Tennessee Tech University Online Nursing Programs

What to Expect from Tennessee Tech University Online Nursing Programs

Admission Requirements: Admission to Tennessee Tech University’s online graduate nursing programs requires candidates to hold an unencumbered RN license in Tennessee or the state where clinical assignments will be completed. Applicants for provisional admission may be considered on a case-by-case basis if they hold an overall undergraduate GPA between 2.75 and 2.99. For applicants whose native language is not English, TOEFL or IELTS test scores will be required. In addition, candidates must submit a resume detailing prior professional experience, a personal statement outlining career goals and reasons for graduate study, and three professional references.

Direct admission is granted to Tennessee Tech University’s BSN graduates with a GPA of 3.2 or higher, with verification of a current and unencumbered RN license in their clinical state. Only residents of NC-SARA-approved states may apply for online courses offered by the School of Nursing.

• Program Specific Admission Requirements
• MSN: Prospective MSN applicants must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities and possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. All applicants must have completed, or plan to complete, an undergraduate-level statistics course prior to enrollment.
• RN-to-MSN Bridge Program: For the RN-to-MSN bridge program, applicants require an associate degree in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in any field, an unencumbered RN license, and completion or planned completion of a statistics course. Provisional consideration for applicants with GPAs below 3.0 is possible.
• Post-Master’s Certificate: Post-master’s certificate program applicants must have a master of science in nursing from a regionally accredited and accredited nursing program, current RN licensure, and current APRN certification. Additional requirements include a minimum 3.0 GPA, a grade of “B” or higher in the “three P’s” (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment), all of which must be independent courses covering the lifespan. Applicants must also supply a resume or CV with three professional references.

State Restrictions: Tennessee Tech University’s online nursing programs are available only to residents of states that participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). Applicants who reside outside Tennessee must verify that their state is NC-SARA-approved and eligible for online coursework before submitting an application. Students are required to hold an active, unencumbered RN license in Tennessee or in the state where their clinical assignments will be completed, and must be eligible for clinical placement in their state of residence.

Study Plan: Designed for flexibility and accessibility, Tennessee Tech University’s online graduate nursing programs allow students to balance professional obligations with academic advancement. The MSN tracks in FNP and PMHNP concentrations require 45 to 46 credits and can typically be completed in seven to eight semesters, with students commonly taking two courses per semester. The RN-to-MSN bridge program includes foundational nursing coursework followed by advanced practice content, and most students progress through the 50-credit curriculum in 2.5 to three years.

Each MSN program includes core, advanced practice, and concentration-specific courses, culminating in immersive clinical experiences and, for the FNP track, two mandatory on-campus residencies. Students are required to complete clinical practicums at approved sites near their location.

The post-master’s certificate programs in adult-geriatric acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, and women’s health nurse practitioner are structured as 22 to 23-credit programs, with required clinical hours ranging from 500 to 750, depending on the specialization. All didactic coursework is completed online, and clinical requirements are arranged with preceptors local to the student.

Curriculum: The online graduate nursing programs at Tennessee Tech University feature a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare graduates for advanced clinical roles and NP certification. All coursework is delivered online, with clinical hours coordinated in approved settings local to the student. Programs include required core courses, specialty concentration courses, clinical practicums, and, for some tracks, on-campus residency experiences.

• MSN FNP Curriculum: The MSN FNP program requires 45 to 46 credits and 750 clinical hours. The sequence includes core courses such as theoretical foundations; advanced health assessment; advanced health assessment lab; advanced role development; advanced pharmacology; health care policy; advanced pathophysiology; and advanced nursing research. FNP concentration courses include FNP adult health primary care I and II (with corresponding practicum courses); primary care peds & women’s health; primary care of the family: practicum; role transition to certification and practice; and the final FNP preceptorship. Two required on-campus residency experiences are also required.
• MSN PMHNP Curriculum: The MSN PMHNP track consists of 45 credits and 560 clinical hours. The curriculum integrates foundational core courses such as theoretical foundations; advanced health assessment; advanced health assessment lab; advanced role development; advanced pharmacology; health care policy; advanced pathophysiology; and advanced research. Specialized psychiatric content includes advanced family psychiatric nursing I–III (each paired with practicum courses); a final advanced family psychiatric nursing preceptorship, and a role transition course for certification and practice.
• RN-to-MSN Bridge Curriculum: The RN-to-MSN bridge program is a 50-credit curriculum for RNs with an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in another discipline. The bridge includes prerequisite and foundational courses such as health care of communities; theoretical foundations; and advanced nursing research, followed by MSN core and NP specialization courses that mirror those of the direct-entry MSN tracks.
• Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP: Comprising 22 credits and 500 clinical hours, the AGACNP certificate includes courses such as acute care pharmacotherapeutics; advanced pathophysiology/clinical reasoning I–II (each paired with practicum courses); diagnostic interpretation and therapeutic modalities (with a corresponding practicum course); integrative application of advanced practice skills; and an internship in acute care NP practice.
• Post-Master’s Certificate FNP: Made up of 23 credits and 750 clinical hours, the FNP certificate includes courses such as FNP adult health primary care I and II (with corresponding practicum courses); primary care peds & women’s health; primary care of the family: practicum; role transition to certification and practice; and the final FNP preceptorship.
• Post-Master’s Certificate PNP: Consisting of 23 credits and 500 clinical hours, the PNP curriculum includes courses such as health promotion of the growing child; pediatric primary care I: well child; pediatric primary care II: episodic and minor acute illness; pediatric primary care III: chronic illness, disability, and complex; advanced practice nursing: pediatric primary care practicum I-III; and preceptorship & certification preparation.
• Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP: Comprising 23 credits and 560 clinical hours, the PMHNP curriculum includes courses such as advanced family psychiatric nursing I–III (each paired with practicum courses); a final advanced family psychiatric nursing preceptorship, and a role transition course for certification and practice.
• Post-Master’s Certificate WHNP: Made up of 23 credits and 600 clinical hours, the WHNP program includes courses such as pharmacology for women’s health; women’s health for advanced practice I-IV (GYN and OB with corresponding practicum courses); complex issues in women’s health; and primary care in women’s health.

Online Experience: Tennessee Tech University utilizes iLearn through D2L Brightspace as its online Learning Management System (LMS). All instructors take an iLearn training workshop before they are allowed to produce course content. Through iLearn, students can access course materials and assignments, syllabi, discussion boards, email, assessments, course-related activities, and all technology related to the online learning environment.

Online students can get help and access resources through the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL). Faculty also receive guidance and course improvement, as well as other help, through CITL. Other Tennessee Tech student services include an online library and bookstore, health services, academic advising, faculty support, career counseling, and technical support.

On-Site Requirements: While Tennessee Tech University’s online graduate nursing programs are delivered primarily online, select tracks include essential on-site requirements to ensure real-world skill development and hands-on competency. The MSN FNP program requires students to attend two on-campus residency experiences at the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing. All MSN and certificate students in the FNP concentration must also successfully complete a multi-part Clinical Competency Examination (CCE) during the health assessment course.

For all clinical coursework, whether MSN or post-master’s certificate, students are responsible for completing required clinical practicum hours in settings that are preceptor-supervised and approved by program faculty. While the majority of these experiences are arranged at approved sites local to the student, the hands-on campus sessions remain a core requirement for demonstrating advanced practice readiness.