Master of Science in Nursing-Family Practitioner Option
The Master of Science in Nursing–Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program requires a minimum of 41 credit hours for completion. The curriculum includes 15 credit hours of MSN core courses and 26 credit hours of specialty courses specific to the Family Nurse Practitioner track. This program provides students with the educational foundation necessary to deliver evidence-based, person- and family- centered care to individuals across the lifespan. A maximum of six credit hours may be transferred from another accredited institution, subject to approval (see “Transfer Admission”).
Course content is delivered in a virtual, asynchronous format. Students are required to attend two on- campus intensives: one immediately prior to the start of clinical rotations and one at the completion of the program.
Admission to MSN Program
All applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program must meet the general admission requirements for graduate study at the University of North Alabama (see General Regulations and Procedures). All required application materials must be submitted by the published deadline.
In addition to UNA’s graduate admission requirements, applicants to the MSN program must meet the following criteria:
- A completed application to the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions (ACONHP) graduate program (available online at https://www.una.edu/graduate/
- A cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on the transcript from the BSN degree-granting institution transcript.
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a professionally accredited nursing program in the United States.
- A written statement of professional goals, including how graduate education will support the achievement of those goals.
- A current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license. Applicants with restrictions, reprimands, or participation in any disciplinary alternative program are not eligible for admission.
- Clinical nursing experience is preferred but not required.
- Completion of a criminal background check and drug screen.
Track-Specific Requirements
Applicants to the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks must also submit a minimum of two completed recommendation forms.
Conditional Admission – Leadership and Teaching-Learning Tracks
Applicants to the Leadership and Teaching-Learning tracks may be considered for conditional admission if they partially meet the admission criteria. Conditionally admitted students must have at least one year of full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse. To continue in the program, conditionally admitted students must earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher after the first nine credit hours. Students who fall below a 3.0 GPA after nine hours will not be permitted to continue in the program.
International Applicants
International students must meet all University and ACONHP graduate admission requirements. In addition, they must achieve a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL.
Admission Review and Selection
All applications are reviewed by the graduate nursing administration and/or faculty. Admission decisions are made by the ACONHP graduate administration and/or faculty. Admission to the MSN program is competitive, and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSN Core Courses | 15 | |
| Health Policy, Social Issues, and Theory | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment | ||
| Diversity, Ethics, Health Promotion and Informatics in Person-Centered Care | ||
| Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology | ||
| Advanced Pharmacology for Nurses | ||
| Family Nurse Practitioner Option Discipline Specific Courses | 26 | |
| Evidenced Based Practice and Nursing Scholarship | ||
| Introduction to Family Nurse Practitioner | ||
| Family Nurse Practitioner I | ||
| Family Nurse Practitioner II | ||
| Family Nurse Practitioner III | ||
| Family Nurse Practitioner IV | ||
| Family Nurse Practitioner V | ||
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Enrollment Status and Course Scheduling
To maintain full-time enrollment status, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters, and 6 credit hours during the summer semester, unless otherwise specified. Students requiring full-time status may need to enroll in an elective course to meet the minimum credit hour requirement.
The fall and spring semesters are divided into two 8-week sessions. The summer semester consists of one 8-week session. Course schedules are subject to change.
Fall Admission
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Term | Hours | |
| NU 607 | Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (1st 8-weeks) | 3 |
| NU 502 | Health Policy, Social Issues, and Theory (2nd 8-weeks) | 3 |
| NU 614 | Advanced Pharmacology for Nurses (2nd 8-weeks) | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| 2nd Term | ||
| NU 615 | Evidenced Based Practice and Nursing Scholarship (1st 8-weeks) | 3 |
| NU 509 | Diversity, Ethics, Health Promotion and Informatics in Person-Centered Care (1st 8-weeks) | 3 |
| NU 508 | Advanced Health Assessment (2nd 8-weeks) | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| 3rd Term | ||
| NU 640 | Introduction to Family Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| 1st Term | ||
| NU 641 | Family Nurse Practitioner I (1st 8-weeks, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| NU 642 | Family Nurse Practitioner II (2nd 8-weeks, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| 2nd Term | ||
| NU 643 | Family Nurse Practitioner III (1st 8-weeks, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| NU 644 | Family Nurse Practitioner IV (2nd 8-weeks, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| 3rd Term | ||
| NU 645 | Family Nurse Practitioner V (with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Spring Admission
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Term | Hours | |
| NU 502 | Health Policy, Social Issues, and Theory (Session 1) | 3 |
| NU 607 | Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (Session 1) | 3 |
| NU 614 | Advanced Pharmacology for Nurses (Session 2) | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| 2nd Term | ||
| NU 615 | Evidenced Based Practice and Nursing Scholarship (May-mester) | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| 3rd Term | ||
| NU 508 | Advanced Health Assessment (Session 1) | 3 |
| NU 509 | Diversity, Ethics, Health Promotion and Informatics in Person-Centered Care (Session 1) | 3 |
| NU 640 | Introduction to Family Nurse Practitioner (Session 2) | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| 1st Term | ||
| NU 641 | Family Nurse Practitioner I (Session 1, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| NU 642 | Family Nurse Practitioner II (Session 2, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| 2nd Term | ||
| NU 643 | Family Nurse Practitioner III (with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| 3rd Term | ||
| NU 644 | Family Nurse Practitioner IV (Session 1, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| NU 645 | Family Nurse Practitioner V (Session 2, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Fall Admission RN-MSN
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Term | Hours | |
| NU 607 | Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (1st 8-weeks) | 3 |
| NU 614 | Advanced Pharmacology for Nurses (2nd 8-weeks) | 3 |
| NU 640 | Introduction to Family Nurse Practitioner (2nd 8-weeks) | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| 2nd Term | ||
| NU 641 | Family Nurse Practitioner I (1st 8-weeks, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| NU 642 | Family Nurse Practitioner II (2nd 8-weeks, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| 3rd Term | ||
| NU 615 | Evidenced Based Practice and Nursing Scholarship (May-mester) | 3 |
| NU 643 | Family Nurse Practitioner III (with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Year Two | ||
| 1st Term | ||
| NU 644 | Family Nurse Practitioner IV (1st 8-weeks, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| NU 645 | Family Nurse Practitioner V (2nd 8-weeks, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Spring Admission RN-MSN
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Term | Hours | |
| NU 607 | Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (Session 1) | 3 |
| NU 614 | Advanced Pharmacology for Nurses (Session 2) | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| 2nd Term | ||
| NU 615 | Evidenced Based Practice and Nursing Scholarship (May-mester) | 3 |
| NU 640 | Introduction to Family Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| 3rd Term | ||
| NU 641 | Family Nurse Practitioner I (Session 1, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| NU 642 | Family Nurse Practitioner II (Session 2, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Year Two | ||
| 1st Term | ||
| NU 643 | Family Nurse Practitioner III (Session 1, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| NU 644 | Family Nurse Practitioner IV (Session 2, with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| 2nd Term | ||
| NU 645 | Family Nurse Practitioner V (with 120 clinical hours) | 4 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | |