Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Specializations
Pursue Your MSN With One of Our Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Are you ready to advance your skills in nursing? Earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a nurse practitioner (NP) specialization from American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University.
Our rigorous CCNE-accredited MSN program with NP specializations combines flexible online coursework with local clinical experiences—giving you the ability to plan for the future while you continue to make a living today. Advanced classes in areas such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical health assessments are designed to amplify your fundamental patient-care skills for chronic conditions and acute care. From there, you will customize your education to your goals with one of three online nurse practitioner specializations in psychiatric and mental health, adult gerontology primary care, or family practice.
In many communities, NPs are providing a primary care option for physician offices and urgent care clinics. If you have a BSN degree, one year of work experience, and are passionate about providing patient-focused care as a leader of the healthcare team, one of these career-focused nurse practitioner degree specializations may be for you.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Programmatic Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing at Post University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.
The MSN with Nurse Practitioner Specializations at a Glance
Flexible Online Classes
Monthly Start Dates
Up to 18 Transfer Credits
3 Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specializations
Individualized Precepted Clinicals
Nurse Practitioner Specializations
Once you complete the core coursework for advanced pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, and diagnostic reasoning, you will customize your degree to your specific career objectives with one of these relevant MSN specializations:
Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Specialization |
Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization |
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization |
Practice-Focused Curriculum for Real-World Skills
The curriculum for this program is grounded in advanced nursing concepts for improving healthcare, creating quality patient outcomes, and fostering strategic change in the healthcare delivery system. Online coursework provides learning opportunities to gain practical insights into evidence-based practices, care-quality improvement, and patient safety.
Plus, our nursing courses are designed and taught by nursing professionals with industry experience. They are well-positioned to help offer an understanding of course material and the healthcare industry overall.
State Authorization, Licensure, and Disclosures
While the Master of Science in Nursing (Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializations) is not designed to fulfill licensure requirements in an individual state, the program may be used to partially fulfill licensure requirements.
Post University assists in researching and providing information regarding licensure; however, each state has different requirements for such licensure outside of the required education. Such state requirements may include licensure exams, background checks, certain work experience, and more. It is ultimately the responsibility of each student to manage their own licensure process and to ensure that all requirements are met in order for the student to obtain licensure. Post University does not speak on behalf of any licensing board or body and does not guarantee licensure. Requirements for licensure are subject to change without notice.
The table at the following link shows whether Post University, with completion of the appropriate curriculum, does or does not fulfill the educational requirements for a specific license:
Curriculum, Course Descriptions, & Program Outcomes
Please see the University Catalog for the online MSN program’s full curriculum with course descriptions and program outcomes.
MSN Online Admissions Requirements
Our admissions team is available to walk you through the application process and answer any questions on the online MSN degree program requirements. Contact us to learn more!
Tuition & Payment Options
View the Tuition and Fees section for information for the online MSN degree program costs.
We offer several funding options as you pursue your education. Please see the Scholarships and Other Ways to Save section to learn more about our:
- External Scholarships
- Nursing Tuition Reductions
- Education Partnership Program Tuition Reduction
- Post Eagle Program (Military)
- Payment Plans
- And more!
NP Specialization FAQs
Pursuing your MSN NP degree online is a big step. You probably have some questions. We have answers.
What is the difference between a nurse and a nurse practitioner?
While both nursing levels are respected professions in the healthcare industry, there is a difference in responsibilities and roles. Registered nurses (RN) will work under the direction of a doctor who will diagnose and develop treatment options for patients. A nurse practitioner (NP) often performs many of the same functions of a doctor—diagnosing issues, ordering tests, developing treatment plans, writing prescriptions, and more. Although they can be a part of a medical team working under a doctor, they often have the ability to practice independently.
What are the requirements to become a nurse practitioner?
A graduate-level degree, often a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), is the minimum educational achievement required to pursue a nurse practitioner (NP) designation. Aspiring NPs will also need to perform clinicals and gain relevant experience in the field. From there, they will need to pass a national nurse practitioner certification board exam and pursue
Can nurse practitioners specialize?
Nurse practitioners (NP) can and often do specialize. Many pursue an education in family or general care while others explore degrees focused on caring for an aging population or mental health. At Post University, we offer three NP specializations for our MSN program: Family NP, Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP, and Psychiatric and Mental Health NP.
How long is nurse practitioner school?
As with anything, the amount of time spent pursuing an NP designation depends on how much effort and time is applied. In addition to classroom instruction, there will also be clinicals. Upon that, aspiring NPs will need to gain relevant experience in the workplace, take and pass a national board exam, and pursue licensure in their states.
Is nurse practitioner school hard?
As a graduate-level education, MSN programs—including those for our nurse practitioner (NP) specializations—are designed to provide a learning challenge by their very nature. That said, at Post University, we do everything we can to support students to success in and out of the classroom. We offer the tutoring, financing options, and academic advising you could use to pursue your goals in school and in life.
Are online nurse practitioner programs respected?
Online nurse practitioner programs are generally respected in the healthcare field. Accredited online programs adhere to rigorous standards set by accrediting bodies, ensuring that they meet the same educational requirements as traditional on-campus programs. As technology advances and remote learning becomes increasingly prevalent, the stigma around online education has diminished. However, it is crucial for individuals to choose accredited programs to ensure the respect and recognition of their qualifications. Post University’s online Master of Science in Nursing program with 3 nurse practitioner specializations is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Pursue Your MSN in One of Post’s Online Nurse Practitioner Specializations
At Post University, we are focused on your success, in and out of the classroom. A student success advisor will work with you one-on-one to answer your questions and help you address challenges throughout your accredited nursing program. We are here to help you achieve your educational and career goals.
Looking for a way to make a bigger difference for your future and your patients? Let us help. Contact us to learn more about pursuing your nurse practitioner specialization online.