# Degree Program Information

# Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

**Quick Guide & Recommended Degree Pathway**

**Program Bulletin (2025–2026):**  
[ View Current Bulletin ](https://catalog.astate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=11&poid=3413&returnto=325)

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</div></div>## Program Overview

The **Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)** prepares registered nurses for advanced practice roles providing primary care across the lifespan. The program combines graduate nursing theory, advanced clinical knowledge, and supervised clinical practice.

Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification as a **Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)** and practice in a variety of healthcare settings including primary care clinics, rural health clinics, hospitals, community health settings, and private practices.

## Total Program Requirements

<div id="bkmrk-category-hours-core-"><div><table border="1" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><thead><tr><th>Category</th><th>Hours</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Core Courses</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Support Courses</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>Advanced Practice Courses</td><td>21.5</td></tr><tr><td>**Total**</td><td>**41.5**</td></tr></tbody></table>

</div></div>## Core Courses

These courses provide foundational knowledge in nursing theory, research, policy, and professional practice.

<div id="bkmrk-nurs-6103-%E2%80%93-research"><div>- **NURS 6103** – Research Design and Methodology (3)
- **NURS 6203** – Theory Development in Nursing (3)
- **NURS 6303** – Health Care Issues and Policy (3)
- **NURS 6402** – Professional Role Development in Advanced Nursing (2)

</div></div>**Total:** 11 hours

## Support Courses

Support courses build advanced clinical knowledge required for nurse practitioner practice.

<div id="bkmrk-nurs-6003-%E2%80%93-advanced"><div>- **NURS 6003** – Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- **NURS 6013** – Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3)
- **NURS 6023** – Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation (3)

</div></div>**Total:** 9 hours

## Advanced Practice Courses

These courses include the clinical management sequence and supervised clinical practicum experiences.

<div id="bkmrk-nurs-6513-%E2%80%93-fnp-clin"><div>- **NURS 6513** – FNP Clinical Management I (3)
- **NURS 6514** – FNP Clinical Management I Practicum (4)
- **NURS 6613** – FNP Clinical Management II (3)
- **NURS 6614** – FNP Clinical Management II Practicum (4)
- **NURS 6753** – FNP Clinical Synthesis Seminar (3)
- **NURS 681V** – FNP Clinical Synthesis (Variable)

</div></div>**Total:** 21.5 hours

## Recommended Degree Pathway

This pathway represents a **typical progression for full-time students**. Actual course sequencing may vary based on course availability and clinical placement scheduling.

<div id="bkmrk-term-courses-hours-t"><div><table border="1" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><thead><tr><th style="width: 33.3333%;">Term</th><th style="width: 57.4074%;">Courses</th><th style="width: 9.25928%;">Hours</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Term 1</td><td style="width: 57.4074%;">NURS 6103 – Research Design and Methodology  
NURS 6003 – Advanced Pathophysiology</td><td style="width: 9.25928%;">6</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Term 2</td><td style="width: 57.4074%;">NURS 6203 – Theory Development in Nursing  
NURS 6013 – Advanced Clinical Pharmacology</td><td style="width: 9.25928%;">6</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Term 3</td><td style="width: 57.4074%;">NURS 6303 – Health Care Issues and Policy  
NURS 6023 – Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation</td><td style="width: 9.25928%;">6</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Term 4</td><td style="width: 57.4074%;">NURS 6402 – Professional Role Development in Advanced Nursing  
NURS 6513 – FNP Clinical Management I  
NURS 6514 – FNP Clinical Management I Practicum</td><td style="width: 9.25928%;">9</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Term 5</td><td style="width: 57.4074%;">NURS 6613 – FNP Clinical Management II  
NURS 6614 – FNP Clinical Management II Practicum</td><td style="width: 9.25928%;">7</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Term 6</td><td style="width: 57.4074%;">NURS 6753 – FNP Clinical Synthesis Seminar  
NURS 681V – FNP Clinical Synthesis</td><td style="width: 9.25928%;">7.5</td></tr></tbody></table>

</div></div>## Important Program Tips

### 1. Clinical Placement Planning

Clinical placement coordination can take time. Students should:

<div id="bkmrk-begin-identifying-po"><div>- Begin identifying potential clinical sites early
- Follow all School of Nursing clinical placement procedures
- Ensure preceptors meet program requirements

</div></div>### 2. Course Sequencing Matters

Many advanced practice courses **must be taken in sequence**, particularly:

<div id="bkmrk-fnp-clinical-managem"><div>- FNP Clinical Management I → II
- Clinical Management courses → Clinical Synthesis

</div></div>Students should **not deviate from the recommended pathway without advisor approval**.

### 3. Clinical Hour Requirements

The FNP program includes significant supervised clinical hours across multiple courses. Students must:

<div id="bkmrk-complete-required-ho"><div>- Complete required hours
- Document clinical experiences
- Maintain required certifications (CPR, RN license, etc.)

</div></div>### 4. Certification Preparation

Upon completion, graduates are prepared to sit for national certification exams such as:

<div id="bkmrk-ancc-family-nurse-pr"><div>- ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Certification
- AANP Family Nurse Practitioner Certification

</div></div>## Advising Contact

Students should contact their assigned **School of Nursing advisor** for questions regarding:

<div id="bkmrk-course-sequencing-cl">- Course sequencing
- Clinical placement
- Degree progress
- Graduation requirements

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