The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, PMHNP

What to Expect from the University of Southern Mississippi Online Graduate Nursing Programs

Admission Requirements: Application materials for both programs include an online graduate application and fee plus a supplemental nursing application, official transcripts, three letters of reference, a professional resume or CV, a cover letter, a personal statement, proof of CPR certification, proof of a recent health examination and vaccinations, and successful background check and drug screening. Applicants must also gain an RN license in the State of Mississippi prior to starting the program.

Those whose first language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency. The following is also required for each program path:

• BSN to DNP: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and an unencumbered RN license. The GRE is required from within the previous five years. Completion of advanced graduate statistics is required with a grade of B or higher. In addition, one year of full-time RN work experience is required within the past five years. An online or telephone interview will be required.
• Post-Master’s Certificates: Applicants must hold an MSN from a nationally accredited program, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and an unencumbered RN license. Applicants must have completed graduate-level coursework in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, health promotion, nurse practitioner role, and advanced health assessment for nurse practitioners. Any gap courses must be completed before the NP specialty courses.

State Restrictions: The University of Southern Mississippi is an NC-SARA participant and is eligible to offer its nursing programs in all 50 states. Students should verify with the College of Nursing and Health Professions as well as their state licensing board to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.

Study Plan: The BSN to DNP program begins in the Fall and can be completed in three years. Both full and part-time plans are available. Students have up to eight years to complete the DNP. Approximately six to nine campus visits are required–one per semester.

The Post-Master’s Certificate program also begins in the Fall and can be completed in four semesters for the FNP specialization and five semesters for PMHNPs. Certificate students must come to campus four to five times throughout the program–once per semester. Clinicals for both programs are completed locally.

BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP program comprises 71 credits for FNPs and 73 credits for FPMHNPs, plus at least 1,000 clinical and DNP hours. Courses for both specializations include Advanced Practice Nurse Role; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for APRNs; Advanced Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice; Advanced Pharmacology for Advanced Practice; Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nurses; Transition to Practice Seminar; Role Development and Advanced Practice Nursing; Methods for Evaluating Evidence-Based Practice; Practice Inquiry I: Information Systems and Technology; Population Health and Epidemiology; Practice Inquiry II: Translating Research into Practice; Policy and Politics in Health Care; Doctor of Nursing Practice Project; Quality and Leadership in Healthcare Systems; and Economics and Finance in Healthcare Systems.

• FNP: Specialty courses include Family Nurse Practitioner Internship; Family Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis and Management I-II; Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum I-II; FNP Diagnosis and Management in Women and Children; and FNP Diagnostics and Procedures.
• Family PMHNP: Specialty courses include Psychopharmacology; Psychobiological Theories and Assessment in Advanced Psychiatric Nursing; Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis and Management with Individuals; FPMHNP Practicum I-III; and FPMHNP Diagnosis and Management of Groups and Families.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The Post-Master’s Certificate program comprises up to 26 credits for the FNP specialization and 28 credits for the FPMHNP track, plus clinical hours. Note that transcript analysis is done on an individual basis to determine the need for the APRN graduate coursework. Any gap courses must be completed before pursuing the certificate. Study plans follow specialty courses as listed above for the BSN to DNP program.

Online Experience: Online courses at USM are delivered through the Canvas online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are asynchronous with recorded lectures, assignments, and assessments. Exams may be proctored through the Office of Online Learning. Collaboration takes place through interactive apps, email, and discussion boards. Online students have access to a full range of student services including library and bookstore services, faculty office hours, academic advising, career counseling, and technical support.

On-Site Requirements: BSN to DNP students may need to come to the Hattiesburg, MS campus six to nine times throughout their program. Post-Master’s Certificate students come to campus four to five times throughout their program. Students should verify the number of campus visits with the College of Nursing and Health Professions. All other coursework is online and clinicals are completed local to the student.