University of St. Francis Leach College of Nursing Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (for RNs with non-nursing bachelor's)
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (for RNs with non-nursing bachelor's)
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
The University of St. Francis (USF) Leach College of Nursing offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for RNs with a BSN as well as those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The university also offers Post-Master’s Certificates. Both MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate programs allow students to select between Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specializations. Students in the PMHNP specialization may be required to come to the Joliet, Illinois campus four times during their programs.
USF Leach College of Nursing seeks to prepare nurses who integrate Franciscan values into their life service including integrity, respect, service, and compassion. Program goals include a focus on evidence-based nursing practice, culturally-sensitive nursing care, health promotion and prevention, equitable and ethical nursing care, personal accountability, the proper use of technology and communication systems, and professional leadership and communication.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are trained to promote health, maintain good health, and restore the health of populations across the lifespan. This can include disease management, developing health care plans, addressing chronic and acute illnesses, conducting wellness visits, and distributing healthcare education. Graduates of the USF MSN and certificate programs are eligible to take the FNP certification exam through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Family nurse practitioners may work in primary care, schools, hospitals, government institutions, long-term care facilities, home health care situations, and research facilities.
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) also serve patients across the lifespan, however, their focus is on mental health issues. PMHNPs work with individuals, families, and groups. Upon graduation, MSN and certificate students will be eligible to take the Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification exam through the ANCC. PMHNP graduates may go on to positions in psychiatric hospitals and clinics, schools, counseling centers, drug and alcohol treatment centers, and correctional facilities.
The University of St. Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located in Jolliet, IL. The MSN and certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Nursing applicants must be currently employed and have an unencumbered RN license in their state of residence. The MSN and certificate programs are open to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.
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What to Expect from St. Francis Leach College of Nursing Online FNP and PMHNP Programs
Admission Requirements: MSN applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or be an RN with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. Post-Master’s Certificate applicants must hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Application materials include a graduate application, official transcripts, proof of unencumbered RN licensure in approved states of study, two letters of recommendation, an essay, and a current resume or CV with verification of current employment. Applications may be made through the Nursing Centralized Application System (CAS) or through the USF website.
State Restrictions: The MSN and certificate programs are available to residents of Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Interested students should contact the Leach College of Nursing to verify enrollment eligibility and requirements.
Study Plan: USF graduate online nursing programs begin in the Fall only and include four campus visits throughout the programs. The MSN degrees are offered both part-time and full-time and can be completed in two years or less by taking two to three courses per semester including summers. Certificate students may complete the programs in about two years on a part-time basis.
MSN Core Curriculum: Prerequisites include Introduction to Statistics, Physical Assessment, and Nursing Research.
Core courses for the MSN programs include Advanced Practice Nursing: Roles and Issues; Population Health; Evidence-Based Healthcare; Biostatistics and Nursing Research; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Health Assessment; and Advanced Pathophysiology.
The MSN – FNP and PMHNP programs comprise 47 credits plus clinical hours. FNP specialty courses include Family Nurse Practitioner Theoretical Principles and Clinical Management I-III, and Clinical Residency. PMHNP specialty courses include Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Management I-III.
MSN students have the option of adding three education courses to their degree curriculum: Teaching in Nursing; Nursing Education Methods and Measurement; and Nursing Education Practicum.
An RN to MSN program is also available for nurses with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The FNP and PMHNP programs comprise 77 credits plus the required clinical hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate FNP/PMHNP Curriculum: The FNP certificate comprises 29 credits plus clinical hours while the PMHNP certificate includes 28 credits. Courses for both specializations include Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Health Assessment; and Advanced Pharmacology. Specialty courses follow the FNP and PMHNP courses listed for the MSN.
Online Experience: USF online courses include links to all necessary information and online materials including a syllabus, assignments, assessments, course videos and content, online chat, discussion boards, and a calendar. Books are additional and can usually be purchased or rented in an online format. Students and faculty interact mainly through discussion forums, email, and chat, including group and individual communication. Courses are asynchronous and students have access to 24/7 technical support as well as traditional higher learning student services.
On-Site Requirements: The FNP programs are fully online with no campus visits and clinical local to the student in approved states. PMHNP students may be required to come to the Jolliet, Illinois campus four times throughout their programs. All other coursework can be completed online and clinical preceptorships are completed at an approved location near the student in approved states.
Paying for St. Francis Leach College of Nursing Online FNP and PMHNP Programs
The online MSN and certificate programs cost $775 per credit plus fees. Interested students should contact the Leach College of Nursing through the University of St. Francis for current tuition and fees.
St. Francis Leach College of Nursing graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal student loans by applying through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Other options for funding may include employer tuition reimbursement programs or tuition discounts, organizational and community scholarships and grants, and other outside graduate funding.
Delivered with Franciscan values of integrity, respect, service, and compassion, the FNP and PMHNP graduate nursing programs include four campus visits and are offered to students in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (for RNs with non-nursing bachelor's)
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (for RNs with non-nursing bachelor's)
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
500 Wilcox Street
Joliet, Illinois 60435
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
0
47
Not specified
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
47
$799.00
$37,553.00
$799.00
$37,553.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
0
77
Not specified
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
Bachelor's (Non-Nursing) – Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
77
$799.00
$61,523.00
$799.00
$61,523.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
4
77
Not specified
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
Bachelor's (Non-Nursing) – Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
77
$799.00
$61,523.00
$799.00
$61,523.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
4
47
Not specified
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
47
$799.00
$37,553.00
$799.00
$37,553.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
0
29
Not specified
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
29
$799.00
$23,171.00
$799.00
$23,171.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
4
28
Not specified
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
Program Tuition
28
$799.00
$22,372.00
$799.00
$22,372.00
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.
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.