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Master's Degree

MSN-FNP Online Program
Family Nurse Practitioner

Calendar

CLASSES START
Oct 28th

20 Mo.

Program Length

48

Credits

Online

Format

DNP

Dual credit

Master's Degree

MSN-FNP Online Program
Family Nurse Practitioner

Earn your MSN-FNP with Herzing and become possible

AccreditationCCNE accredited,1Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Format100% online classwork with inter-professional educational opportunities
Clinicals585 clinical hours - Herzing pledges clinical placement
Get started6 start-dates per year
Dual creditEarn dual credit towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
PathwaysGraduate with an MSN and become qualified for our online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program; or choose a BSN to DNP-FNP program
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University
Family Nurse Practitioner with MSN Speaking with Patient
US News Best Graduate Nursing Programs 2024

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2024

MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
US News Best Graduate Nursing Programs 2024

Overview: MSN-FNP Degree Program

The MSN-FNP degree (BSN to FNP) is a 48-credit graduate program which prepares you for a career as a family nurse practitioner. The degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in advanced practice nursing, clinical decision-making, pediatric, adult, and geriatric nursing, and much more.

SVG
Career-focused curriculum

Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

SVG
Flexible schedule

We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

SVG
Virtual services

Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

SVG
Lifelong support

We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

SVG
Rolling admissions

No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Classes Start October 28th

Learn More Today

Curriculum

MSN-FNP Program Curriculum

Ranging from newborn to geriatric, Herzing’s online MSN-FNP program is a population-focused curriculum completed in the primary care setting. The program is designed for BSN nurses looking to go from BSN to FNP - to be completed over twenty months (5 semesters) when attending full-time.

The curriculum offers advanced, immediately relevant training through core MSN courses, direct care courses, and clinical courses. A minimum of 48.00 semester credit hours and 585 practicum hours are required for graduation.

Options for RNs with an ADN

 

We also offer an RN to MSN-FNP option for nurses who hold associate degree in nursing.

Choose to go from RN to MSN or earn your BSN on the way in our RN to BSN to MSN track.

You may also choose to begin working towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) by applying for our BSN to DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner program. 

ProgramMonthsiCredits
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Family Nurse Practitioner (MSNFNP)2048

i. Average number of months for students to complete program. Program availability varies by location.

Required Core Courses

All courses, 15.00 semester credit hours, are required.

Required Direct Care Courses

All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.

Required Specialty Courses

All courses, 24.00 semester credit hours, are required.

+ Chair approval is needed for PMC students to take NU 627 with another clinical course simultaneously.

Clinical Proficiency Exam and Policy Courses

The following courses are 0.00 semester credit hours associated with the policy outlined above. Students are required to take as co-requisite courses along with NU 611, NU 642, NU 664 or NU 671, depending on the program of study. NSG 0600 - Clinical Proficiency Course Semester Credit Hours: 0.00 NSG 0600R - Clinical Proficiency Remediation Course (if needed) Semester Credit Hours: 0.00

Tuition & Cost

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the MSN-FNP program is $755 per credit.

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

Find my estimate

 Scholarships & Financial Aid

You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.

Find scholarships and grants 

 Military/Veteran Discounts

Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

VA/Military benefits 

Scholarship Opportunity

You may be eligible for the Herzing University Nurses Circle of Achievement Scholarship.

Eligibility requirements include a minimum GPA earned in your undergraduate nursing program, and maintaining a minimum GPA throughout the MSN program.

You can potentially earn 10% tuition reduction!

Learn More

Requirements
Requirements

Enrollment requirements

To enroll in Herzing’s online family nurse practitioner program, prospective students must live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the MSN-FNP program, and:

  1. Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the same state in which they live.  (Note: Holding a multi-state, compact state license and being a resident in a compact license state will be deemed to have met this requirement.)
  2. Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited university or college with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District Of Columbia.

Clinicals
Clinicals

Clinical Experience: Herzing supports your search for a preceptor

Finding a preceptor or clinical location for a nurse practitioner program can be a pain point for many prospective nursing students. With Herzing University you are never on your own.

Benefits of the Herzing MSN-FNP program clinical experience

  1. Strong University guidance. Herzing goes above and beyond to help you find a clinical site. Our Clinical Guidance Process backed by the Herzing MSN Clinical Placement Pledge ensures you are able to secure clinical placement as part of the MSN-FNP program.
  2. You will be ready. Our program includes a Clinical Readiness Course to prepare you for success in the practicum your clinical experiences during your time here at Herzing University. 
  3. Interdisciplinary opportunities. Exposure to diverse patient care environments makes you a better, more prepared nurse practitioner. Our priority is your experience to build upon in your new career—the Herzing MSN-FNP program requires a minimum of 100 patient encounters and 135 clinical hours in your clinical courses as part of the 585-hour requirement to ensure you see a variety of patients. You will earn personalized, valuable clinical experience with a deeper background treating patients of many ages across the lifespan including times of wellness and illness.
  4. Flexible scheduling. Fitting clinical hours into an already hectic life can be a challenge. In collaboration with your clinical preceptor, you will identify a schedule that works best for you.
  5. We treat you like a professional. You are a student—but in a clinical setting you are accountable to a licensed healthcare provider and their patients. From enrollment to completion we treat you like the nursing professional you are working so hard to become.

If you'd like more detail on the process, read our guide to finding a nurse practitioner preceptor, which includes information on what sites you may choose, what kinds of preceptors you can work with, and tips on how to secure a clinical.


MSN Clinical Placement Pledge Herzing Badge

Your clinical placement is our pledge.

We understand securing clinical placement as part of an MSN-FNP program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.

As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.

Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*

* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment documents.

Classes Start October 28th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Preparing for a career as a

Family Nurse Practitioner


Earning the right credential can help you build lifelong success.

The demand for Family Nurse Practitioners has never been greater. Now is the time to make a change that can deliver benefits for years to come. Download a copy of our complimentary guide to learn more about Herzing's MSN-FNP program and the unique advantages it provides you.

FNP Career Guide

Download Career Guide

Family Nurse Practitioner Career Guide
Why Herzing

1. The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

Accreditation acknowledges that Herzing's nursing programs meet specific national standards including institutional resources, quality curriculum and teaching practices, and program outcomes related to completion rates, pass rates and employment.

CCNE Accreditation Badge

Online Learning and On-Site Training

One of the most important elements of our online MSN-FNP program is the opportunity to engage with patients and preceptors in the clinical environment. As a Herzing FNP student, you will complete online classes with on-site clinical experiences that provide you the opportunity to practice skills and apply your learning in real-world settings.

  • Our Clinical Readiness Course prepares you to be successful in your clinical experience.
  • Our Virtual Bootcamp helps you prepare for the certification exam.

Clinical Experience Assistance

The clinical experience is an integral part of our program to help prepare you for your advanced practice nursing career. At Herzing, you’ll have clinical coordinators who serve as a resource to students in finding and securing appropriate clinical sites.

Convenience and Support

Herzing's online MSN-FNP program is designed for busy professionals looking to get their nurse practitioner degree online. Flexible online scheduling is available to accommodate the demands of work, home, and life. And like Herzing’s local campuses, you can expect the personalized attention and support that Herzing is known. Masters-prepared academic coaches offer one on one assistance and coaching to enhance study skills, build confidence, and provide support in helping MSN FNP students achieve academic success.

Collaborative, Real-World Experience

Learn from experienced teaching faculty whose rich, professional experiences enhance our students’ education. And with an interactive online learning environment, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with nurses from around the country.

Careers

What exactly is a family nurse practitioner?

With the changes in healthcare reform, Family Nurse Practitioners serve a vital role; counseling patients for health prevention, promotion and disease management, as well as seeing, diagnosing and treating patients who would have historically waited weeks to see a physician. In recent years, the role of nurse practitioners has expanded. Along with the increase in duties performed, so too has the need for more qualified graduates risen. Help fill the need with a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Herzing University.

Nurse Practitioner ranked #1 Best Health Care Job for 2023 by U.S. News & World Report!

Family nurse practitioners provide care for patients of all ages and have great flexibility in choosing a specialty. Nurse Practitioners often select positions in family practice, geriatrics, pediatrics, Ob-Gyn, urgent care, internal medicine and primary care.

What can I do as an FNP?

 

Graduates of Herzing's MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner program are prepared to work in diverse healthcare and academic environments with patients across the lifespan, including:

  • Family Practice
  • Primary Care
  • Public Health
  • Retail Health Clinics
  • School Health
  • Urgent Care Clinics
  • Veterans Administration
  • Women's Health
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Licensure requirements for FNPs vary from state to state. Most require a current RN license and a master’s degree in nursing. Graduates from Herzing University’s FNP program are eligible to sit for one of the FNP certification exams. Two main bodies offer FNP certification:

You may choose which exam you’d like to take. After completing your master’s degree, you will need to get certified and obtain licensure in the state you wish to practice before opening your practice as an FNP.

The Herzing University online MSN-FNP program is not entry level. We require a BSN degree from an accredited university or college and a current, active and unrestricted license as an RN for acceptance into our MSN-FNP program.

If you have no experience in nursing and are considering a second career as a family nurse practitioner, see our accelerated BSN program option or MSN Direct Entry program. These programs can put you on track to earn your bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing to become an RN and qualify for our FNP program options.

Additional RN options include our Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and 3-year BSN programs. We now offer an online BSN program for non-nurses, available for enrollment in select U.S. states.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $128,490 per year ($61.78 per hour). Pay depends on many factors, including your location, what healthcare institution you work for and your level of experience.*

Discover the average nurse practitioner salary by state and find out what nurse practitioners make on average near you.

Our online FNP program has 6 start dates per year, ensuring that you will have a start date coming up soon, but giving you enough time to get your personal affairs in order before jumping in. You can take the first step and apply now or contact an admissions advisor by calling 855-285-3809.

Nurse practitioners work primarily in hospitals (state, local & private), physician’s offices, outpatient care centers, educational facilities and offices of other health practitioners, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Learn more about where family nurse practitioners work and their average salary in each type of healthcare facility.

The answer really depends on the state where you’d be working. There are a few basic levels of practice: full, reduced and restricted.

Explore this map from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners to discover your state’s standards and get an understanding of what it means.

Over the course of your education, you’ll learn much more detail about the scope of practice for family nurse practitioners vs. other roles in healthcare.

We offer multiple options for current nurses of all types, including pathways for ASN/ADN, BSN, and MSN degree holders.

View our available online Family Nurse Practitioner programs.

One of the most important elements of the online MSN-FNP program is the clinical. At Herzing you’ll have a clinical coordinator who will serve as a resource to students, guiding and assisting with securing appropriate clinical sites.

Herzing has been partnering with clinical sites for decades, which affords students the best clinical settings due to our reputation of strong clinical presence in a wide range of facilities.

We pledge YOUR clinical placement!

With Herzing University you are never alone. Read our guide to finding preceptorship for the FNP program and get more information on who you can choose, what kinds of sites you can look for, and how we support your search.

Choose your NP pathway

Choose your NP pathway

Considering all of your options for nurse practitioner specialties?

Herzing University offers multiple nurse practitioner programs for current nurses holding an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree in nursing.

Our goal is to help you walk your career path no matter where you are, or where you want to go.

Explore Herzing NP programs
Disclosures

Accreditations

Accreditations & Disclosures

1. The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

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Ready to get started?

Contact us to request more information

Herzing Tuition Wizard

The program has an automatic transfer of credits, and allows you to transfer up to additional credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credit hours.

  Transfer Credit Hours
MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Online Campus
Tuition
Cost per Credit$755.00
Base Tuition$36,240.00
Savings from Transfer Credits (9 x $755.00 )(-$6,795.00)
Estimated Tuition Cost*$29,445.00
Fees
One-time Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Program Fee$825.00
Per-semester Learner Resource Fee$545.00
Estimated Total Fee*$6,850.00
Total Semesters 1
RequiredNeeded
55
Total Credits
RequiredNeeded
4839
Estimated Cost 2
Base CostYour Cost
$43,090.00$36,295.00
Estimated Savings*
$6,795.00

Available Scholarships & Loan Options

Who Can Apply

Available to applicants who attended a college or university that closed within the last 12 months and were attending within 120 days of the school closure date

Requirements

Must be enrolled in a comparable program at Herzing University, submit a copy of an official transcript from the closed school, and complete the Closed School Discharge Disclosure

Who Can Apply

The Crisis Support Grant is an emergency grant for active students experiencing a financial crisis

Requirements

GPA requirements must be met. All applicants must be actively enrolled in a degree-seeking program, have a record of good conduct, and financial standing with the university

Who Can Apply

All Herzing University students are eligible to apply via the formal application process outlined below. Students must apply prior to the start of either semester in their last academic year before graduation. The application period is open during the summer semester.

Requirements

An application including a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and examples of community service is required. In addition, the scholarship review committee may review GPA and unmet financial need as part of eligibility criteria.

Who Can Apply

Available to applicants in any program that demonstrate a financial need and are unable to cover the cost of attendance with alternative resources in their final academic year

Requirements

Must submit an application and have used all financial resources in the final academic year resulting in a gap in financial resources

Who Can Apply

Available to applicants in any program that demonstrate a financial need, who are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Requirements

Must show financial need and are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Who Can Apply

Dean's List and President's list students

Requirements

Must be enrolled in an Associate or Bachelor program, on the Dean's or President's list, and submit an application.

Who Can Apply

This program designed to provide financial support to nursing students while in school that are williing to work in a critical shortage facility after graduation.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen (born or naturalized), a national, or a permanent resident; accepted or enrolled as a student in a nursing degree program at a United States accredited school of nursing; begin classes no later than September 30; do not have any federal overdue federal loan debt, judgment liens, or existing service commitment.

Who Can Apply

Must be a Herzing graduate who has re-enrolled in a higher-level degree and remain enrolled in the desired program

Requirements

Must be enrolled at least half-time for the duration of the program

Who Can Apply

Must be an international student attending HU through an agreement with a school/agency in your home country

Requirements

Must either be attending a resident campus as F-1 student or enrolled in an online modality study through an established school partnership

Who Can Apply

Must be an eligible AmeriCorps Alumni who is enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree seeking program

Requirements

Must submit a payment request for an eligible institution through their individual account in 'My AmeriCorps'

Who Can Apply

Yellow ribbon may be given to veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate for Post-911

Requirements

100% CH 33 eligible

Who Can Apply

Honorably discharged veterans, severely injured servicemembers, family members of Active Duty Servicemembers and Severely Injured Servicemembers, active duty servicemembers in graduate-level programs, dependents of deceased servicemembers, public safety and first responder personnel

Requirements

Proof of Veteran (DD-214), Active Duty, or injured status is required. 

Proof of active and current employment as public safety personnel or first responder

Who Can Apply

Active Duty Servicemembers in undergraduate programs and National Guard or Reserves activated or actively training and drilling in preparation for potential activation

Requirements

Proof of active duty status is required

Who Can Apply

ASN or BSN: Must have completed the TEAS Assessment with a score of 78+ MSN: must have a 3.8+ GPA upon entering the program.

Requirements

Applicants in the ASN and BSN, must maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled. 

Applicants in the MSN program must maintain a 3.5 GPA.

Who Can Apply

Employees of a business participating in the Herzing Partnerships Program.

Requirements

Proof of active and current employment or association with partner organization

Who Can Apply

Recipients must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program for the Fall with a Herzing University campus located within Wisconsin.

Requirements

Applicant's background must reflect one or more of the components as determined by the UPS Foundation and CIC's First Opportunity Program: first generation student, low-income, minority; or new American student.

Who Can Apply

The program is designed to provide financial support for women that demonstrate leadership potential, initiative, and excellent communication skills and are pursuing a career or have an interest in public service, government, and/or the political process.

Requirements

To be considered for this scholarship, an applicant must be actively enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student in good academic standing and plan to enroll in the Fall. In addition, an applicant must be a female resident of Wisconsin and have a financial need as determined by Herzing University based on eligibility for the Pell Grant.

Who Can Apply

Rath Distinguished Scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement, merit, and leadership.

Requirements

Must be an actively enrolled student in good standing. If an entering first year student, the scholarship applicants must have graduated among the top 25 percent of their high school class. If a sophomore, junior, or senior, applicants must have demonstrated academic excellence by maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent). In addition, scholarship recipients are to demonstrate strong campus and community leadership. Applicants must be enrolled through the Fall semester. Scholars must be U.S. citizens; Wisconsin residents preferred.


To Contact a Financial Aid Advisor

Enrolled and active students

Click here: MyHU Advising Team

Prospective students

Call (866) 508-0748 option 2 or Email fa@herzing.edu

1 

Actual semesters to complete are dependent upon university approved transfer credits and program mapping.

2 

Estimated program length, estimated number of semesters, and estimated program shown above are standard by program for each student based on: a student taking a full-time course load each semester, the student not having any transfer credits (from previous Herzing experiences or from other post-secondary institutions), and successful completion of each course.

Current tuition rates for all programs are effective through the Summer 2024 semester.

MSN-FNP SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Semester 1
Term A CoursesCreditsTerm B CoursesCredits
NU 500 Theoretical Foundations for Nursing3NU 530 Organizational Systems and Behaviors3
NU 560 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice3NU 621 Advanced Pathophysiology3
Term C CoursesCredits
CR 010 Clinical Readiness0
Semester Credit Total12
Semester 2
Term A CoursesCreditsTerm B CoursesCredits
NU 610 Advanced Health Assessment (45 Clinical Hours)3NU 636 Advanced Pharmacology3
Term C CoursesCredits
NU 611 Clinical Decision Making (90 Clinical Hours)2
Semester Credit Total8
Semester 3
Term A CoursesCreditsTerm B CoursesCredits
NU 626 Roles for Nurse Practitioners3NU 525 Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice3
Term C CoursesCredits
NU 623 Adult Healthcare (135 Clinical Hours)4
Semester Credit Total10
Semester 4
Term C CoursesCredits
NU 631 Healthcare of Women Across the Life Span (135 Clinical Hours)4
NU 632 Healthcare of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (135 Clinical Hours)4
Semester Credit Total8
Semester 5
Term A CoursesCreditsTerm B CoursesCredits
NU 580 Health Promotion Across the Life Span3HA 610 Health Policy and Management3
Term C CoursesCredits
NU 627 Geriatric Healthcare (135 Clinical Hours)4
Semester Credit Total10