Program Overview 

The M.S.N. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is designed for the registered BSN nurse to complete a degree conveniently and efficiently while continuing a career.

•No commuting to campus

•Complete the program in as little as 2 years if you attend full-time (five semesters, 44 semester hours)

•Highly qualified faculty members with various nursing backgrounds who facilitate learning

•100% Online Asynchronous courses

•Clinical hours completed in your own area (765 clinical hours are required)

Columbus State University is ranked among the top regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report with special recognition of its online programs in the College of Education and Health Professions.

The FNP degree has been offered cooperatively by Columbus State University and Georgia Southwestern University. Each institution belongs to the University System of Georgia.  The Georgia Intercollegiate Consortium for Graduate Nursing Education (GICGNE) has a mission to prepare safe and competent professional nurses, who in collaboration with others, provide or facilitate high quality patient-centered care in a global society and achieve academic excellence in nursing education through learner centered teaching, evidence-based practice, creative inquiry and student engagement. Also, the mission is to prepare competent and caring individuals for a life of success and leadership in professional nursing through intellectual, personal and social growth and to contribute to the communities in which they live and work. 

While the MSN/FNP program was established as part of the Georgia Intercollegiate Consortium for Graduate Nursing Education (GICGNE), CSU School of Nursing was approved to launch its own MSN/FNP program in the spring of 2020. The master's degree program in nursing at Columbus State University under GICGNE is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The master's degree program in nursing at Columbus State University as a single institution is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Career Opportunities

The family nurse practitioner role prepares professional nurses to work in an advanced role as a care provider in hospitals, private practices, schools and colleges, hospice centers, community clinics, Veterans’ Administration facilities and private and public health departments. The family nurse practitioner may also choose to work with students in an educational setting.

Program of Study

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core
NURS 6105	Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice	3
NURS 6107	Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NURS 6127	Scient Underpin of AP Role	3
NURS 6128	Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse	3
NURS 6225	Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nurses	4
NURS 6325	Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nurses Clinical	2
Core Total		18
Specialty Courses
NURS 6129	Health Care Delivery Models, Economics and Policy	2
NURS 6227	Health Promotion of Women and Children	3
NURS 6228	Health Promotion of the Elderly	3
NURS 6229	Health Promotion of Adults	3
NURS 6327	Health Promotion of Women and Children Clinical	3
NURS 6328	Health Promotion of the Elderly Clinical	3
NURS 6329	Health Promotion of Adults Clinical	3
Specialty Courses Total		20
Nurse Practitioner Practicum
NURS 6425	Nurse Practitioner Practicum	6
Nurse Practitioner Practicum Total		6
Total Credit Hours		44

Admission Requirements

• Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited university and a nationally accredited nursing program (NLNAC or CCNE)
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
• Current unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical course requirements will be met
• Three (3) professional letters of reference
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) required for admission to the family nurse practitioner program
• Acceptance into the Graduate School at Columbus State University. For more information about graduate programs at CSU go to http://gradschool.columbusstate.edu.

Additional Program Requirements

The MSN degree is awarded on completion of course work with a 3.0 or better grade point average (GPA), fulfillment of candidacy requirements and successful completion of required course and program requirements.