Nursing
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8-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year
Get hands-on practice during in-person immersive experiences that help prepare you for clinical rotations
This APRN track is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education1
Preparation to provide primary care to families and individuals of all ages
Skills to help prepare you to work in private practice, clinical environments, and special care units
Flexibility designed for working nurses with mobile-accessible learning and study tools
Hands-on, on-site clinical practice at a facility in your local area
FNPs are integral members in community health, delivering essential primary care services to patients of all ages. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), more than two-thirds (69.7%) of NPs focus on family care.1
Through a blend of online coursework and hands-on clinical practice, WCU’s RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner track provides an evidence-based education that helps prepare you for the challenges of modern healthcare. This online specialization uses industry-current technology to help ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to excel as an FNP.
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Distance Education/Online
120 Credits
28 Months
7 Trimesters
Distance Education/Online
120 Credits
44 Months
11 Trimesters
Course Number | Course Name | Total Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Number | Name | Hours |
ELECT 199 | Awarded for College-Level Non-Nursing Coursework: Up to 48 credits of transfer coursework:
|
48 |
Principles of Leadership for Healthcare Organizations | 3 | |
Pathophysiology | 3 | |
Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice | 3 | |
Community & Public Health Nursing I | 3 | |
Community & Public Health Nursing II | 3 | |
Nursing Roles in Policy, Ethics, & Finance | 3 | |
Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 | |
Advanced Nursing Technologies & Collaborative Care | 3 | |
Health Promotion and Disease Management | 3 | |
Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 | |
Advanced Health & Physical Assessment | 3 | |
Family Primary Care: Introduction to Advanced Practice | 2 | |
Family Primary Care: Clinical Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis | 3 | |
Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Health I | 2 | |
Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Practicum I | 2 | |
Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Health II | 2 | |
Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Practicum II | 2 | |
Women’s and Reproductive Health | 3 | |
Women’s and Reproductive Health Practicum | 2 | |
Pediatric & Adolescent Health | 3 | |
Pediatric & Adolescent Health Practicum | 2 | |
Family Primary Care: Intensive I | 2 | |
Family Primary Care: Residency I | 2 | |
Family Primary Care: Intensive II | 2 | |
Family Primary Care: Residency II | 2 | |
Family Primary Care: Transition to Advanced Practice | 1 | |
Total Credit Hours: | 65 |
Required At WCU | 68 |
Awarded for College-Level Non-Nursing Courses | 39 |
Awarded for Unobstructed RN Licensure | 51 |
Degree Total | 158 |
We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.
Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of RN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner online tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the RN to MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track costs at .
We offer several financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.
Degree Type |
Master of Science Prior to Fall I 2024 |
Master of Science Effective Fall I 2024 |
Total Program Credits | 1581 | 1581 |
Program Length(full time) | 7 trimesters | 7 trimesters |
BSN Core (per credit x 15 credits) |
$495 | |
RN to MSN Core(per credit x 33 credits; 12 credits effective Fall I 2024) | $615 | $680 |
APRN Core(per credit cost x 35 credits; 41 credits effective Fall I 2024) | $785 | $785 |
Total Tuition Cost | $47,770 | $47,770 |
STRF2 | $0 | $0 |
Technology Fee3 | $3,500 | $3,500 |
Estimate for Supplies & Licensure Preparation Fees4 | $2,300 | $2,300 |
Program Fee (Clinical)5 | $4,300 | $4,300 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $57,870 | $57,870 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $57,870 | $57,870 |
Degree Type |
Master of Science Prior to Fall I 2024 |
Master of Science Effective Fall I 2024 |
Total Program Credits | 1581 | 1581 |
Program Length(full time) | 11 trimesters | 11 trimesters |
BSN Core (per credit x 15 credits) |
$495 | |
RN to MSN Core(per credit x 33 credits; 12 credits effective Fall I 2024) | $615 | $680 |
APRN Core(per credit cost x 35 credits; 41 credits effective Fall I 2024) | $785 | $785 |
Total Tuition Cost | $47,770 | $47,770 |
STRF2 | $0 | $0 |
Technology Fee3 | $5,500 | $5,500 |
Estimate for Supplies & Licensure Preparation Fees4 | $2,300 | $2,300 |
Program Fee (Clinical)5 | $4,300 | $4,300 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $59,870 | $59,870 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $59,870 | $59,870 |
Indirect Costs
8 Month Academic Year6 | ||||
Prior to Fall I 2024 | Starting Fall I 2024 | |||
with parents | off campus | with parents | off campus | |
Federal Student Loan Fee | $220 | $220 | $220 | $220 |
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)( | $2,384 | $7,936 | $2,496 | $8,328 |
Transportation | $1,648 | $1,648 | $1,728 | $1,728 |
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $5,392 | $5,392 | $5,656 | $5,656 |
Total | $9,644 | $15,196 | $10,100 | $15,932 |
* Upon enrollment, students select Accelerated or Working Professional, which will determine the pace at which students complete their degree. In most cases, students that select Accelerated will attempt two courses per term, and students that select Working Professional will attempt one course a term.
1 Includes 42 credits for unobstructed RN License, assumes 48 transfer credits for non-nursing courses, and the remaining 68 credits are required to be taken at WCU.
2 As of April 1, 2024, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be zero hundred and zero cents ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges.
The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.
You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.
It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.
To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:
To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.
A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.
However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.
3 Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.
4 Supplies and licensure prep fees include a WCU identification card, background check, standardized patients, supplies, equipment for onsite intensives, and APRN predictor exams for APRN students. Supplies become student purchases once issued to students. Students who drop or have been dismissed after supplies have been issued will assume ownership for these items and will not be eligible for refunds. For details on all the supplies please contact the Bursar Office.
5 Program Fee covers the establishment, on-going management, scheduling, coordination, site visits, and any other expenses related to clinical rotations.
6 The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend . The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.
Applicants to the program must meet the following standards (RN-MSN All Track Options):
* Applicants submitting non-U.S. or non-English transcripts should refer to the .
In addition to the admissions requirements above, applicants to the RN to Master of Science in Nursing – Advanced Practice Registered Nurse tracks must also meet the following admissions requirements:
For additional requirements, including admission information for CA-based APRN students and international students, visit our .
New terms begin, on average, every eight weeks. The number of trimesters needed depends on the program and pace selected for the FNP track. For the most updated start-to-completion schedule, view the Academic Calendar.
You don’t have to figure out your clinical practicum on your own. Our Clinical Placements team is here to provide assistance! We can help you identify a preceptor and clinical site that are the right fit for you and your program. WCU has numerous healthcare partners, which makes it easier for us to assist students with placements when needed.
You’ll have a coordinator of clinical relations assigned to you, which means you can easily jump on a coaching call whenever you need guidance for improving your clinical practice experience. We’re here to support you from day one through graduation!
Our WCU Career Services team is dedicated to helping our FNP graduates with their professional development. Through workshops, career planning, and a variety of job search resources, Career Services can provide you with assistance as you search for the right job opportunities.2
As a FNP graduate, you will not just get support as you prepare for your licensure exam, but we’ll also help you with your job search strategy, which includes helping you find open roles, offering resume tips, providing interview coaching, and more.
Cyndi Faudree is the Dean of the Family Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program tracks at , as well as an Associate Professor. Dr. Faudree is dual-certified as a family nurse practitioner and acute care nurse practitioner. She provides student-centric strategic and operational direction, as well as leadership of program accreditation and certification.
Prior to joining WCU, Dr. Faudree served as Associate Dean, Associate Director of Medical Practice and Regional Program Director overseeing M.D. and APRN programs at other universities. She was the Director of the Standardized Patient Program and wrote many interactive virtual cases collaborating with national companies. She has served on various committees, holding the roles of APRN Sub-Committee Chair, DNP Sub-Committee Co-Chair, and member of the Graduate Curriculum Committee, Governance Committee for Sigma Theta Tau, and APRN Taskforce.
Dr. Faudree is a member of numerous professional associations, including the American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF), and Sigma Theta Tau. She serves her community by being a member of her state’s Board of Health and volunteers her time by contributing to many local health and community events. Dr. Faudree was nationally recognized as the recipient of the Army Achieve Medal for Civilian Service and Program Development in 2012.
I loved and still do. I like the camaraderie and atmosphere of West Coast. The teachers were always available to give any outside help. They offered tutoring, too. It was just helpful all the way around.”3
– Brittney A.
BSN, MSN-FNP, & DNP Graduate
Our nursing programs deliver a student-centric, evidence-based education that includes topics relevant to an evolving healthcare environment. As an FNP student, you can expect in-depth learning around best practices in the delivery of primary care.
We can evaluate your previous coursework for transfer credit. WCU may accept credit for previous courses taken from other academic institutions as long as the course meets the requirements of the specific academic program for which it is being considered and a grade of B (80%) or better was achieved for a graduate course as documented on official transcripts. Each program maintains its own transfer credit requirements.
Time-to-completion will vary depending on what program and pace you choose:
The roles of a family nurse practitioner will vary depending on the facility they work for. WCU’s online FNP program helps prepare graduates for positions in a variety of fields including (but not limited to) primary and preventative health, community health, nursing management, and academic faculty roles.
FNPs work wherever nurse practitioners are needed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most common settings for NPs include:
Our program includes clinical hours for practical experience. When it comes to selecting the right facility and preceptor, WCU has a dedicated clinical team to help you find a placement for clinical training that aligns with the requirements of your program.
Our Family Nurse Practitioner program students will have to complete two on-site intensives (OSIs), which help prepare them for APRN clinical rotations and practice. In addition to providing valuable hands-on experience, OSIs give students the chance to learn unique skills that are relevant to their field of study, and also to get instructor feedback.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791 ().
1 American Association of Nurse Practitioners, “,” Updated April 2022
2 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, “,” Accessed May 31, 2023
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Students enrolled through the Orange County campus must complete their OSI’s in California. Students enrolled through the Texas campus must complete them in Texas. Travel costs are not included in tuition and fees, and students are responsible for arranging transportation.
WCU Distance education programs are delivered out of the California and Texas campuses and may not be available to residents in all states.
Practice Experience is required in order to graduate from the RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN, DNP degree and Post-Master’s certificate programs.