Maryville University – Online MSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s NP Certificate Programs

The Myrtle E. and Earl E. Walker College of Health Professions at Maryville University offers three advanced online degree paths requiring an MSN degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); MSN to DNP with Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialization; and Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificates.

The MSN to DNP can be completed in 20 months; the MSN to DNP-NP program can be completed in 36 months; and the Post-Master’s certificates can be completed in 24 months. All courses are delivered 100% online and students are not required to come to campus. The programs begin in the fall, spring, or summer. There are no practicums for the MSN to DNP, however students complete three Clinical Inquiry courses in which they design and present a clinical research study. Students in the MSN to DNP-NP or Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate programs must complete the required practicums.

The MSN to DNP without NP specialization program is designed for MSN prepared nurses who want to advance their career to high level nursing positions. It focuses on leadership, decision-making, research, healthcare policy, and clinical inquiry. The DNP program consists of 11 courses and 33 credits.

The MSN to DNP-NP program is designed for MSN prepared nurses who wish to earn their DNP and a Nurse Practitioner certification at the same time. It focuses on compassion in the nursing role, patient quality of care, and evidence-based decision-making. The MSN to DNP-NP program requires completion of 62 to 71 credits, depending on the specialization chosen. NP specializations include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – 68 credits, Adult Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP) – 62 credits, Adult Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP) – 68 credits, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) – 65 credits, and Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP) – 71 credits. Graduates may be prepared to sit for nurse practitioner exams.

The Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner program requires completion of 29 to 38 credits depending on the NP track chosen. There are five specializations to choose from and the total required credits are listed after each: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – 35 credits, Adult Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP) – 29 credits, Adult Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP) – 35 credits, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) – 31 credits, and Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP) – 38 credits. The program is designed for MSN prepared nurses who wish to specialize in nurse practitioner roles. Graduates may be prepared to sit for nurse practitioner exams.

Maryville University delivers courses through the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). Materials include recorded lectures, VoiceThread presentations, discussion boards, assessments, and individual and group projects. All online students have access to 24/7 technical support, academic advisors, faculty hours through email and phone, and library and career services.

The online MSN to DNP includes 11 courses including five foundation courses and six DNP capstone courses. Foundation courses include Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Foundations of Clinical Scholarship; Advanced Health Care Policy; Integrating and Synthesizing Research; and Graduate Statistics. Capstone courses include Clinical Inquiry I-III; Ethics for Advanced Nursing Practice; Organizations Theory and Systems Leadership; and Quality and Patient Safety in Advanced Nursing Practice.

The online MSN to DNP with Nurse Practitioner certification includes all DNP courses listed in the previous paragraph plus six credits of graduate nursing core courses, 11 credits of nurse practitioner core courses, and the required NP specialization courses. These additional courses are also the entire curriculum for the online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate. Graduate nursing core courses include Professional Role Development and Health Promotion/Disease Prevention. NP core courses include Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Health Assessment; and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics. The NP specialization courses are as follows:

FNP Courses – Adult Gerontology Health Care I-III; Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum; and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum I-II;

AGPCNP Courses – Adult-Gerontology Health Care I-II; Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum I-II

AGACNP Courses – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnosis and Management I-III; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnosis and Management Practicum I-III

PNP Courses – Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis I-II; Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis Practicum I-II; Health Promotion of the Pediatric Population

PMHNP Courses – Psychiatric-Mental Health Diagnosis and Management I-III; Psychiatric-Mental Health Diagnosis and Management Practicum I-III; and Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Assessment

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).