Virtual Open House
Thursday, August 6th 5-7pm
Join us at one of our upcoming virtual Graduate School Open House events on Zoom! You'll have the opportunity to learn more
about Western Carolina University, understand the Graduate School application process,
and meet key program representatives.
Register Today
The program prepares nurses in the advanced practice role of Family Nurse Practitioner
(FNP) with competencies in family health promotion and the clinical management of
common health conditions across the lifespan.
Certificate Option: A Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner certificate program also is available to
students who have earned an MS degree in nursing. This option requires 43 semester
hours of study.
Family Nurse Practitioner admits once a year: Application Deadline - February 15 for the Fall semester.
About the MS(N) Family Nurse Practitioner Program
The full-time hybrid program is designed so students are only required to be on the
Biltmore Park campus one day a week (Tuesdays). All other coursework is taught online.
The course load ranges from eight to ten hours per semester. See the FNP Program of
Curriculum below for more details. Clinical placements are available in a variety
of settings in or near the students' communities.
Degree Requirements: The FNP Program requires 52 semester hours of coursework, and 640 total clinical
hours. Students have the choice of completing a project or thesis.
Admissions Requirements
In order to be eligible for admission in the MS(N) Family Nurse Practitioner Program,
applicants must meet the following criteria by application deadline:
- BSN from a regionally accredited college or university and nationally accredited nursing
program, minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
- Statistics course, undergraduate or graduate level
- Nursing Research course, undergraduate
Application process
Application to the MS(N) Program requires application to the Graduate School. Only complete applications will be eligible for review. As part of the online application,
the applicant needs to prepare the following:
- Upload a copy of college transcripts from all secondary schools attended.
- As part of your online application, be prepared to submit:
a. Names of (and contact info for) three professional references who can attest to
the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate study; one must be from a current or recent
employer.
b. Professional Statement and Resume
c. $65 application fee
curriculum and schedule
| FALL |
SPRING |
SUMMER |
|
NSG-517 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
NSG-690 Advanced Health/Physical Assessment & Diagnostics (3)
NSG-691 FNP Applied Advanced Physical Assessment & Diagnostics (3)
|
NSG- 675 Primary Care of Adults (3)
NSG-685 FNP Clinical Management: Adult Focus (3) 120 clinical hrs
NSG-622 Advanced Pharmacology (3)
|
NSG-673 Primary Care of Female Adolescents & Women's Health (3)
NSG-683 FNP Clinical Management: Women's Health Focus (2) 120 clinical hrs
NSG-814* Foundations & Applications of Evidence Based Practice (3)
|
| Total Hrs 9 |
Total Hrs 9 |
Total Hrs 8 |
| |
|
|
| FALL |
SPRING |
SUMMER |
|
NSG-692 Primary Care of Geriatric Clients (3)
NSG-784 FNP Clinical Management: Geriatric Focus (3) 120 clinical hours
NSG-671 Social & Behavioral Health Problems (3)
NSG-679/699* (1)
|
NSG-674 Primary Care of Children & Adolescents (3)
NSG-684 FNP Clinical Management: Pediatric Focus (3) 120 clinical hrs
NSG-694 FNP Primary Care Seminar (3)
NSG-679/699* (1)
|
NSG-686 FNP Clinical Management: Internship (3) 160 clinical hrs
NSG-823* Econ/Fin Healthcare (3)
|
| Total Hrs 10 |
Total Hrs 10 |
Total Hrs 6-7 |
| |
|
|
| *Not required for Post-Masters Certificate Option students. |
|
There are face-to-face at Biltmore Park each Tuesdays throughout semester, as well
as online courses.
The classes are typically from approximately 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., but this varies by semester.
Program costs
General Information
Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program Option
Admission requirements are the same as for the applicants for the MS(N) Program except
for the following criteria:
- The candidate must have graduated from a nationally accredited master's program in
nursing (MSN).
PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND CORE FACULTY
Program Director:
Summer Huntley-Dale, PhD, FNP-C
Assistant Professor
Core Faculty:
Darren Absher, DNP, FNP-BC
Lydia Elliott, DNP, FNP-BC
Tamera Pearson, PhD, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC
Tonya Shuffler, DNP, FNP-BC
Request more info!
