University of Missouri (Mizzou) Online Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Programs: NP, CNS
#13 Best Overall NP School
#13 Best Program Variety
- DNP – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- DNP – Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
- DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
- MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Sinclair School of Nursing through the University of Missouri (Mizzou) offers online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP), and Post-Master’s Certificate programs with the following advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS)
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNPPC)*
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
The MSN program requires approximately three campus visits; one per year for the typical three years to completion. The BSN to DNP program requires one 5-day orientation the summer before classes begin, plus up to seven other campus visits. Additional visits are either virtual-only, or students have a choice to attend in person or virtually. The Post-Graduate Certificates are 100% online and do not require any campus visits. Clinical preceptorships are completed locally in approved states of study.
The University of Missouri, located in Columbia, MO, offers affordable in-state tuition to both residents and non-residents, and the programs are offered in most states. The university prides itself on adhering to the values of respect, responsibility, discovery, and excellence. The graduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The nursing programs are comprehensive and require a Practice Inquiry course in which students complete a written and oral exam as a culmination of their program. The written portion includes a series of revisions and is then presented, including how the research was gathered and how the student met the outcomes of their specific program.
Graduates of Mizzou nursing programs will be eligible to take certification exams for their completed nursing specialization. Certification organizations include the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), and the National Certification Corporation (NCC).
Depending on their specialization, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists may work in hospitals, emergency rooms, primary care clinics, critical care units, intensive care units (ICUs), schools, birthing centers, OB/GYN clinics, research organizations, home health care situations, drug and alcohol treatment centers, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities.
*Note that the PNPPC specialization is not available as a certificate.
What to Expect from the University of Missouri Online Graduate Nursing Programs
Admission Requirements: Interested students must apply to both the graduate school and the Sinclair School of Nursing. All programs require at least a 3.0 GPA from a regionally accredited program, plus an unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical hours will be completed. If an applicant’s GPA is less than 3.0, additional documentation of desirability, experience and the necessary qualities may be submitted. A personal interview may be required after application.
MSN and BSN to DNP applicants must have earned a BSN from a regionally accredited institution and a nationally-accredited nursing program. Statistics is a prerequisite for the BSN to DNP and students can transfer up to 38 credit hours from previous graduate-level coursework through a gap analysis. Graduate Certificate applicants must hold both a BSN and MSN with the same accreditation requirements.
International applicants must submit English language proficiency test scores from within the previous two years and must obtain Missouri RN licensure before coursework begins. Application materials include unofficial transcripts, a CV, a personal statement, and two professional recommendations.
State Restrictions: Mizzou accepts students from most states. However, some programs are restricted in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. The restrictions vary depending on the program and specialization. The MSN-PMHNP and the PCNS Graduate Certificate do not have any state restrictions. Prospective students should inquire with the Mizzou Sinclair School of Nursing to verify if their state is eligible for study for the desired specialization and program. As well, students outside of Missouri should verify certification eligibility with their State Board of Nursing.
Study Plan: The Mizzou MSN and BSN to DNP programs are typically completed within three years on a part-time basis. Students can complete the programs sooner with a full-time schedule, or take longer if necessary. The Post-Graduate Certificates can be completed in three to four semesters on a part-time basis depending on the specialization.
The AGCNS, PCNS, and PNPPC specializations begin in August. The other specializations may begin in January, June, or August. Clinicals are completed local to the student and should be set up well in advance of course completion.
MSN Curriculum: MSN core courses for all specializations include Scientific Foundations for Health Sciences; Translational Evidence-Based Nursing Practice; Public Health, Sociocultural Issues, and Health Policy; and Advanced Nursing Roles and Professional Communication. Core clinical courses include Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics; and Advanced Health Assessment and Promotion.
To culminate the program MSN students take Practice Inquiry which focuses on the incorporation of learned knowledge into a final examination. The exam is both oral and written, with the written portion encompassing a step-by-step process of revision as it is evaluated. The written portion must then be presented including how the research data was obtained and how the student met the outcomes of the MSN program.
- AG-CNS: The AG-CNS specialization comprises 46 credits including 660 to 780 clinical hours. Clinical courses include Adult and Geriatric Primary Care I-II; Advanced Diagnostics and Reasoning I; Clinical Management of Acute and Critical Care Problems; Symptom Management in Acute and Chronic Illness; Quality, Safety, and Performance Outcomes; and Advanced Clinical Nursing Practicum.
- FNP: The FNP specialization comprises 47 credits including 780 clinical hours. Clinical courses include Family Dynamics and Intervention; Adult and Geriatric Primary Care I-II; Newborn Through Adolescence Primary Care; Reproductive and Sexual Health Primary Care; Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning I; and Advanced Clinical Nursing Practicum.
- PCNS: The AG-CNS specialization comprises 47 credits including 660 to 780 clinical hours. Clinical courses include Newborn Through Adolescence Primary Care; Special Healthcare Needs of Children; Advanced Diagnostics and Reasoning I; Clinical Management of Acute and Critical Care Problems; Symptom Management in Acute and Chronic Illness; Quality, Safety, and Performance Outcomes; and Advanced Clinical Nursing Practicum.
- PNP-PC: The PNP-PC specialization comprises 47 credits including 600 to 720 clinical hours. Clinical courses include Newborn Through Adolescence Primary Care; Reproductive and Sexual Health Primary Care; Pediatric Mental Health Assessment and Treatment; Special Healthcare Needs of Children; Advanced Diagnostics and Reasoning I; Advanced Clinical Nursing Practicum; and Family Dynamics and Intervention.
- PMHNP: The PMHNP specialization comprises 43 credits including 720 clinical hours. Clinical courses include Diagnostics and Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Nurses; Brief Individual Psychotherapy for Mental Health Nurses; Group Therapy and Social Skills Training; Mental Health Nursing Interventions for Families; Pediatric Mental Health Assessment and Treatment; and Advanced Clinical Nursing Practicum.
BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP comprises 72.5 credits plus 1,050 to 1,230 clinical hours. Core DNP courses include Statistical Methods in the Health Sciences or Biostatistical Foundations for Health Researchers; Leadership and Technology Institute; Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing; Advanced Nursing Role Acquisition; Research Basis for Advanced Nursing; Principles of Epidemiology; Public Health and Sociocultural Issues; Health Disparities of Other Rural and Under-Served Population; Health Program Design and Management; Nursing and Health Policy; DNP Clinical Residency; DNP Residency Project; and Leadership and Transformational Role Institute.
Electives may include Family Dynamics and Intervention; Healthcare Financial Management; Informatics Applications and Innovations in Healthcare System; Nursing Leadership, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship; Teaching Strategies in Nursing; Organizations and Human Resource Management in Nursing; Curriculum Development in Nursing; and Teaching Nursing Practicum. Other courses include many from the MSN courses required.
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: Certificate courses follow the specialty clinical courses for the MSN specializations. The AGCNS and PCNS specializations comprise 22.5 credits plus 630 clinical hours. The FNP includes 19.5 credits and 570 clinical hours while the PMHNP specialization comprises 18.5 credits and includes 630 clinical hours.
Online Experience: Mizzou utilizes Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are mostly asynchronous with some campus visits required, both in-person and virtually. Students view lectures, complete readings, assignments, and projects, and interact with faculty and peers through online forums, email, chat, and phone. Exams are proctored.
Hands-on experience is gained through clinical practice and campus intensives for the MSN and BSN to DNP, while the Graduate Certificates are 100% online with local practicums. Online students have access to MU Connect and Engage which are platforms to help with student success, engagement, and retention. As well, students have access to library services, 24/7 technical support, writing help, disability resources and services, career counseling, and faculty support.
On-Site Requirements: The MSN program requires approximately three campus visits to Columbia, Missouri; one per year for the typical three years to completion. The BSN to DNP program requires one 5-day orientation the summer before classes begin, plus up to seven other campus visits. Additional campus visits are either virtual only, or students have a choice to attend in person or virtually. The Post-Master’s Certificates are 100% online and do not require any campus visits. Clinicals are completed locally in approved states of study and all other coursework is online.
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Paying for the University of Missouri Online Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Programs
Online graduate tuition for the BSN to DNP program is $600.87 per credit plus fees. The MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate programs range in cost from $638.71 to $670.22 per credit plus fees. Students should inquire with the Mizzou School of Nursing to determine their total cost per credit plus any other fees included. Campus visit costs including travel, room and board, and other costs are not included in tuition. Interested students should contact Mizzou Sinclair School of Nursing for current tuition and fees.
Mizzou graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal student loans by applying through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Nursing students are also encouraged to check with their employer as to a tuition reimbursement program. Other funding options may include tuition discounts, private loans, and organizational and community scholarships and grants.
The University of Missouri offers online MSN, DNP, and Graduate Certificate programs with five nursing specializations, minimal campus visits, and very affordable tuition.
DNP – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
DNP – Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Graduate Certificate – Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
136 Clark Hall
Columbia, Missouri 65211
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
August
No
4
72
1,050-1,230
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
72
$600.00
$43,200.00
$600.00
$43,200.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January, June, August
No
8
72
1,050-1,230
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
72
$600.00
$43,200.00
$600.00
$43,200.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
August
No
8
72
1,050-1,230
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
72
$600.00
$43,200.00
$600.00
$43,200.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
August
No
8
72
1,050-1,230
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
72
$600.00
$43,200.00
$600.00
$43,200.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
January, June, August
No
8
72
1,050-1,230
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
72
$600.00
$43,200.00
$600.00
$43,200.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
August
Yes
0
22.5
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AZ, LA, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
22.5
$600.00
$13,500.00
$600.00
$13,500.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January, June, August
Yes
0
19.5
570
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AZ, LA, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
19.5
$600.00
$11,700.00
$600.00
$11,700.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
August
No
3
46
660-780
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AL, AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
46
$600.00
$27,600.00
$600.00
$27,600.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January, June, August
No
3
47
780
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AL, AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
47
$600.00
$28,200.00
$600.00
$28,200.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
August
No
3
47
660-780
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AL, AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
47
$600.00
$28,200.00
$600.00
$28,200.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
August
No
3
47
600-720
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AL, AZ, LA, MD, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
47
$600.00
$28,200.00
$600.00
$28,200.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
January, June, August
No
3
43
720
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
None
Program Tuition
43
$600.00
$25,800.00
$600.00
$25,800.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
August
Yes
0
22.5
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
None
Program Tuition
22.5
$600.00
$13,500.00
$600.00
$13,500.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
January, June, August
Yes
0
18.5
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3
AZ, LA, MA, NY, NC, ND, OR, TN, WA, WI
Program Tuition
18.5
$600.00
$11,100.00
$600.00
$11,100.00
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.