Goodwin University Online NP Programs
Goodwin University, located in East Hartford, Connecticut, offers nursing professionals a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree with two track options: family nurse practitioner (FNP) and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).
The MSN curriculum features a holistic approach to patient care. FNP degree students develop skills in the principal healthcare practices necessary to treat adults, children, and women. PMHNP students are trained to provide mental healthcare to both individual patients and create broader strategies and programs to sustain and enhance health at the community population level. PMHNP program graduates may develop treatment plans and prescribe medication for individual patients as well as work on the larger system level by educating the public in healthy lifestyles, stress management, disease prevention and more.
Graduates of both programs may go on to work in settings such as acute or urgent care centers, correctional facilities, hospitals, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, and private practices. After graduation, PMHNP graduates are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Commission (ANCC) Board Certification. FNP graduates may also work in settings such as hospice centers and patients’ private homes.
Goodwin University’s MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
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What to Expect
Admission Requirements: Applicants must fulfill both Goodwin University and degree program-specific requirements. To be admitted to Goodwin University, applicants must submit a graduate school application, a professional resume, proof of current immunizations, an official or unofficial transcript verifying the award of a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (or the equivalent of this degree from another country with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0), and an official or unofficial transcript from the student’s most recent degree earned (this may be from prelicensure) with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants must also pay a non-refundable application fee.
Applicants to both the FNP and PMHNP programs must also do the following:
- Live in Connecticut and have a current, unencumbered Connecticut RN license
- Write a formal personal statement
- Complete a telephone interview
- Have at least two years of direct patient care as an RN within the last five years
- Be able to travel to clinical sites as needed
Applicants of the PMHNP program must also successfully pass a background check and drug screening.
State Restrictions: As noted above, Goodwin University only offers these two MSN programs to Connecticut residents. Applicants must also have a current, unencumbered RN license in Connecticut. Due to the potential need to travel large distances to clinical sites, students without their own reliable transportation may find it difficult to complete all program requirements.
Study Plan: Goodwin University’s MSN degree programs may be completed within as little as seven semesters. Students who study year-round may complete the FNP degree in at least 27 months. The study duration ultimately depends on the degree program, the pace of study, pre-existing transfer coursework that may reduce the total time commitment, and other factors.
MSN Curriculum: Students of both programs complete a common set of courses totaling 23 credit hours. This coursework collection includes the theoretical basis for advanced nursing practice and leadership, pathophysiology for advanced nursing practice, physical assessment for advanced nursing practice, current concepts and professional roles in advanced practice nursing, a capstone course, and more.
FNP Specialization Courses: The 47-credit-hour FNP program includes four specialization courses totaling 24 credit hours. The courses include advanced reasoning and differential diagnosis for advanced nursing practice and a series of three advanced practice through the lifespan courses that teach students how to provide care to various populations. The advanced practice course series also features a precepted clinical component in the three courses. Upon completion of this series, students will have completed a total of 600 precepted clinical training hours.
PMHNP Specialization Courses: The 50-credit-hour PMHNP program includes four specialization courses totaling 24 credit hours. The courses include assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders across the lifespan and three advanced practice psychiatric mental health care courses that teach students how to care for various patient populations across the lifespan. Identical to the FNP program, the three-course advanced practice series features a precepted clinical component in each of the three courses. Upon completion of this series, students will have completed a total of 600 precepted clinical training hours. This program also requires a three-credit neuropsychopharmacology course.
Online Experience: The Goodwin University MSN programs feature a hybrid learning delivery model. Except clinical requirements and two on-campus immersion experiences, students complete their training wholly online. Students may customize their pace of study to accommodate a concurrent part- or full-time job.
On-Site Requirements: Students must complete their 600 clinical-hour learning experience at an on-site placement. They must also complete two immersion weekends in person. During these immersion weekends, both FNP and PMHNP students learn primary healthcare practices critical to meeting the needs of diverse target populations.
Paying for the Goodwin University Online NP Programs
The Goodwin University online MSN degree program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Students entering the healthcare industry should recognize that the costs they will incur to complete their training and obtain licensure can be considerable. Prospective students should contact Goodwin University for full tuition information.
Goodwin University offers financial assistance to make higher education accessible to its students. Financial aid options include grants and scholarships, student loans, and work-study opportunities that may provide a consistent income during study. In addition to financial aid services, Goodwin University also provides lifelong career services and disability and access services. Such services can help students more easily and quickly enter the workforce and thereby help them create a career that provides them with a genuine financial future.
Goodwin University offers a flexible MSN program with FNP and PMHNP specializations for BSN-prepared Connecticut registered nurses, with online coursework and up to three campus visits required (one for orientation, two for weekend intensives)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
1 Riverside Drive
East Hartford, Connecticut 06118
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
3
47
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Program Tuition
47
$949.00
$44,603.00
N/A
N/A
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
2
50
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Program Tuition
50
$949.00
$47,450.00
N/A
N/A
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.
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science, and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].