Samford University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

What to Expect from the Samford University Online Graduate Nursing Programs

Admission Requirements: No GRE or GMAT is required for these programs. Application materials for all programs include a video submission, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume. U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose first language was not English must submit proof of English language proficiency. All programs require unencumbered RN licensure and official transcripts from all previously attended nursing or relevant programs. If accepted, a non-refundable deposit is required to secure admission, applied to the first semester’s tuition.

The following is also required for each program path:

• BSN-to-DNP: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN-accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in nursing courses.
• MSN-to-DNP: Applicants must have a master’s degree from a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN-accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in graduate nursing courses. For ENP applicants, a current national FNP certification is also required. The ENP track is specifically designed for current family nurse practitioners seeking a second specialty.
• ADN/ASN-to-MSN: Applicants must have an associate degree from a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN-accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in nursing courses. Completion of prerequisites such as English composition I; college algebra; anatomy; physiology; microbiology; and developmental psychology is also required.
• BSN-to-MSN: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN-accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in nursing courses.
• Post-Master’s Certificates: Applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or DNP from a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN-accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in graduate nursing courses. For ENP and PMHNP applicants, a current national FNP certification is also required. These tracks are designed for current FNPs seeking a second specialty.

State Restrictions: While Samford University accepts students from most states, applicants outside of Alabama should check with the admissions department to ensure they are eligible for the nursing programs. Samford University cannot offer online programs that include on-ground experiences or field experiences to residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, or Wisconsin.

It is highly recommended that students also contact the licensing board of their specific state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.

Study Plan: Samford’s online NP programs are completed in one to three years depending on the pathway, with most coursework delivered asynchronously online and required on-campus intensives ranging from one to three visits. Clinical experiences may be completed in the student’s community across the United States.

• BSN-to-DNP – FNP: Designed to be completed in three years, this program requires a total of 74 credits and 1,050 clinical hours with two to three required on-campus intensives. The program begins in the month of May.
• MSN-to-DNP – FNP: Designed to be completed in 2.5 to three years, this program requires a total of 56 credits and 750 clinical hours with two to three required on-campus intensives. The program begins in the month of May.
• ADN/ASN-to-MSN – FNP: Designed to be completed in eight semesters, this program requires a total of 53 credits and 750 clinical hours with two to three required on-campus intensives. The program begins in the month of August.
• BSN-to-MSN – FNP: Designed to be completed in six semesters, this program requires a total of 47 credits and 750 clinical hours with two to three required on-campus intensives. The program begins in the month of May.
• Post-Graduate FNP Certificate: Designed to be completed in approximately two years, this program requires a total of 36 credits and 750 clinical hours with two to three required on-campus intensives. The program begins in the month of August. A gap analysis determines any additional required courses.
• MSN-to-DNP – PMHNP (for NPs): Designed to be completed in eight semesters, this program requires a total of 47 credits and 750 clinical hours with one to two required on-campus/telehealth intensives. The program begins in the month of August. A gap analysis may add core/support courses.
• ADN/ASN-to-MSN – PMHNP: Designed to be completed in eight semesters, this program requires a total of 54 credits and 750 clinical hours with one to two required on-campus intensives. The program begins in the month of August.
• BSN-to-MSN – PMHNP: Designed to be completed in six semesters, this program requires a total of 48 credits and 750 clinical hours with one to two required on-campus intensives. The program begins in the month of May.
• Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate: Designed to be completed in five semesters, this program requires a total of 37 credits and 750 clinical hours with one to two required on-campus intensives. The program begins in the month of August. A gap analysis may add core courses.
• MSN-to-DNP – ENP (for FNPs): Designed to be completed in two years, this program requires a total of 42 credits and 540 clinical hours with one required on-campus intensive. The program begins in the month of May. (Not currently accepting applications.)
• Post-Graduate ENP Certificate (for FNPs): Designed to be completed in one year, this program requires a total of 12 credits and 360 clinical hours (180 + 180) with one required on-campus intensive. The program begins in the month of August. (Not currently accepting applications.) An analysis confirms successful completion of an FNP program.

Curriculum: Samford’s NP programs are organized by specialty (FNP, PMHNP, ENP). Within each specialty, some courses are common across all pathways, and each pathway then adds its own specific courses and clinical components.

FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) curriculum: Common FNP courses across pathways include advanced physiology and pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; pharmacotherapeutics for advanced nursing practice; concepts of advanced nursing practice; evidence-based practice; systems-based practice or systems based/population health; CHS graduate IPE course; and family primary care I–III.

• BSN-to-DNP – FNP: In addition to the courses mentioned above, this pathway adds systems-based practice; common diagnostics and procedures; advanced clinical reasoning; care in the community; leadership, organizational, and strategic management theory; essentials of population health; DNP project I–II; business skills and principles for advanced nursing practice; FNP clinical I–III; and NP practicum. The program totals 74 credits and 1,050 clinical hours.
• MSN-to-DNP – FNP: In addition to the common FNP courses, this pathway adds systems-based practice; essentials of population health; DNP project I–II; advanced practice clinical I–II FNP; and NP practicum. The program totals 56 credits and 750 clinical hours.
• ADN/ASN-to-MSN – FNP: In addition to the common FNP courses, this pathway adds personal, professional, and leadership development; systems based/population health; systems-based approach to healthcare; FNP clinical: adult; FNP clinical: across the lifespan; and NP practicum. The program totals 53 credits and 750 clinical hours.
• BSN-to-MSN – FNP: In addition to the common FNP courses, this pathway adds systems based/population health; FNP clinical: adult; FNP clinical: across the lifespan; and NP practicum. The program totals 47 credits and 750 clinical hours.
• Post-Graduate Certificate – FNP: In addition to the common FNP courses, this pathway focuses on advanced FNP clinical courses, including advanced practice clinical I–II FNP and NP practicum. The program totals 36 credits and 750 clinical hours. A gap analysis may add courses such as concepts of advanced nursing practice; evidence-based practice; and systems leadership for advanced nursing practice if these were not completed in the student’s prior master’s program.

PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) curriculum: Common PMHNP courses across pathways include advanced physiology and pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; pharmacotherapeutics for advanced nursing practice; concepts of advanced nursing practice; evidence based practice; systems leadership for advanced nursing practice; CHS graduate IPE course; psychopharmacology for APRN; advanced psychiatric mental health assessment and diagnostics; psychiatric mental health I–III; and psychotherapeutics frameworks and modalities.

• ADN/ASN-to-MSN – PMHNP: In addition to the common PMHNP courses, this pathway adds professional role development foundational to advanced practice nursing; principles of systems-based practice foundational to advanced nursing practice; PMHNP practicum; and advanced practice clinical I–II – PMHNP. The program totals 54 credits and 750 clinical hours.
• BSN-to-MSN – PMHNP: In addition to the common PMHNP courses, this pathway adds PMHNP practicum and advanced practice clinical I–II – PMHNP. The program totals 48 credits and 750 clinical hours.
• MSN-to-DNP – PMHNP (for NPs): In addition to the common PMHNP courses, this pathway adds systems-based practice; essentials of population health; DNP project I–II; PMHNP practicum; and advanced practice clinical I–II – PMHNP. The program totals 47 credits and 750 clinical hours. A gap analysis may add advanced physiology and pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; and pharmacotherapeutics for advanced nursing practice.
• Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP: In addition to the common PMHNP courses, this pathway includes PMHNP practicum and advanced practice clinical I–II – PMHNP. The program totals 37 credits and 750 clinical hours. A gap analysis may add advanced physiology and pathophysiology; advanced health assessment; pharmacotherapeutics for advanced nursing practice; concepts of advanced nursing practice; evidence-based practice; and systems leadership/population health if those courses were not completed previously.

ENP (Emergency Nurse Practitioner – for current FNPs) curriculum: Common ENP courses across pathways include emergency care I–II and emergency care clinical I–II.

• MSN-to-DNP – ENP: In addition to the common ENP courses, this pathway adds concepts of advanced nursing practice; evidence-based practice; systems-based practice; leadership, organizational and strategic management theory; business skills and principles for advanced nursing practice; essentials of population health; DNP project I–II; IPE course; and advanced practice practicum. The program totals 42 credits and 540 clinical hours.
• Post-Graduate Certificate – ENP: This pathway focuses on emergency care I–II and emergency care clinical I–II. The program totals 12 credits. National FNP certification is required to sit for the ENP exam, and an analysis confirms successful completion of an FNP program.

Online Experience: Samford University delivers its online NP programs through Canvas, the university’s learning management system (LMS). Most coursework is completed asynchronously online, with periodic synchronous sessions conducted on Zoom for some programs. The faculty are certified nurse practitioners experienced in both clinical practice and online teaching, and they provide close, personal attention and mentorship in a supportive, faith-based online educational community.

On-Site Requirements: Students must attend on-campus intensives in Birmingham, Alabama. The number of required visits ranges from one to three, depending on the program (for example, one to two for PMHNP pathways and two to three for FNP pathways). Sessions typically range from two to four days. In addition, students complete clinical and practicum hours at approved local sites in their community across the United States.