Southeastern Louisiana University Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
#6 Most Affordable NP School
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MS in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MS in Nursing – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- MSN to DNP with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- Post Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (NP to PMHNP)
Southeastern Louisiana University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specializations. These affordable programs have no campus visits, and students complete clinical preceptorships at approved sites in the state of Louisiana (LA). Consequently, applicants must hold an unencumbered RN license in LA and have at least one year of nursing work experience.
In addition, the school offers a second specialty Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate to those who already hold an Adult NP, Geriatric NP, Family NP, Women’s Health NP, or Acute Care NP certification. Certificate students must come to campus for an orientation at the beginning of the program. Again, all clinicals must be completed in the state of LA.
Finally, Southeastern Louisiana University offers three Doctor of Nursing Practice NP options: BSN to DNP with FNP or PMHNP specializations and MSN to DNP with a PMHNP Certificate. These programs include two campus visits – an orientation at the beginning of the program, and a visit for the defense of the DNP project.
The MSN degrees are offered through an Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN) that includes Nicholls State University, McNeese State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Each university offers the same courses through the Moodle online learning management system (LMS); therefore, students may apply to any of these schools to complete the MSN degree. This consortium is one of only four in the country, and it is founded on the core values of accountability, caring, diversity, lifelong learning, collaboration, leadership, and practice.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are trained to work with populations across the lifespan with chronic and acute illnesses, disease management, healthcare plans, preventive care, and healthcare education. Graduates of the Southeastern Louisiana MSN-FNP and DNP-FNP programs are eligible to take the FNP certification exam through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Family nurse practitioners may work in healthcare settings such as primary care practices, long-term and home healthcare situations, emergency room care, government institutions such as schools and correctional facilities, and research facilities.
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are trained to serve patients across the lifespan with mental health issues. PMHNPs may work with patients individually, in family groups, and in group therapy settings. Upon graduation, MSN-PMHNP, DNP-PMHNP, and PMHNP certificate students will be eligible to take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam through the ANCC. Graduates may go on to positions in schools, psychiatric hospitals and clinics, counseling centers, drug and alcohol treatment centers, and correctional and rehabilitation facilities.
Southeastern Louisiana University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The MSN, DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). SLU is located in both Hammond and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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What to Expect from Southeastern Louisiana University Online FNP and PMHNP Programs
Admission Requirements: MSN and BSN to DNP applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program with a minimum GPA of 2.7 or higher. Application materials include a graduate application and fee, official transcripts, proof of unencumbered RN licensure in the state of Louisiana, two professional references, a letter of intent, GRE scores, and a current resume or CV.
MSN and BSN to DNP applicants must have at least one year of clinical work experience. A prerequisite of introductory statistics with a grade of “C” or higher is required. Applicants must also have documentation of the physical assessment skills necessary for the NP concentration. Upon acceptance, students must submit a health history, physical exam, annual TB test results, negative drug screen, plus current CPR certification. As well, accepted students must maintain the appropriate immunizations required.
Post-Master’s Certificate – Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP applicants must hold a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) from a nationally accredited graduate nursing program with certification as an Adult NP, Geriatric NP, Acute Care NP, Women’s Health NP, or Family NP. MSN to DNP with PMHNP Certificate applicants must have an MSN with APRN certification from a nationally accredited graduate nursing program.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for MSN to DNP with PMHNP Certificate and Post-Master’s Certificate applicants. A transcript analysis will be conducted to ensure all prerequisites are met, including Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics. Application materials include an application and minimal fee, official transcripts, proof of unencumbered RN licensure in the state of Louisiana, two professional references, a goals statement, and a current resume.
State Restrictions: Applicants to the Southeastern Louisiana University NP programs must hold an unencumbered RN license in the state of Louisiana, and all clinicals must be completed in Louisiana. Students in all states outside of Louisiana are encouraged to contact the Southeastern Louisiana University School of Nursing to verify enrollment eligibility.
Study Plan: The MSN degrees are offered both part-time and full-time. They can be completed in two years or less by taking two to three courses per semester, including summers. Students may begin the programs in the Fall, Spring, or Summer. To progress through the program, students must earn a grade of “B” or higher in each course. MSN students choose a scholarly project option or a thesis option. The thesis option adds three credits to the curriculum.
BSN to DNP students are admitted in the Summer only, and the program can be completed in three years on a full-time basis. Part-time plans may be available. Two campus visits are required.
MSN to DNP with a PMHNP Certificate students begin in the Summer, and the program can be completed in about 2.5 years. Two campus visits are required.
PMHNP certificate students may begin in the Fall only and can complete the program in four semesters, not including summers. At least 600 clinical hours are required, and an on-site orientation is included in this program.
MSN Core Curriculum: Core courses for the MSN program include Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nursing; Business, Leadership and Health Policy for Nurse Practitioners; Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing; Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice; Applied Statistics for Health Sciences; Population-Based Primary Care; Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice; and Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing. MSN students also complete a focused scholarly project course or thesis. FNP and PMHNP students complete at least 600 clinical hours.
- FNP Specialty Curriculum: The MSN – FNP specialization comprises 42 to 45 credits depending on the completion of a focused scholarly project or a thesis. Specialty courses include Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Health I-III, and students complete 600 clinical hours.
- PMHNP Specialty Curriculum: The PMHNP specialization comprises 48 to 51 credits depending on the completion of a focused scholarly project or a thesis. Specialty courses include Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health I-III and Diagnostic Considerations and Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice. Students also complete 600 clinical hours.
BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP – FNP program comprises 70 credits and 1,110 clinical hours. The PMHNP pathway comprises 76 credits plus 1,140 clinical hours. As these programs follow the MSN programs, students can complete the MSN requirements and opt-out after earning an MSN or continue on to complete the DNP. Courses may include Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences; Biostatistics; Advanced Practice Scholarly and Theoretical Foundations; Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice; Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice; Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice; Clinical Scholarship and Analytic Methods for Evidence-Based Practice; Epidemiology and Preventative Care for Populations; Business, Leadership, and Health Policy for NPs; Project Planning; Ethics and Health Care Policy; Organizational and Systems Leadership; Health Care Informatics; Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice; and Residency I-III.
FNPs complete Advanced Practice Nursing: Family Health I-III.
PMHNPs complete Advance Practice Nursing: Psychotherapy; Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health I-III; and Diagnostics/Pharmacology for Psychiatric Disorders.
MSN to DNP with a PMHNP Certificate Curriculum: The MSN to DNP with a PMHNP Certificate program comprises 59 credits and 1,020 clinical hours. Courses include all of those listed for the BSN to DNP – PMHNP except Pathophysiology; Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice; Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning; Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences; and Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice.
Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate Curriculum: The PMHNP certificate comprises 21 credits plus 600 clinical hours. Courses include Diagnostic considerations in psychopharmacology for psychiatric disorders; Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Nurse; and Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health (PMH) I-III.
Online Experience: The MSN consortium (ICMSN) institutions deliver courses asynchronously through the Moodle online learning management system (LMS). MSN and certificate students first complete an eLearning Orientation course at the beginning of the programs. DNP students complete their orientation in person. All assignments must be submitted through Moodle.
Clinical hours are logged through the Typhon Nurse Practitioner Student Tracking System (Typhon NPST). Online students have access to student services, including an online library, online databases, a writing center, disability services, testing, student health services, counseling, technical support, faculty advising, and career counseling. In addition, those who qualify may be eligible for membership in The Honor Society of Nursing, Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Theta Tau International. These memberships would be by invitation only.
On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for MSN programs. All coursework can be completed online, and clinicals are fulfilled at an approved location near the student in the state of LA. Post-Master’s Certificate students must come to the Hammond, LA campus for an on-site orientation at the beginning of their programs. DNP students come to campus for a DNP orientation and to defend their DNP project.
Paying for Southeastern Louisiana University Online FNP and PMHNP Programs
The online MSN, DNP, and certificate program costs for Louisiana residents are listed in the tables below, and do not include extra fees or travel costs for campus visits. Interested students should contact the Southeastern Louisiana University School of Nursing for tuition and fee clarifications.
Southeastern Louisiana University graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans by applying through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are also encouraged to check with their employers as to the option of a tuition reimbursement program or tuition discount. Finally, students may seek outside funding opportunities such as organizational or community funding.
Southeastern Louisiana University offers incredibly affordable online MSN-NP, DNP-NP, and Post-Graduate NP Certificate programs through a consortium, allowing BSN-prepared and MSN-prepared Registered Nurses in Louisiana a flexible way to pursue an advanced nurse practitioner education.
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MS in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
MS in Nursing – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
MSN to DNP with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Post Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (NP to PMHNP)
SLU 10448
Hammond, Louisiana 70402
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Summer
No
2
70
1,110
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
Bachelor's (Non-Nursing) – Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree
Yes (minimum GRE score depends on GPA)
2.7 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Program Tuition
70
$286.03
$20,022.10
N/A
N/A
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Summer
No
2
76
1,020
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Yes (minimum GRE score depends on GPA)
2.7 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
76
$286.03
$21,738.28
N/A
N/A
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
42
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Yes (minimum GRE score depends on GPA)
2.7 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
42
$286.03
$12,013.26
N/A
N/A
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes
0
48
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Yes (minimum GRE score depends on GPA)
2.7 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
48
$286.03
$13,729.44
N/A
N/A
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Summer
No
2
59
1,140
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
Yes (minimum GRE score depends on GPA)
2.7 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
59
$286.03
$16,875.77
N/A
N/A
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes
1
20
510
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, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
20
$286.03
$5,720.60
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.
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.