Rockhurst University Online Nursing Programs

What to Expect from Rockhurst University Online Nursing Programs

Admission Requirements: Rockhurst University’s online nursing programs, including the MSN tracks for AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP, their respective post-master’s certificates, and the dual MSN tracks, require applicants to meet specific academic and licensure criteria for advanced practice roles.

Applicants must hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution for entry into the MSN programs or a master of science in nursing (MSN) or higher degree with a nurse practitioner focus for post-master’s certificate applicants. All applicants must possess an active RN license valid in their state of residence, with eligibility limited to residents of specific states approved under the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

Additional admission requirements include a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, submission of two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Certain specialty programs may require additional coursework or certifications based on prior experience. Candidates must also provide proof of immigration status for clinical placement purposes. Clinical placement services and preceptor matching are offered at no additional cost to students.

State Restrictions: Rockhurst University’s online nursing programs, including MSN tracks, dual MSN degrees, and post-master’s certificate options, are only open to residents of specific states due to state authorization requirements and clinical placement regulations. Eligible applicants must reside in one of the following approved states: Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia.

This state eligibility applies across all online MSN, dual MSN, and post-master’s certificate programs offered by Rockhurst University in partnership with the Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Although Rockhurst University participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), all nursing students must comply with specific state approvals for clinical placements and licensure requirements.

Prospective students residing outside these approved states are not eligible for admission. Additionally, all students must provide proof of immigration status as required for clinical placement.

Study Plan: Rockhurst University’s online nursing programs are designed to offer flexibility for advanced nursing roles, allowing students to select full-time or part-time progression according to their personal and professional commitments.

The MSN AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP programs each require 49 credits and 750 clinical hours, and can be completed in six semesters full-time or eight semesters part-time. Dual MSN tracks combine two specialties within a single degree. The FNP-AGACNP dual track requires 62 credits and 1,250 clinical hours over eight semesters full-time and ten semesters part-time. The FNP-PMHNP dual track requires 66 credits and 1,250 clinical hours over eight semesters full-time or 11 semesters part-time.

The AGACNP and FNP post-master’s certificate programs require 20 credits and 750 clinical hours, typically completed in 4 semesters. The PMHNP post-master’s certificate requires at least 22 credits, depending on transfer evaluation, and also takes about 4 semesters.

All MSN programs, dual MSN tracks, and post-master’s certificates require one on-campus immersion and at least one virtual immersion experience, with only the dual track FNP-PMHNP program requiring two virtual immersions. Coursework is delivered 100 percent online, aside from brief required immersions in Kansas City, Missouri. Students are provided with comprehensive clinical placement services, including preceptor matching and site identification.

• MSN – AGACNP Curriculum: The online MSN – AGACNP program requires the completion of 49 credits plus 750 clinical hours. Courses include professional roles, quality and safety for advanced nursing practice; theoretical foundations in nursing practice; policy, organization, and leadership; advanced acute care immersion I; advanced acute care topics; health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention; informatics for advanced nursing practice; advanced health care research; advanced pathophysiology and disease states; advanced pharmacology; adult-gerontology acute care I diagnostics and intervention; adult-gerontology acute care I diagnostics and intervention practicum; advanced health assessment and physical diagnosis; advanced acute care immersion II; adult-gerontology acute care II diagnostics and intervention; adult-gerontology acute care II diagnostics and intervention practicum; applied statistics for AGNP; adult acute care III diagnostics and intervention; and adult acute care III diagnostics and intervention practicum.
• MSN – FNP Curriculum: The online MSN – FNP program comprises 49 credits plus 750 clinical hours. Courses include professional roles, quality and safety for advanced nursing practice; theoretical foundations in nursing practice; policy, organization, and leadership; health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention; FNP immersion; informatics for advanced nursing practice; advanced health care research; mental health for family nurse practitioners; advanced pathophysiology and disease states; FNP I: diagnostics and intervention; FNP I: diagnostics and intervention practicum; advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment and physical diagnosis; FNP immersion II; applied statistics for FNP; women’s and children’s health for FNP; FNP II: diagnostic and intervention practicum; and FNP III: practicum.
• MSN – PMHNP Curriculum: The online MSN – PMHNP program comprises 49 credits plus 750 clinical hours. Courses include professional roles, quality and safety for advanced nursing practice; applied statistics for advanced nursing practice; advanced pathophysiology and disease states; advanced pharmacology; policy, organizations and leadership; theoretical foundations in nursing practice; foundations of PMHNP practice; psychiatric mental health and interviewing skills immersion; health promotion, health protection, disease prevention; advanced health assessment and physical diagnosis; psychopharmacology for advanced practice in psychiatric nursing; advanced health care research; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum I; psychiatric assessment & psychopathology across the lifespan; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum II; advanced interventions, psychotherapy, and management for PMHNP; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum III; and psychiatric mental health immersion II.
• MSN Dual Track – FNP/AGACNP Curriculum: The online MSN dual track – FNP/AGACNP program comprises 62 credits plus 1,250 clinical hours. The core courses listed in the MSN-FNP curriculum section are completed by dual-track students, and several courses from the specialty courses listed for the FNP and AGACNP curricula.
• MSN Dual Track – FNP/PMHNP Curriculum: The online MSN dual track – FNP/PMHNP program comprises 66 credits plus 1,250 clinical hours. The core courses listed in the MSN-FNP curriculum section are completed by dual-track students, and several courses from the specialty courses listed for the FNP and PMHNP curricula.

Post-graduate Certificate Curricula: FNP and AGACNP programs require the completion of 20 credits. The PMHNP program requires 22 credits. All three certificate programs require completion of 750 clinical hours.

• AGACNP Certificate  Curriculum: The curriculum features these courses: advanced acute care immersion I; advanced acute care topics; adult-gerontology acute care I diagnostics and intervention; adult-gerontology acute care I diagnostics and intervention practicum; advanced acute care immersion II; adult-gerontology acute care II diagnostics and intervention; adult-gerontology acute care II diagnostics and intervention practicum; adult acute care III diagnostics and intervention; and adult acute care III diagnostics and intervention practicum.
• FNP Certificate Curriculum: The curriculum features these courses: FNP immersion I; mental health for family nurse practitioners; FNP I: diagnostics and intervention; FNP I: diagnostics and intervention practicum; FNP immersion II; women’s and children’s health for FNP; FNP II: diagnostic and intervention practicum; and FNP III: practicum.
• PMHNP Certificate Curriculum: The curriculum features these courses: foundations of PMHNP practice; psychiatric mental health and interviewing skills immersion; psychopharmacology for advanced practice in psychiatric nursing; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum I; psychiatric assessment & psychopathology across the lifespan; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum II; advanced interventions, psychotherapy, and management for PMHNPs; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum III; and psychiatric mental health immersion II.

Online Experience: Rockhurst University’s online nursing programs deliver an engaging educational journey, designed for the unique needs of working registered nurses seeking advanced practice roles. Coursework is conducted 100 percent online, with the exception of required campus and virtual immersion experiences, providing students the flexibility to balance studies with professional and family responsibilities.

Students access their classes, assignments, and interactive resources remotely at their convenience on a full-time or part-time basis. Students benefit from the highly respected faculty and support of the Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Each student at Rockhurst works with a dedicated placement coordinator on site matching, preceptor identification, and compliance with all practicum requirements. Immersive learning is further enhanced through required campus visits in Kansas City, Missouri, and virtual immersions. These experiences provide students with hands-on skills training in state-of-the-art simulation labs, high- and low-fidelity simulations, and competency assessment via objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs).

On-Site Requirements: Rockhurst University’s online nursing programs require all students to participate in brief on-site learning experiences. These on-site requirements ensure the development of hands-on clinical skills, competency through simulation, and preparation for advanced nursing practice in accordance with national standards.

All MSN, dual MSN, and post-master’s certificate tracks include at least one campus immersion at Rockhurst’s Kansas City, Missouri campus. During immersions, students complete intensive hands-on skills training, participate in high- and low-fidelity clinical simulation, and demonstrate their mastery through objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs).

In addition to the on-campus immersion, each program features one or two virtual immersion experiences, depending on the specialty track. Dual MSN programs may require more than one virtual immersion.

After completing the campus immersion, students return to their local communities to finish clinical hour requirements at approved healthcare sites, under the supervision of an assigned preceptor and Rockhurst clinical faculty.