UTEP Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

What to Expect from The University of Texas at El Paso Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Admission Requirements: All applicants must hold a valid, unencumbered RN license from the state of current practice. MSN applicants must have earned a BSN from an accredited institution in the U.S. (or equivalent foreign education) with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

International applicants whose first language is not English or who have not completed a U.S. university degree must submit a satisfactory TOEFL score as defined by the Graduate School.

Applicants to the post-master’s Certificate programs must hold an MSN from an accredited institution. Nurses who hold APRN certification as a nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse specialist may apply for the track for APRNs.

All applicants must submit an online application to the Graduate School and submit a current resume or CV, proof of unencumbered RN licensure, transcripts, proof of APRN status if applicable, and a Statement of Nursing Professional Purpose.

State Restrictions: UTEP accepts students from all states into the NP programs except Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Students outside of Texas should inquire with the UTEP School of Nursing as well as their State Board of Nursing to determine eligibility for NP licensure.

Study Plans: UTEP’s online Nurse Practitioner programs are structured for working professionals. The MSN programs use seven-week didactic courses and are scheduled across Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. UTEP also incorporates simulation experiences into the NP curriculum. During specialty courses, usually in the final three semesters, students may be asked to visit campus up to three times per semester and may need to travel 200 miles or more to complete appropriate clinical requirements.

The MSN-AGACNP program is a 49-credit online program designed to be completed over seven semesters. The program includes 720 total clinical clock hours and admission cycles in Fall and Spring.

The MSN-FNP program is a 49-credit online program completed over seven semesters. It includes 775 total clinical clock hours, with admission cycles in Fall and Spring.

The MSN-NNP program is a 48-credit online program completed over seven semesters. It includes 765 clinical clock hours and has one admission cycle each year, in Fall.

The MSN-PNP-AC program is a 49-credit online program completed over two calendar years across the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. It includes 765 clinical clock hours and has Fall admission.

The MSN-PNP-PC program is a 49-credit online program completed over seven semesters. It includes 675 clinical clock hours and has admission cycles in Fall and Spring.

The MSN-PMHNP program is a 49-credit program completed over seven semesters. The program is delivered in a hybrid format, with face-to-face classroom time scheduled on weekends beginning in the second year. The program includes 840 clinical clock hours and admission cycles in Fall, Spring, and Summer.

The post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate plans are available in APRN and non-APRN versions. The time-to-completion for the post-master’s certificate programs varies depending on APRN status and other prior education. 

The AGACNP certificate requires 29 credits for the APRN track and 40 credits for the non-APRN track; FNP requires 31 and 40 credits; NNP requires 28 and 37 credits; PNP-AC requires 34 and 43 credits; PNP-PC requires 28 and 37 credits; and PMHNP requires 29 and 40 credits, respectively.

Clinical requirements also vary by certificate and track. The APRN and non-APRN plans list 675 specialty clinical hours for AGACNP, 730 for FNP, 720 for NNP, 720 for PNP-AC, 630 for PNP-PC, and 630 for PMHNP. The non-APRN totals are higher because the plans include the 45-hour advanced health assessment practicum.

MSN Core Curriculum: Core courses for the MSN specializations include nursing theory; advanced pathophysiology; pharmacotherapeutics; research appraisal and application; health policy and advocacy; advanced health assessment; advanced practice nursing role; and advanced health assessment practicum.

• MSN – AGACNP Curriculum: Specialty courses include advanced acute care diagnostics; advanced acute care skills; AGACNP adult and geriatric health I; AGACNP acute care adult/geriatric health II; AGACNP adult/geriatric health clinical practicum I; AGACNP acute care adult/geriatric practicum II; AGACNP acute and critical illness I-II; AGACNP acute and critical illness practicum I-II; and AGACNP advanced clinical practicum I-II.
• MSN – FNP Curriculum: Specialty courses include advanced FNP diagnostics; advanced FNP skills; FNP adult health and practicum; FNP geriatric health and practicum; FNP women’s health and practicum; developing human; FNP pediatric health and practicum; and advanced clinical practicum.
• MSN – PNP-AC Curriculum: Specialty courses include developing human; PNP acute care advanced diagnostics and skills; pediatric IA and practicum; pediatric IB and practicum; pediatric acute care IA-IIA and practicums; pediatric acute care IB-IIB and practicums; and pediatric acute care I-II advanced practicum.
• MSN – PNP-PC Curriculum: Specialty courses include developing human; PNP advanced diagnostics and skills; pediatric IA-IIA and practicums; pediatric IB-IIB and practicums; pediatric advanced practicum A-B.
• MSN – NNP Curriculum: Specialty courses may include advanced neonatal assessment; neonatal advanced diagnostics and skills; neonatal I-IIA and practicums; neonatal I-IIB and practicums; and neonatal advanced practice A-B.
• MSN – PMHNP Curriculum: Specialty courses include advanced clinical psychopharmacology; neuroscience across the lifespan; differential diagnosis of mental disorders across the lifespan; theoretical foundations of PMH nursing with individuals; theoretical foundations of PMH nursing with groups and families; telehealth and rural service delivery for PMHNP; child and adolescent psychiatric mental health for PMHNP; child and adolescent psychiatric mental health practicum; adult and older adult psychiatric mental health for PMHNP; adult and older adult psychiatric mental health practicum I-II; diagnosis and management of substance use disorders; and advanced psychiatric mental health practicum I-II.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The post-master’s certificates follow the specialty courses for the MSN. For those without APRN status or those who have not had them, the following courses may be required: nursing theory; health policy and advocacy; research appraisal and application; advanced health assessment; advanced pathophysiology; and pharmacotherapeutics.

Online Experience: UTEP seeks to make online programs collaborative and engaging with discussion boards, online chat, email, and phone calls. Blackboard Learn is the online Learning Management System (LMS) utilized by UTEP.

UTEP’s NP programs are designed with online coursework and flexibility for working professionals. Didactic courses are delivered in seven-week formats, and the programs incorporate innovative simulation lab experiences. Students complete required clinical experiences at appropriate clinical sites, with the possibility of needing to travel 200 miles or more depending on placement requirements.

On-Site Requirements: During specialty courses, usually in the final three semesters, NP students may be required to visit the UTEP campus up to three times per semester. Students also participate in formative evaluations using innovative simulation lab experiences.

The PMHNP concentration is specifically described as a hybrid program. It combines online coursework with face-to-face classroom instruction, with in-person classroom time scheduled on alternating weekends beginning in the second year.

For more information, students may inquire with the admissions department of the UTEP School of Nursing.

Paying for The University of Texas at El Paso Online NP Programs

The University of Texas at El Paso’s online NP program tuition costs are listed in the tables below. Prospective students should inquire with the Office of Financial Aid for current and full costs.

UTEP may offer unsubsidized federal student loans to graduate students according to the FAFSA. Additionally, nursing students may inquire with their employers as to the possibility of a tuition reimbursement program. Finally, UTEP online students may wish to explore outside pathways to fund their graduate education, such as community and organizational scholarships, grants, and private loans.

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara 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.