Western Governors University Online MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs
Western Governors University (WGU), headquartered in Millcreek, Utah, was founded in 1997 in response to recognizing the growing need for a college-educated workforce. The university derives its name from its genesis at a Western Governors’ Association meeting. WGU describes itself as “the most student-centric university in the world.” WGU’s mission of expanding access to education is guided by the belief that every person has inherent worth and can contribute to the world. This belief, combined with the reality that many would-be students are working adults, led WGU to embrace a vision for a new university model that overcomes the time and space constraints found in the prevailing in-person education model of prior centuries.
WGU is a private online university and a respected provider of nursing education. It is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. WGU offers a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree program featuring two specializations: family nurse practitioner (FNP) or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).
Students of both specializations demonstrate mastery of coursework through tests, papers, projects, and other types of assessments to pass their courses. Both programs are highly competitive and thus accept fewer students per admission window.
Upon graduation, WGU MSN-FNP students are prepared to take the FNP national certification exam from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The MSN-PMHNP program prepares its students to take the PMHNP certification exam also offered by ANCC. WGU’s MSN program graduates have completed a curriculum designed to achieve several learning outcomes. Intended primary learning outcomes of both MSN specializations include:
- Applying clinical care theory and knowledge to provide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment
- Providing patient-centered, culturally competent prevention and health promotion interventions and services to individuals, families, communities and clinical populations
- Incorporating understanding of the social determinants of health to effectively comprehend and explain disparities in care and treatment outcomes and thereby subsequently enhance health care policy
- Developing evidence-based methods grounded in quality research to improve both access and quality of care
- Creating health improvement programs for diverse populations that include topics such as health education, disease prevention and self-care skills
- Collaborating with individual healthcare providers and interprofessional teams to ensure comprehensive, responsive, quality care
Western Governors University’s MSN degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
What to Expect from WGU MSN Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) from an accredited institution, a registered nursing license that is current, permanent, active, and unencumbered, and a permanent residence in an approved state. Students must have held a minimum GPA of 3.0 in five particular courses in anatomy, statistics, human growth and development, and pharmacology or have completed a BSNU degree from WGU.
Applicants to both MSN specializations submit the same application materials. A complete application includes a criminal background check conducted by American Databank, a professional resume or CV, an application essay, and three professional recommendation letters. A particular set of individuals must provide recommendation letters.
Finally, it is strongly recommended that applicants have at least one year of clinical experience and actively work as an RN when they apply. Applicants should visit the WGU website for details on this and other aspects of the application process. Students already hold an MSN are not eligible for admission to the WGU MSN program.
State Restrictions: Admission to the WGU MSN program is not offered to students from all states within the USA. Students having a permanent residence in California, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, and Washington may not enter either MSN specialization. In addition, individuals with residences in Arizona and Tennessee may not enter the PMHMP specialization.
Study Plan: Students complete three distinct categories of courses: MSN core courses, nurse practitioner core courses, and specialization courses unique to their chosen track. Both degree tracks feature a rigorous curriculum that can typically be completed within two to two-and-a-half years.
MSN Curriculum: Students of both MSN degree options complete a series of MSN core and nurse practitioner core courses. The six MSN core courses focus on professional presence, essentials of advanced nursing practice, informatics for nursing care, leadership and management in complex healthcare systems and more. The nurse practitioner core coursework segment consists of three courses. These courses teach students advanced skills in pathophysiology, pharmacology and health assessment.
FNP Specialization Courses: The MSN-FNP program features specialized courses focused on advanced practice nurse primary care skills for varied populations such as adults, pediatric populations and special populations, health promotion for patients and populations, and three clinical internship courses. The three-internship-course series requires completion of a total of 650 precepted direct patient care clinical hours. Students complete their internship requirements at sites where they can access patients that offer a representative sample of the variety and complexity of health issues and needs in the larger population.
PMHNP Specialization Courses: This ANCC-credentialed MSN program features a curriculum designed to enhance nurses’ skills as evidence-based practitioners who provide compassionate, effective psychiatric mental health care. Courses prepare students to assess individuals across their lifespans, prepare treatment plans for individual patients, families, and community-scale populations, and prescribe psychiatric medication. Specialization courses include advanced psychiatric mental health care of children and adolescents, foundations of advanced psychiatric mental health practice, assessment and diagnostic process for psychiatric nurse practice, a series of clinical internship placements, and more.
Online Experience: The WGU MSN degree program features an online learning delivery model designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals. Students can often accommodate the demands of their studies without relocating from their current state of residence.
On-Site Requirements: Students complete a majority of their coursework online. The MSN program, nonetheless, also requires completion of an on-site clinical internship at a placement close to the student’s residence. WGU works closely with students to identify and secure an appropriate clinical placement. As previously noted, students must have a permanent and active nursing license and complete their internship in the state of their permanent residence. They also must intend to obtain their initial advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure in their state of residence. Nurses holding a compact license must be endorsed in their state of residence. Applicants should thoroughly review state regulations for nursing certification and licensure to ensure full compliance.
Paying for the WGU MSN-NP Programs
Tuition numbers for the Western Governors University MSN degree programs are listed in the tables below. The U.S. Department of Education approves WGU to offer federal student aid. Applicants complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a first step in determining what sort of federal financial aid they may be eligible to receive. Most WGU students will qualify for at least one type of federal aid. Potential financing options include federal grants, work-study funding, state grants, private student loans, scholarships, and more.
WGU offers resources to recognize the particular service offered by active military personnel and veterans. In particular, education benefits are available for veterans and active duty service members, their dependents, and those with backgrounds in the National Guard and Reserves. Benefits eligibility and the amount of aid available depend on various factors. After admission to WGU, military personnel community student members should speak with their enrollment counselor to be referred to WGU’s Military Support Department for support in obtaining education benefits. Military personnel may apply for tuition assistance via their base education office or using other processes.
WGU’s dedication to improving access to higher education is reflected in its affordable tuition rates that allow many graduating students to avoid the burden of student debt. In fact, tuition rates are sufficiently affordable, and many education benefits can help defray the full costs of tuition, fees, and books. Applicants are encouraged to use the WGU website’s Net Price Calculator to estimate attendance costs.
Western Governors University offers a unique, competency-based online nurse practitioner program, with two available specializations: psychiatric-mental health NP and family NP. Students pay by the term, and under the standard plan can complete the program in as little as two and a half years, or five terms.
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN)
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (BSN to MSN)
4001 S 700 East, #700
Salt Lake City, Utah 84107
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
48
650
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher (in select preparatory courses)
CA, DC, LA, MA, MD, ND, NY, OR, WA
Program Tuition
48
$734.38
$35,250.00
$734.38
$35,250.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring
Yes
0
51
650
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher (in select preparatory courses)
AZ, CA, DC, LA, MA, MD, ND, NY, OR, TN, WA
Program Tuition
51
$701.47
$35,775.00
$701.47
$35,775.00
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.
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science, and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].