The University of New Hampshire offers 3 Family Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN
- BSN-DNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN | $44.4K / $48.8K | 2.25 years (7 semesters) | 55 |
| BSN-DNP | $66.3K / $72.9K | 4 years (12 semesters) | 82 |
| Certificate | $20.2K-$29.8K / $22.2K-$32.8K | Varies (individualized plan) | 25-37 |
Tuition estimates use UNH’s 2026-27 online graduate per-credit rates ($800 NH resident / $880 out-of-state) plus the per-semester online technology fee.
UNH only accepts FNP students who plan to be licensed in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont. Inside that footprint, all three credentials run through the same 25-credit FNP block, built around three 250-hour clinical courses in adult and older-adult care, child and adolescent care, and women’s health with complex patients.
The BSN-DNP adds 27 credits of leadership, finance, quality, and project work plus 500 project hours, but no additional FNP patient-care hours. The bigger practical constraint is timing: every track lists a single spring intake with an August 1 application deadline.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Types | MSN, BSN-DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate |
| Format | Mostly Online: asynchronous coursework with on-campus visits; visit count not published |
| Clinical Hours | 750 FNP hours (3 × 250); BSN-DNP adds 500 project hours |
| Clinical Placement | Placement assistance stated for the certificate; not described for MSN or DNP |
| Population | Separate clinical blocks: adult/geriatric, child/adolescent, women’s health and complex patients |
| Enrollment Restriction | Only students seeking licensure in NH, ME, MA, or VT |
| Start Term | Spring only; applications due August 1 |
| RN License Requirements | Unencumbered, active U.S. RN license |
| Tuition | $800/credit NH resident; $880/credit out-of-state |
| Accreditation | CCNE (master’s, DNP, post-graduate APRN certificate) |
Master of Science, Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner
The estimated tuition for the M.S. in Nursing: Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner at UNH is approximately $44,000 for New Hampshire residents and $48,400 for out-of-state students (55 credits at $800 or $880/credit), before technology fees. The program can generally be completed in about 27 months full-time, which works out to roughly seven semesters on a year-round calendar.
MSN Curriculum
Foundation and core (30 credits). Ten 3-credit courses come first: the three advanced foundation courses, diagnostic reasoning, genomics and ethics, biostatistics and epidemiology, leadership, health policy and economics, population health, and evidence-based practice. Diagnostic reasoning (NURS 911) is a hard prerequisite for the first FNP management course, so it acts as the gate into the specialty sequence.
FNP block (25 credits). The specialty sequence pairs each didactic course with a 4-credit clinical course, organized by population rather than by body system. Health Management I covers adult and geriatric care, II covers infants through adolescents, and III covers women’s health and complex patients. Each stage requires a B- or better in the previous one, so the block runs in strict order. A fourth 4-credit course, Health Management IV, closes the program.
- NURS 911 Diagnosis & Management: Diagnostic Reasoning (3)
- NURS 920 / 921 FNP Health Management I, Didactic and Clinical (3 + 4)
- NURS 922 / 923 FNP Health Management II, Didactic and Clinical (3 + 4)
- NURS 924 / 940 FNP Health Management III, Didactic and Clinical (3 + 4)
- NURS 950 Family Nurse Practitioner Health Management IV (4)
- NURS 969 Health Systems Policy, Economics & Financial Planning (3)
- NURS 910 Genomics & Ethics (3)
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinical Requirements
- 750 clinical hours, published total
- Per-course hours from the catalog: NURS 921 (250), NURS 923 (250), NURS 940 (250) = 750
- Population focus by course: adult/geriatric primary care, child and adolescent primary care, women’s health and complex patients
- Supervised preceptorships; clinical courses carry special course fees
- Campus element: marketing pages cite hands-on work in UNH’s Health Sciences Simulation Center in Durham
At 750 hours, UNH sits above the 600 to 700 hour range common among FNP programs and well above the 500-hour certification floor. The equal 250-hour split guarantees dedicated pediatric and women’s health time, which some programs leave to whatever patients a family practice preceptor happens to see. Each clinical course has appeared on UNH’s schedule as an 8-week term; if the 250 hours must fit inside that window, the load is roughly 31 hours per week, close to a full-time job layered on RN work.
You Should Know
- The program page says clinical hours are completed in NURS 921, 923, 940, and 950, but the catalog assigns 250 hours to each of the first three and lists no hours for NURS 950. An earlier 51-credit version of the MSN reached the same 750 hours without NURS 950. Ask whether NURS 950 adds hours.
- Placement support is not described on the MSN page. Confirm whether UNH arranges sites or expects you to find preceptors.
- The number and length of required Durham visits for simulation are not published.
- Whether 250 hours must be finished within a single 8-week term is not stated.
MSN Admissions
The MSN admits once a year for spring, and the application asks for a fairly heavy reference package.
- Unencumbered, active U.S. RN license
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in associate and baccalaureate programs
- Undergraduate statistics and undergraduate research courses
- One year of nursing experience preferred, not required
- Three recommendations (one academic if available, two nursing professionals with graduate education); letters older than one year are not accepted
- Personal statement and resume
- Application fee $65; $200 enrollment deposit if admitted
- Deadline: August 1 for the following spring start (the 2026 cycle has closed)
You Should Know
- Enrollment is limited to students seeking licensure in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont. UNH has confirmed the program meets licensure education requirements only in those four states.
- The admission list requires a BSN, but the Graduate School application section says RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree may apply at faculty discretion, possibly with an interview. Confirm which rule governs before applying with a non-nursing degree.
BSN to DNP, Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner
The estimated tuition for the Doctor of Nursing Practice: Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner at UNH is approximately $65,600 for New Hampshire residents and $72,160 for out-of-state students (82 credits at $800 or $880/credit), before technology fees. The program can generally be completed in about 4 years (48 months, published); the 12-semester figure is derived from a year-round calendar.
BSN-DNP Curriculum
The BSN-DNP contains the full 55-credit MSN, course for course, plus nine doctoral courses (27 credits). That makes the doctoral layer easy to price: it costs $21,600 for residents and $23,760 for nonresidents over the MSN.
Doctoral additions. The extra courses lean toward health systems leadership rather than advanced clinical practice: healthcare finance, information systems, innovation leadership, quality and safety, a quality-improvement course from UNH’s health management department (HMP 933), and evidence-based practice methods. A three-course scholarly project sequence finishes the degree with a quality-improvement project students design around their own goals.
- HMP 933 Quality and Process Improvement in Healthcare (3)
- NURS 960 Healthcare Finance Management (3)
- NURS 964 Information Systems and Technology Improvement (3)
- NURS 966 Creative Leadership: Embracing Disruption and Innovation (3)
- NURS 967 Evidence Based Practice Methods (3)
- NURS 973 Quality & Safety (3)
- NURS 980 / 981 / 982 Doctoral Scholarly Project I-III (9)
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN-DNP Clinical Requirements
- 750 FNP clinical hours through the same three 250-hour courses as the MSN
- 500 DNP scholarly project practicum hours across NURS 980, 981, and 982
- Total: 1,250 practice hours
- Project hours may begin in NURS 980; NURS 981 and 982 include clinical immersions in the DNP role
- On-campus visits: the program page names clinical practicum, a doctoral symposium, and graduation
The 1,250-hour total looks large, but the patient-care portion is identical to the MSN. The 500 project hours build quality-improvement and leadership experience, not more time seeing patients. Choose the DNP for the terminal degree and systems-leadership coursework, not for extra clinical preparation.
You Should Know
- The program page describes “hybrid clinical courses” and lists campus visits for clinical practicum and a doctoral symposium, but does not say how many visits are required or how long they last.
- The NURS 950 clinical-hour question noted under the MSN applies here too.
BSN-DNP Admissions
DNP applicants may be interviewed after initial review, and the essay asks for three specific responses.
- Unencumbered U.S. RN license and a baccalaureate degree in nursing
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Three references covering academic ability, professional competency, and character
- Professional statement answering three prompts: a clinical experience showing readiness for doctoral study, use of a nursing theoretical lens, and a U.S. policy or health issue you care about
- No RN experience minimum is listed
- Application fee $65; $200 enrollment deposit
You Should Know
- The program page says students can begin in January or August, but the application section lists only a spring deadline (August 1) with fall marked N/A. Treat spring as the only confirmed start.
- The four-state licensure restriction (NH, ME, MA, VT) applies to the DNP.
Post-Master’s Certificate, Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner
The estimated tuition for the Post-Master’s Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate at UNH is approximately $20,000 for New Hampshire residents and $22,000 for out-of-state students (25 credits at $800 or $880/credit), rising to about $29,600 / $32,560 if all foundation prerequisites are required (37 credits, derived). The program can generally be completed on an individualized schedule; UNH publishes no standard duration.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate is the MSN’s FNP block on its own: the same seven courses, the same three 250-hour clinical courses, and the same 750 hours. Certificate graduates complete the identical specialty sequence as degree students.
- NURS 920 / 921 FNP Health Management I (3 + 4)
- NURS 922 / 923 FNP Health Management II (3 + 4)
- NURS 924 / 940 FNP Health Management III (3 + 4)
- NURS 950 Family Nurse Practitioner Health Management IV (4)
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- National certification eligibility requires advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology completed within 5 years of admission. Missing or older courses must be retaken.
- NURS 920 also requires NURS 911 (diagnostic reasoning). A student who needs all four prerequisites would add 12 credits, for a derived maximum of 37.
Certificate Clinical Requirements
- 750 clinical hours through NURS 921, 923, and 940 (250 each)
- Clinical placement assistance is provided (certificate page)
Repeating the full 750 hours means certificate students do not get a shortened clinical path for prior APRN experience. That suits an MSN-prepared educator or leader moving into practice; an experienced NP adding FNP should expect the same clinical load as a new student.
Certificate Admissions
The certificate uses a lighter application than the degrees, with transfer review built in.
- Unencumbered, active U.S. RN license and a master’s degree in nursing
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in associate and baccalaureate programs
- Undergraduate statistics and research courses
- Two references (one academic if available)
- Personal statement and resume; course descriptions for any course submitted for waiver
- Transfer courses must be completed within 7 years of admission
- Application fee $25; $200 enrollment deposit; August 1 deadline for spring
You Should Know
- The four-state licensure restriction applies. State boards also set their own rules for adding a second APRN population focus, so confirm requirements with your board.
Tuition
UNH charges $800 per credit for New Hampshire residents and $880 per credit for out-of-state students across all three FNP tracks (2026-27 published online graduate rates). The nonresident premium is a flat 10 percent.
| Track | Credits | Resident Tuition | Nonresident Tuition | Est. Tech Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSN | 55 | $44,000 | $48,400 | $424-$847 |
| BSN-DNP | 82 | $65,600 | $72,160 | $726-$1,452 |
| Certificate | 25-37 | $20,000-$29,600 | $22,000-$32,560 | About $242+ |
Technology fee ranges are derived: $60.50 per semester at 5-8 credits or $121 at 9-16 credits (2026-27), across 7 MSN semesters and 12 DNP semesters. The overview table uses the 5-8 credit tier.
Confirmed costs:
- Tuition: $800/credit (NH resident), $880/credit (out-of-state)
- Online technology fee: $30.25 (0-4 credits), $60.50 (5-8 credits), or $121 (9-16 credits) per semester
- Online students do not pay on-campus mandatory fees
- Application fee: $65 (MSN, DNP), $25 (certificate)
- Enrollment deposit: $200
Be aware that:
- Most FNP courses carry special course fees listed only on the course schedule. NURS 923 showed a $345 fee in fall 2025; amounts for other courses are not published in one place.
- Certificate cost depends on how many foundation courses UNH waives.
- Online students are not eligible for university health insurance.
- Travel for required Durham visits is not included and the number of visits is not published.
With modest per-semester fees, the published rate is close to the real cost: about $808 per credit for a resident MSN once the technology fee is included. Clinical course fees are the main unknown. Budget a few hundred dollars per FNP course until the schedule confirms exact amounts.
Official rates: UNH Online Graduate Program Tuition and Fees.
Why Choose This FNP Program?
Best suited for nurses who will practice in northern New England and want a demanding, population-structured clinical sequence at a public-university price.
Clinical structure. Three equal 250-hour blocks give every student defined time in adult and geriatric care, pediatrics, and women’s health. The 750-hour total exceeds the common 600 to 700 range, and the strict B- progression rule keeps each stage building on the last.
Choosing a credential. Because all three tracks share the same FNP block, the decision is about what surrounds it. The MSN is the direct route to practice. The DNP adds 27 credits and $21,600 to $23,760 for leadership, finance, and a quality-improvement project, with no added patient-care hours. The certificate gives MSN holders the same clinical preparation for $20,000 to $22,000 when foundation courses transfer.
Geographic verdict. UNH is a strong fit for nurses in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont, and not an option for anyone planning licensure elsewhere. Even within the region, expect one spring start a year, campus visits UNH has not counted, and clinical courses that may pack 250 hours into 8 weeks. Nonresidents in the other three states pay only 10 percent more than New Hampshire residents.
Accreditation
UNH’s master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). That scope covers all three FNP tracks, including the certificate, which CCNE reviews as a separate program.
The University of New Hampshire is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Regional institutional accreditation supports federal financial aid eligibility and credit transfer to other institutions.
Graduates of all three tracks are eligible to sit for the national FNP certification exam (AANP or ANCC).
Compare More Family NP Programs
- Rivier University - Nashua
- Southern New Hampshire University - Manchester