Washburn University (WU) Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, PMHNP
The School of Nursing through Washburn University (WU) offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN to DNP) and Post-Master’s Certificate programs with two specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Students in the DNP program are required to come to the Topeka, Kansas campus three times per year for intensives. The Post-Master’s Certificate program has fully online coursework and both programs require clinical preceptorships local to the student at approved facilities.
Both the DNP and certificate programs have various curriculum plans depending on prior education and certification. For example, some students may be earning NP certification for the first time, while others may be seeking a second certification and already have prior NP or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) certification. Courses will be adjusted accordingly after transcript reviews take place.
Campus experiences for the DNP are designed to foster networking, topic sharing, skills development, and testing. Some activities that may be included in these events include professional speakers and keynote addresses, leadership skills building, critical thinking, office procedures training, statistics boot camp, and Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) Master Certification training. On-campus experiences typically last two days.
Nurse practitioners may work in a variety of settings including primary care clinics, long-term care facilities, home health care, government and school organizations, and hospital situations. PMHNPs may also work in counseling centers, rehabilitation and correctional facilities, and other mental health facilities.
Graduates of the MSN to DNP and certificate programs are eligible to sit for their specific national certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Washburn University also offers BSN to DNP pathways which may include more campus visits than the programs outlined in this article.
The NP programs through Washburn University are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing (CCNE). WU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located in Topeka, Kansas.
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What to Expect from Washburn University Online Graduate Nursing Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the MSN to DNP and Post-Master’s Certificate programs should have a prior cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale on graduate coursework plus proof of RN licensure in the state of practice. No GRE is required. Both programs require official transcripts to be sent directly to the School of Nursing, as well as a current resume. Nursing experience is expected.
- MSN to DNP: Applicants must hold a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) from a nationally accredited program, have completed graduate inferential statistics with a grade of B or higher, and submit three letters of reference. Those seeking a second specialty must provide evidence of APRN licensure. An interview is required with the School of Nursing Graduate Admission, Progression, and Retention (GAPR) Committee. In addition, those selected for an interview will be required to submit a writing assessment.
- Post-Master’s Certificates: Applicants must hold an MSN from a nationally accredited program. Those seeking a second specialty must provide evidence of APRN licensure. Two letters of reference are required. All applications will be reviewed by the GAPR.
State Restrictions: Washburn University is authorized to offer its nursing programs in all states except Arkansas, Oregon, New York, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington. Students outside of Kansas should verify with the School of Nursing as well as their state licensing board to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.
Study Plan: The MSN to DNP can be completed in three years or less depending on the point of entry. Students have up to eight years to complete the DNP. Students are admitted in the Fall and come to campus three times per year for immersion experiences. Clinicals are completed local to the student.
Non-APRNs take six semesters to complete the PMHNP Post-Master’s Certificate while the other entry points require four semesters. As well, certificate students are admitted in the Fall only. The PMHNP certificate program is fully online with local clinical preceptorships.
MSN to DNP Curriculum (for non-APRNs): The MSN to DNP program for those without APRN licensure comprises 70 credits for the FNP specialization and 72 credits for the PMHNP specialization, plus at least 1,000 clinical hours.
Courses for both specializations include Theoretical Foundations; Population Health; Doctoral Leadership: Transformation of Self; Emerging Concepts Informatics; Clinical Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice; Innovations in Quality Care; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology; Advanced Health Assessment/Differential Diagnosis; Philosophical World Views in Advanced Practice Nursing; Healthcare Economics; DNP Residency: MSN to DNP; Policy Leadership in Global Health; Accounting Concepts; Survey of Finance; Marketing Concepts; Entrepreneurship/Creativity; and Practice Inquiry DNP Project I-III.
- FNP: Specialty courses include Primary Care I-III and Primary Care Practicum I-III.
- PMHNP: Specialty courses include Advanced Psychiatric Interviewing Differential Diagnosis; Advanced Psychopharmacology/Neurobiology; Advanced Practice Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing I-II and Practicum I-II; and Advanced Practice Psychiatric Special Focus Practicum.
MSN to DNP PMHNP Curriculum (for ANPs/AGNPs): The MSN to DNP PMHNP program for those who have already earned Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) or Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) licensure comprises 60 to 65 credits plus at least 1,000 clinical hours. Many of the courses are the same as described for non-APRNs above, however, these students will take Advanced Pathophysiology Family; Advanced Pharmacology Pediatric; and Advanced Health Assessment Child/Adolescent. These students do not take Theoretical Foundations, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, or Advanced Health Assessment/Differential Diagnosis.
MSN to DNP PMHNP Curriculum (for FNPs): The MSN to DNP PMHNP program for those who have already earned FNP licensure comprises 57 to 62 credits plus at least 1,000 clinical hours. These students do not take Theoretical Foundations, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, or Advanced Health Assessment/Differential Diagnosis.
Note that there may also be plans available for nurses who are certified as Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs), PMHNPs, ANPs, and AGNPs who wish to earn the MSN with FNP specialization. Finally, there may be plans for PNPs who wish to earn the PMHNP specialization. Each of these would be reviewed and developed on an individual basis.
Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate Curriculum: The Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program comprises up to 31 credits depending on the point of entry. FNPs complete 20 credits; ANPs complete 23 credits; psychiatric clinical nurse specialists (P-CNSs) complete 25 to 26 credits; and non-APRNs complete 31 credits. All entry points complete 540 clinical hours. All of these credit requirements are dependent upon transcript reviews.
- For FNPs: Those previously licensed as FNPs take Advanced Psychiatric Interviewing Differential Diagnosis; Advanced Psychopharmacology/Neurobiology; Advanced Practice Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing I-II and Practicum I-II; and Advanced Practice Psychiatric Special Focus Practicum.
- For APNs: Those previously licensed as ANPs take all of the courses listed for FNP entry plus Advanced Pathophysiology Family; Advanced Pharmacology Pediatric; and Advanced Health Assessment Child/Adolescent.
- For P-CNSs: Those previously licensed as Psychiatric CNSs take all of the courses listed for ANP entry plus Special Topics: Advanced Psychiatric Nursing Child/Adolescent.
- For non-APRNs: Those who do not hold APRN licensure take all of the courses listed for FNP entry plus Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Roles; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology; and Advanced Health Assessment/Differential Diagnosis.
Online Experience: Online courses at WU are delivered through the Brightspace D2L online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are typically asynchronous, although instructors are encouraged to include some synchronous activities and meetings into the course delivery. These are always recorded for those who cannot attend live sessions.
Collaboration takes place through discussion boards, multimedia apps, email, and phone, as well as at the DNP campus immersions. Online students have access to a wealth of student services including library and bookstore services, faculty office hours, academic advising, career counseling, and 24/7 technical support.
On-Site Requirements: MSN to DNP students come to the Topeka, KS campus three times per year for two-day immersion experiences. There are no on-site requirements for Post-Master’s Certificate students. All other coursework is online and clinicals are completed local to the student.
Paying for Washburn University Online Graduate Nursing Programs
The online graduate nursing programs through Washburn University cost $692 per credit plus fees for both residents and non-residents. Travel expenses for the DNP campus visits are not included in tuition costs. Prospective students should inquire with the WU School of Nursing about current tuition prices and fees.
Washburn University may offer unsubsidized federal student loans to graduate students according to the FAFSA. Graduate nursing students are also encouraged to inquire with their employers as to the option of a tuition reimbursement program. Other opportunities for funding may include private loans, scholarships, and grants through community and other organizations.
The Washburn MSN to DNP and Post-Master's Certificate programs offer varying entry points depending on prior nursing certification, three campus visits per year for DNP students, no campus visits for certificate students, and the same affordable tuition for residents and non-residents.
MSN to DNP – FNP
MSN to DNP – PMHNP
MSN to DNP – PMHNP (for ANPs/AGNPs)
MSN to DNP – PMHNP (for FNPs)
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for ANPs)
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for FNPs)
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for non-APRNs)
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for PMH-CNS)
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, Kansas 66621
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
9
70
1,155
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.25 or higher
AR, NY, OR, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
70
$692.00
$48,440.00
$692.00
$48,440.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
9
72
1,020
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.25 or higher
AR, NY, OR, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
72
$692.00
$49,824.00
$692.00
$49,824.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
9
60
1,040
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.25 or higher
AR, NY, OR, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
60
$692.00
$41,520.00
$692.00
$41,520.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
9
57
1,040
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.25 or higher
AR, NY, OR, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
57
$692.00
$39,444.00
$692.00
$39,444.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
Yes
0
23
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.25 or higher
AR, NY, OR, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
23
$692.00
$15,916.00
$692.00
$15,916.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
Yes
0
20
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.25 or higher
AR, NY, OR, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
20
$692.00
$13,840.00
$692.00
$13,840.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
Yes
0
31
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.25 or higher
AR, NY, OR, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
31
$692.00
$21,452.00
$692.00
$21,452.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
Yes
0
26
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.25 or higher
AR, NY, OR, TN, UT, WA
Program Tuition
26
$692.00
$17,992.00
$692.00
$17,992.00
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.