Potential Careers
- Primary care nurse practitioner
- Family practice nurse practitioner
- Nurse educator
Graduate Studies
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
Pursue a family nurse practitioner master's, doctoral, or post-master's certificate degree and elevate your career in an advanced role as a certified FNP to provide quality care in a variety of settings to individuals across the lifespan.
At a Glance
Click to Open
Offered as
Master's (MSN)
Doctorate (DNP)
Post-MSN Certificate
Format
100% Online Courses
w/ 1 In-Person Health Assessment Lab
Credits & Avg. Completion Time
- MSN: 45; 18-24 months
- DNP: 73; 5 years
- Post-MSN Cert: 24; 18-24 months
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
The family (individual across the lifespan) CRNP MSN, DNP, and post-master's certificate programs focus on providing care to individuals across the life span. All family nurse practitioner program options can be completed entirely online, with just one in-person Health Assessment Lab required.
Why Pursue an FNP Degree?
Our FNP program emphasizes a holistic approach to the management of family health through interdisciplinary collaboration.You’ll be prepared to provide primary care in a number of settings including family practices, community health centers, hospital out-patient clinics, urgent care facilities, and ER fast-track.
After this program, you will be eligible to apply for the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners certification exam.
The master's degree program in nursing at Widener University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
FNP Program Options
FNP classes are offered mostly online with only one on-campus health assessment course required, in addition to an in-person clinical practica that can be completed in your home state of residence for the MSN and DNP programs.
The family nurse practitioner master's program program focuses on a holistic approach to management of family health through interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, decision making, leadership, and more.
The master's program can be completed either full-time or part-time at your own pace within the five-year time limit post matriculation.
View the curriculum and coursework for Loading... and the Loading....
This hybrid online and on campus RN-DNP prepares you to provide a holistic approach to primary care in a number of settings including family practices, community health centers, hospital out-patient clinics, urgent care facilities, and ER fast-track.
Widener's nursing DNP programs can be completed either full-time or part-time at your own pace within the 5-year time limit post-matriculation. BSN-DNP students have the opportunity to earn an MSN while progressing toward their DNP degree, enabling accelerated career advancement.
View curriculum & coursework requirements for the Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) CRNP program.
The Family Nurse Practitioner post-master's certificate focuses on the development of the advanced practice in nursing (APRN) role of the CNS for individuals with a master's degree in another nursing area.
View the academic catalog for program Loading...
Outlook & Outcomes
Why Study to Be a Family Nurse Practitioner at Widener?
Elevate Your MSN Journey by Joining a Dynamic Cohort
Jump on the opportunity to join a dynamic MSN cohort, where you'll connect with a diverse group of nursing faculty and peers right from the start. This collaborative environment not only enriches your learning experience but also helps you build a valuable professional network early on.
Begin with our comprehensive core curriculum to establish a solid foundation in nursing principles, then seamlessly transition into specialized pathways tailored to your interests and career goals.
Learn via Online Courses that Support Busy Professional & Personal Lives
Our courses are delivered entirely online, with the exception of one in-person Health Assessment Lab. This approach offers maximum flexibility, allowing you to balance your professional and personal commitments while pursuing your education.
Receive Mentorship & Support from an Engaged Nursing Community
You'll thrive in a learning community that is guided by expert faculty with close mentorship and one-on-one support. You'll complete courses led by clinically active professors and build a network that will follow you long after graduation.
You'll also have the opportunity to join multiple clubs and organizations across campus, including the including the Johnson & Johnson Discover Nursing, Widener University Student Nurses' Association (WUSNA), and many more.
Here, you'll build a network that will follow you long after graduation. Widener's expansive professional alumni network will continue to provide opportunities for engagement and building connections.
Program Highlights
With an MSN degree from Widener, you'll advance your skills through rigorous academics and real-world experiences.
Our Faculty
I oversee the DNP program and teach in both the DNP and PhD programs. My teaching philosophy revolves around nurturing students' interests while guiding their growth in clinical and research excellence. My dual role as a health services researcher and nurse practitioner fuels my passion for exploring how nurses impact care delivery and outcomes, as well as the influence of practice and payment policies within healthcare organizations. I seamlessly integrate these insights into my teaching and mentoring, fostering a deep engagement with evidence-based practice and nursing science.
"I am a proud graduate of Widener's FNP program and very passionate to teach, mentor and guide students to achieve their goals in becoming successful graduates of this program. The program is well known in the Tri-State area and beyond, and because of our certification pass rate and graduate's preparedness for the work-force, our graduates are able to be employed as APRN's very soon after graduation."
Recent News
Ready for Any Nursing Role
Widener’s nursing program prepares students for fruitful and fulfilling careers working across the patient lifespan.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
- Complete online application.
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing or equivalent from an accredited program.
- Minimum of 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in a BSN program.
- Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education.
- Completion of an undergraduate statistics/research course with a grade of C or better.
- Two recommendations, preferably from professional nurses with graduate degrees, regarding applicant’s practice and potential for graduate work in nursing.
- Valid U.S. license as a registered nurse. NP or CNS option requires PA State Board of Nursing licensure prior to start of clinicals or as appropriate.
- Personal Statement.
- Updated resume.
- International applicants, immigrants to the U.S., and U.S. permanent residents are required to submit the results of an English proficiency test taken with 2 years, unless they are from a TOEFL-exempt country.
View English Proficiency Requirements - International applicants who will be seeking licensure in the U.S. should work with Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to utilize their credentials evaluation service.
View all admission requirements in the course catalog.
Graduates of accredited bachelor's programs in nursing are invited to apply for admission by submitting evidence of:
- Completed online application
- $35 application fee
- Transcripts from all previously attended higher education institutions
- Minimum of a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
- Undergraduate statistics course with a grade of at least C (2.0)
- Two references—one from an educator or advanced practice nurse and one from an employer with a graduate degree
- Goal statement that highlights the applicant’s interests with emphasis on health care practice improvement
- Curriculum vitae
- Valid RN license
- Interview with a nursing faculty member (arranged after a preliminary review of application materials)
GRE scores are not required.
Registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program.
- Completed online application.
- Transcript from completed master’s degree program.
- Valid U.S. license as a registered nurse.
Additional requirements for Family Nurse Practitioner applicants:
- Valid PA State Board of Nursing licensure or as appropriate.
- Two recommendations regarding applicant's practice and potential for the FNP or CNS advanced practice role.
- Goal statement related to FNP or CNS role.
- Proof of health insurance coverage.
- Copy of liability insurance within acceptable limits of the AP specialty.
- August 15 - for matriculation in the fall semester
- December 15 - for matriculation in the spring semester
- April 15 - for matriculation in summer sessions
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
Widener Scholarships
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Graduate Admissions Office
-
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gcs@widener.edu
Paula A. Gray
Director, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program
-
Founders Hall
Room 328 - (610) 499-4232
- pag0203@widener.edu