UMass Global University Online FNP and PMHNP Programs
- BSN to DNP – FNP (Family/Across the Lifespan NP)
- BSN to DNP – PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health NP)
- Post-Doctoral Certificate – Family Across the Lifespan NP
- Post-Doctoral Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- Post-Masters to DNP – FNP (for APRNs adding a second specialty)
- Post-Masters to DNP – FNP (for non-APRNs)
- Post-Masters to DNP – PMHNP (for APRNs adding a second specialty)
- Post-Masters to DNP – PMHNP (for non-APRNs)
The Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Massachusetts Global (f.k.a. Brandman University) offers several online graduate nursing programs with two specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The options are as follows:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (PM to DNP) for APRNs adding a second specialty
- Master of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (PM to DNP) for non-APRNs
- Post Doctoral Certificate
Most coursework is completed online with three to eight campus immersions and clinical experiences taking place at approved facilities local to the student.
UMass Global focuses on innovation and technology-enriched learning experiences. Combining asynchronous and synchronous learning elements, in-person immersion experiences with simulations, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, and the real-world experience of clinical practicums, UMass Global offers a well-rounded comprehensive learning environment for graduate nurses.
NPs typically work in primary care clinics, hospitals and emergency centers, hospices, psychiatric-mental health facilities, in-patient treatment programs, government institutions, long-term health care facilities, research organizations, urgent care facilities, and home health care situations. Graduates of the online nursing programs are eligible to take the APRN certification exams for their respective specialization.
UMass Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The graduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). UMass Global is located in Irvine, California.
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What to Expect from UMass Global Online FNP and PMHNP Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the School of Nursing and Health Professions at UMass Global must hold a current, unencumbered RN license. Application materials include an application, official transcripts from regionally accredited institutions, resume or CV, a self-evaluation, a goal statement, three letters of recommendation (preferably online submissions). Students will also have a personal interview with the program director of the program to which they are applying.
Other requirements include immunization records as outlined by the program, a background clearance, proof of a negative drug screening, up-to-date CPR certification, and proof of student liability insurance. Students may be required to have additional lab tests and immunizations completed, as well as other documentation for clinical practicums.
- Program Specific Admission Requirements
- BSN to DNP: Hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited program; GRE test results with a minimum score of 4.0 (students who earn a 3.0 to 3.9 may retake the GRE to achieve a 4.0 or submit two academic writing samples for review)
- PM to DNP for APRNs adding a second specialty: Hold a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program with APRN or CNS specialty; proof of national APRN or CNS certification (or eligibility to complete a national certification exam)
- PM to DNP for non-APRNs: Hold a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program
- Post Doctoral Certificate: Hold a DNP or Ph.D. from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program; proof of national APRN or CNS certification (or eligibility to complete a national certification exam)
State Restrictions: The UMass Global online graduate nursing programs do not accept students from all states. Interested parties should contact the Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions to inquire about eligibility. If eligible, prospective students should also contact their state licensing board to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.
Study Plan: The BSN to DNP program begins in January only. Students complete the program in three years. The first two years are part-time taking one course per 8-week session. The third year is full-time, taking two courses per 8-week session. Eight campus immersions are included in this program.
The PM to DNP program for APRNs begins in August and January. The program can be completed in about 10 sessions or 20 months. Students take one course per 8-week session for nine sessions, and two courses for one 8-week session. PMHNP students attend five campus immersions and FNP students attend six.
The PM to DNP program for non-APRNs begins in January only. It follows the curriculum and timeline of the BSN to DNP. Five campus immersions are included for PMHNP students and six are included for FNP students.
The Post-Doctoral Certificate program can be completed in as little as six months by taking two courses for two 8-week sessions and one course for one 8-week session. The certificate program begins in August and January. Students in all programs may consider reducing work hours to adequately complete clinical requirements. There are three campus immersions for PMHNPs and four campus immersions for FNPs.
BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP program consists of 73 credits including graduate science courses, a DNP core, an APRN core, and a specialty sequence. Students also complete 1,020 clinical residency hours. It is possible to transfer up to 40 credits from previous courses. Graduate science core courses include Theoretical Foundations of Evidence-Based and Advanced Practice Nursing; Transitions in Practice: The Advanced Practice Nurse as DNP; Developmental, Cultural and Spiritual Care Across the Lifespan; Biostatistics for Clinical Practice; and Evidence-Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice.
DNP courses include Healthcare Policy, Organization, and Delivery; Innovations in Technology and Information Access; Leading through Innovation; Health Communication; Transforming Healthcare through Outcomes Management; Clinical Residency for BSN-DNP and Post-Masters adding a Specialty Clinical Scholarly Project; Application of DNP Clinical Scholarly Project; and Seminar in Evidence-Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice.
The APRN core courses include Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan; Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan And Cultures; Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan; Genetics Across the Lifespan; Synthesis of Advanced Practice Management, Roll and EBP; and Clinical Practicum in Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Cultures.
- FNP Specialty Curriculum: Foundations of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice; Management of Common and Acute Problems in Family/Across the Lifespan Care; Management of Complex and Chronic Problems in Family/Across the Lifespan Care; Practicum in Common and Acute Problems in Family/Across the Lifespan Care; and Practicum in Complex and Chronic Problems in Family/Across the Lifespan Care.
- PMHNP Specialty Curriculum: Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan; Management in Lifespan Psychiatric and Mental Health Care; Complex and Chronic Problems in Psychiatric and Mental Health Care; Practicum in Psychotherapeutic Treatment Modalities; and Practicum for Complex and Chronic Problems in Psychiatric and Mental Health Care.
Post-Master’s to DNP Curriculum for APRNs: The PM to DNP program consists of 57 credits depending on prior schooling and includes at least 510 clinical hours. Students may transfer in up to 40 credits and 500 clinical hours for a total of 97 credits and 1,010 clinical hours. Gaps must be filled in beyond the 57 credit requirement. Courses include Healthcare Policy, Organization, and Delivery; Biostatistics for Clinical Practice; Leading through Innovation; Innovations in Technology and Information Access; Evidence-Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice; Health Communication; Transforming Healthcare through Outcomes Management; Application of DNP Clinical Scholarly Project; Seminar in Evidence-Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice; and Post-Masters adding a Specialty Clinical Scholarly Project. Students then complete a specialty as listed above for the FNP and PMHNP curriculum.
Post-Master’s to DNP Curriculum for non-APRNs: The PM to DNP curriculum for non-APRNs follows the BSN to DNP curriculum and consists of 73 credits plus 1,020 clinical hours. Students may transfer up to 12 credits into the program.
Post Graduate Certificate Curriculum: The Post Graduate FNP and PMHNP certificates consist of 27 credits and 510 clinical hours. Courses include Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan; Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan And Cultures; Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan; and Synthesis of Advanced Practice Management, Role and EBP. Students then complete a specialty as listed above for the FNP and PMHNP curriculum.
Online Experience: UMass Global utilizes Blackboard to deliver online courses. Delivery methods include online lectures and real-time classes via web-conferencing platforms. Other methods may include phone conferencing and online live chat. Instruction includes discussions, demonstrations, online tutorials, required readings, social networking, assessments, projects, and other assignments. Online students have access to similar resources as on-campus students including academic advising and faculty hours, library resources, an online bookstore, admissions counseling, career counseling, and technical support.
On-Site Requirements: Students in the BSN to DNP program come to the Irvine, California campus for eight immersions throughout the program. These immersions take place in relation to certain courses such as Biostatistics for Clinical Practice, Evidence-Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice, and Transitions in Practice: The Advanced Practice Nurse as DNP.
PM to DNP students come to campus five times for PMHNP students and six times for FNP students. Post-Doctoral PMHNP Certificate students come to Irvine, CA for three immersions while FNP students come four times. During immersions, students work with fellow classmates and mentors in teams conducting simulations, assessments, and evaluations, and participating in hands-on skills training and demonstrations. In addition, students get to know faculty and peers.
Paying for UMass Global Online FNP and PMHNP Programs
The online BSN to DNP and Post-Doctoral Certificates cost $1,185 per credit plus fees. Travel expenses for the campus immersions are not included in tuition and fees. Prospective students should contact the Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions through UMass Global for current tuition costs and fees.
UMass Global graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans through the FAFSA. Nursing students may also inquire with their employers in regard to a tuition reimbursement program. In addition, students are encouraged to seek outside funding opportunities such as community or organizational scholarships and grants.
UMass Global offers DNP and post-doctoral certificates with FNP and PMHNP specializations focused on innovation and technology-enriched learning through both synchronous and asynchronous elements, campus immersions with simulations, hands-on practice, and clinical practicums.
BSN to DNP – FNP (Family/Across the Lifespan NP)
BSN to DNP – PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health NP)
Post-Doctoral Certificate – Family Across the Lifespan NP
Post-Doctoral Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Post-Masters to DNP – FNP (for APRNs adding a second specialty)
Post-Masters to DNP – FNP (for non-APRNs)
Post-Masters to DNP – PMHNP (for APRNs adding a second specialty)
Post-Masters to DNP – PMHNP (for non-APRNs)
16355 Laguna Canyon Road
Irvine, California 92618
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January
No
8
73
1,020
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Yes, GRE Required
None
None
Program Tuition
73
$1,224.00
$89,352.00
$1,224.00
$89,352.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
January
No
8
73
1,020
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Yes, GRE Required
None
None
Program Tuition
73
$1,224.00
$89,352.00
$1,224.00
$89,352.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
August, January
No
4
27
510
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
No GRE Required
None
None
Program Tuition
27
$1,224.00
$33,048.00
$1,224.00
$33,048.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
August, January
No
3
27
510
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
No GRE Required
None
None
Program Tuition
27
$1,224.00
$33,048.00
$1,224.00
$33,048.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January
No
6
57
510
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
Yes, GRE Required
None
None
Program Tuition
57
$1,224.00
$69,768.00
$1,224.00
$69,768.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January
No
6
73
1,020
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
Yes, GRE Required
None
None
Program Tuition
73
$1,224.00
$89,352.00
$1,224.00
$89,352.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
January
No
5
57
510
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
Yes, GRE Required
None
None
Program Tuition
57
$1,224.00
$69,768.00
$1,224.00
$69,768.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
January
No
5
73
1,020
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
Yes, GRE Required
None
None
Program Tuition
73
$1,224.00
$89,352.00
$1,224.00
$89,352.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Sara Navratil
WriterSara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.