Wilkes University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP
#20 Best Overall NP School
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS program)
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS option)
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS option)
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 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.
The School of Nursing at Wilkes University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post-Master’s Certificates with three nurse practitioner specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). An RN to MSN pathway is also available.
The programs include two to three campus residencies depending on the specialization and students complete clinical preceptorships at approved sites local to the student. At least one year of clinical experience is required prior to the beginning of NP clinical courses. No GRE is required although a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
The RN to MSN program is designed for nurses with an associate’s degree in nursing to move directly into graduate school. A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is not conferred upon graduation. This pathway saves about $10,000 in tuition and allows students to graduate about seven months sooner than by completing a BSN and MSN degree separately. Students take 11 credits of bridge courses before completing the MSN coursework.
Family nurse practitioners care for patients across the lifespan from infants to adults and the elderly. Their focus is disease prevention and education, yearly well-checks, and diagnosing and treating acute and chronic health issues. The curriculum focuses on the care of women, children, adults, and families. Graduates are eligible to take the FNP certification exam through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). FNPs typically work in primary care facilities, schools, government facilities, and home health care situations.
Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners serve patients from adolescence through adulthood and geriatric patients. They typically work with teams to treat acute and chronic illness in adults and the aged in care units, hospitals, primary care facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and home health care situations. Graduates are eligible to take the AGPCNP certification exam through the AANPCB or the ANCC.
Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners work with patients across the lifespan with mental health needs. Students learn to assess and treat patients through therapies and by prescribing medications when necessary. PMHNPs work with individuals, groups, and families. The program curriculum focuses on clinical modalities, mental health disease prevention, and serving rural and underserved populations. Graduates are eligible to take the PMHNP certification exam through the ANCC.
Wilkes University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSCHE). The nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
| Wilkes University Online NP Programs | |
|---|---|
| Post-Graduate Certificate - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP | Visit Site |
| MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | Visit Site |
| MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS program) | Visit Site |
| MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | Visit Site |
| MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS option) | Visit Site |
| Post-Graduate Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health NP | Visit Site |
| MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner | Visit Site |
| MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS option) | Visit Site |
| Post-Graduate Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner | Visit Site |
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 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.
What to Expect from the Wilkes University Online NP Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the nursing programs at Wilkes University must have an unrestricted RN license in their state of residence in approved states. Students must have one year of clinical work experience by the beginning of clinical practicum courses and submit a resume and cover letter and official transcripts. MSN applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. RN to MSN applicants must hold an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN). Post-Master’s Certificate applicants must hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. All degrees held must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. No GRE or GMAT is required.
State Restrictions: While Wilkes University accepts students from several states, applicants outside of Pennsylvania should check with the School of Nursing to make sure they are eligible for the nursing programs. As well students should verify with their state Board of Nursing as to licensure requirements. Wilkes University cannot accept students from the following states at this time: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wyoming.
Study Plan: The MSN-AGPCNP program is designed to be completed in two years with the PMHNP and FNP specializations taking 2.3 years. The Post-Master’s Certificates can be completed in four to five semesters depending on courses transferred in and the specialization chosen. The RN to MSN program can be completed in 2.6 to three years. Wilkes offers three start dates per year in the Fall, Spring, and Summer, and courses typically run 12 weeks in length. Students in the AGPCNP and PMHNP programs come to campus for two residencies while the FNP students visit campus for three residencies. Clinical practicums are completed local to the student in approved states.
MSN Core Curriculum: The MSN degree includes the following core courses for all specializations: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science; Advanced Nursing Research; Advanced Role Development in Nursing; Health Policy and Politics for Advancing Nursing Practice; Scholarly Review; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology; Advanced Health Assessment; Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners; and Health Perspectives of Culturally Diverse, Rural, and Underserved Populations.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Curriculum: The FNP track comprises 43 credits plus 584 clinical hours. In addition to the core curriculum above FNP students take Family Nurse Practitioner I-II; Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care I-II; Family Nurse Practitioner Role with Children and Families; and Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical with Children and Families.
MSN Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) Curriculum: The AGPCNP curriculum comprises 40 credits plus 500 clinical hours. In addition to the core curriculum, students take Advanced Practice in Adult-Gerontology Clinical I-II and Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care I-II.
MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Curriculum: The PMHNP program comprises 42 credits plus 500 clinical hours. The program includes the core curriculum plus the following courses: Clinical Modalities in Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Practice; Advanced Practice in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I-II; Psychopharmacology; and Psychopathology, Theories, and Advanced Clinical Modalities.
Post-Master’s Certificate Core Curriculum: All specializations take the following core courses: Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology; Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners; Health Perspectives of Culturally Diverse, Rural, and Underserved Populations; and Advanced Health Assessment. Specialty courses then follow those listed above for the MSN specializations.
The FNP certificate program comprises 28 credits plus 584 clinical hours. The AGPCNP certificate program comprises 25 credits plus 500 clinical hours. The PMHNP certificate program comprises 27 credits plus 500 clinical hours.
RN to MSN Curriculum: The RN to MSN degree path requires completion of 51 to 54 credits including the courses for the MSN plus the following bridge courses: Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing for the Graduate Nursing Student; Leadership and Management Practicum for the Graduate Nursing Student; and Graduate Academic Writing for Nursing Professionals.
No BSN is conferred upon graduation. The FNP specialization comprises 54 credits plus 629 clinical hours. The AGPCNP specialization comprises 51 credits plus 545 clinical hours. The PMHNP specialization comprises 53 credits plus 545 clinical hours.
Online Experience: MSN and certificate courses are mainly asynchronous. Clinicals and residencies are in-person and hands-on. Wilkes University utilizes Desire2Learn through Brightspace to deliver courses.
Wilkes University provides each student with a Student Success Advisor who stays with them for the entirety of the program. In addition, Wilkes offers clinical placement services at no additional charge. Placement staff works with each student to identify and secure the best available clinical placement site within the local community as well as a clinical checklist to ensure student success. Other support services include technical support, library and bookstore services, career counseling, and faculty office hours.
On-Site Requirements: The AGPCNP and PMHNP specializations require two campus visits to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The FNP specialization requires three campus residencies. All other coursework is online with clinical preceptorships local to the student.
Paying for the Wilkes University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Wilkes University charges $728 per credit plus fees for the online nurse practitioner programs. Travel expenses for the residencies are not included in tuition costs. Interested students should contact the School of Nursing through Wilkes University for current tuition costs.
Wilkes University graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans through the FAFSA. Nursing students may also wish to inquire with their employers as to the possibility of a tuition reimbursement program or tuition discounts. Finally, graduate students may seek outside grants and scholarships for funding.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS program)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS option)
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (RN to MS option)
Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
84 West South Street
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18766
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
2
40
500
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, DC, ID, IA, KS, LA, MA, MN, MO, NV, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, WA, WY
Program Tuition
40
$815.00
$32,600.00
$815.00
$32,600.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
51
545
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, DC, ID, IA, KS, LA, MA, MN, MT, NV, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, WA, WY
Program Tuition
51
$815.00
$41,565.00
$815.00
$41,565.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
1
43
584
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, DC, ID, IA, KS, LA, MA, MN, MT, NV, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, WA, WY
Program Tuition
43
$815.00
$35,045.00
$815.00
$35,045.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
54
629
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, DC, ID, IA, KS, LA, MA, MN, MT, NV, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, WA, WY
Program Tuition
54
$815.00
$44,010.00
$815.00
$44,010.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
1
42
500
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, DC, ID, IA, KS, LA, MA, MN, MT, NV, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, WA, WY
Program Tuition
42
$815.00
$34,230.00
$815.00
$34,230.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
53
545
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, DC, ID, IA, KS, LA, MA, MN, MT, NV, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, WA, WY
Program Tuition
53
$815.00
$43,195.00
$815.00
$43,195.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
1
25
500
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, DC, HI, ID, IA, KS, LA, MA, MN, MT, NV, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, VT, WA, WY
Program Tuition
25
$815.00
$20,375.00
$815.00
$20,375.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
1
28
584
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, DC, ID, IA, KS, LA, MA, MN, MT, NV, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, WA, WY
Program Tuition
28
$815.00
$22,820.00
$815.00
$22,820.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
1
27
500
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, DC, ID, IA, KS, LA, MA, MN, MT, NV, NY, ND, OR, PR, TN, WA, WY
Program Tuition
27
$815.00
$22,005.00
$815.00
$22,005.00
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.