced education in NP specialties, the online MSN program at Post University is delivered fully online in structured eight-week courses, with students taking one class at a time. The program features flexible monthly start dates, which allow students to begin their studies according to their personal schedules.
Students engage with interactive learning modules, virtual simulations, and various multimedia resources. A dedicated online platform provides access to course materials, assignments, and communication tools. Support is provided by experienced nursing faculty to guide students through their coursework and clinical practice requirements. Though primarily online, the program requires clinical practice hours to be completed in local healthcare settings under the supervision of preceptors.
On-Site Requirements: Post University’s NP programs do not require campus visits or traditional on-site clinicals. Instead, students complete practice experiences at their workplace or approved local healthcare settings. These experiences also include simulations and practical activities designed to help students apply what they learn in real or virtual settings. This flexible approach allows students to gain hands-on skills without having to travel to campus.
Paying for the Post University Online MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs
Post University’s online nurse practitioner program tuition costs are listed in the tables below. Interested students should contact the admissions department for cost clarifications and updates.
Financial aid is available to students who qualify. Options may include federal student aid, private loans, scholarships, or employer tuition assistance. The first step in applying for financial aid is to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are encouraged to contact the university’s Office of Financial Aid for personalized support and guidance.
American Sentinel College offers a number of accredited online nursing programs and healthcare management programs to help registered nurses and other busy healthcare professionals advance their prospects in their fields. We position students for success in class and throughout their careers by offering affordable nursing programs, academic resources and student support, and high-quality education in flexible online formats.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
800 Country Club Road, P.O. Box 2540
Waterbury, Connecticut 06723
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGPCNP
Monthly start dates
Yes
0
45
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, KS, LA, NY, OR, PR, TN, WA
Program Tuition
45
$588.00
$26,460.00
$588.00
$26,460.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Monthly start dates
Yes
0
45
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, KS, LA, NY, OR, PR, TN, WA
Program Tuition
45
$588.00
$26,460.00
$588.00
$26,460.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Monthly start dates
Yes
0
54
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, KS, LA, NY, OR, PR, TN, WA
Program Tuition
54
$588.00
$31,752.00
$588.00
$31,752.00
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.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani is a freelance writer, marketer, and researcher. She writes about technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).