Carson-Newman’s MSN-FNP program is 100% online (not including clinicals or residency), which allows you to earn your MSN on a schedule that supports work-life balance. The program consists of 46 credit hours of nursing courses taught by experienced FNP and DNP faculty who are active nurse practitioners in their communities. Graduates of the Carson-Newman online MSN-FNP program are prepared with the skills necessary to define their own future as a holistic and confident advanced practice nurse. The program can be completed in as few as 32 months.

PROGRAM BREAKDOWN 

Program Units Core I ..................12 

Credits Core II .................9 

Credits Clinicals..............19 

Credits Capstone ...........6 Credits 

Total Credits: 46 Credits 

Total Clinical Hours: *660-690 

Total Courses: 13 Courses Course 

Length: 15-weeks per course 

Program Length: **32 Months 

* Depending on capstone choice 

**May vary per student

To be admitted to the online MSN-FNP program, you must have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited and NLN- or CCNE-accredited program
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• Two to three letters of recommendation
• Active RN license
• Letter of personal goals and aspirations

One three-day required on-campus residency provides you the opportunity to meet and connect with your peers and program faculty.

• Residency Course: NURS 507: Advance Health Assessment
• Residency Semester: Course NURS 507 is taken during the third or fourth semester of the program. 

During the campus residency, students will come to campus for hands-on skills practice and to complete an advanced assessment physical exam.

Clinical practicum is the required clinical education component of the program and works in tandem with the coursework to prepare students for their futures as FNPs. MSN-FNP students are required to complete up to 690 clinical hours as part of the program. Stress-free clinical placements and preceptors are provided for advanced primary clinical rotations. Prior to beginning your clinicals, all students are required to complete:

• Drug screening
• Background check
• Recommended vaccinations

Download Clinical Placement Fact Sheet

Our Enrollment and Student Success advisors will provide you with academic and student support from the time of enrollment through graduation and beyond. Academic support, which is available to all online students, helps to prepare you to achieve your academic and professional goals. Advisors encourage students to make the most of their online learning experience at Carson-Newman by educating them about campus resources, academic opportunities, and program-specific graduation requirements. From providing one-on-one tutoring to connecting you with structured study groups and academic workshops, Carson-Newman’s academic advisors identify each student’s individual needs and provide them with tailored solutions that ensure academic and professional success. 

One of Carson-Newman’s most useful resources is the Office of Career Development. This office provides students and alumni with guidance in all their professional development needs. Examples of such services include: offering advice about job opportunities, helping write resumes, and drafting cover letters. Career Development helps students and alumni identify and take advantage of opportunities throughout their academic and professional careers. 

Other ways Carson-Newman supports students include:

• Online learning environment walkthrough and demonstration prior to starting your first course
• Assistance with registration
• Access to online tutoring
• Access to the Writing Center
• Students graduate prepared for the board certification exam and more

• Cost per credit hour: $650
• Length of courses: 15 weeks
• Total degree requirement: 46 credits
• Total tuition cost: $29,900

Carson-Newman is one of the nation's most affordable Baptist private colleges. Many of Carson-Newman's students receive financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships and loans. Below you will find common financial aid opportunities.

• Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans are awarded based on financial need. You will not be charged (interest) while you are in school or, if applicable, for a six-month grace period once you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment.
• Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans are not awarded based on financial need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until the time the loan is paid in full. You do not need to repay the loan while you are in school or, if applicable, for a six-month grace period once you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment.
• Some employers have tuition reimbursement plans for staff who pursue additional schooling. Department managers and human resource officers are the best sources of information.
• Grants are a great way to get assistance to pay for college education. Grants are based on financial need and, unlike loans, they don’t have to be paid back. The most popular student grant is the Pell Grant. For additional information, including application requirements, visit the Department of Education website.
• You may also explore funding through the Tennessee Baptist Foundation and TN College Pays.

The first step to applying for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).