Saint Louis University Online NP Programs
#17 Best Program Variety
- BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Saint Louis University’s Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing (TBVSON) offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a BSN entry point, and Post-Master’s Certificates in the following nurse practitioner (NP) specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP)
- Pediatric Primary Care NP (PNP-PC)
Students in the MSN and certificate programs are required to come to the St. Louis, Missouri, campus twice during their programs. BSN to DNP students come to St. Louis four times throughout their programs. These in-person visits allow students to orient to online learning, practice hands-on skills, participate in assessments, and meet faculty and peers. Clinical practicums are also completed at approved sites local to the student (see restrictions below).
All programs are offered on both a full-time and part-time basis for maximum flexibility. Graduates of the NP specializations are eligible to sit for their specific national certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) respectively.
The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing seeks to prepare graduate nursing students to serve the whole person through interprofessional collaboration. The AGACNP specialization prepares graduates to serve adult patients in acute care settings where the person may be critically or chronically ill. Settings may include trauma centers, intensive care units (ICUs), emergency rooms, long-term care facilities, and rehabilitation centers.
The FNP specialization focuses on patient health care education, fostering quality relationships with patients, and the ability to address routine, acute, and chronic health care issues in a variety of settings. Family nurse practitioners may work in primary care clinics, hospitals, urgent care facilities, government facilities, schools, private practice, long-term care facilities, and home health care situations.
The PMHNP programs are evidence-based and focus on recovery and holistic mental health care. PMHNPs may serve children, adolescents, and adults in recovery, therapeutic, and hospital-based settings.
The PNP-PC specialization prepares graduates to serve patients through age 21, focusing on disease prevention, growth milestones, acute and chronic issue management, and health promotion. Pediatric NPs may work in pediatric clinics, private practice, government and school facilities, hospitals, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics.
The MSN, DNP, and certificate programs through Saint Louis University are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Saint Louis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located in St. Louis, Missouri.
What to Expect
Admission Requirements: No GRE or GMAT is required for these programs. The following is required for each degree path:
- MSN: Have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, an unencumbered RN license, and current CPR certification from the American Heart Association. Application materials include an application and fee, official transcripts, three letters of reference, a resume or CV outlining prior education, clinical nursing experience and service, a professional goal statement, and proof of RN licensure.
- BSN to DNP: Have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Application materials include an application and fee, official transcripts, three references, a resume or CV outlining clinical nursing experience, service, and education, a professional goal statement, and proof of RN licensure.
- Post-Master’s Certificates: Have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, prior completion of a basic health assessment course, and completion of graduate physiology or pathophysiology. Advanced practice nursing experience is preferred. Application materials include an application and fee, transcripts, resume, one letter of recommendation, professional goal statement, and proof of RN licensure. If accepted, provide proof of American heart care provider course completion.
State Restrictions: While Saint Louis University accepts students from most states, applicants outside of Missouri should check with the admissions department to make sure they are eligible for the nursing programs. Saint Louis University is not able to offer online programs to residents of Connecticut, Washington DC, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Dakota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wyoming.
As a general rule, students should contact the licensing board of their specific state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.
Study Plan: The MSN program completion times vary according to the specialization chosen. The AGACNP specialty can be completed in five semesters plus two summer sessions or about 2.5 years taking two courses per semester and one during each summer session. The FNP specialty can be completed in seven semesters plus one summer session, or about 3.5 years taking two courses per semester and one during the summer session. The PMHNP specialty can be completed in about 3.5 years taking courses in the fall, spring, and summer each year. And the MSN – PNP-PC can be completed in about 2.5 years including summers. MSN students come to campus twice during the programs.
The BSN to DNP can be completed in four to five years, with full or part-time options available. BSN to DNP students come to campus four times throughout the program.
Post-Master’s NP Certificates can be completed in one to two years depending on the specialization and previous coursework that may be transferred in. A gap analysis will be conducted to determine eligible transfer credits. A minimum of 15 credits is required to complete any post-master’s certificate through Saint Louis University. Certificate students come to campus twice during the programs.
Both part-time and full-time options are available for all programs. Start dates land in the Fall and Spring.
MSN Curriculum: The MSN nurse practitioner specializations range from 37 to 42 credits. Core courses comprise 20 credits and include the following courses: Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition; Ethics in Nursing and Healthcare; Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making; Advanced Pharmacology; Health Promotion; Advanced Pathophysiology; Principles of Practice Management; and General Research Methods.
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Specialty: The AGACNP specialization includes 37 credits plus 600 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum; Critical Appraisal of Technology: Acute Care; and Advanced Clinical Studies I-II: The Acute Care Setting.
- Family NP Specialty: The FNP specialization includes 42 credits plus 600 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Dynamics of Family Nursing Practice; Mental Health Care Family; Advanced Clinical Studies I: Adults and Older Adults; Advanced Clinical Studies II: Women and Children; and Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum.
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Specialty: The PMHNP specialization includes 42 credits plus 600 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Family and Child Development; Psychopharmacology; Ecological Approach to Human Behavior; Advanced Clinical Studies I-II: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing; and Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum.
- Primary Care Pediatric NP Specialty: The PNP-PC specialization includes 38 credits plus 600 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Family and Child Development; Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum; and Advanced Clinical Studies I-II; Nursing of Children.
BSN to DNP Core Curriculum: The BSN to DNP program options vary from 67 to 72 credits plus 1,125 clinical hours. The graduate nursing core comprises 51 credits and may include the following courses: Epidemiology; Ethics in Nursing and Healthcare; Advanced Pharmacology; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making; Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition; Health Promotion; Principles of Practice Management; General Research Methods; Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Outcomes; Healthcare Delivery Systems; Healthcare Policy and the Advanced Practice Nurse; Leadership in Healthcare; Interprofessional Collaboration; Clinical Informatics; Evidence-Based Practice I-II; Doctor of Nursing Practice; and Doctor Of Nursing Practice Project Project Management.
Specialty courses for each NP specialization follow those listed for the MSN degree above. Total credits for the specializations are as follows:
- AGACNP: 67
- FNP: 70
- PMHNP: 72
- PNP-PC: 69
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: Earning a post-master’s certificate requires the completion of at least 15 credits through Saint Louis University plus completion of 600 clinical hours. Students may transfer in a number of credits depending on prior education. Core courses required for all specializations may include Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition; Advanced Pharmacology; Clinical and Diagnostic Reasoning; Health Promotion; Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making; Principles of Practice Management; and Advanced Pathophysiology.
It is possible that students may transfer in all of these credits and only need to complete the specialty courses for their specialization, which follow those listed above for the MSN degree. Credit ranges for the certificates are as follows:
- AGACNP: 16-33
- FNP: 18-36
- PMHNP: 23-40
- PNP-PC: 15-33
Online Experience: Saint Louis University uses Blackboard as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are typically asynchronous and may include discussion boards, readings, videos, case studies, assignments, and assessments. Courses will have set deadlines for completion of assignments. Peer/faculty communication may take place via phone, email, discussion boards, through apps on Blackboard, or through video conferencing. Online students have access to an online library and bookstore, academic advising, faculty support, online tutoring, and technology support.
On-Site Requirements: All nursing students participate in a two-day orientation at the beginning of the program. Students in all programs also come to campus for a three to five-day campus visit for skills practice and student evaluation.
In addition, BSN to DNP students come to campus twice more: once for an orientation to doctorate coursework and at the end of the program to present their DNP project.
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Paying for the Saint Louis University Online NP Programs
Saint Louis University online NP program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Neither travel costs for campus visits nor other additional fees are included in tuition costs. Interested students should inquire with the Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing for scholarship and assistantship options. Prospective students may also contact the Student Financial Services Office for financial aid and cost information.
Saint Louis University may offer unsubsidized federal student loans to graduate students according to the FAFSA. Nursing students may also inquire with their employers about the possibility of a tuition reimbursement program or tuition discount. Finally, Saint Louis University online students may wish to seek outside opportunities for funding.
Offered both part-time and full-time, Saint Louis University graduate nursing programs seek to prepare nurses to serve the whole person, utilizing online learning, peer/faculty discussions, and in-person immersion experiences.
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
3642 Laclede Ave
St. Louis, Missouri 63013
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
4
67
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.5 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
67
$1,370.00
$91,790.00
$1,370.00
$91,790.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
4
70
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.5 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
70
$1,370.00
$95,900.00
$1,370.00
$95,900.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
4
69
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.5 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
69
$1,370.00
$94,530.00
$1,370.00
$94,530.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
4
69
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.5 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
69
$1,370.00
$94,530.00
$1,370.00
$94,530.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
2
36
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
36
$1,370.00
$49,320.00
$1,370.00
$49,320.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
2
40
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
40
$1,370.00
$54,800.00
$1,370.00
$54,800.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
2
41
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
41
$1,370.00
$56,170.00
$1,370.00
$56,170.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
2
36
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
36
$1,370.00
$49,320.00
$1,370.00
$49,320.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
2
16
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
16
$1,370.00
$21,920.00
$1,370.00
$21,920.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
2
18
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
18
$1,370.00
$24,660.00
$1,370.00
$24,660.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
2
23
N/A
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
23
$1,370.00
$31,510.00
$1,370.00
$31,510.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
2
15
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.2 or higher
CT, DC, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, NY, ND, OR, PA, RI, WA, WY
Program Tuition
15
$1,370.00
$20,550.00
$1,370.00
$20,550.00
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.