Samford University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs

What to Expect from the Samford University Online Graduate Nursing Programs

Admission Requirements: No GRE or GMAT is required for these programs. Application materials for all programs include a video submission, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume. U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose first language was not English must submit proof of English language proficiency.

The following is also required for each program path:

• DNP: Applicants to all DNP programs must hold an unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN). Applicants to the ENP and PMHNP tracks must have a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher awarded by a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN-accredited college or university. DNP-ENP applicants must hold national certification as an FNP while PMHNP track students must have current national nurse practitioner certification. These applicants must hold national FNP licensure to apply. DNP-FNP applicants may enter with either a BSN or MSN from a nationally accredited program. It is preferred that DNP-ENP applicants have emergency department or critical care experience. DNP applicants starting with a BSN who pursue the FNP track have slightly different requirements. They must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in nursing courses, an undergraduate course in nursing research with a grade of C or better and an undergraduate health assessment course with a grade of B or better.
• Post-Master’s Certificates: Applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) from an accredited program and an unencumbered RN license. FNP applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. PMHNP applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher plus hold national FNP certification. ENP applicants must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA plus hold national FNP certification, and emergency room or critical care work experience is preferred.

State Restrictions: While Samford University accepts students from most states, applicants outside of Alabama should check with the admissions department to ensure they are eligible for the nursing programs. Samford University cannot offer online programs that include on-ground experiences or field experiences to residents of Delaware, Washington DC, Florida, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, or Wisconsin.

It is highly recommended that students also contact the licensing board of their specific state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure. 

Study Plan: The DNP-FNP program begins in May regardless of whether students enter with a BSN or MSN. This program takes approximately two years to complete full-time, or three years on a part-time basis. The DNP-ENP and PMHNP programs begin in May only and take about two years to complete.

The FNP post-master’s certificate begins in January and August and can be completed in four semesters taking two courses per session. Plans of study depend on a gap analysis and times for completion vary. The ENP and PMHNP Certificates begin in January only and can be completed in one year when taking one to two courses per session.

Students in all specializations and program paths come to campus one to five times, depending on their program, and complete clinical practicums at approved local sites.

MSN-to-DNP Curriculum: The MSN-DNP program credit requirements vary by track. Students of all tracks also have clinical training requirements. The DNP core courses comprise 24 credits and may include theory and philosophy of nursing practice; biostatistics; methods for evidence based practice; information systems and technology; leadership, economics, and quality; policy for population health; advanced practice practicum I; and DNP project I-II.

• DNP-ENP: The DNP-ENP program requires the completion of 42 credits. Courses include concepts of advanced nursing practice; evidence-based practice; systems-based practice; leadership, organizational and strategic management theory; emergency care clinical I (180 clinical hours); emergency care I; emergency care II; DNP project I; DNP project II; emergency care clinical II (180 clinical hours); business skills & principles for advanced nursing practice; essentials of population health; ipe course; advanced practice practicum. Students have two required campus visits during their program.
• DNP-PMHNP: Students develop a full course of study once a gap analysis is conducted.
• DNP-FNP: The DNP-FNP program requires completion of 76 credits and 1,020 clinical hours. Courses include introduction to interprofessional practice; advanced physiology and pathophysiology; common diagnostics/procedures; advanced health assessment; pharmacotherapeutics for APRN; family primary care I; family primary care II; family primary care III; advanced clinical reasoning; care in the community; FNP clinical I; FNP clinical II; FNP clinical III; NP practicum; concepts of advanced nursing practice; theoretical principles of evidence-based practice; systems-based practice; essentials of population health; DNP project I; DNP project II; leadership, organizational, and strategic management theory; and business skills and principles for advanced nursing practice.
• Students can also obtain a DNP with an FNP specialization starting out with a BSN. This is also a 76-credit-hour program.

Post-Master’s Certificate FNP Curriculum: The FNP post-master’s certificate comprises 30 credits plus 660 clinical hours and is designed for those who hold an MSN degree without an NP specialty. Courses follow the FNP courses listed above for the BSN-to-MSN.

Post-Master’s Certificate ENP Curriculum: The ENP post-master’s certificate comprises 12 credits plus 360 clinical hours and is designed for those who already hold an MSN degree with an FNP specialty. Courses include emergency care I-II and emergency care clinical I-II.

Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP Curriculum: The PMHNP post-master’s certificate comprises 17 credits plus 540 clinical hours and is designed for those who hold an MSN degree with an FNP specialty. Courses include psychiatric-mental health I-III and psychiatric-mental health II-III.

Online Experience: Samford University delivers and manages courses through Blackboard Learn CE8. Several workshops are offered to help students navigate the system. Samford offers cutting-edge distance learning in a mostly asynchronous environment. Faculty members give personal support to students throughout their programs. 

Online students have access to the Samford Academic Success Center which provides consultations with students to further their academic goals and to help find the resources necessary to be successful in their program. Services through the success center may include tutoring, study tips, educational resources, and other student support. Online students also have access to the Samford Career Development Center which provides online assessments, a career library, and assistance with resumes, finding jobs, and other resources. Other online student services include an online library and bookstore, the Communication Resource Center (CRC), counseling services, disability services, the Technology in Learning Center (TLC), and the Office of Spiritual Life.

On-Site Requirements: All graduate nursing students come to the Birmingham, Alabama campus at least once throughout their programs. MSN and DNP students attend sessions three to four time, while certificate students come to campus once. ADN to MSN students come to campus four to five times throughout their programs.