Texas State University Online MSN FNP & PMHNP
What to Expect from Texas State University Online MSN FNP & PMHNP Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the online MSN program must hold a BSN from a regionally accredited institution and from one accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), the CCNE, or the ACEN. The minimum GPA required is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must have completed a statistics course with a grade of C or higher.
No GRE is required for admission to these programs. Applicants to both specializations must have an unencumbered RN license in Texas and have at least one year of full-time RN experience prior to the application deadline.
Application materials include a completed online application, a non-refundable application fee, official transcripts from all institutions attended, a written professional essay, a goals statement, a resume or CV, and three professional letters of recommendation. An interview is required for admission. Non-native English speakers who do not qualify for an exception must submit official TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet minimum requirements.
State Restrictions: Texas State University requires MSN FNP and PMHNP students to complete their clinical preceptorships in the state of Texas.
Study Plan: The 43-credit MSN-FNP program is offered on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time track takes four to five semesters to complete, or as few as 18 months. The part-time track takes approximately eight semesters to complete. There are eight to 10 campus visits required throughout the program. The 40-credit online MSN-PMHNP program can also be completed full-time or part-time. Similar time frames and campus visit requirements apply. Start dates land once each in the fall and spring.
Courses last eight weeks each. MSN-FNP students complete 705 preceptorship and clinical campus visit hours. MSN-PMHNP students complete 605 preceptorship and clinical campus visit hours. Students must earn a grade of B or higher in each course to continue in the program. Courses are only offered once each year.
MSN Core Curriculum: Core courses for the MSN program include transition to practice: the advanced practice nurse as healthcare provider; health policy, ethics, and issues in advanced nursing practice; theoretical foundations and role development of advanced integrated nursing; clinical prevention and population health; and translational science for evidence-based practice and innovation capstone.
APRN courses for both specializations include advanced health assessment and practicum; advanced pathophysiology; and advanced pharmacotherapeutics.
The MSN-FNP program requires completion of 705 clinical practicum hours, while the MSN-PMHNP program requires 605 hours. These hours are a combination of on-campus clinical intensives and preceptorships.
- MSN – FNP Curriculum: The MSN – FNP comprises 43 credits. Specialty courses include young and middle adult primary care and practicum; geriatric primary care and practicum; pediatric and adolescent primary care and practicum; and integrative family primary care and practicum.
- MSN – PMHNP Curriculum: The MSN – PMHNP comprises 40 credits. Specialty courses include advanced psychiatric assessment and clinical interview; neuroscience, epigenetics, and psychopharmacology; psychiatric mental health diagnostics and clinical management for pediatric clients and practicum; psychiatric mental health diagnostics and clinical management for adult and geriatric clients and practicum; and psychiatric mental health integrative clinical management across the lifespan and practicum.
Online Experience: TXST seeks to make the online NP programs flexible by providing 100% online coursework, including readings, research, lectures, assignments, case studies, and simulations. In addition, MSN students attend approximately two campus intensives per semester, as well as completing clinical hours at preceptorships within Texas. Faculty visit students and their clinical mentors at preceptor sites. The purpose of the campus intensives is to assess student nursing skills in preparation for the certification exams.
Students have access to faculty support, online and in-person discussions with faculty and peers, the Albert B. Alkek Library, online resources, mental health support, career counseling, networking, and technical support. Online courses last eight weeks each.
On-Site Requirements: MSN students typically come to TXST in Round Rock, TX, twice per semester, depending on whether they are full-time or part-time students. This equals approximately eight to 10 campus visits. All preceptorships must be completed in Texas.
Paying for the Texas State University Online MSN FNP & PMHNP Programs
Texas State University tuition figures are listed below. Prospective students should inquire with the St. David’s School of Nursing for current costs.
TXST may offer unsubsidized federal student loans to graduate students according to the FAFSA. Scholarships through the university may also be available. Graduate nursing students may wish to inquire with their employers about a tuition reimbursement program. In addition, some organizations may offer tuition discounts. Finally, Texas State University online students may wish to explore unique funding options such as community and organizational scholarships, grants, and private loans.
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
100 Bobcat Way
Round Rock, Texas 78665
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
1 – Fall
No
8
43
705
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, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
43
$499.00
$21,457.00
N/A
N/A
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
1 – Fall
No
8
40
605
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, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
40
$499.00
$19,960.00
N/A
N/A
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.