George Mason University Online Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN - FNP) Program (2024)

George Mason University (GMU) offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty through the College of Health and Human Services. Coursework for this competency-based curriculum is offered 100% online and practic*ms are completed at approved facilities local to the student, with no campus visits required. Faculty are active practitioners who are able to understand the current work environment and nurse practitioner needs as well as the needs of today’s patient.

FNP graduates will be able to performpatient assessments for ages across the lifespan, diagnose and treatacute and chronic illness, recommend therapy interventions, createpatient care plans and collaborate with health care teams, promotehealth prevention, and effectively communicate with patients,families, and other caregivers. One of the main focuses of the FNPprogram is understanding the community in which each professionalserves and knowing the needs of their specific patient carepopulation.

George Mason University is an R1(Research 1) university through which students learn how to carry outevidence-based practice that is informed by the most recent researchand findings. In addition, to foster the collaborative nature oftoday’s family nurse practitioner, Mason Online includesinterprofessional experiences throughout the program involvinginteraction across disciplines such as nutrition, social work,psychology, and health informatics. Finally, the MSN – FNP curriculumis based on the Interprofessional Educational Collaborative CoreCompetencies (IPEC) which include the respect of patient privacy,promoting the needs of the patient first, and collaborating withother health care providers to improve the quality of patient care.

Graduates of this program are preparedto sit for the certification exams through the American NursesCredentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of NursePractitioners (AANP). FNPs may serve in rural and urban facilitiessuch as public and private practice, home care settings, hospitals,long-term care facilities, schools, and urgent care centers.

George Mason University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The MSN – FNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia.

What to Expect fromthe George Mason University Online MSN – FNP Program

AdmissionRequirements: Applicants to the GeorgeMason University MSN – FNP program must hold a BSN degree from aregionally accredited institution. All nursing students must holdcurrent CPR certification and an unencumbered RN license. Applicationmaterials include an online application, application fee, officialtranscripts, a resume, three letters of recommendation, and apersonal statement.

Nursingstudents must maintain health insurance at all times and providehealth exam reports, immunization records, and a criminal backgroundcheck as part of the admissions process.

State Restrictions: While the Mason Online MSN program accepts students from most states, applicants outside of Virginia should check with the College of Health and Human Services at George Mason University to make sure they are eligible for the MSN – FNP program. In addition, prospective students should contact the licensing board of their state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure. Currently, applicants from New York and Puerto Rico are not eligible for the Mason Online MSN program. In addition, DC students must complete clinicals in Virginia.

Study Plan: George Mason University offers both part-time and full-time options for the MSN – FNP degree. The program may be completed in two years on a full-time basis or three years part-time. Courses are taught in 8-week modules. Students may begin the program in Fall, Summer, or Spring.

MSN – FNP Curriculum: The MasonOnline MSN – FNP comprises 49 credits and includes over 500 hours ofclinical practice time. Core MSN courses include Nursing InformaticsInquiry; Nursing Research and Biostatistics I-II; Organization ofNursing and Health Care Delivery Systems; and Theoretical and EthicalFoundations Related to Nursing.

The second level of core coursesincludes Community-Oriented Primary Care; Health Assessment inClinical Practice; Decision Making and Pharmacologic Management inPractice; Physiology and Pathophysiology in Advanced Practice; and aHealth Assessment Practicum.

The FNP concentration courses includeFamily Primary Care II-III and Family Primary Care Practicum II-III.

Online Experience: George Mason University utilizes Blackboard as its Online Learning Management System (LMS). Blackboard features several online interactive tools including discussion boards, blogs, chat rooms, and email. Courses may include recorded videos, readings, assignments, and assessments. Most courses are asynchronous with infrequent synchronous activities and require 8-12 hours of dedicated time per week. Online students have access to the same services as on-campus students such as academic advising, career counseling, admissions counseling, library services, and 24/7 technical support.

On-SiteRequirements: There are no on-site requirements as the MSN – FNPprogram is 100% online with practic*ms completed locally.

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.