Trine University FNP Programs

Brooks College of Health Professions • Angola, IN • Online • $575/credit

Trine University offers an MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Track.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. TuitionEst. DurationCredit Hours
MSN$25.3K2 years (6 semesters)44

Tuition estimate uses Trine’s published 2026-2027 rate of $575 per credit across 44 catalog credits.

A $25,300 price and an asynchronous online format come with an FNP track that does not yet hold its own accreditation. Trine added the track in June 2026, and the university says it is still seeking pre-accreditation for it from NLN CNEA.

That makes timing the main trade-off. National certification requires graduating from an accredited program, the track has no graduates or outcome data yet, and its 576 clinical hours sit above the 500-hour floor but below the 600 to 700 hours common among FNP programs.

Quick Facts

FeatureDetails
Program TypesMSN, BSN entry
FormatOnline; asynchronous courses starting every eight weeks
Clinical Hours576 direct care practicum hours (three 192-hour courses)
Clinical PlacementFaculty guidance and practicum support; placement not guaranteed
PopulationFamily/individual across the lifespan
Distinctive CourseworkTwo-part Advanced Diagnostics sequence; 1-credit FNP certification prep course
ConcentrationsNone
RN License RequirementsUnrestricted RN license in the state where practicum is completed
Tuition$575/credit; about $25,300 total
AccreditationMSN holds initial NLN CNEA accreditation; FNP track seeking pre-accreditation
Track StatusLaunched June 2026; no graduates or outcome data yet

Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Track

The estimated tuition for the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track at Trine University is approximately $25,300 (44 credits at $575/credit). The program can generally be completed in about two years (six semesters) of full-time study, or about 12 semesters part time.

MSN Curriculum

Shared core. The first 19 credits are the same core used by Trine’s nurse educator and informatics tracks: graduate transition, theory, research, statistics, the three advanced foundations (pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment), and a capstone portfolio.

FNP sequence. The 25-credit specialty runs in two stages. Two didactic primary care courses are paired with two Advanced Diagnostics courses, which is more dedicated diagnostics time than many FNP curricula give a stand-alone course. Three 4-credit Primary Care of the Family practicums follow, then a 1-credit certification prep course.

The design is lean. At 44 credits, it sits near the low end for a BSN-entry FNP master’s, and the specialty content is concentrated in eight courses.

  • NRS 5322 Advanced Pharmacology (2 credits)
  • NRS 5333 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
  • NRS 5343 Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
  • NRS 6414 and 6434 Primary Care Across Lifespan I and II (4 credits each)
  • NRS 6422 and 6442 Advanced Diagnostics I and II (2 credits each)
  • NRS 6454, 6464, and 6474 Primary Care of the Family I to III (4 credits each)
  • NRS 6481 FNP Certification Preparation (1 credit)
  • NRS 6902 Graduate Nurse Capstone (2 credits)

More curriculum details are available here.

You Should Know
  • Advanced Pharmacology carries 2 credits. Some state boards set minimum pharmacology contact hours for prescriptive authority, so check your state’s rule.
  • The catalog lists only NRS 5101 as the prerequisite for the first primary care course, and all three practicums share the same prerequisites. Trine does not publish a term-by-term plan of study.

MSN Clinical Requirements

  • Total: 576 direct care practicum hours (published).
  • Breakdown: NRS 6454, 6464, and 6474 each require 192 hours (3 × 192 = 576).
  • Ratio: 48 practicum hours per practicum credit.
  • Setting: precepted primary care sites.
  • Placement model: “dedicated practicum support,” including guidance in securing and navigating placements.
  • Campus visits or immersions: none stated.

576 hours clears the 500-hour certification floor but falls short of the 600 to 700 hours common among FNP programs. Each 192-hour practicum works out to about 24 hours a week if completed in an eight-week session, or about 12 a week across a 16-week semester. Trine’s wording describes support in finding sites, not a placement guarantee, so plan on identifying preceptors yourself.

You Should Know
  • Trine does not state whether practicums run in eight-week sessions or full semesters, which changes the weekly load.
  • Preceptor credentials, site approval steps, and telehealth rules are not clearly stated.
  • Some state boards require more than 576 clinical hours for APRN licensure. Confirm your state’s minimum before enrolling.

MSN Admissions

Admission has no stated RN experience minimum, and Trine allows conditional admission below a 3.0 GPA.

  • BSN from an institutionally accredited college or university.
  • 3.0 GPA; conditional admission possible below 3.0.
  • Current, unrestricted RN license in the state where you will complete practicum hours; every license held must be unencumbered.
  • Official transcripts from all prior institutions.
  • Personal narrative on your interest in graduate study.
  • Resume.
  • Online application only.
  • RN-BSN students may apply for concurrent MSN admission and move to graduate status after finishing BSN credits with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
You Should Know
  • Trine publishes no state authorization or licensure disclosure for the FNP track. Confirm your state is eligible before applying.
  • Application deadlines and the first FNP start term are not clearly stated. Courses start every eight weeks, but the FNP sequence may not open at every start.

Tuition

Trine charges $575 per credit for the MSN (published), the same rate for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

ItemCalculationAmount
Tuition44 credits × $575$25,300
CastleBranch compliance fees$156/year × 2 years$312
Estimated totalDerived$25,612

Confirmed costs:

  • Tuition: $575 per credit hour.
  • CastleBranch: $156 per year for 2026-2027 (background check, drug screen, document tracker), paid directly to CastleBranch.
  • Textbooks: purchased separately, varying by course.

Be aware that:

  • The $25,612 total is derived. Part-time study over about four years would add roughly $312 in CastleBranch fees.
  • Technology, graduation, or other university fees are not clearly stated.
  • The $575 rate held flat between the last two years, but future increases are not published.

Trine’s cost structure is simple: one per-credit rate, no residency split, and no published program fee. For about $25,600 all-in, the main financial risk is not price but timing, since the track’s accreditation status affects whether that spending leads to certification.

See Trine’s cost and investment page for current rates.

Why Choose This FNP Program?

Best suited for BSN-prepared nurses who want a low, flat price and fully asynchronous coursework, and who can confirm accreditation timing before committing.

Simple, predictable cost. A single $575 rate across 44 credits keeps tuition near $25,300, with no residency surcharge or published program fee. Out-of-state students pay the same rate as Indiana residents.

Flexible structure for working nurses. Courses are asynchronous, start every eight weeks, and require no stated campus visits. The part-time path (about 12 semesters) gives room to keep a full work schedule, and RN-BSN students can apply for concurrent entry.

Honest trade-offs. The track is new, with no graduates, pass rates, or completion data. FNP-specific accreditation is still being sought. Clinical volume is lighter than many programs, and placement is supported rather than guaranteed. Nurses who want an established track with a record should weigh that against the price.

Accreditation

Trine’s Master’s Degree in Nursing Program holds initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). Trine states that the nurse educator track holds initial accreditation through October 31, 2031.

The FNP track is not yet covered. Trine says it is seeking pre-accreditation for the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track. Pre-accreditation is an early stage and does not guarantee initial accreditation.

Trine University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Institutional accreditation supports federal financial aid eligibility and credit transfer.

Eligibility for the national FNP certification exam (AANP or ANCC) depends on that status. Both certifying bodies require graduation from an accredited nurse practitioner program, so ask Trine what accreditation status the FNP track will hold by your expected graduation date.

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