ECPI University offers an MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN | $32.8K | About 2 years (6 semesters) | 53 |
Tuition estimate uses ECPI’s published MSN-FNP rate of $5,112 per semester plus the $360 per-semester MSN-FNP technology fee, across the 6-semester minimum.
ECPI University runs its FNP as a chain of five-week terms that never pauses for summer, so a BSN-prepared nurse can finish the 53-credit MSN in 22 months. Coursework is online, and campus travel is limited to two weekend residencies in Virginia Beach.
The trade-off is clinical logistics. ECPI requires students to find their own clinical sites and preceptors for 720 hours, and the compressed calendar leaves little slack if a placement falls through. The flat semester price also means any extra semester adds cost.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Types | MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner concentration |
| Format | Mostly Online: online coursework plus two weekend residencies in Virginia Beach |
| Calendar | Five-week terms, year-round; 6-semester minimum (22 months) |
| Clinical Hours | 720 clinical hours plus 30 lab hours |
| Clinical Placement | Student secures own site and qualified preceptor |
| Population | Family/individual across the lifespan |
| Distinctive Coursework | 2-credit certification review course and a 4-credit synthesis course built into the degree |
| Experience Gate | Nursing work experience within the last 3 years |
| RN License Requirements | Unencumbered RN license; must be current in the state of residence for practicum |
| Tuition | $5,112 per semester plus $360 technology fee |
| Accreditation | CCNE (MSN, Virginia Beach campus); SACSCOC institutional |
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
The estimated tuition for the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner concentration at ECPI University is approximately $32,832 (53 credits at about $579/credit in tuition, plus technology fees). The program can generally be completed in about 22 months, which ECPI equates to 6 semesters or 90 weeks of instruction.
MSN Curriculum
Structure. The 53 credits are split across 23 courses: eight 3-credit graduate core courses (theory, population health, policy, research, healthcare technologies), the advanced pharmacology and assessment courses, and a primary care sequence organized by population. Courses run in five-week blocks, which keeps each topic short and intense rather than spread over a 15-week semester.
Primary care sequence. Each population block pairs a 3-credit theory course with two 1-credit practicums: adults and older adults, children and adolescents, and women and families. A separate family-care practicum ties the populations together. This design keeps clinical work close to the matching content, so students see pediatric patients while studying pediatrics.
Capstone and board prep. The program ends with a 3-credit synthesis practicum, a 2-credit certification review course, and a 4-credit synthesis course with a graduate portfolio. Building exam review into the credit total means students pay for it in tuition, but it also means they do not need to buy a separate review package.
- NUR503 Advanced Physical Assessment for Providers (3)
- NUR606 Advanced Pharmacology for Prescribers (3)
- NUR610 Advanced Procedures and Diagnostic Reasoning (1)
- NUR615 Primary Care: Adults and Older Adults (3) with Practicums I and II
- NUR625 Primary Care: Children/Adolescents (3) with Practicums I and II
- NUR635 Primary Care: Women and Families (3) with Practicums I and II
- NUR620L Primary Care: Care of the Family Practicum (1)
- NUR676L Primary Care Synthesis Practicum (3)
- NUR654 Certification Preparation Review Course (2)
- NUR697L Nursing Synthesis FNP (4)
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- ECPI’s program page lists 49 total credits in its summary box, while the catalog and the program’s own requirements list 53. The course list sums to 53.
- The summary box also says one course per term. With 23 courses and roughly 18 five-week terms in 90 weeks, some terms must carry a practicum alongside a theory course.
- Applicants without undergraduate statistics, health assessment, or research may need prerequisite courses (up to 10 credits) before admission.
MSN Clinical Requirements
- 720 clinical hours minimum, plus 30 lab hours
- Nine practicum courses totaling 14 credits
- Two weekend residencies in Virginia Beach, VA
- Students secure their own clinical site and qualified preceptor
- Students supply agency documentation: physical exam, immunizations, TB testing, AHA CPR, and a current RN license in their state of residence
- Clinical attire: corporate casual, white lab coat, and name tag
At 720 hours, ECPI sits above the 500-hour certification floor and slightly above the 600 to 700 hours common in FNP programs. Averaged over 90 weeks, that is about 8 hours a week, but practicum hours follow the primary care sequence, so the real weekly load during the clinical phase is higher. Self-placement is the bigger factor: students should line up preceptors for all three populations, including pediatrics and women’s health, before the clinical phase starts.
You Should Know
- ECPI does not publish hours per practicum course. The 720-hour total works out to about 51 hours per practicum credit, so the split across courses is not clearly stated.
- Residency dates, length, and what is covered during each weekend are not clearly stated.
- ECPI reviews each application against the applicant’s state to confirm the program and practicums can be completed there. A published list of approved or restricted states was not found.
- Moving to another state mid-program may prevent completion. Students must notify the program director before relocating.
MSN Admissions
Admission requires a personal interview with admissions and recent nursing work experience, though the GPA floor is lower than many FNP programs set.
- BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program at a CHEA-recognized institution
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Unencumbered RN license
- Current resume showing nursing work experience within the last 3 years
- Undergraduate statistics, health assessment, and research (or ECPI prerequisite courses)
- Graduate application, enrollment agreement, and personal interview
You Should Know
- The 2.5 admission GPA is below the 3.0 cumulative GPA students must keep once enrolled.
- Every graduate course requires a score of 80 or higher. Two F grades at any point lead to dismissal, even if a failed course is retaken.
Tuition
ECPI’s MSN-FNP costs about $579 per credit in tuition (derived), or about $619 per credit including the technology fee. ECPI bills a flat $5,112 per semester rather than a per-credit rate; the per-credit figures divide the 6-semester total by 53 credits.
| Item | Rate | 6 Semesters |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,112 per semester | $30,672 |
| Technology fee (MSN-FNP) | $360 per semester | $2,160 |
| Estimated total | $5,472 per semester | $32,832 |
- Textbooks and e-textbooks provided at no charge
- Technology fee covers learning platforms, tech support, and devices where provided
- Application fee: $25 (one-time)
- Graduate registration fee: $35
Be aware that:
- The total assumes the 6-semester minimum. Each additional semester adds about $5,472 in tuition and fees.
- Required prerequisite or foundational courses cost $250 per credit, up to $2,500 if all 10 prerequisite credits are needed.
- Travel and lodging for two Virginia Beach weekend residencies are not included.
- A certification fee of $15 per certification (limit two) appears in the graduate fee list; whether it applies to FNP students is not clearly stated.
- Clinical compliance costs (immunizations, physical exam, CPR) are the student’s responsibility.
- ECPI’s tuition page does not show an effective academic year for the rate table.
The fee stack is simple: one flat tuition charge and one technology fee, with books included. That makes the roughly $33,000 estimate fairly reliable, provided you finish on schedule. The biggest cost risk is time, since a delayed practicum or a repeated course extends enrollment by full semesters. See ECPI’s tuition and fees page for current rates.
Why Choose This FNP Program?
A good match for working nurses who want a fixed, year-round path to FNP certification, can handle short and intense course blocks, and already have clinical contacts who can serve as preceptors.
Predictable pace and price. Five-week terms, no summer break, and a flat semester rate make both the 22-month timeline and the roughly $33,000 total easy to plan around. Focusing on one subject at a time suits nurses who prefer depth over juggling several courses.
Accessible entry. The 2.5 GPA floor opens the door to nurses with uneven undergraduate records, and the interview gives applicants a chance to make their case. The trade-off is strict progression once enrolled: 80% course minimums and a two-F dismissal rule.
Workload reality. Five-week blocks move fast, and practicum hours land in the same compressed calendar. Nurses working full time should plan for heavier weeks during the clinical phase and secure preceptors early, since ECPI does not place students. Those without a ready preceptor network may find a program with placement support easier to finish on time.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing program at ECPI’s Virginia Beach campus is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The FNP concentration is delivered online through the Virginia Beach campus, so it falls under that MSN accreditation.
ECPI University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Institutional accreditation supports federal financial aid eligibility and credit recognition at other schools.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the national FNP certification exam (AANP or ANCC). Passing one of these exams is required before applying for state APRN licensure.
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