William Paterson University Online NP Programs

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William Paterson University (WP) offers online MSN, RN to MSN, and Post-Master’s Certificate programs with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) specialization options. These programs do not require any campus visits. Nurse practitioner students must complete clinical preceptorships locally at approved facilities.

Outcomes of the NP programs may include development of leadership abilities and effective communication, change analysis within healthcare systems, application of evidence, research, and theory to improve patient outcomes and health care services, healthcare advocacy concerning healthcare policies, and clinical practice of learned skills with the appropriate patient demographic.

Courses last seven weeks each and are delivered in an accelerated format, allowing nurse practitioners to graduate sooner. The MSN program can be completed in 16-20 months, while the RN to MSN program takes as little as 24 to 28 months, depending on the specialization. The Post-Master’s certificate program takes 12 to 16 months depending on the specialization. No GRE is required, however, nurses applying to the MSN and certificate programs must have at least one year of RN nursing experience.

Family and adult-gerontology nurse practitioners may work in specialty clinics, student health centers, community clinics, internal medicine, home health care, long-term healthcare, prisons, and government facilities. FNPs work with patients across the lifespan with acute and chronic health issues as well as prevention and health education. AGNPs work with young adults through geriatrics with acute and chronic illnesses, prevention, and health education.

Upon graduation, students are eligible to take their respective nurse practitioner certification exams through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The NP programs through William Paterson University are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). WP is located in Wayne, New Jersey, and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

William Paterson University Online NP Programs
Post-Master's Certificate - Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Visit Site
Post-Master's Certificate - Family Nurse Practitioner Visit Site
MSN - Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Visit Site
RN to MSN - Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Visit Site
RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Visit Site
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Visit Site

What to Expect from the William Paterson University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the MSN must hold a BSN with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and have at least one year of RN work experience. Prerequisites include statistics, research, and physical assessment. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 who are admitted based on a review by the program director must take two graduate nursing courses, earning a grade of B or higher to continue in the MSN program. Those admitted who are missing prerequisites must complete them within the first year before continuing in the MSN program.

The RN to MSN program requires an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Applicants to the Post-Master’s Certificate program must hold an MSN from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have at least one year of RN work experience. No GRE is required with the application. All applicants must hold an unencumbered RN license in New Jersey or in their state of residence and where their clinical preceptorship will be completed.

Application materials include an application and fee, official transcripts, and proof of RN licensure. MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate applicants must provide a resume with references if required.

State Restrictions: WP is a member of the NC-SARA reciprocity agreement. Students from all states should be eligible to study with WP, however, students outside of New Jersey should check with the Department of Nursing at William Paterson University to make sure they are eligible for the online NP programs. In addition, prospective nursing students should contact the licensing board of their specific state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.

Study Plan: The online MSN – FNP program can be completed in as few as 20 months while the MSN – AGNP concentration can be completed in as little as 16 months. The RN to MSN – FNP concentration can be completed in as little as 28 months while the AGNP concentration may take as little as 24 months. The FNP Post-Master’s Certificate can be completed in as little as 16 months while the AGNP concentration may take as little as 12 months.

The programs have six start dates with two each in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. The credit requirement and time to completion for the Post-Master’s Certificate program varies depending on prior education and certifications earned. A gap analysis is completed for each student prior to beginning the certificate program.

Courses last seven weeks each and students should expect to spend about four to five hours per credit on coursework, plus clinical hours. Students in all programs complete clinicals at approved facilities where they live and work.

MSN Core Curriculum: Core courses for the MSN program include Theoretical Foundations for Nursing; Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse; Nursing Research Strategies: Translational Science; Population Health, Legislation, and Social Policy; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology; and Advanced Health Assessment of the Adult Client.

  • MSN – FNP Curriculum: The MSN – FNP comprises 47 credits plus 680 clinical hours. Concentration courses include Advanced Nursing Practice I-III; Advanced Health Assessment for FNP; Advanced Nursing Practicum I-III; and Advanced Nursing Role Practicum for FNP.
  • MSN – AGNP Curriculum: The MSN – AGNP comprises 39 credits plus 510 clinical hours. Concentration courses include Advanced Nursing Practice I-II; Advanced Nursing Practicum I-II; and Advanced Nursing Role Practicum.

RN to MSN Curriculum: The RN to MSN online FNP program comprises 65 credits plus 830 clinical hours while the AGNP concentration comprises 57 credits and 660 clinical hours. RN to BSN courses include Leadership Seminar; Healthcare Economics; Dimensions of Public Health Post Licensure; Nursing Practice for RN-BSN; Nursing Research; and Leadership and Professional Practice. Upon successful completion of the BSN portion of the program, nurses continue to the MSN courses in their chosen concentration.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The FNP Post-Master’s Certificate comprises 35 credits plus 680 clinical hours while the AGNP concentration comprises 27 credits plus 510 clinical hours. Courses follow the concentration courses for the MSN concentrations, plus Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment of the Adult Client, and Advanced Pharmacology. Additional courses may be required or courses may be waived depending on prior education.

Online Experience: The WP online nurse practitioner programs are flexible with 100% online, asynchronous coursework through the Blackboard learning platform. Clinical preceptorships are secured local to the student. Students have access to information technology services, user services such as the Help Desk, Technology Consultants, and Enterprise Desktop Support, library services, financial aid, military support, enrollment services, the Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center, career counseling, and faculty support. Online courses may include recorded lectures, readings, discussion boards, group and individual assignments, and assessments. Courses last seven weeks each.

On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for the WP nurse practitioner programs as coursework is 100 percent online with local preceptorships.

Paying for the William Paterson University Online NP Programs

William Paterson University online NP program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below and vary depending on the nurse practitioner pathway and concentration chosen. Tuition numbers do not include additional fees. Prospective students should contact the WP Department of Nursing or the Financial Aid Office for cost clarifications and updates.

WP may offer unsubsidized federal student loans to graduate students according to the FAFSA. Graduate nursing students may also check with their employers as to a tuition reimbursement program or tuition discounts. Finally, online nursing students may wish to explore unique pathways to funding such as community and organizational scholarships, grants, and private loans.

William Paterson University

WP offers MSN, RN to MSN, and Post-MSN NP programs with FNP and AGNP concentrations, affordable tuition, accelerated coursework, no campus visits, and local preceptorships.

APRN Programs

MSN – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
RN to MSN – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Campus Address

300 Pompton Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470

William Paterson University – MSN – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

6 Start Dates – 2 each in the Fall, Spring, Summer

100% Online?

Yes, plus clinicals

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

39

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

510

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PR, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

39

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$757.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$29,523.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$757.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$29,523.00

William Paterson University – MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

6 Start Dates – 2 each in the Fall, Spring, Summer

100% Online?

Yes, plus clinicals

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

47

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

680

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PR, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

47

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$806.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$37,882.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$806.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$37,882.00

William Paterson University – Post-Master's Certificate – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate

Specialization

AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

6 Start Dates – 2 each in the Fall, Spring, Summer

100% Online?

Yes, plus clinicals

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

27

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

510

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PR, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

27

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$618.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$16,686.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$618.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$16,686.00

William Paterson University – Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

6 Start Dates – 2 each in the Fall, Spring, Summer

100% Online?

Yes, plus clinicals

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

35

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

680

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

3.0 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PR, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

35

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$677.00

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$23,695.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$677.00

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$23,695.00

William Paterson University – RN to MSN – Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

6 Start Dates – 2 each in the Fall, Spring, Summer

100% Online?

Yes, plus clinicals

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

57

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

660

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

2.5 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PR, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

57

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$531.74

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$26,205.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$531.74

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$26,205.00

William Paterson University – RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

6 Start Dates – 2 each in the Fall, Spring, Summer

100% Online?

Yes, plus clinicals

Campus Visits Required

0

Credits Needed to Graduate

65

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

830

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

No GRE Required

GPA Required?

2.5 or higher

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PR, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

65

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$585.85

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$33,450.00

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$585.85

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$33,450.00

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

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.