“South University’s 2.5 GPA minimum is the lowest threshold in this comparison set — combined with campus-based options across Florida and Georgia, it’s the most accessible on-ramp to FNP credentialing for nurses whose transcripts don’t fully reflect their clinical record.”
South University offers 1 Family Nurse Practitioner track:
- MSN – Specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner (62 quarter credits)
The program is available fully online, in-person, or in a hybrid format depending on campus. Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Savannah all offer in-person and hybrid options in addition to online delivery. The curriculum is structured around 12 foundation credits and 50 specialization credits, capped with a Pre-Clinical Evaluation and a Transition to Practice capstone course.
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN FNP | ~$40,920 | Not clearly stated |
The program meets NONPF Core Competencies for Family Nurse Practitioners and incorporates AACN Master’s Essentials. Not all online offerings are available in every state.
Program Tracks Overview
MSN FNP
The estimated cost for the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner at South University is approximately $40,920 (62 quarter credits × $660/credit hour).
Note: if a student does not pass the pre-clinical evaluation (NSG6021), an additional 4-credit enhancement course (NSG6023) is required, raising total credits and cost.
MSN Curriculum
The program totals 62 quarter credits: 12 foundation credits and 50 specialization credits. Foundation coursework covers transformational leadership in advanced practice, health policy, and nursing research methods.
The specialization builds through the APRN triad (pathophysiology, pharmacology, physical assessment) before advancing to two decision-making courses and a gated pre-clinical evaluation. Students who pass NSG6021 proceed to four practicum courses covering adult-gerontology, women’s health, pediatrics, and general primary care.
The program concludes with a transition-to-practice capstone course.
MSN Foundation Courses (12 quarter credits):
NSG5000 – Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse: Transformational Leadership in Advanced Practice (4 credits)
Explores the roles, responsibilities, and leadership functions of advanced practice nurses. Emphasizes professional development, ethical decision-making, and practice within healthcare systems.
NSG6002 – Health Policy and Health Promotion in Advanced Nursing Practice (4 credits)
Examines healthcare policy, systems, and the nurse’s role in advocacy. Focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, and applying public health guidelines in practice.
NSG6101 – Nursing Research Methods (4 credits)
Develops skills in evaluating and applying research to practice. Covers quantitative and qualitative methods to support evidence-based clinical decision-making.
FNP Specialization Courses (50 quarter credits):
NSG5003 – Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits)
Examines disease processes across the lifespan, focusing on physiological changes, common conditions, and factors such as genetics and environment that influence health outcomes.
NSG6005 – Advanced Pharmacology (4 credits)
Covers pharmacologic principles, including drug actions and therapeutic decision-making. Emphasizes safe prescribing, patient education, and factors affecting treatment outcomes.
NSG6020 – Advanced Health and Physical Assessment (6 credits)
Develops advanced assessment skills for patients across the lifespan. Focuses on comprehensive evaluations, clinical reasoning, and health promotion strategies.
NSG6021 – Pre-Clinical Evaluation (0 credits)
Assesses readiness for clinical practice through a standardized exam covering pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment. Must be passed to enter practicum courses.
NSG6205 – Decision Making for the Advanced Practice Nurse I (4 credits)
Introduces clinical decision-making for managing acute and chronic conditions. Emphasizes evidence-based approaches to patient care across the lifespan.
NSG6206 – Decision Making for the Advanced Practice Nurse II (4 credits)
Builds on prior decision-making skills with a focus on complex patient management. Reinforces evidence-based strategies for diagnosis and treatment.
NSG6420 – Practicum I: Family Health – Adults and Gerontology (6 credits)
Provides supervised clinical experience in adult and geriatric care. Focuses on health maintenance, disease management, and evidence-based practice.
NSG6430 – Practicum II: Family Health – Women’s Health (6 credits)
Focuses on primary care for women across the lifespan. Includes health promotion, reproductive care, and management of common conditions.
NSG6435 – Practicum III: Family Health – Pediatrics (6 credits)
Offers clinical experience in pediatric care. Emphasizes development, prevention, and management of acute and chronic conditions in children and adolescents.
NSG6440 – Practicum IV: Family Health – Primary Care (6 credits)
Advances clinical skills in comprehensive primary care across the lifespan. Students develop greater independence in diagnosis and management.
NSG6998_F – Transition to the Professional Nurse Practitioner Role (4 credits)
Prepares students for entry into practice through synthesis of clinical knowledge and skills. Includes certification exam preparation and evaluation of readiness for the NP role.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN FNP requires 750 total clinical hours distributed across four practicum courses, each focused on a distinct patient population. Clinicals include a required in-person practicum component; South University explicitly states it cannot guarantee flexibility in clinical scheduling or placement.
Students must hold an active, unencumbered RN license in the state where clinicals are completed.
- 750 total clinical hours across 4 practicum courses
- Practicum I (6 credits): Adults and Gerontology
- Practicum II (6 credits): Women’s Health
- Practicum III (6 credits): Pediatrics
- Practicum IV (6 credits): Primary Care
- Pre-clinical evaluation (NSG6021) must be passed before practicum enrollment
- In-person practicum component required; flexibility in scheduling not guaranteed
- Active, unencumbered RN license required in the state of clinical completion
MSN Admissions
Admission requires a BSN with a 2.5 GPA or an MSN from an accredited institution. No GRE or letters of reference are listed as requirements.
- BSN from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale; OR an MSN from an accredited institution
- Valid unencumbered RN license in all states or territories where the student is licensed, including the state where clinicals are completed
- Official transcripts from every college or university attended (must be submitted within 5 weeks of class start date)
- Completed application for admission
- Not all online offerings available in every U.S. state; contact admissions for state-specific availability
Tuition
South University charges $660 per quarter credit hour for the MSN FNP program. At 62 credits, the estimated tuition total is approximately $40,920 before fees.
Students who do not pass the pre-clinical evaluation (NSG6021) and must complete the 4-credit enhancement course (NSG6023) would incur an additional $2,640 in tuition.
Additional fees are not fully detailed in the source material; the official tuition page should be consulted for a complete cost breakdown.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at South University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The MSN FNP program meets the Core Competencies for Family Nurse Practitioners as outlined by the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF).
Regional institutional accreditation is not explicitly stated on the program page; prospective students should verify institutional accreditation directly with South University.