Program Overview
Explore the A-State Online FNP Certificate Program
The Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner online program elevates your professional practice by building on your credentials as an MSN-prepared nurse. Earn more opportunities to thrive as a nurse leader in this family nurse practitioner certificate program, which prepares you to deepen your patient relationships, provide more comprehensive care, and increase positive healthcare outcomes in rural and urban communities.



Our relevant curriculum ensures your FNP practice is ready for today’s healthcare challenges. You may choose from three start dates and benefit from 100% online coursework and one-on-one attention from our experienced, compassionate faculty as they help you explore dental health, radiology interpretation, telehealth practices, the management of clients and families with minor to chronic health issues, and more.
A-State offers an optional Skills Day on campus that provides the opportunity to perform actions as sutures, joint injections, digital blocks, and nail removals. As the demand for highly qualified FNPs continues to grow, this affordable family nurse practitioner post-graduate certificate empowers you to serve an urgent healthcare need and enjoy a rewarding career with comprehensive patient responsibilities.

The online nursing programs at Arkansas State University, located in Jonesboro, AR, are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Contact ACEN by mail at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, by phone at 404-975-5000 or visit acenursing.org.
In this online family nurse practitioner certificate program, you will learn how to:
- Assist in providing primary care through performing standard procedure skills
- Conduct physical diagnosis/differential diagnosis (looking at possible disorders that are causing the physical symptoms)
- Work with patients/families to develop plans to improve and maintain health or treat illnesses
Prepare for leadership roles across a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Internal medicine offices
- Community clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Specialty clinics
- University student health centers
- Rehab centers
- Ambulatory care centers
- Home care
- Prisons and jails
Projected Job Growth:
According to Burning Glass, the employment outlook for nurse practitioners is slated to grow almost 27% over the next 10 years for Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri.
A-State is ranked #6
among the “Top 10 Best Colleges in Arkansas” by Collegechoice.net, 2020
Also available online at A-State:
Tuition
Affordable A-State Tuition Makes it Easy to Advance
Our online family nurse practitioner certificate program offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included.


Per Credit Hour | Per 3 HR. Course | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
$291.00 | $40.00 | $331.00 | $873.00 | $120.00 | $993.00 |
A-State is Top Ranked
A-State ranks in the top half of universities on U.S. News & World Report’s "Top Public Schools, National Universities" for 2022.
Calendar
Set a Calendar Reminder for These Key Deadlines
Ideal for working nurses, Arkansas State online programs are delivered in an accelerated format with multiple start dates each year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:


Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall 2022 | 7 wk | 08/23/2022 | 10/07/2022 | 08/08/2022 | 08/12/2022 | 08/18/2022 | 08/19/2022 | 09/24/2022 |
7 wk | 10/17/2022 | 12/09/2022 | 10/03/2022 | 10/07/2022 | 10/13/2022 | 10/14/2022 | 11/26/2022 | |
Spring 2023 | 7 wk | 01/10/2023 | 02/24/2023 | 12/14/2022 | 12/16/2022 | 01/05/2023 | 01/06/2023 | 02/10/2023 |
7 wk | 03/06/2023 | 04/28/2023 | 02/20/2023 | 02/24/2023 | 03/02/2023 | 03/03/2023 | 04/15/2023 | |
Summer 2023 | 7 wk | 05/08/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 04/24/2023 | 04/28/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 05/05/2023 | 06/09/2023 |
7 wk | 06/26/2023 | 08/11/2023 | 06/12/2023 | 06/16/2023 | 06/22/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 07/28/2023 |
Admissions
Preview the Admission Requirements for the Online FNP Certificate
We know you’re busy, so we’ve streamlined the A-State admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Students who are interested in the online Post-Master’s Certificate – FNP program must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited institution. Review full admission requirements below.
- Complete online application and submit application fee
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program of nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in MSN coursework
- Official transcript(s) submitted by the registrar of any college/university you have attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Satisfactory background check through Verified Credentials
Graduates of an MSN program with an FNP option that did not include the required certification eligibility requirements from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and/or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology; Advanced Health Assessment, including diagnostics and disease management; Advanced Pharmacology; and/or minimum of 500 faculty supervised clinical hours) are also eligible to apply. A request for a curriculum “Gap Analysis” to determine an individual Plan of Study will be requested from the Program Coordinator prior to admission.
Additional Information
Request all official transcripts be sent directly to A-State from all colleges or universities attended. Save time by requesting transcripts be sent electronically or send all required documents to:
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
A Look at the Online FNP Certificate Curriculum
To finish the Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner online program, you must complete a total of 21 credit hours. Required coursework includes six advanced practice courses. If a Gap Analysis determines you must enroll in an individual plan of study, you will also need to complete three advanced nursing courses totaling nine credit hours.
NURS 6513: FNP Clinical Management I
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study of theoretical and clinical bases for management of clients and families who are well or have minor health problems. Application of principles through case studies of clients across the lifespan. Prerequisites: NURS 6003, NURS 6013, NURS 6023, NURS 6203, and acceptance to FNP track. Pre or corequisites: NURS 6103 and NURS 6402. Corequisite: NURS 6514.
NURS 6514: Clinical Management I Practicum
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
Practicum Clinical application of theoretical bases for management of clients and families who are well or have minor health problems. Prerequisites: NURS 6003, NURS 6013, NURS 6023 and acceptance to FNP track. Pre- or corequisites: NURS 6103and NURS 6402. Corequisite: NURS 6513.
NURS 6613: FNP Clinical Management II
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The study of theoretical and clinical bases for management of clients and families who have minor or chronic health problems. Application of principles through case studies and development of protocols for clients across the lifespan. Prerequisites: NURS 6513 and NURS 6514. Corequisite: NURS 6614.
NURS 6614: FNP Clinical Management II Practicum
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
The clinical application of theoretical bases for management of clients and families who have minor or chronic health problems. Prerequisites: acceptance to the FNP track, NURS 6513, NURS 6514, Corequisite: NURS 6613.
NURS 6753: FNP Clinical Synthesis Seminar
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Culminating course for analysis of application of nursing theory and research/role concepts, and exploration of issues specific to the role implementation in family nurse practitioner practice. Final semester of enrollment. Prerequisites: NURS 6613 and NURS 6614. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 6814.
NURS 6814: FNP Clinical Synthesis
Duration: 14 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
FNP Clinical Synthesis Culminating clinical course for family nurse practitioner students. Includes intensive clinical practice with a preceptor. Final semester of enrollment. Concurrent enrollment in NURS 6753.
NURS 6003: Advanced Clinical Physiology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Complex physiological processes in adults which occur with disease, adaptation, and therapeutic intervention. Must be taken prior to clinical nursing courses.
NURS 6013: Advanced Clinical Pharmacology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Designed to provide a basis for making clinical decisions in the pharmacologic management of commonly occurring health problems of primary care patients. Prerequisite: undergraduate course in pharmacology, admission to the graduate nursing program, NURS 6003 or concurrent enrollment. NOTE: NP students are required to take the semester immediately prior to beginning clinical portion of NP option.
NURS 6023: Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Presents theoretical and clinical basis for comprehensive assessment and diagnosis in primary healthcare settings, including all age groups. Emphasis is on clinical decision-making, differentiation of normal from pathological findings, risk assessment screening, diagnostic testing, and interpretation of findings. Prerequisites: undergraduate Health Assessment course.NOTE: NP students are required to take the semester immediately prior to beginning clinical portion of NP