Sacred Heart University Online NP Programs
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The College of Nursing at Sacred Heart University offers an online MSN and post-master’s certificate, each with one of two specializations: family nurse practitioner (FNP) or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). These programs offer 100 percent online coursework, a campus orientation, two in-person competency and evaluation residencies, and practicums at approved facilities local to the student. Post-master’s certificate students should verify campus visit requirements with SHU admissions. An additional track in both specializations is available for RNs who want to complete their BSN and MSN degrees.
Family nurse practitioners serve patients across the lifespan, from infants to adults and older adults. Learning outcomes include critical thinking using evidence-based practice, knowledgeable interpretation of medical information, effective communication with patients, families, communities, and other healthcare workers, healthcare education and patient counseling, and data analysis through health assessments and physical examinations. FNPs may work in primary care clinics, government organizations, urgent care clinics, home healthcare situations, schools, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.
The PMHNP MSN and certificate programs prepare graduates to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other physical, mental, and emotional health disorders. Learning outcomes focus on leading interprofessional teams for care development and evaluation, working toward equitable and sustainable healthcare, and modeling leadership in the areas of advocacy, mentorship, service, and self-care. Work settings may include schools, private clinics, counseling centers, correctional facilities, and rehabilitation facilities.
Sacred Heart University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The online NP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of the FNP programs will be eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification exam to become licensed FNPs. Graduates of the PMHNP programs will be eligible to take the certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center to become board-certified (PMHNP-BC). Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, Connecticut.
| Sacred Heart University Online NP Programs | |
|---|---|
| MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner | Visit Site |
| MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP | Visit Site |
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
What to Expect from the Sacred Heart University Online NP Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Sacred Heart University MSN program must have a BSN from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Post-Master’s Certificate FNP and PMHNP program applicants must hold an MSN from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must also hold an unencumbered RN license in Connecticut or in their state of residence. In addition, applicants must have proof of professional liability insurance and have completed a background check. Application materials include the application, application fee, a statement of professional goals, a résumé, two letters of recommendation, a promise to pay form, disclosure, and official copies of transcripts of all prior nursing and academic coursework. Prerequisites include an undergraduate statistics course, an undergraduate research course, and an undergraduate health assessment course of at least 30 hours. Applicants will participate in an interview with faculty. No GRE or GMAT is required.
State Restrictions: While Sacred Heart University accepts students from most states into their NP programs, applicants outside of Connecticut should check with their state Board of Nursing to ensure they are eligible to study with Sacred Heart University. Sacred Heart University is authorized to operate in the SARA states. Interested nursing students should note that they may need to travel significant distances to complete clinical requirements, including traveling to another state. Note that residents of New York may enroll in the online FNP program but may not complete clinicals in New York, and no clinicals may be completed in New York by students of any state in the online programs. In addition, due to limited clinical site opportunities in Connecticut, residents of Connecticut must be willing to complete clinicals in another state if necessary.
Study Plan: The Sacred Heart University online NP programs are delivered in 16-week sessions, and students should expect to spend 12 to 15 hours per week on each course. The MSN program can be completed in 2.5 years, the online FNP post-master’s certificate in 1.5 years, and the PMHNP certificate in 15 months. For those starting as RNs and pursuing both their BSN and MSN degrees, the program takes 3.5 years—significantly shorter than two separate degree programs.
Start dates land in fall, spring, and summer. MSN students come to campus for a two-day orientation and two other campus visits and have opportunities for global health experiences as well. Students in the certificate programs should verify campus visit requirements with SHU admissions.
MSN – FNP Curriculum: The online MSN – FNP program comprises 42 credits and requires completing at least 550 clinical hours. The online MSN – PMHNP program comprises 42 credits and requires completing at least 540 clinical hours. Core courses include healthcare policy and ethics for contemporary nursing practice; principles of healthcare research for contemporary nursing practice; nursing theory and professional roles for contemporary nursing practice; advanced pathophysiology for the nurse practitioner; advanced pharmacology for the nurse practitioner; advanced health assessment for the nurse practitioner; and family and community context for healthcare.
FNP specialty courses include primary care I: comprehensive primary care of the adult; primary care of children; primary care for women; and primary care ii: advanced primary care of families in complex systems. If students have not completed the following courses, they will be added to the curriculum: health assessment for RNs and statistics for decision-making.
PMHNP specialty courses include role development of the PMHNP; the psychiatric nurse practitioner’s role with children and their families; advanced role development of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in complex systems; and advanced psychopharmacology for the PMHNP.
Post-master’s FNP certificate students take 24 credits and complete 550 clinical hours. Courses include family and community context for healthcare and the FNP specialty courses. Post-master’s PMHNP certificate students take 21 credits and complete 540 clinical hours. Courses are comprised of the PMHNP specialty courses.
Online Experience: Online MSN and certificate courses are asynchronous, allowing maximum flexibility with students’ work, family, and education schedules. However, students must complete assignments and participate in classroom discussions within a given timeframe. Sacred Heart University utilizes Blackboard as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Online learning tools may include lectures, readings, document sharing, discussion boards, and communication takes place through online chat, email, and phone calls. Online students can access 24/7 technical support, academic advising, the online bookstore, online library, and career services.
On-Site Requirements: Sacred Heart MSN students must come to the Fairfield, Connecticut, campus for orientation during their first semester, one residency in the first semester of their second year, and one residency in their final semester for skills testing. All other coursework is completely online, and practicums are completed locally. Post-Master’s Certificate students should verify campus visit requirements with SHU admissions.
Paying for the Sacred Heart University Online NP Programs
Sacred Heart University online nurse practitioner program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below and do not include additional fees. Interested students should contact the College of Nursing through Sacred Heart University for cost clarifications and updates.
Sacred Heart University students may be eligible for federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans, according to the FAFSA. Nursing students are encouraged to inquire with their employers regarding a tuition reimbursement program. In addition, nursing students may also seek outside funding opportunities.
Sacred Heart University offers FNP and PMHNP MSN and Post-Master's Certificate students competency and evaluation campus residencies and the opportunity to study and conduct clinicals abroad through Global Programs.
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
Post-MSN Certificate – Family NP
Post-MSN Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
RN-to-BSN-to-MSN – Family NP
RN-to-BSN-to-MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, Connecticut 06825
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
3
42
550
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, CA, DC, GA, LA, MD, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
42
$955.00
$40,110.00
$955.00
$40,110.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, and Summer
No
3
42
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, CA, DC, GA, LA, MD, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
42
$955.00
$40,110.00
$955.00
$40,110.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, and Summer
No
2
24
550
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, CA, DC, GA, LA
Program Tuition
24
$955.00
$22,920.00
$955.00
$22,920.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, and Summer
No
2
21
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, CA, DC, GA, LA
Program Tuition
21
$955.00
$20,055.00
$955.00
$20,055.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer (6 different start dates)
No
2
153
612
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
AZ, CA, DC, GA, LA, MD, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
153
$511.86
$78,314.58
$511.86
$78,314.58
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer (6 different start dates)
No
2
153
612
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
AZ, CA, DC, GA, LA, MD, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
153
$511.86
$78,314.58
$511.86
$78,314.58
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.