Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner online

Prepare to assess and promote the health of children and adults as a nurse practitioner in this CCNE-accredited online program.

Apply by: 4/27/25
Start class: 5/19/25

Program Overview

Find out more about the MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online program.

$37,917.25 Total Tuition
20 months Duration
47* Credit Hours

Equip yourself with the advanced knowledge and qualifications you need to provide primary care to patients of all ages by earning your Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner online from William Paterson University. Designed to be flexible for working nurses, this innovative program develops your expertise in health promotion through evidence-based practice. Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to sit for the FNP certification exam.

100 percent online coursework covers nursing research strategies; population health; legislation and social policy; advanced pathophysiology; pharmacology; and health assessment of pediatric, adult, and childbearing clients. Throughout this MSN FNP program online, our experienced faculty will support your pursuit of self-development, professional growth, and lifelong learning

As a graduate of this MSN FNP online program, you will be able to:

  • Apply advanced knowledge of nursing theories, related sciences and humanities, and methods of inquiry in the delivery of healthcare services
  • Develop leadership and communicate effectively using the collaborative approach to improve quality care
  • Analyze changes in the healthcare system through the design and implementation of health-related projects that strengthen outcomes in the healthcare delivery system
  • Apply evidence, research, and theory to improve health services
  • Apply current health information and technologies to advance the quality and accessibility of care
  • Advocate for healthcare policies and systems to improve healthcare
  • Analyze systems' responses to health and illness to improve the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of health that reflect respect across diverse cultures
  • Engage in advanced nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and clinical populations
  • Apply advanced knowledge of nursing theories, related sciences and humanities, and methods of inquiry in the delivery of healthcare services
  • Develop leadership and communicate effectively using the collaborative approach to improve quality care
  • Analyze changes in the healthcare system through the design and implementation of health-related projects that strengthen outcomes in the healthcare delivery system
  • Apply evidence, research, and theory to improve health services
  • Apply current health information and technologies to advance the quality and accessibility of care
  • Advocate for healthcare policies and systems to improve healthcare
  • Analyze systems' responses to health and illness to improve the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of health that reflect respect across diverse cultures
  • Engage in advanced nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and clinical populations

Prepare to deliver primary care services in a variety of settings, such as:

  • Internal Medicine offices
  • Community Clinics
  • Rehab and Long-Term Care Facilities
  • Specialty Clinics
  • University Student Health Centers
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Home Care
  • Prisons and Jails
  • Internal Medicine offices
  • Community Clinics
  • Rehab and Long-Term Care Facilities
  • Specialty Clinics
  • University Student Health Centers
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Home Care
  • Prisons and Jails
$37,917.25 Total Tuition
As few as 20 months Duration
47 Credit Hours
CCNE accredited logo

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, post-master's degree certification in adult gerontology and family nurse practitioner, and DNP programs at William Paterson University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (ccneaccreditation.org). Expires June 30, 2030.

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Need More Information?

Call 833-960-0139

Call 833-960-0139

Tuition

Discover how WP’s pay-by-the-course tuition is affordable for working nurses.

The William Paterson University MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. Tuition includes a nursing course fee that provides students a range of services and resources that specifically support student learning and success in the online nursing program.

Tuition breakdown:

$37,917.25 Total Tuition
$806.75 Per Credit Hour

Tuition breakdown:

$37,917.25 Total Tuition
$806.75 Per Credit Hour

Calendar

Don’t miss these important deadlines.

William Paterson University online MSN programs are delivered in a flexible format ideal for working professionals, with accelerated coursework and six start dates each year.

Now enrolling:

4/27/25 Apply Date
5/19/25 Class Starts
TermStart DateApp DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineClass End DateTerm Length
Summer I5/19/254/27/254/30/255/9/255/14/257/6/257 weeks
Summer II7/14/256/22/256/24/257/3/257/9/258/31/257 weeks
Fall I9/8/258/17/258/20/258/29/259/3/2510/26/257 weeks
Fall II11/3/2510/12/2510/15/2510/24/2510/29/2512/21/257 weeks

Now enrolling:

4/27/25 Apply Date
5/19/25 Class Starts

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Admissions

Find out what documents you need to register for your online MSN degree.

We've streamlined the admission process for the MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online to help you get started right away. Please read the admission requirements, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. Review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.

The requirements include:

  • BSN from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher*
  • RN license valid and unencumbered
  • Current resume
  • Reference Sheet with 2 Reference Names

You must meet the following requirements for admission to the MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online program:

  • Submit online application and $50 application fee
  • Current resume
  • Reference sheet with two reference names (former faculty and current manager/supervisor)
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, including courses in statistics, research, and physical assessment
  • An active RN license in the state where you practice
  • Currently employed as an RN
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA*
* Students with a GPA below 3.0 will be reviewed on an individual basis. If accepted into the program, the student will be matriculated with a condition that the student take 1-2 graduate nursing courses and earn a grade of B or better in order to continue in the program.


Official transcripts and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:

Email address: [email protected]

Mail address:

Office of Graduate Admissions & Enrollment Services
William Paterson University
Morrison Hall 102
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470

Courses

View the curriculum for the MSN – FNP online program.

For the MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner online, you must complete 47 credit hours and 680 clinical hours.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on theory development and criteria for evaluating theories. Emphasis is on a variety of interdisciplinary and nursing theories and their application to clinical and community nursing based practice. Includes an exploration of contemporary issues in theory development and the relationship between theory and research in nursing as a practice discipline.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides evidence-based knowledge on the leadership of advanced practice nurse roles within the healthcare delivery system. Current socio-cultural, ethical, and legal issues will be examined. The role of the APN will be analyzed in working in interdisciplinary teams and focus on the skills of collaboration with other health professions to improve quality care.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides graduate students with the skills for critically evaluating and participating in nursing research, evidence-base clinical practice, quality improvement, & translational research. All phases of the research process for quantitative and qualitative designs are incorporated. Emphasis is placed on the relationship among theory, practice and research. Ethical implications of research are considered. Students address evidence-based practice and are introduced to quality improvement models. Each student develops a thesis pre-proposal with application to their area of clinical interest to be implemented as the masters’ thesis requirement.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores the social determinants of health, political process, and development of social policy. Evidence-based populations interventions and outcomes will be examined. Selected legislation that influences healthcare delivery will be analyzed.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth study of the pathogenesis of major conditions affecting clients across the lifespan, including children, child-bearing women and young adults, adults and older adults. Assessment of complex clinical situations will be analyzed along with laboratory and diagnostic data to provide a rationale for nursing management decisions.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course includes the study of history taking, physical exam and laboratory/diagnostic techniques that support the assessment and diagnosis of young adults, adults, and older adults by the advanced practice nurse. The course allows the student to develop the cognitive and psychomotor skills required to perform a comprehensive health assessment including health history and physical examination of the young adult, adult, and older adult and to address common healthcare problems seen in a primary care community setting.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Required for the adult/gerontology and family nurse practitioner tracks. Emphasis is on age-appropriate health screening, health maintenance, and health promotion. The management of selected acute/chronic healthcare problems of the young adult, adult, and older adult are addressed including: EENT (ears, eyes, nose, throat), hematological, cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and neurological system disorders. Development of advanced practice nursing and interdisciplinary plans of care based on research evidence, legal, political and ethical considerations, and the use of information technology will be addressed.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Required for the adult gerontology and family nurse practitioner tracks. Emphasis is on age-appropriate health screening, health maintenance, and health promotion. The management of selected acute/chronic healthcare problems of the young adult, adult, and older adult are addressed including dermatological, genitourinary, woman’s health, hematological and immune disorders, mental health, and emergency problems. Special emphasis is given to the management of the young adult and older adult. Development of advanced nursing and interdisciplinary plans of care using research evidence, critical thinking, legal, political and ethical considerations will be emphasized. The efficacy of alternative and complementary therapies will be explored.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is required for the advanced clinical practice track. Emphasis is on management of selected acute/chronic healthcare problems of pediatric and childbearing clients. Developmental needs will be addressed, as well as HEENT, hematological, cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, dermatological, genitourinary, immune system and mental health problems specific to these populations. Special emphasis will be on the management of the pregnant/ante partum/postpartum woman. Development of advanced nursing and interdisciplinary plans of care using research evidence, critical thinking, legal, political and ethical considerations will be emphasized. This is the third and final course in a series of three advanced nursing clinical management courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This course includes the study of history taking, physical exam and laboratory/diagnostic techniques that support the assessment and diagnosis of the pediatric and childbearing client by the advanced practice nurse (APN). The course allows the student to develop the cognitive and psychomotor skills required to perform a health and physical assessment on infants, children, adolescent, adult and child bearing women and to address common healthcare problems seen in a primary care community setting.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Provides an opportunity for advanced nursing practice nurses e.g. nurse practitioner to demonstrate role competencies. Interdisciplinary theories and research are synthesized and applied in the delivery of primary care, management and/or educational outcomes to diverse populations. Clinical practicum requires a minimum of 170 supervised hours in healthcare settings, institutions and/or academic institutions. Seminars, which are two and one half-hours every other week, enable students to integrate learning.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides students with information that will enable them to apply clinical pharmacotherapeutics to client care. Standard and new drugs; drug delivery systems in pharmacotherapy; age-and illness-related modifications across the lifespan; and drug and food interactions are emphasized. The legal and regulatory aspects of drug administration with the prescriptive authority of the advanced practice nurse will be explored.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course is required for students in the nurse practitioner tracks. Students are expected to initiate health promotion, assess, make clinical decisions, and manage care in consultation with appropriate healthcare providers for young adults, adults, and older adults. Preceptorships will be held in variety primary care settings across diverse populations. Clinical practicum requires 170 supervised hours. Seminars, which are two-and-one-half hours every other week, enable students to integrate learning.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Required for the advanced practice track – family nurse practitioner. Students are expected to apply and synthesize knowledge and skills of health promotion, health maintenance, and clinical management of common acute and chronic healthcare problems of pediatric and childbearing clients. Preceptored clinical practicum requires 170 supervised hours.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
The roles and competencies of the family nurse practitioner is addressed. For family nurse practitioners, various roles will focus on managing care of neonates, infants, children, young adults, pre an post-natal women, adult, and older adults. The practicum will provide students with experience in their functional role within a variety of health care settings with diverse populations. Clinical practicum requires 170 supervised hours. Seminars, which are two-and-one-half hours every other week, enable students to integrate learning.
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