University of Indianapolis Online NP Programs

What to Expect from the University of Indianapolis Online NP Programs

Admission Requirements: To apply to the University of Indianapolis online nursing programs, applicants must meet specific criteria for advanced nursing education and practice. All applicants must provide proof of an unencumbered RN license valid in the state where the clinical placements will be conducted. Eligible states for enrollment include Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky.

Program Specific Admission Requirements:

• MSN: For the MSN programs, applicants must have completed an accredited BSN from a regionally accredited institution.
• Applicants should have at least one year of full-time RN work experience prior to applying, with recommended experience in areas such as ICU, step-down units, medical-surgical, or emergency rooms. Part-time work experience may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Additionally, applicants must submit a completed online graduate nursing application, one letter of recommendation from a supervisor, a current resume, and an essay outlining their career goals. Official transcripts demonstrating graduation from an accredited nursing program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale must be submitted. An interview with program faculty may also be required.
• BSN-to-DNP: For the BSN-to-DNP programs, applicants must hold a BSN degree from an accredited institution.
• Full-time applicants for the FNP and AGPCNP tracks should have two years of full-time RN work experience in relevant settings, such as ICU, step-down units, medical-surgical, or emergency rooms. NNP applicants must demonstrate two years of full-time work experience within the last five years caring for critically ill neonates or infants in level III or IV neonatal intensive care units. Part-time applicants must show at least two years of full-time work experience before starting clinical courses.
• Additional application materials include an online application, one letter of recommendation from a BSN-prepared supervisor, a current resume, an essay addressing career goals, and official transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Successful applicants will be invited to a scheduled interview.

State Restrictions: Admission to the University of Indianapolis online MSN and BSN-DNP nursing programs is limited to students residing in specific states due to clinical placement and licensure regulations. At this time, students living in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, and Ohio are eligible to apply for the online FNP, AGPCNP, and NNP tracks.

Enrollment and completion of a program do not guarantee licensure, as each state maintains its own professional licensure requirements that may change at any time. It is the student’s responsibility to remain informed about state-specific licensure criteria throughout their education. Before applying, applicants should review their state’s licensure and clinical placement regulations and confirm eligibility with UIndy’s School of Nursing if needed.

Study Plan: The University of Indianapolis online nursing programs are designed to accommodate working nurses through flexible, part-time study options.

Each MSN track requires approximately eight consecutive semesters, or about 32 months, to complete on a part-time basis. The MSN-AGPCNP and MSN-FNP tracks include 46 credits and 750 clinical hours, while the MSN-NNP track includes 53 credits and 750 clinical hours. Coursework combines asynchronous online classes with synchronous clinical courses. Certain health assessment and diagnostics courses require periodic on-campus attendance for checkoffs and Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).

The BSN-DNP tracks provide advanced practice preparation at the doctoral level with part-time formats typically spanning 10 to 11 consecutive semesters. Total credits vary by specialty, with the AGPCNP and FNP tracks requiring 62 credits, and the NNP track requiring 68 credits. Clinical and practicum hours range between 1,050 and 1,250, depending on the track. Similar to the MSN programs, students participate in asynchronous coursework and synchronous clinical sessions, with periodic required on-campus components.

New student cohorts for all tracks typically begin in the Fall semester, with some MSN tracks also offering Spring intakes.

Curriculum: The University of Indianapolis online nursing programs offer focused curricula tailored to each advanced practice specialty.

MSN: For the MSN tracks, students complete specialized coursework and clinical training aligned with their chosen area. Students complete 750 clinical hours, with clinical placement services available to support local practicum experiences. The majority of didactic courses are asynchronous, with synchronous sessions and periodic on-campus checkoffs for health assessment and diagnostics skills.

• AGPCNP MSN: The curriculum consists of 46 credits, including courses such as advanced health assessment; diagnostics and procedures in primary care; role transformation and scientific underpinning for advanced practice; and health policy and advocacy.
• FNP MSN: This track also includes 46 credits, covering courses such as advanced health assessment; diagnostics and procedures in primary care; advanced pathophysiology; and advanced practice across the life span.
• NNP MSN: The MSN-NNP curriculum features 53 credits, delivered through a part-time, cohort-based model over three years. Courses include applied statistics; role transformation and scientific underpinning for advanced nursing; pathophysiology across lifespan for NNPs; advanced pharmacotherapeutics for NNPs; diagnostics & procedures for NNPs; advanced neonatal assessment with implication across lifespan; genetics for advanced practice nursing; management of the high risk neonate I-IV; management of the high risk neonate: practicum I-III; culminating evidence based practice project; inquiry I: methods of EBP; health policy & strategic planning; culminating evidence based project dissemination; and diagnostic reasoning and neonatal simulation lab.

BSN-DNP: For students enrolled in the BSN-DNP tracks, the curriculum offers advanced, practice-focused content at the doctoral level.

• AGPCNP and FNP BSN-DNP: Each track requires 62 credits and between 1,050 and 1,250 clinical and practicum hours, completed over 10 semesters. Core courses include advanced pathophysiology, health policy and advocacy, primary care transition to advanced practice, and DNP project development. The curriculum prepares students for high-level independent practice and leadership roles.
• NNP BSN-DNP: This track requires 68 credits, with full-time plans spanning three years and part-time plans over four years. The NNP curriculum includes 24 specialized courses covering advanced NICU management, clinical practicums, DNP project completion, and simulation-based skill development, all designed in line with national standards for NNPs.

Online Experience: Online students at the University of Indianapolis receive the same level of resources and support as their on-campus counterparts, ensuring that the quality of education is consistent across both platforms. The university’s commitment to “Education for Service” is evident in all online nursing programs, which incorporate service-learning coursework that combines academic material, relevant service activities, and reflection.

Most classes are offered asynchronously, but occasionally, students will need to log in at a specific time to build community, interact with their instructor, and work collaboratively. The school uses Brightspace for its Learning Management System, Zoom, or Google Meet for synchronous classes or meetings.

Instructors in this program are dedicated to supporting student success. They are readily available to address questions or concerns through messaging or email. Students can attend office hours or schedule one-on-one calls with their instructors as needed. To ensure students succeed through their program, they are assigned a student success advisor who helps them throughout their academic journey. A clinical placement coordinator is also assigned to each student to help them secure their clinical experiences.

On-Site Requirements: The University of Indianapolis online nursing programs require students to participate in periodic on-campus sessions. All tracks feature online coursework, but some clinical courses and skill assessments must be completed in person at the Indianapolis campus.

Students attend scheduled checkoffs, as well as Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) during clinical courses. NNP candidates also complete hands-on clinical training and observation at Level III and IV NICUs at partner hospitals in Indiana.