Western Governors University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Western Governors University (WGU), headquartered in Millcreek, Utah, was founded in 1997 in response to recognizing the growing need for a college-educated workforce. The university derives its name from its genesis at a Western Governors’ Association meeting. WGU describes itself as “the most student-centric university in the world.” WGU’s mission of expanding access to education is guided by the belief that every person has inherent worth and can contribute to the world. This belief, combined with the reality that many would-be students are working adults, led WGU to embrace a vision for a new university model that overcomes the time and space constraints found in the prevailing in-person education model of prior centuries.
WGU is a private online university and a respected provider of nursing education. It is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. WGU offers a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree program and a post-master’s certificate program featuring two specializations: family nurse practitioner (FNP) or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).
Students of both specializations demonstrate mastery of coursework through tests, papers, projects, and other types of assessments to pass their courses. Both programs are highly competitive and thus accept fewer students per admission window.
Upon graduation, FNP students are prepared to take the FNP national certification exam from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The PMHNP program prepares its students to take the PMHNP certification exam, also offered by ANCC. WGU’s graduates have completed a curriculum designed to achieve several learning outcomes. Intended primary learning outcomes of both specializations include:
- Applying clinical care theory and knowledge to provide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment
- Providing patient-centered, culturally competent prevention and health promotion interventions and services to individuals, families, communities, and clinical populations
- Incorporating understanding of the social determinants of health to effectively comprehend and explain disparities in care and treatment outcomes, and thereby subsequently enhance health care policy
- Developing evidence-based methods grounded in quality research to improve both access and quality of care
- Creating health improvement programs for diverse populations that include topics such as health education, disease prevention, and self-care skills
- Collaborating with individual healthcare providers and interprofessional teams to ensure comprehensive, responsive, quality care
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at WGU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). WGU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and is headquartered in Millcreek, Utah.
For the latest academic year, we have over 180 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
Southern Utah University
Purdue Global
Wilkes University
What to Expect from the Western Governors University Online Nurse Practitioner Program
Admission Requirements: Admission to Western Governors University’s online nurse practitioner programs is based on both academic qualifications and professional readiness.
- MSN: Applicants must hold a BSN from an accredited nursing institution. Those who already possess a master’s degree in nursing are not eligible to apply. A current, active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license and permanent residence in an approved state are required since all clinical internships must be completed in the applicant’s home state. These programs are currently not available to residents of California, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, New York, North Dakota, or Washington.
- Applicants are required to submit a professional resume or curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, an application essay describing their nursing experience and motivation to become a nurse practitioner, and a criminal background check through American Databank. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in five required prerequisite courses is also necessary, with grades of C- or higher in each. These include anatomy and physiology I and II (with labs), human growth and development across the lifespan, statistics, and pharmacology. At least one year of experience as a registered nurse is strongly preferred. Transfer credit is not accepted for these programs.
- Post-Master’s Certificate: Applicants must hold a MSN degree or a terminal nursing degree, such as a DNP or PhD, from an accredited institution or approved nursing program. A current, active, and unencumbered RN license and permanent residence in an approved state are required, with the same state restrictions as the MSN programs. Similar to the master’s tracks, applicants must complete a background check through American Databank and submit a resume, a personal essay detailing professional experience and goals for becoming a nurse practitioner, and three professional references. One year of RN clinical experience and current employment in nursing are strongly preferred.
State Restrictions: Admission to the WGU MSN program is not offered to students from all states within the USA. Students must hold a permanent residence and an active, unencumbered RN license in an approved state, as all clinical internships must be completed in the student’s state of residence.
Students having a permanent residence in California, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, New York, North Dakota, and Washington may not enter either specialization. Prospective students should verify their state’s eligibility before applying to avoid enrollment issues.
Study Plan: Students in the MSN programs complete three distinct categories of courses: MSN core courses, nurse practitioner core courses, and specialization courses unique to their chosen track. The post-master’s certificate programs include only the nurse practitioner core courses and specialization courses unique to the chosen track. Both degree tracks in the MSN program feature a rigorous curriculum that can typically be completed within two to two-and-a-half years. The post-master’s certificate program can typically be completed within one to one-and-a-half years.
MSN Curriculum: Students of both MSN degree options complete a series of MSN core and nurse practitioner core courses. The six MSN core courses focus on professional presence and influence; essentials of advanced nursing roles and interprofessional practice; quality outcomes in a culture of value-based nursing care; informatics for transforming nursing care; leadership and management in complex healthcare systems; and advancing evidence-based innovation in nursing practice. The nurse practitioner core coursework segment consists of three courses. These include advanced pathophysiology for the advanced practice nurse; advanced pharmacology for the advanced practice nurse; and advanced health assessment for the advanced practice nurse.
- MSN-FNP Specialization Courses: The MSN-FNP program features specialized courses in adult primary care for the advanced practice nurse; pediatric primary care for the advanced practice nurse; special populations primary care for the advanced practice nurse; health promotion of patients and populations across the lifespan; and three clinical internship courses. The three-internship-course series requires completion of a total of 650 precepted direct patient care clinical hours. Students complete their internship requirements at sites where they can access patients who offer a representative sample of the variety and complexity of health issues and needs in the larger population.
- MSN-PMHNP Specialization Courses: This ANCC-credentialed MSN program features a curriculum designed to enhance nurses’ skills as evidence-based practitioners who provide compassionate, effective psychiatric-mental health care. Courses prepare students to assess individuals across their lifespans, prepare treatment plans for individual patients, families, and community-scale populations, and prescribe psychiatric medication. Specialization courses include advanced psychiatric-mental health care of children and adolescents across care settings; foundations of advanced psychiatric-mental health practice; the assessment and diagnostic process of psychiatric nurse practitioner practice; psychopharmacology for advanced psychiatric-mental health practice; advanced psychiatric-mental health care of adults and older adults across care settings; and a series of clinical internship placements. The internship course series requires completion of a total of 650 precepted direct patient care clinical hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The FNP post-master’s certificate requires completion of 10 courses, while the PMHNP certificate requires 11 courses. Students in these certificates will be required to complete only the nurse practitioner core courses and specialization courses unique to their chosen track, as mentioned above.
Online Experience: The WGU degree programs feature an online learning delivery model designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals. Students can often accommodate the demands of their studies without relocating from their current state of residence.
On-Site Requirements: Students complete a majority of their coursework online. The programs also require completion of an on-site clinical internship at a placement close to the student’s residence. WGU works closely with students to identify and secure an appropriate clinical placement. As previously noted, students must have a permanent and active nursing license and complete their internship in the state of their permanent residence. They also must intend to obtain their initial advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure in their state of residence. Nurses holding a compact license must be endorsed in their state of residence. Applicants should thoroughly review state regulations for nursing certification and licensure to ensure full compliance.
Paying for the Western Governors University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Tuition numbers for the Western Governors University MSN degree program are listed in the tables below. The U.S. Department of Education approves WGU to offer federal student aid. Applicants complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a first step in determining what sort of federal financial aid they may be eligible to receive. Most WGU students will qualify for at least one type of federal aid. Potential financing options include federal grants, work-study funding, state grants, private student loans, scholarships, and more.
WGU offers resources to recognize the particular service offered by active military personnel and veterans. In particular, education benefits are available for veterans and active duty service members, their dependents, and those with backgrounds in the National Guard and Reserves. Benefits eligibility and the amount of aid available depend on various factors. After admission to WGU, military personnel community student members should speak with their enrollment counselor to be referred to WGU’s Military Support Department for support in obtaining education benefits. Military personnel may apply for tuition assistance via their base education office or using other processes.
WGU’s dedication to improving access to higher education is reflected in its affordable tuition rates that allow many graduating students to avoid the burden of student debt. In fact, tuition rates are sufficiently affordable, and many education benefits can help defray the full costs of tuition, fees, and books. Applicants are encouraged to use the WGU website’s Net Price Calculator to estimate attendance costs.
Western Governors University offers a unique, competency-based online nurse practitioner program, with two available specializations: psychiatric-mental health NP and family NP. Students pay by the term, and under the standard plan can complete the program in as little as two and a half years, or five terms.
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN)
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (BSN to MSN)
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
4001 S 700 East, #700
Salt Lake City, Utah 84107
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
48
650
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher (in select preparatory courses)
CA, DC, LA, MA, MD, ND, NY, OR, WA
Program Tuition
48
$724.48
$35,250.00
$724.48
$35,250.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
51
650
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher (in select preparatory courses)
AZ, CA, DC, LA, MA, MD, ND, NY, OR, TN, WA
Program Tuition
51
$681.86
$35,775.00
$681.86
$35,775.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Monthly – 1st of Every Month
Yes
0
33
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
Not specified
AZ, CA, DC, LA, MA, ND, NY, WA
Program Tuition
33
$632.27
$20,864.91
$632.27
$20,864.91
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Monthly – 1st of Every Month
Yes
0
36
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
Not specified
AZ, CA, DC, LA, MA, ND, NY, WA
Program Tuition
36
$579.58
$20,864.88
$579.58
$20,864.88
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.
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science, and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].