Rockhurst University Online MSN and Certificate Programs: AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP, and Dual-Track MSN
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
- Family Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Dual FNP/AGACNP
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Rockhurst University offers nurse practitioners MSN degrees and post-master’s certificate programs. The MSN program offers adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP), family nurse practitioner (FNP) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) specializations. Students also have the option to complete a dual MSN in both AGACNP and FNP specializations. The certificate programs are offered in the AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP specializations.
The FNP programs include one campus immersion and one virtual immersion to practice skills, complete simulations, and demonstrate competencies. The AGACNP and dual-track MSN programs require attendance at two campus immersions. The online PMHNP program offers part- and full-time study options. MSN students complete clinical hours at an approved location supervised by a clinical preceptor. In addition, Rockhurst University offers clinical placement services. A clinical placement coordinator maintains communication with students throughout their program to ensure students fulfill all requirements.
Rockhurst University is a Jesuit university seeking to prepare nurses to provide ethical, compassionate care to their patients and approach their careers with a heart of service to others. The university also promotes thoughtful leadership, a desire to find God in all things, caring for the whole person, and an understanding of the inherent human dignity in all people.
The graduate FNP programs prepare nurses to care for families with patients of all ages. FNP students study health promotion and disease prevention and diagnose and treat common illnesses. Family nurse practitioners work in various settings in primary care clinics, schools, government organizations, hospitals, and home health care.
The AGACNP programs prepare graduates to care for adults and older adults with acute and chronic conditions. These may be serious, life-threatening illnesses. AGACNPs develop treatment plans and collaborate with other health professionals to ensure continuity of care. Focusing on leadership, ethical nursing practice, and inquiry and reflection, the AGACNP programs prepare nurses for work with diverse populations in various acute care settings in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and healthcare clinics.
The PMHNP program prepares students to provide mental healthcare services to patients across the human lifespan. While duties may vary depending on their role, PMHNPs can expect to regularly apply their skills in physical and psychosocial assessment, diagnose and treat mental illness, prescribe medication and monitor patient progress using various methods and technologies.
Graduates of the AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP programs will be eligible to take the corresponding nurse practitioner certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). Graduates of the dual-track MSN program will be eligible to take both the FNP and AGACNP exams.
Rockhurst University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The online NP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Rockhurst University is located in Kansas City, Missouri.
| Rockhurst University Online NP Programs | |
|---|---|
| MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner | Visit Site |
| MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | Visit Site |
| Family Nurse Practitioner - Post-Master's Certificate | Visit Site |
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Post-Master's Certificate | Visit Site |
| MSN - Dual FNP/AGACNP | Visit Site |
| MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | Visit Site |
| Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric-Mental Health NP | Visit Site |
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 140 NP schools in our database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
What to Expect from the Rockhurst University Online MSN and Certificate Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the MSN-FNP, MSN-AGACNP, and MSN dual-track programs must hold a BSN from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher plus an active RN license. MSN-PMHNP program applicants must have a BSN from a CHEA-recognized institution that is also a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited nursing program. Application materials include an application, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
Applicants to the MSN-FNP second degree or post-graduate certificate programs must hold an MSN degree from an accredited institution with the same requirements as listed for the above programs. No GRE or work experience is required, although nurses typically have nursing experience upon entering the program.
State Restrictions: Rockhurst University accepts students from Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Students outside of Missouri should inquire with the Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Rockhurst University and their state Board of Nursing to determine licensure requirements and out-of-state distance learning eligibility. In addition, state restrictions are subject to change.
Study Plan: Start dates for the FNP programs land in the fall, spring, and summer. Students move through as a cohort with either a part-time or full-time plan. The MSN-FNP, MSN-AGACNP, and MSN-PMHNP programs take six semesters to complete full-time or eight semesters on a part-time basis. The MSN-FNP second degree and post-graduate certificate programs take four semesters to complete. The MSN dual-track program takes eight semesters to complete full-time or ten semesters part-time.
All MSN programs, including the dual AGACNP-FNP MSN program, require attendance of one campus immersion and one virtual immersion. Clinicals are completed local to the student and clinical placement services are available.
MSN – FNP Curriculum: The online MSN – FNP program comprises 49 credits plus 750 clinical hours. Courses include professional roles, quality and safety for advanced nursing practice; theoretical foundations in nursing practice; policy, organization, and leadership; health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention; FNP immersion; informatics for advanced nursing practice; advanced health care research; mental health for family nurse practitioners; advanced pathophysiology and disease states; FNP I: diagnostics and intervention; FNP I: diagnostics and intervention practicum; advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment and physical diagnosis; FNP immersion II; applied statistics for FNP; women’s and children’s health for FNP; FNP II: diagnostic and intervention practicum; and FNP III: practicum.
MSN – AGACNP Curriculum: The online MSN – AGACNP program requires the completion of 49 credits plus 750 clinical hours. Courses include professional roles, quality and safety for advanced nursing practice; theoretical foundations in nursing practice; policy, organization, and leadership; advanced acute care immersion I; advanced acute care topics; health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention; informatics for advanced nursing practice; advanced health care research; advanced pathophysiology and disease states; advanced pharmacology; adult-gerontology acute care I diagnostics and intervention; adult-gerontology acute care I diagnostics and intervention practicum; advanced health assessment and physical diagnosis; advanced acute care immersion II; adult-gerontology acute care II diagnostics and intervention; adult-gerontology acute care II diagnostics and intervention practicum; applied statistics for AGNP; adult acute care III diagnostics and intervention; and adult acute care III diagnostics and intervention practicum.
MSN – PMHNP Curriculum: The online MSN – PMHNP program comprises 49 credits plus 750 clinical hours. Courses include professional roles, quality and safety for advanced nursing practice; applied statistics for advanced nursing practice; advanced pathophysiology and disease states; advanced pharmacology; policy, organizations and leadership; theoretical foundations in nursing practice; foundations of PMHNP practice; psychiatric mental health and interviewing skills immersion; health promotion, health protection, disease prevention; advanced health assessment and physical diagnosis; psychopharmacology for advanced practice in psychiatric nursing; advanced health care research; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum I; psychiatric assessment & psychopathology across the lifespan; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum II; advanced interventions, psychotherapy, and management for PMHNP; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum III; and psychiatric mental health immersion II.
MSN Dual Track – FNP/AGACNP Curriculum: The online MSN dual track – FNP/AGACNP program comprises 62 credits plus 1,250 clinical hours. The core courses listed in the MSN-FNP curriculum section are completed by dual-track students and several courses from the specialty courses listed for the FNP and AGACNP curricula.
Post-graduate Certificate Curricula: FNP and AGACNP programs require the completion of 20 credit-hours. The PMHNP program requires 22 credit-hours. All three certificate programs require completion of 750 clinical hours.
FNP Certificate Curriculum: The curriculum features these courses: FNP immersion i; mental health for family nurse practitioners; FNP I: diagnostics and intervention; FNP I: diagnostics and intervention practicum; FNP immersion II; women’s and children health for FNP; FNP II: diagnostic and intervention practicum; and FNP III: practicum.
AGACNP Certificate Curriculum: The curriculum features these courses: advanced acute care immersion I; advanced acute care topics; adult-gerontology acute care II diagnostics and intervention; adult-gerontology acute care I diagnostics and intervention practicum; advanced acute care immersion II; adult-gerontology acute care II diagnostics and intervention; adult-gerontology acute care II diagnostics and intervention practicum; adult acute care III diagnostics and intervention; and adult acute care III diagnostics and intervention practicum.
PMHNP Certificate Curriculum: The curriculum features these courses: foundations of PMHNP practice; psychiatric mental health and interviewing skills immersion; psychopharmacology for advanced practice in psychiatric nursing; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum I; psychiatric assessment & psychopathology across the lifespan; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum II; advanced interventions, psychotherapy, and management for PMHNPs; psychiatric mental health advanced practice practicum III; and psychiatric mental health immersion II.
Online Experience: Rockhurst University’s online nursing programs are composed of both synchronous and asynchronous components. Students can ask questions and interact with fellow students and faculty through live sessions. Each student is assigned to a dedicated student success adviser who works with students throughout the program. There are also optional Zoom sessions for classes and social groups for students. Resources for online students include:
- The Aylward-Cunn Learning Center offers online tutoring, study skills help, and virtual group study sessions.
- eLearning helps students through email with the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) and Zoom.
- The Help Desk assists with technology issues.
- The Love in Action program offers grants to cover the costs of computers and equipment needed for online learning and textbooks and other costs.
- The Greenlease Library offers online research guidance through virtual librarians.
Other services may include academic advising, career counseling, and faculty office hours.
On-Site Requirements: All MSN programs, including the dual program, require attendance of one immersion at the Kansas City, Rockhurst campus. At these immersions students complete simulations, receive hands-on training in nursing skills, and complete objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) to demonstrate competencies. Certificate programs also require one campus immersion. All other coursework is online with local clinicals.
Paying for Rockhurst University Online MSN and Certificate Programs
Rockhurst University’s tuition for each program is noted below. Prospective students should contact the Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences for current tuition information, as costs may change each year.
Many graduate students choose to apply for federal unsubsidized graduate student loans through the FAFSA. Other options for funding may include private loans, employer tuition reimbursement programs, tuition discounts, and outside scholarships and grants.
Rockhurst University seeks to prepare compassionate, ethical nurse practitioners in FNP and AGACNP specializations with various degree paths to meet the needs of varying applicants.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
Family Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Dual FNP/AGACNP
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
1100 Rockhurst Rd
Kansas City, Missouri 64110
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
2
20
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, DC, ID, LA, MD, MI, MN, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
20
$765.00
$15,300.00
$765.00
$15,300.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
20
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, DC, ID, LA, MD, MI, MN, MS, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
20
$765.00
$15,300.00
$765.00
$15,300.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
2
49
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, DC, ID, LA, MD, MI, MN, MS, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
49
$765.00
$37,485.00
$765.00
$37,485.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
2
62
1,250
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, DC, ID, LA, MD, MI, MN, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
62
$765.00
$47,430.00
$765.00
$47,430.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
49
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, DC, ID, LA, MD, MI, MN, MS, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
49
$765.00
$37,485.00
$765.00
$37,485.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
49
750
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, ID, LA, MD, MI, MN, ND, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
49
$885.61
$43,395.00
$885.61
$43,395.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
22
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, ID, LA, MD, MI, MN, ND, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
22
$1,033.64
$22,740.00
$1,033.64
$22,740.00
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.
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].
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.