Liberty University Online NP Programs: PMHNP, FNP

What to Expect from Liberty University DNP and Certificate Programs

Admission Requirements: Admission to LU’s DNP programs is currently restricted to certain states. Prospective applicants seeking information on a particular state’s licensure and certification requirements may visit the LU website licensure query page. Licensure and certification requirements may change in any state without notice. The applicant must thoroughly research the requirements that would apply to them according to what state they plan to practice in. The LU website also has state requirements for NP and APRN licensure page where applicants can find further information.

DNP programs have manifold admission requirements. This page provides only a cursory summary of some of the critical elements of a successful application. Comprehensive summaries of DNP admission requirements can be found in the online Liberty University catalog. 

Admission requirements include submission of an application fee, official college transcripts indicating a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, a writing sample, and proof of a current, active RN license issued from a member state of the fifty United States. Post-graduate PMHNP certificate program applicants should contact LU directly for admissions requirements and application guidance.

Finally, applicants who do receive an admissions offer will be required to complete additional application steps before courses begin. Such steps include completing a standardized background check and submitting immunization records. Because public health conditions, licensure and certification requirements, and other circumstances can change rapidly, applicants are advised to review the LU website or contact LU directly thoroughly should they still have additional questions.

State Restrictions: LU offers admission to people outside Virginia and those living abroad. Applicants living outside Virginia but inside the United States are advised to follow the admission procedures noted above. International applicants, as well as any others for whom English is not their native language, must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or another approved assessment. Please note US citizens may be required to demonstrate English language proficiency. For example, a US citizen who grew up in the United States but primarily spoke another language at home and whose schooling was not usually conducted in English may be required to demonstrate language proficiency.

Study Plan: DNP programs may be completed within eight to nine semesters over approximately thirty-six months of time. Program duration ultimately depends on the degree program, the pace of study, and other factors. The 17 credit hour postgraduate PMHNP certificate can be completed within 12 months.

DNP Curriculum: DNP degree program curricula are designed in alignment with guidelines articulated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s “Essentials for Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice.” Throughout their studies, students develop theoretical, clinical, administrative and best practices knowledge. All three DNP program tracks require the completion of nine core courses totaling 27 credits of coursework. The required courses include advanced nursing research, theoretical application for advanced practice nursing, applications of evidence-based care, leadership, policy and ethics, and more.

FNP Specialization Courses: DNP-FNP students complete nine credits of advanced practice core courses and 25 credit hours in the FNP concentration. Examples of FNP concentration course topics include women’s health, family nursing in acute and chronic care settings, infant and children’s health, a seminar in global health issues, and a required FNP practicum consisting of 280 clinical hours of training.

PMHNP Specialization Courses: Students of the post-BSN DNP program in the PMHNP specialization must also complete the nine credits of advanced practice core courses required of FNP track students. They also complete 20 credit hours of PMHNP concentration courses. Examples of course topics include neurobiology and differential diagnosis of mental disorders, clinical psychopharmacology, and psychotherapeutic theories, frameworks, and modalities. Students also complete PMHNP practicum courses focused on the care of different types of patient populations.

Post-MSN DNP students are not required to complete the nine credit hours of advanced practice core courses needed for the other tracks. Concentration courses for the post-MSN DNP track are roughly identical to those of the post-BSN track, except that the post-MSN track does not require a nursing seminar in global health issues. Post-MSN DNP students also complete 14 credit-hours of project and practicum courses. Four of these credit hours are earned from a scholarly project.

Online Experience: LU DNP programs feature an online learning delivery model. Except for their clinical training requirement, students can complete their studies online.

On-Site Requirements: Though students complete most of their requirements online, some requirements must be completed in-person. These requirements vary by degree program. For example, the DNP-FNP program requires students to complete the family nurse practitioner courses within the FNP concentration as a one-week residential intensive. In addition, practicum requirements typically must be completed in person. Some courses are offered in both online and residential formats. By offering multiple learning delivery options, LU can expand its reach to more students.