University of St. Augustine Online NP Programs: AGNP, FNP, PMHNP
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers several online nurse practitioner programs with family nurse practitioner (FNP), adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP), and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) specializations. All three specializations are offered as a master of science in nursing (MSN), while the FNP specialization is also offered in a post-graduate certificate and a BSN-to-DNP program (bachelor of science in nursing to doctor of nursing practice).
Each of the programs requires one on-campus intensive at the San Marcos, CA campus at the Center for Innovative Clinical Practice. Here students practice clinical skills, conduct health assessments, and participate in simulations in the state-of-the-art facility. The campus intensive is linked to the primary healthcare of the family course and takes place before clinical practicums begin.
Start dates for most of the programs land six times per year with the certificate program beginning three times per year. Courses include asynchronous and synchronous components. NP students may choose traditional courses or competency-based self-paced courses and may take up to three courses per trimester.
Graduates of the University of St. Augustine online NP programs are eligible to take their respective certification exams through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
The University of St. Augustine is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The NP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
What to Expect from the University of St. Augustine Online NP Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the online MSN programs must hold a BSN with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. Interested nurses applying to the BSN-to-DNP FNP program must hold a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Finally, applicants to the post-graduate FNP certificate program must hold an MSN or DNP with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Prospective students must have at least one year of full-time RN experience by the beginning of clinicals.
Application materials include an application for admission, official transcripts, evidence of an unencumbered RN license in an approved state of study, a resume or CV, a career goals essay, two professional references from an immediate supervisor, preceptor, or nurse educator, and a criminal background check and drug screen. No GRE is required. Proof of English language proficiency is required if applicable. An interview may be requested.
State Restrictions: The University of St. Augustine accepts students from the following states into the NP programs: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont, and West Virginia. Students should check back frequently with USAHS to determine if their state has been accepted into the program.
Any students studying outside their own state should verify eligibility with the prospective institution and make sure curriculum and clinical hours meet the requirements of their state through their state Board of Nursing.
Study Plan: Start dates for all NP programs land in September, January, and May. Midterm entry is also offered for all programs except the post-graduate FNP certificate. The AGNP, FNP, and PMHNP programs are designed to be completed in eight trimesters or about 2.7 years. The BSN-to-DNP FNP program can be completed in 12 trimesters or four years. The post-graduate FNP certificate can be completed in five trimesters or 1.7 years.
Accelerated options are available through transfer credits, taking more courses per trimester, taking self-paced courses based on skills mastery, and optional on-campus immersions that accelerate course completion. Students may even earn academic credit for professional experience.
One campus intensive is required for all programs. All didactic courses are online and nursing students complete clinicals locally at approved sites.
MSN Curriculum: The MSN-FNP program comprises 50 credits and requires the completion of 585 clinical hours. The AGNP and PMHNP specializations comprise 55 credits and require the completion of 600 clinical hours. Core courses for all specializations include interprofessional education and collaborative practice; organizational leadership and policy in healthcare; advanced physiology and pathophysiology; evidence-based practice for nurse leaders; advanced pharmacology; theoretical and scientific underpinning for nursing practice; and advanced health assessment and differential diagnosis.
- FNP Specialty Courses: Interprofessional approaches to regional and global population health; healthcare informatics and technology management; primary health care of the family I-III; FNP role practicum I-III; MSN capstone
- AGNP Specialty Courses: Interprofessional approaches to regional and global population health; healthcare informatics and technology management; adult-gerontology primary health care part I-III; AGNP role practicum I-III; AGNP capstone
- PMHNP Specialty Courses: Advanced psychopharmacology; psychotherapy for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice; PMHNP: acute and chronic management of child/adolescent with a psychiatric-mental health condition; PMHNP role practicum I child and adolescent population; PMHNP: acute and chronic management of the adult and older adult with psychiatric-mental health condition; PMHNP role practicum II adult and older adult population; PMHNP role practicum III diverse/special populations; PMHNP MSN community engagement capstone project
BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN-to-DNP FNP program comprises 71 credits and requires the completion of 1,035 clinical hours. Core courses follow those listed for the MSN and FNP specialty courses. DNP courses include accounting, finance, and economics for the healthcare leader; operations and quality management in healthcare; program/project planning and management for evidence-based practice and policy change; data-driven evaluation and clinical analytics for outcomes improvement; and DNP practicum I-III.
Post-Graduate FNP Certificate Curriculum: The post-graduate FNP certificate comprises 31 credits plus 585 clinical hours. Courses include advanced physiology and pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; advanced health assessment and differential diagnosis; primary health care of the family I-III; and FNP role practicum I-III.
Online Experience: The USAHS School of Nursing includes asynchronous elements in online coursework and optional synchronous sessions where students connect live with faculty and peers. One required and some optional on-campus immersions are offered for students to practice skills and meet faculty and fellow students face-to-face.
Courses are delivered through Blackboard and may include video components, synchronous and recorded lectures, assignments and projects, and assessments. Further student and faculty interaction takes place through discussion boards, chat, email, online faculty office hours, and other online tools.
Online students have access to various student services, including academic advising, career counseling, clinical placement services, technical support, and library and bookstore services.
On-Site Requirements: The NP programs require students to come to the San Marcos, CA campus for one intensive in the Center for Innovative Clinical Practice. Additional optional campus immersions are offered to accelerate course completion. All other coursework is delivered online, while clinical preceptorships occur at approved locations near the student.
Paying for the University of St. Augustine Online NP Programs
The online MSN-FNP and post-graduate FNP certificate programs cost approximately $814.78 to $814.81 per credit, plus additional fees. The MSN AGNP and PMHNP programs cost approximately $755.20 per credit, plus fees. The BSN-to-DNP FNP program costs approximately $974 per credit, plus fees. There may be additional costs for campus visits, including transportation, room, and board. Prospective students should contact the USAHS School of Nursing for current tuition and fees.
University of St. Augustine graduate nursing students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal student loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Employers may offer tuition reimbursement programs or tuition discounts. Finally, graduate students may want to secure outside funding such as private loans and organizational and community scholarships and grants.
Study through traditional and self-paced competency courses in the University of St. Augustine online NP programs, coming to campus for one intensive, and taking advantage of synchronous and asynchronous course delivery.
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
1 University Blvd
St. Augustine, Florida 32086
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
September, January, May + midterm starts
No
1
71
1,035
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
71
$1,053.00
$74,763.00
$1,053.00
$74,763.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
September, January, May + midterm starts
No
1
55
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
2.8 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
55
$801.18
$44,064.90
$801.18
$44,064.90
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
September, January, May + midterm starts
No
1
50
585
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
2.8 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
50
$864.40
$43,220.00
$864.40
$43,220.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
September, January, May + midterm starts
No
1
55
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
2.8 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
55
$801.18
$44,064.90
$801.18
$44,064.90
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
September, January, May
No
1
31
585
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
31
$801.16
$24,835.96
$801.16
$24,835.96
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.