Western University of Health Sciences Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, PMHNP
The College of Graduate Nursing through Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post-Master’s Certificate programs with a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialization. In addition, the school offers a Post-Master’s Certificate with a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization. The PMHNP programs require attendance at three campus seminar intensives throughout the programs. The FNP certificate requires attendance at two campus seminar intensives per semester. Online students must also complete local clinical preceptorships in approved states of study.
The graduate nursing programs are offered both part-time and full-time and begin in the Fall. During on-campus seminar intensives, students network with faculty and peers, practice skills, attend seminars, and participate in clinical assessments. Students also have access to FNP and PMHNP exam certification preparation. During clinical preceptorships, students should plan to spend about eight to 16 hours per week in an approved clinical setting.
Program graduates are eligible to sit for their specific national certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Note that WesternU also offers an MSN with an FNP specialty. This program requires too many campus visits to be considered “online” for the purposes of NPSchools.com, and thus it is not listed here. Students who are willing to travel to campus twice per semester, plus once for Welcome Week, should inquire with the College of Graduate Nursing if interested.
Western University of Health Sciences NP programs are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing (CCNE). WesternU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission and is located in Pomona, California.
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What to Expect from Western University of Health Sciences Online NP Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate programs should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter credits of coursework. In addition, applicants must have evidence of unencumbered RN licensure in the state of practice.
No GRE is required. Application materials include a signed application form, personal statement, official transcripts, a resume or CV, two letters of recommendation, and an application fee. One year of clinical work experience is preferred. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated and proof of English language proficiency may be required as necessary.
- MSN: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited program and have completed statistics with a grade of C or higher.
- Post-Master’s Certificates: Applicants must hold a BSN and MSN from a nationally accredited program. Those seeking a second specialty must provide evidence of APRN licensure. Interested students must have completed a statistics course with a grade of C or higher.
State Restrictions: Western University of Health Sciences is authorized to offer its nursing programs in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Students outside of California should verify with the College of Graduate Nursing as well as their state licensing board to verify eligibility and ensure that the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.
Study Plan: The MSN-PMHNP is offered in two-year full-time plans and three-year extended plans. The PMHNP Post-Master’s Certificate for APRNs can be completed in one year while the non-APRN plan takes two years on a part-time basis. The FNP Post-Master’s Certificate can be completed in one year on a full-time basis or two years with an extended plan. Students are admitted in the Fall and complete local clinicals.
MSN-PMHNP Curriculum: The MSN-PMHNP program comprises 55 credits including one pre-program credit and 540 clinical hours. Courses include Nursing Theory; Advanced Physical Assessment; Nursing Research I-II; Advanced Pathophysiology I-III; Advanced Pharmacology I-II; Complementary and Alternative Therapies; Counseling Across the Lifespan; Psychiatric-Mental Health Care Management Across Settings I-III; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Societal and Ethical Issues; Human Diversity; Management Practice Issues; Advanced Health Systems; and Professional Practice Issues.
PMHNP Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: Graduate-prepared Nurses who are nationally certified nurse practitioners must complete 24 credits plus 540 clinical hours. Graduate-prepared nurses who do not hold APRN status must complete 34 credits plus 540 clinical hours. Both tracks complete Counseling Across the Lifespan and Psychiatric-Mental Health Care Management Across the Settings I-III. Non-APRNs also complete Advanced Pathophysiology I-II; Advanced Health Assessment; and Advanced Pharmacology I-II. A one-credit pre-program course is also included in the program.
FNP Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate program comprises 44 credits including one pre-program credit and completion of 540 clinical hours. Courses include Primary Care Management I-III; Advanced Physical Assessment; Human Diversity; Advanced Pathophysiology I-III; Clinical Applications I-III; Clinical Experience I-III; Advanced Pharmacology I-II; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Societal and Ethical Issues; Professional Practice Issues; Complementary and Alternative Therapies; and Clinical Comprehensive Evaluation.
Students can also choose to complete two electives: Management Practice Issues and Business Practice Issues. These would each add two additional credits to the program.
Online Experience: Online courses at WesternU are delivered through Blackboard and utilize multimedia and videoconferencing applications. Courses include asynchronous components, collaborative projects, and some campus intensives. Modules include assessments gathered from student participation, exams, and written and oral presentations.
Collaboration takes place through projects, discussion boards, and email, as well as through on-campus activities. Online students have access to a wealth of student services including library and bookstore services, faculty office hours, academic advising, career counseling, and technical support.
On-Site Requirements: FNP Post-Master’s Certificate students must come to the Pomona, CA campus for two seminar intensives per semester plus Welcome Week at the beginning of the program. Full-time study would include seven campus visits throughout the program.
PMHNP MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate students are required to come to the Pomona campus three times throughout their program. The first intensive takes place during Welcome Week activities. The second is a one-day intensive near the end of the third semester of clinicals and the final day lands at the end of the program. All other coursework is online and clinicals are completed local to the student.
Paying for Western University of Health Sciences Online NP Programs
The online graduate nursing programs through the Western University of Health Sciences cost $966 per credit plus fees for both residents and non-residents. Travel expenses for the campus visits are not included in tuition costs. Prospective students should inquire with the WesternU College of Graduate Nursing for current tuition prices and fees.
Western University of Health Sciences may offer unsubsidized federal student loans to graduate students according to the FAFSA. In addition, the College of Graduate Nursing offers stipends to graduate nursing students which is a great option to avoid student debt. As well, nurses are encouraged to check with their employers about tuition reimbursement programs. Other opportunities for graduate funding may include private loans, scholarships, and grants through community and other organizations.
WesternU offers FNP and PMHNP graduate nursing programs to students in several states with minimal campus visits, the same tuition for residents and non-residents, and opportunities for stipends to offset graduate school costs.
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (for APRNs)
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (for non-APRNs)
309 E. Second Street
Pomona, California 91766
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
3
55
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
55
$1,022.00
$56,210.00
$1,022.00
$56,210.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
6
47
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
47
$1,331.00
$62,557.00
$1,331.00
$62,557.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
3
24
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
24
$1,022.00
$24,528.00
$1,022.00
$24,528.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
3
40
750
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
40
$1,331.00
$53,240.00
$1,331.00
$53,240.00
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.