Maryville University - Online MSN and BSN-to-DNP Nurse Practitioner Programs

The Myrtle E. and Earl E. Walker College of Health Professions at Maryville University offers two online nurse practitioner degrees requiring a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree: a BSN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner (NP) program; and a BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) NP program.

Students may begin the programs in the fall, spring, or summer. The MSN can be completed in just two years, and the BSN to DNP can be completed in three years. All courses are delivered 100% online and students are not required to come to campus. Students in the MSN and BSN to DNP programs must complete the required practicums. No GMAT or GRE scores are required, however a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for the MSN program and 3.25 for the BSN to DNP program.

The MSN Nurse Practitioner program requires completion of 41 to 50 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) – 47 credits, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP) – 41 credits, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP) – 47 credits, Pediatric NP (PNP) – 44 credits, and Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) – 50 credits. The MSN-NP degree focuses on patient care quality, compassion, and evidence based decision-making. It prepares nurses for service in clinics, hospitals, and outpatient facilities. Graduates may be prepared to sit for certification exams in their specialty of study.

The BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner program comprises 68 to 77 credits depending on the chosen specialty track. There are five specializations available as with the MSN degree: FNP – 74 credits, AGPCNP – 68 credits, AGACNP – 74 credits, PNP – 71 credits, and PMHNP – 77 credits. Topics covered in the program include ethics in advanced nursing, systems thinking, patient advocacy, and patient quality of care and safety. This is an accelerated pathway to earning a DNP degree, covering healthcare policy, nursing leadership, and management of organizations.

Courses are delivered asynchronously through the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). Students watch recorded lectures and VoiceThread presentations, participate in discussion boards, and complete individual and group projects. Online students have access to faculty through phone and email as well as academic advisors, 24/7 technical support, library services, and career services.

The online MSN Nurse Practitioner program includes 29 MSN core credits plus 12 to 21 nurse practitioner specialty credits. Core courses include Professional Role Development; Health Promotion/Disease Prevention; Leadership and Quality; Health Care Policy; Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice; Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics; and Advanced Health Assessment.

Following is a list of nurse practitioner courses for both the MSN-NP and BSN to DNP-NP degree programs:

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

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

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

The BSN to DNP includes 53 core credits plus the concentration courses listed as above for the MSN degree paths. Core courses may include Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice; Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics; Integrating and Synthesizing Research; Clinical Inquiry I-III; Organizations Theory and Systems Leadership; Foundations of Clinical Scholarship; Quality and Patient Safety in Advanced Nursing; and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing.

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