The George Washington University Online Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwifery Programs
#16 Best Program Variety
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGACNP specialty
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP specialty
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – FNP specialty
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP)
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP)
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Nurse-Midwifery
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – AGACNP
- Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – AGPCNP
- Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – FNP
- Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – PMHNP
The George Washington University (GW) School of Nursing offers online nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery programs including MSN, BSN to DNP, and Post-Master’s certificate options. Depending on the degree, specializations may include:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Nurse-Midwifery (NM)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
The coursework is offered 100% online and students come to campus for various immersions, with the exception of the PMHNP Post-Master’s Certificate which does not require any campus visits. Additionally, students complete practicums at facilities local to the student.
All programs focus on treating patients through findings from physical exams, conducting patient interviews, running diagnostics, and collaboration with health care teams. Critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills permeate the curriculum, and graduates learn to create individualized care plans for every patient.
The BSN to DNP program with specializations in AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP is a joint program between GW and Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. Students take foundational online courses through GW and online nurse-midwifery courses through Shenandoah. Campus visits take place at GW in Washington, D.C.
Graduates of The George Washington University NP and NM programs will be eligible to take the national certification exam for their respective specialization. Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives may serve in a variety of roles in urgent care clinics, critical care settings, hospitals, medical-surgical units, specialty units, government organizations, private clinics, schools, research institutions, and other health care organizations.
The George Washington University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The NP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The nurse-midwifery program is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C.
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What to Expect from The George Washington University Online NP and NM Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to The George Washington University NP and NM programs must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and hod an unencumbered, active RN license. Application materials include an application and application fee, a current resume, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and a personal statement. No GRE is required. International students must be current residents in an eligible state and must provide proof of English language proficiency.
- Program Specific Admission Requirements
- BSN to DNP: Hold a BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution;
- MSN: Hold a BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Post-Master’s Certificates: Hold an MSN or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution
State Restrictions: The GW nursing programs accept students from all states except Alabama and Louisiana. In addition, New York is restricted in the area of clinical placements, therefore New York applicants should check with admissions before applying to make sure a clinical placement will be available. Finally, the following states have not responded regarding specific requirements for out-of-state nursing programs or require an application for approval: Arkansas, California, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Wisconsin. Applicants outside of Washington D.C. should check with the admissions department to make sure they are eligible for the nursing programs. In addition, prospective students should contact the licensing board of their specific state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP and NM licensure.
Study Plan: The George Washington University offers both part-time and full-time study plans depending on the program.
- MSN
- The MSN – AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP programs are both part-time and full-time and begin in the Fall and Spring. Part-time study can be completed in 8 semesters while full-time study takes 5 semesters. The MSN – PMHNP is part-time and begins in the fall only. It can be completed in 8 semesters.
- Certificates
- The AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP certificate programs are part-time only and begin in the summer. The AGACNP can be completed in four semesters, the AGPCNP in five semesters, and the FNP in three semesters. The PMHNP certificate program is part-time and begins in the fall only. It can be completed in 4 semesters.
- BSN to DNP
- The BSN to DNP is now offered as a part-time program in the Fall. It can be completed in about four years or 11 semesters on a full-time basis or about six years on a part-time basis.
MSN Foundation Curriculum: All specialty tracks in the MSN program include the following courses: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology for Nursing; Concepts in Population Health; Nursing Leadership; Health Policy, Quality, and Political Process; Biostatistics for Health Care Research; Evidence-Based Practice for Health Care Researchers; Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning; and Genetics for Health Care Providers.
MSN-AGACNP Curriculum: The MSN-WHNP comprises 48 credits plus 650 practicum hours. AGACNP courses include Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I: Introduction to Practice; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II: Complex and Acute Illness; and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III: Complex and Chronic Disease Management Adolescent/Elderly.
MSN-AGPCNP Curriculum: The MSN-WHNP comprises 48 credits plus 625 clinical hours. AGPCNP courses include Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner I: Practice Introduction; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner II: Adolescent and Adult; and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner III: Adult, Older/Frail.
MSN-FNP Curriculum: The MSN-FNP comprises 48 credits plus 700 practicum hours. FNP courses include Family Nurse Practitioner I-II: Lifespan Primary Care/Diagnosis/Management and Family Nurse Practitioner III: Professional Issues/Diagnosis/Management.
MSN-PMHNP Curriculum: The MSN-PMHNP comprises 50 credits plus 600 clinical hours. PMHNP courses include Psychopharmacology; Addictions and Change; Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing with Families and Groups Across the Lifespan; Psychiatric/Mental Health Diagnostic Assessment Across the Lifespan; and Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing with Individuals Across the Lifespan.
MSN-NM Curriculum: The MSN-NM comprises 47 credits plus 720 clinical hours and is a collaborative program between GW and Shenandoah University. Students take the foundation MSN courses listed above through GW. Courses taken online through Shenandoah University include Primary Care of Women; Comprehensive Antepartal Care; Midwifery Practicum; Comprehensive Perinatal Care; Integrated Midwifery Internship; Evidence-Based Practice Project; and Advanced Nurse-Midwifery Role Development.
BSN to DNP – AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP program (also called Dual MSN and DNP) comprises 81 credits plus 1,000 clinical hours. Students complete the required MSN foundation courses and specialization courses. In addition, DNP courses include Organizational Concepts in Nursing; Knowledge Management in Nursing; Translating Research into Practice; Health Care Quality Improvement; Health Care Economics, Finance, and Reimbursement; Health Policy and Analysis; DNP Project Planning; DNP Project Implementation; and DNP Project Evaluation and Dissemination.
Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP Curriculum: The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program comprises 23 credits and 650 clinical hours. Courses include Adult-Gerontology ACNP: Advanced Role Immersion (Elective), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I: Introduction to Practice; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II: Complex and Acute Illness; and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III: Complex and Chronic Disease Management Adolescent/Elderly.
Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP Curriculum: The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program comprises 30 credits and 625 clinical hours. Courses include Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology for Nursing; Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner I: Practice Introduction; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner II: Adolescent and Adult; and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner III: Adult, Older/Frail.
Post-Master’s Certificate FNP Curriculum: The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program comprises 17 credits and 700 clinical hours. Courses include Family Nurse Practitioner I-II: Lifespan Primary Care/Diagnosis/Management, Primary Care of the Family; and Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum.
Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP Curriculum: The Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program comprises 22 credits and 600 clinical hours. Courses include Addictions and Change; Psychopharmacology; Population-Based Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing Across the Lifespan; Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing with Families and Groups; Psychiatric/Mental Health Diagnostic Assessment Across the Lifespan; Integrated Application of Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing; and Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing with Individuals Across the Lifespan.
Online Experience: GW utilizes Blackboard as its online learning management system (LMS). Blackboard includes videos, course syllabi, assignments, communication tools, discussion groups, forums, and assessments. Students in the online nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife programs begin with an online new student orientation. All students are also assigned an academic advisor and have access to academic and 24/7 technical support through GW.
On-Site Requirements: Specific campus requirements vary by program, as detailed below. All students attend a Virtual New Student Orientation online plus the following campus requirements in Washington D.C.:
- MSN – AGACNP – Students come to campus nine times for one to three days at a time.
- MSN – AGPCNP and FNP – Students come to campus four times; once for the Clinical Learning and Skills Intensive (CLASI) and once for the Fall Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). After OSCEs students complete a final skills assessment and an end of program skills assessment.
- MSN – NM – Students come to campus three times; once for the Clinical Learning and Skills Intensive (CLASI), once for the Initial Antepartal and Primary Care Skills Training, and once for the Perinatal Skills Training.
- MSN – PMHNP – Students come to campus once for the Clinical Learning and Skills Intensive (CLASI).
- BSN to DNP – AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP – Students come to campus four to nine times; once for the Clinical Learning and Skills Intensive (CLASI) and several OSCEs). Finally, students present their DNP project in an open forum to peers and faculty. In addition to the virtual new student orientation for all students, AGPCNP students participate in a virtual project preparation program.
- AGACNP Certificate – Students come to campus once for the Clinical Learning and Skills Intensive (CLASI)
- AGPCNP and FNP Certificates – Students come to campus twice; once for the Clinical Learning and Skills Intensive (CLASI) and once at the end of the program for an end of program skills assessment.
- PMHNP Certificate – Students are not required to come to campus.
Paying for The George Washington University Online Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwifery Programs
GW online NP program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Students should also set money aside for campus visits, and additional fees. Prospective students should contact the GW School of Nursing for cost clarifications and updates.
The George Washington University offers graduate unsubsidized student loans in accordance with the FAFSA. Nursing students should also consider checking with their employers to see if there is a tuition reimbursement program available. Additionally, students may have opportunities for scholarships and grants from community and other sources.
The GW online NP programs are offered in all but three states with a variety of degree paths and specialties to choose from including MSN, DNP, and post-master's paths in AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PMHNP, and Nurse-Midwifery.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGACNP specialty
Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP specialty
Doctor of Nursing Practice – FNP specialty
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP)
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Nurse-Midwifery
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – AGACNP
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – AGPCNP
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – FNP
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – PMHNP
2030 M Street, Suite 300, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20036
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
5
72
1,000
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.3 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
72
$1,530.00
$110,160.00
$1,530.00
$110,160.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
4
72
1,000
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.3 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
72
$1,530.00
$110,160.00
$1,530.00
$110,160.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
4
72
1,000
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.3 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
72
$1,530.00
$110,160.00
$1,530.00
$110,160.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
9
48
650
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.3 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
48
$1,530.00
$73,440.00
$1,530.00
$73,440.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
4
48
625
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
48
$1,530.00
$73,440.00
$1,530.00
$73,440.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
No
4
48
700
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
48
$1,530.00
$73,440.00
$1,530.00
$73,440.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
NM – Nurse-Midwife
Fall
No
3
47
720
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
47
$1,530.00
$71,910.00
$1,530.00
$71,910.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
1
50
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
50
$1,530.00
$76,500.00
$1,530.00
$76,500.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Summer
No
1
23
650
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
23
$1,530.00
$35,190.00
$1,530.00
$35,190.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Summer
No
2
30
625
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
30
$1,530.00
$45,900.00
$1,530.00
$45,900.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Summer
No
2
17
700
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
17
$1,530.00
$26,010.00
$1,530.00
$26,010.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
Yes
0
22
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, LA
Program Tuition
22
$1,530.00
$33,660.00
$1,530.00
$33,660.00
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.