# Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) **Institution:** ECPI University **College:** Nursing **Sub-Program:** Nursing **Degree:** Master of Science in Nursing, MSN Degree **Canonical URL:** https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/family-nurse-practitioner-nursing-master-degree **Last Updated:** 2026-08-25T18:26:15+00:00 ## Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Concentration Overview Aspiring to make an even greater impact on the healthcare system and your patients' lives? The MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner concentration is tailored for nurses who aspire to take on a more comprehensive role in patient care. Through this program, students gain the knowledge and skills to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and perform physical exams for patients of all ages. The online format of ECPI University’s program allows flexibility for busy schedules, while its comprehensive curriculum ensures graduates are prepared to provide primary care and specialty nursing services in various healthcare settings. - **49 Total Credits** — 22 Month Master's Degree - **5 Week Terms** — 1 Course Per Term ### Knowledge and Skills Graduates should grow in the following areas: - **Diagnosis and Treatment:** Gain expertise in diagnosing and managing a wide range of acute and chronic illnesses in patients of all ages. - **Advanced Physical Assessment:** Refine your skills in performing comprehensive physical examinations to accurately diagnose and monitor patient health. - **Primary Care Management:** Learn to provide comprehensive primary care, including preventive care, health promotion strategies, and chronic disease management. ## Program Structure and Learning Formats ### Locations - [Online](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/online) ## Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) Curriculum the family nurse practitioner program will be able to perform as a primary care provider in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses in patients across the lifespan. - **Advanced Practice** Prepares you to treat patients of all ages, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing drugs, ordering diagnostic tests, and performing physical exams. - **Leadership in Nursing** Family Nurse Practitioner students develop leadership skills to manage and educate healthcare teams and improve patient care. ### Program Requirements To receive the Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, students must earn 53 semester credit hours and complete a minimum of 720 clinical hours and 30 lab hours. The program requires a minimum of 6 semesters, which is equivalent to 22 months or 90 weeks of instruction. There are two residencies requiring weekend attendance in Virginia Beach, VA. The program requirements are as follows: #### Prerequisite Courses **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [MTH140](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH140 "View MTH140") | [Statistics](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH140 "View MTH140") | 3 | | [NUR340](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR340 "View NUR340") | [Health Assessment](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR340 "View NUR340") | 4 | | [NUR350](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR350 "View NUR350") | [Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR350 "View NUR350") | 3 | #### Concentration Courses 53 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** Prerequisite courses for the MSN degree concentrations require an earned grade of C or higher. | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [NUR503](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR503 "View NUR503") | [Advanced Physical Assessment for Providers](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR503 "View NUR503") | 3 | | [NUR504](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR504 "View NUR504") | [Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR504 "View NUR504") | 3 | | [NUR511](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR511 "View NUR511") | [Theoretical Foundations: A Multidisciplinary Approach](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR511 "View NUR511") | 3 | | [NUR520](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR520 "View NUR520") | [Advanced Pathophysiology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR520 "View NUR520") | 3 | | [NUR531](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR531 "View NUR531") | [Topics in Population Health](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR531 "View NUR531") | 3 | | [NUR541](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR541 "View NUR541") | [Policy, Politics, and Advocacy in Healthcare](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR541 "View NUR541") | 3 | | [NUR561](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR561 "View NUR561") | [Nursing Research and Evidence-based Practice](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR561 "View NUR561") | 3 | | [NUR581](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR581 "View NUR581") | [Healthcare Technologies](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR581 "View NUR581") | 3 | | [NUR606](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR606 "View NUR606") | [Advanced Pharmacology for Prescribers](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR606 "View NUR606") | 3 | | [NUR610](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR610 "View NUR610") | [Advanced Procedures and Diagnostic Reasoning](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR610 "View NUR610") | 1 | | [NUR615](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR615 "View NUR615") | [Primary Care: Adults and Older Adults](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR615 "View NUR615") | 3 | | [NUR615L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR615L "View NUR615L") | [Primary Care: Adults/Older Adults Practicum I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR615L "View NUR615L") | 1 | | [NUR617L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR617L "View NUR617L") | [Primary Care: Adult/Older Adult Practicum II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR617L "View NUR617L") | 1 | | [NUR620L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR620L "View NUR620L") | [Primary Care: Care of the Family Practicum](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR620L "View NUR620L") | 1 | | [NUR625](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR625 "View NUR625") | [Primary Care: Children/Adolescents](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR625 "View NUR625") | 3 | | [NUR627L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR627L "View NUR627L") | [Primary Care: Children/Adolescents Practicum I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR627L "View NUR627L") | 1 | | [NUR628L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR628L "View NUR628L") | [Primary Care: Children/Adolescents Practicum II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR628L "View NUR628L") | 1 | | [NUR635](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR635 "View NUR635") | [Primary Care: Women and Families](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR635 "View NUR635") | 3 | | [NUR635L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR635L "View NUR635L") | [Primary Care: Women and Families Practicum I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR635L "View NUR635L") | 1 | | [NUR636L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR636L "View NUR636L") | [Primary Care: Women and Families Practicum II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR636L "View NUR636L") | 1 | | [NUR654](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR654 "View NUR654") | [Certification Preparation Review Course](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR654 "View NUR654") | 2 | | [NUR676L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR676L "View NUR676L") | [Primary Care Synthesis Practicum](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR676L "View NUR676L") | 3 | | [NUR697L](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR697L "View NUR697L") | [Nursing Synthesis FNP](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/NUR697L "View NUR697L") | 4 | ## Admission Requirements 1. Complete a personal interview with admissions. 2. Complete a graduate application for admission and enrollment agreement. 3. Bachelor's degree in Nursing from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and from an academic institution recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 4. Undergraduate coursework. Applicants who do not have previous undergraduate coursework in statistics, health assessment, or research may be required to complete one or more prerequisite courses prior to acceptance in the graduate program. 5. Undergraduate cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). 6. Current resume and unencumbered RN license. Each applicant submits a current resume that indicates current nursing work experience in the field in the last 3 years. ## Accreditation ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Full accreditation details: [ECPI University Accreditation](https://www.ecpi.edu/accreditation).