Family Nurse Practitioner (M.S.N.) (Accelerated Online)

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner

Students learn to provide primary care for all ages with an emphasis on health promotion, disease management, and integrative therapies.
family

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program (MSN - FNP) is a nationally recognized online 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. Hallmarks of our program include small class sizes and immersive virtual learning experiences for students to engage in simulations and mentored learning.

Course Work

The non-thesis Family Nurse Practitioner program is a combination of online course work and clinical practicum hours. Students complete practicum hours one-on-one with a preceptor in the state of Texas. Students engage in the application of evidence-based practice in their focus area in their capstone course. Some coursework includes:

  • Pediatric and Adolescent Primary CareYoung and Middle Adult Primary Care
  • Integrative Family Primary Care
  • Clinical Prevention and Population Health

*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.

DegreeConcentrationHoursThesisMinorLocation
Degree
MSN
Concentration
Family Nurse Practitioner (Accelerated Online)
Hours
43 hours
Thesis
Non-Thesis
Minor
No minor required
Location
Online

100% Online

This program is completely online. 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. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the Office of Distance and Extended Learning. International applicants will not be eligible to receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 for an F-1 or J-1 visa from Texas State and may review the eligibility requirements of enrolling in online programs and contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with questions.

What Our Alumni Say

“Our FNP program supports student learning incorporating foundational knowledge, skills, and competencies in providing primary care services to patients, emphasizing holistic care of the patient and family. Innovative learning experiences empower students to develop critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and therapeutic communication skills, preparing them for successful careers as primary care providers.”

— Ms. Ashley Walters-Snider, Clinical Assistant Professor and FNP Coordinator 

Program Details

This degree's delivery format, small class sizes, focused semesters, and precepted practicum experiences will provide increased flexibility and opportunity for the students in Central Texas and beyond.

Program Mission

Preparing the next generation of nurses to improve health care.
St. David’s School of Nursing at Texas State University educates and prepares graduates using innovative teaching strategies and state-of-the-art technology. By the end of this program, graduates will: 

  • provide ethical, safe, and effective patient-centered care and contribute to present and emerging research and health management practices. 
  • demonstrate competence in clinical judgment, collaborate as members and leaders of interprofessional healthcare teams, and utilize scientifically-based interventions. 
  • act as caring professional nurses managing illness; promoting, maintaining, and restoring health; and providing end-of-life care for diverse individuals, families, populations, and global communities across the lifespan.

Career Options

Family nurse practitioner graduates are employed in a wide variety of clinical settings. Settings can include primary care, specialty clinics, and even their own private practice. Graduates are qualified to take one of the FNP national certification examinations, which is a requirement for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Graduates are well-prepared to pursue doctoral study as a new graduate or later in their career.

Program Faculty

St. David’s School of Nursing faculty are expert advanced nursing leaders and clinicians who bring diverse knowledge and skills into their teaching. Faculty are highly active in research, service, and clinical practice and frequently present at local, national, and international conferences. Recognition and publication of faculty scholarship are evident in publications in professional journals, engagement in interprofessional scholarship, and grantsmanship. Faculty scholarship extends to student engagement in translational science capstone projects that often result in faculty-student presentations and publications, providing graduates with scholarly recognition prior to graduation.

Contact us for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Stacey Cropley
slc299@txstate.edu
512.716.2900

Advisor Support
Angela Carter
ogq18@txstate.edu
512.716.4908
St. David's School of Nursing, Room 337

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Application Deadlines

TermPart of TermDeadlineStart Date
Term
Fall
Part of Term
First 8 Weeks
Deadline
August 15
Start Date
August 25
Term
Spring
Part of Term
First 8 Weeks
Deadline
NA
Start Date
NA
Term
Summer
Part of Term
First 5 Weeks
Deadline
NA
Start Date
NA

Admission 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.

  • Review important information about the online application.

    • $55 nonrefundable application fee
      OR
    • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

    Review important information about application fees.

    • 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
    •  a 3.25 overall GPA or a 3.25 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work, plus any completed graduate courses
    • minimum 3.25 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

    • GRE not required

    Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

    Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets 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
    • official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
    • official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

    This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

    Review important information about official test scores.

    • current, valid, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Texas with date issued from the Board of Nursing and Nursys 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.

  • Once a student has been offered admission, the following additional criteria must be completed and met prior to the start of classes or by the due dates set by the School of Nursing:

    1. clear, current criminal background check (in addition to that on file at the Board of Nursing) and drug test.
    2. student liability insurance fee paid to Texas State University
    3. Health Certificate and exam completed and signed by a healthcare provider
    4. currency and proof of all required immunizations
    5. current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
    6. documentation of health insurance for each semester in the MSN-FP program. Many resources are available on the Internet to obtain health insurance. It may also be obtained through the Texas State University Domestic Student Health Insurance Plan
    7. Laptop requirements for the program (posted in pre-orientation class)
    8. Essential Competency Requirements and attestation
    9. completion of New Student Orientation as scheduled
  • 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.

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