Family Nurse Practitioner
The family nurse practitioner (FNP) program is a hybrid master’s degree program that prepares post-baccalaureate registered nurses to provide high-quality, integrative care for patients across the lifespan in a variety of settings. Graduates will be prepared to skillfully translate research and utilize evidence-based practice knowledge to provide healthcare for individuals, families, and populations with an emphasis on primary care.
Students learn and practice the theory and techniques of providing primary healthcare using an integrative approach.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more.
If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following:
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Kathy Smith
kss123@txstate.edu
512.716.4603
Nursing Building (NURS), Room 320
Advisor Support
Sarah Solorzano
cxq10@txstate.edu
512.716.4908
Nursing Building (NURS), Room 337
“What separates Texas State University from other programs is the insistence that a student’s practice is elevated to the highest standards. Having received such a high-quality education and extensive didactic readiness, I am confident that I possess the tools necessary to excel as a family nurse practitioner.”
— Colleen Gorman, M.S.N. ’16
Course Work
Courses are delivered in a hybrid format with didactic work delivered online* and clinical experiences found in surrounding communities. Face-to-face weekend intensives, where students hone their skills with the faculty and get to know their fellow family nurse practitioner (FNP) students, are required twice per semester. Almost one quarter of the curriculum takes place in communities where students work and learn one-on-one with preceptors. We strive to help students find preceptors in various communities and rural areas.
*Due to variation in the laws of states and regulations of state boards of nursing, the ability to offer admission to non-Texas residents may be limited.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S.N. | 48 | Non-Thesis | No Minor |
| Online Availability The majority of this program may be offered online with required on-campus learning experiences two weekends per semester at the St. David’s School of Nursing in Round Rock, Texas. Due to variation in the laws of states and regulations of state Boards of Nursing, admission for non-Texas residents may be limited at this time. Additional information for international applicants is available below. |
The curricular structure ensures that students are immersed in a myriad of clinical experiences from the beginning of the program. Graduates are in demand from this rigorous and life-transforming program.
Program Mission
The St. David’s School of Nursing at Texas State University educates and prepares graduates, using innovative teaching strategies and state-of-the-art technology. Graduates provide ethical, safe, and effective patient-centered care and contribute to present and emerging research and health management practices. Graduates demonstrate competence in clinical judgment, collaborate as members and leaders of interprofessional healthcare teams, and utilize scientifically-based interventions. As caring professional nurses, graduates manage illness; promote, maintain, and restore health; and provide end-of-life care for diverse individuals, families, populations, and global communities across the lifespan.
Program Faculty
School of Nursing faculty are respected for their expertise in practice, service, and clinical and educational research. Established research programs in clinical practice and education are ongoing. The advanced practice nursing faculty continue to engage in Nurse Practitioner (NP) practice to promote and maintain the best standards of practice. Faculty are frequent presenters at local, national, and international conferences and published in journals such as Clinical Nursing Research, Journal of Advanced Nursing, World Views on Evidence-based Nursing, Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, Journal of Professional Nursing, and Nurse Educator.
Career Options
Graduates pursue careers in a wide variety of clinical settings as a family nurse practitioner and may choose to continue with doctoral study. Graduates are qualified to sit for one of the following national certification examinations:
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American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Exam (FNP)
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American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certification Exam (FNP)
Certification is a requirement for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Application Process
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | January 25 | January 25 |
| Spring | No Admission | No Admission |
| Summer I | No Admission | No Admission |
| Summer II | No Admission | No Admission |
*Effective July 6, 2022, applications for the fall 2022 semester will no longer be accepted.
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Application Deadline This program has a flexible deadline. |
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Applications must be complete by the deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a firm basis. |
Application Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Transcripts & GPA
- bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) degree from a regionally accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized nursing education accrediting body. The student's B.S.N. degree must be reflected on the transcript at the time of application.
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in your nursing course work
- grade of C or better in an upper-division statistics course. The course must be completed at the time of application and reflected on submitted transcripts.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
GRE Scores
- GRE not required
Documents & Other Requirements*
- current, valid, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Texas with date issued from the Board of Nursing uploaded into the application system. Multistate licenses are accepted as long as Texas is declared the home state.
- professional essay and goals statements
- resume/CV showing a minimum of one year full-time equivalent experience as a Registered Nurse prior to the application deadline. Employment will be verified.
- three professional forms of recommendation from persons competent to assess the applicant’s academic capability, clinical expertise, and interest in pursuing a career for this program. This is a form completed by your identified reference as part of the application system.
- interview
*Please note once a student has been offered admission, additional criteria must be completed and met prior to admission and the required due dates as listed by the School of Nursing.
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
If you are an international applicant, you can apply to this program; however, please be aware that you must:
- be available to complete certain degree requirements in the state of Texas
- have a bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) degree from a regionally accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized nursing education accrediting body. Your B.S.N. degree must be reflected on your transcript when you apply.