Youngstown State University Online NP Programs
Youngstown State University (YSU) offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) degree with two nurse practitioner (NP) specializations as well as four post-master’s certificate programs.
Programs include the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) MSN degree, AGACNP post-master’s certificate, AGACNP advanced placement post-master’s certificate, family nurse practitioner (FNP) MSN degree, FNP post-master’s certificate, and FNP advanced placement post-master’s certificate.
Throughout their studies, YSU MSN degree and post-master’s certificate program students complete comprehensive coursework and practica designed to sharpen their critical thinking abilities and holistic approach to health care.
Key learning outcomes include providing effective, quality care targeted specifically to the needs of diverse client populations within a variety of care settings; applying knowledge, theory, and research from nursing and related disciplines to provide care within the context of advanced practice nursing roles; analyzing factors that impact the healthcare delivery system and advanced practice nursing to improve both individual and population health outcomes; and expanding knowledge within the field of advanced nursing practice through the identification of research problems and contributing to studies.
Graduates of these YSU programs may go on to work in many care settings. Such environments include hospitals, intensive care units, trauma units, emergent care and acute care settings, long-term care facilities, hospices, private offices and practices, community health centers, school clinics, and more.
Youngstown State University’s MSN degree and certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
What to Expect from the YSU Online NP Degree and Certificate Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants of both FNP and AGACNP degree programs must fulfill a number of criteria to be deemed eligible for admission. Applicants must submit a graduate admissions application, pay a non-refundable application fee, and submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. In addition, they must provide proof they have a BSN degree from an accredited program, a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), and a current, unencumbered RN license and expiration date in the state in which the student is licensed and practices and will be completing required practicum hours.
Students of both programs must also fulfill BLS certification, immunization, drug screen and criminal background check requirements. AGACNP students must also demonstrate a current ACLS certification before they start their clinicals.
Work experience is another critical requirement. Applicants of all programs must verify their experience using a supplemental employment verification form. Applicants must prove they have at least one year of recent practice as a registered nurse no later than the admission date of their program. Recent clinical experience is defined as clinical RN work experience within three years of the student’s first practicum course. AGACNP students must also have at least one year of recent critical care experience (emergency room, ICU, or intermediate acute care experience all qualify) before registering for their first specialty course.
Admission requirements for all four certificate programs are nearly identical to the MSN degree programs. All certificate programs require proof of an MSN from an accredited institution. The FNP advanced placement certificate program requires an MSN-NP, namely an MSN degree with training as a nurse practitioner.
State Restrictions: Admission is not open to students of all states. YSU online nursing programs must meet state standards in the states where authorization has been granted to offer these programs. Only students residing in these same states may be offered admission. Currently, only students living in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Michigan may complete the online nursing programs.
Study Plan: YSU’s online MSN degree programs generally require more time than the certificate programs. The MSN-FNP degree can be completed in just twenty months, while the MSN-AGACNP degree can be completed in as little as 18 months. The four certificate programs have varying credit hour requirements and can generally be completed between 12 and 20 months.
MSN Curriculum: The MSN degree programs are nearly identical regarding program duration and credit hour requirements. The MSN-FNP degree is a 46-credit-hour program that can be completed in 20 months. The MSN-AGACNP degree is a 45-credit-hour program that may be finished in as little as 18 months. Both degree programs require completion of 27 credits of core coursework. Course topics include pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, differential diagnosis, theoretical foundations, and more.
AGACNP Specialization Courses: Students complete 18 credits of specialization courses. Students complete three courses focused on training students in the knowledge, advanced skills and professional behaviors necessary to provide comprehensive, holistic care to acute and chronically ill adult populations of various backgrounds. A series of three practicum courses require students to complete 540 supervised clinical training hours.
FNP Specialization Courses: Students complete 19 credits of specialization courses. Students complete a series of three courses focused on training students in the knowledge, skills and professional behaviors necessary to meet the various care needs of a large variety of patient populations across the human lifespan. A series of four practicum courses require students to complete 600 supervised clinical training hours.
Certificate Courses: The four certificate programs have varying curriculum requirements. Both advanced placement certificate programs feature a small total coursework requirement, as they are designed for nurses with more advanced knowledge. The other two certificate programs feature core coursework requirements, but the total requirement is less than that of the degree programs. These two programs require 18 credits of core coursework. Unlike the degree programs, certificate programs have no capstone class requirement.
Online Experience: YSU’s online learning delivery model accommodates the needs of working nurse professionals whose schedules often cannot easily accommodate a traditional in-person curriculum.
On-Site Requirements: Though these YSU programs are offered online, students must complete their practicum/clinical experiences in person. Students seeking more information about their clinical practicum requirement can find comprehensive information in the FAQ section of the YSU website.
Paying for the YSU Online NP Programs
The tuition numbers for the YSU online MSN degree and certificate program are listed in the tables below. They do not include additional costs such as textbooks or other course materials. Prospective students should contact YSU for full tuition information. Tuition rates are highly competitive and virtually identical for in-state and out-of-state students.
YSU students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans or Graduate PLUS loans through the FAFSA. Applicants should contact the YSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.
Youngstown State University offers flexible and affordable MSN and Post-Master's Certificate programs with FNP and AG-ACNP specializations. There are two versions of each certificate program, one designed for MSN-prepared nurses, and the other for current nurse practitioners looking to add an additional specialization.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post Master's Certificate – AGACNP
Post Master's Certificate – AGACNP (for NPs)
Post Master's Certificate – FNP
Post Master's Certificate – FNP (for NPs)
1 Tressel Way
Youngstown, Ohio 44555
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AG-ACNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, Summer 2
No
1
45
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
45
$527.00
$23,715.00
$532.00
$23,940.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, Summer 2
No
1
46
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
46
$527.00
$24,242.00
$532.00
$24,472.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AG-ACNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, Summer 2
No
1
36
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
36
$527.00
$18,972.00
$532.00
$19,152.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AG-ACNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, Summer 2
No
1
18
540
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
18
$527.00
$9,486.00
$532.00
$9,576.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, Summer 2
No
1
37
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
37
$527.00
$19,499.00
$532.00
$19,684.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, Summer 2
No
1
19
600
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
19
$527.00
$10,013.00
$532.00
$10,108.00
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].