Career
MSN
Nursing
8-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year
Get hands-on practice during in-person immersive experiences that help prepare you for clinical rotations
This APRN track is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education1
Preparation to provide primary care to families and individuals of all ages
Skills to help prepare you to work in private practice, clinical environments, and special care units
Flexibility designed for working nurses with mobile-accessible learning and study tools
Hands-on, on-site clinical practice at a facility in your local area
Advance your nursing career and prepare to deliver exceptional primary care to individuals, families, and communities as a family nurse practitioner (FNP). The Post-Master’s FNP Certificate is an evidence-based, forward-thinking program for nurses who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Whether you’re looking to enhance your current practice or transition into a new area of specialization, an FNP Post-Master’s certificate at WCU offers the flexibility and support needed to help you achieve your professional goals.
Distance Education/Online
32 Credits
20 Months
5 Trimesters
Course Number | Course Name | Total Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Number | Name | Hours |
MSNF 600 | Family Primary Care: Introduction to Advanced Practice | 2 |
MSNF 605 | Family Primary Care: Clinical Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis | 3 |
MSNF 610 | Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Health I | 2 |
MSNF 610C | Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Practicum I | 2 |
MSNF 620 | Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Health I | 2 |
MSNF 620C | Adult Gerontology Primary Care: Practicum II | 2 |
MSNF 630 | Women’s and Reproductive Health | 3 |
MSNF 630C | Women’s and Reproductive Health Practicum | 2 |
MSNF 640 | Pediatric & Adolescent Health | 3 |
MSNF 640C | Pediatric & Adolescent Health Practicum | 2 |
MSNF 650 | Family Primary Care: Intensive I | 2 |
MSNF 650C | Family Primary Care: Residency I | 2 |
MSNF 660 | Family Primary Care: Intensive | 2 |
MSNF 660C | Family Primary Care: Residency II | 2 |
MSNF 680 | Family Primary Care: Transition to Advanced Practice | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: | 32 |
We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.
Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of post-master’s FNP certificate program online tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the post-master’s FNP certificate program costs at West Coast University.
We offer several financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.
Degree Type |
Certificate Prior to Fall I 2024 |
Certificate Effective Fall I 2024 |
Total Program Credits | 32 | 32 |
Program Length(full time) | 5 trimesters | 4 trimesters |
Total Cost(per credit) | $785 | $785 |
Total Tuition Cost | $25,120 | $25,120 |
STRF1 | $0 | $0 |
Technology Fee2 | $2,500 | $2,000 |
Estimate for Supplies & Licensure Preparation Fee3 | $2,300 | $2,300 |
Program Fee (Clinical)4 | $4,300 | $4,300 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $34,220 | $34,720 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $34,220 | $34,720 |
Indirect Costs
8 Month Academic Year5 | ||||
Prior to Fall I 2024 | Starting Fall I 2024 | |||
with parents | off campus | with parents | off campus | |
Federal Student Loan Fee | $220 | $220 | $220 | $220 |
Living Expenses (Food & Housing) | $2,384 | $7,936 | $2,496 | $8,328 |
Transportation | $1,648 | $1,648 | $1,728 | $1,728 |
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $5,392 | $5,392 | $5,656 | $5,656 |
Total | $9,644 | $15,196 | $10,100 | $15,932 |
1 As of April 1, 2024, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be zero hundred and zero cents ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges.
The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.
You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.
It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.
To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:
To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.
A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.
However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.
2 Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.
3 Supplies and licensure prep fees include a WCU identification card, background check, standardized patients, supplies, equipment for onsite intensives, and FNP predictor exams for FNP students. Supplies become student purchases once issued to students. Students who drop or have been dismissed after supplies have been issued will assume ownership for these items and will not be eligible for refunds. For details on all the supplies please contact the Bursar Office.
4 Program Fee covers the establishment, on-going management, scheduling, coordination, site visits, and any other expenses related to clinical rotations.
5 The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend West Coast University. The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to West Coast University and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to West Coast University and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, West Coast University estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.
Applicants to the program must meet the following requirements (Post-Master’s Certificates All Track Options):
*Applicants submitting non-U.S. or non-English transcripts should refer to the International Admissions section of the catalog.
In addition to the admissions requirements above, applicants to the PMC – Advanced Practice Registered Nurse tracks must also meet the following admissions requirements:
For additional requirements, including admission information for CA-based APRN students and international students, visit our catalog.
New terms begin, on average, every eight weeks. The number of trimesters needed depends on the program and pace selected for the FNP track. For the most updated start-to-completion schedule, view the Academic Calendar.
You don’t have to figure out your clinical practicum on your own. Our Clinical Placements team is here to provide assistance! We can help you identify a preceptor and clinical site that are the right fit for you and your program. WCU has numerous healthcare partners, which makes it easier for us to assist students with placements when needed.
You’ll have a coordinator of clinical relations assigned to you, which means you can easily jump on a coaching call whenever you need guidance for improving your clinical practice experience. We’re here to support you from day one through graduation!
Our WCU Career Services team is dedicated to helping our FNP graduates with their professional development. Through workshops, one-on-one career planning, and a variety of job search resources, Career Services can provide you with assistance as you search for the right job opportunities.2
As a West Coast University FNP graduate, you will not just get one-on-one support as you prepare for your licensure exam, but we’ll also help you with your job search strategy, which includes helping you find open roles, offering resume tips, providing interview coaching, and more.
Cyndi Faudree is the Dean of the Family Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program tracks at West Coast University, as well as an Associate Professor. Dr. Faudree is dual-certified as a family nurse practitioner and acute care nurse practitioner. She provides student-centric strategic and operational direction, as well as leadership of program accreditation and certification.
Prior to joining WCU, Dr. Faudree served as Associate Dean, Associate Director of Medical Practice and Regional Program Director overseeing M.D. and APRN programs at other universities. She was the Director of the Standardized Patient Program and wrote many interactive virtual cases collaborating with national companies. She has served on various committees, holding the roles of APRN Sub-Committee Chair, DNP Sub-Committee Co-Chair, and member of the Graduate Curriculum Committee, Governance Committee for Sigma Theta Tau, and APRN Taskforce.
Dr. Faudree is a member of numerous professional associations, including the American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF), and Sigma Theta Tau. She serves her community by being a member of her state’s Board of Health and volunteers her time by contributing to many local health and community events. Dr. Faudree was nationally recognized as the recipient of the Army Achieve Medal for Civilian Service and Program Development in 2012.
I loved West Coast University and still do. I like the camaraderie and atmosphere of West Coast. The teachers were always available to give any outside help. They offered tutoring, too. It was just helpful all the way around.”3
– Brittney A.
BSN, MSN-FNP, & DNP Graduate
West Coast University
We can evaluate your previous coursework for transfer credit. WCU may accept credit for previous courses taken from other academic institutions as long as the course meets the requirements of the specific academic program for which it is being considered and a grade of B (80%) or better was achieved for a graduate course as documented on official transcripts. Each program maintains its own transfer credit requirements.
You can earn your post-master’s FNP certificate in as little as 20 months.
Our program includes clinical hours for practical experience. When it comes to selecting the right facility and preceptor, WCU has a dedicated clinical team to help you find a placement for clinical training that aligns with the requirements of your program.
Our Family Nurse Practitioner program students will have to complete two on-site intensives (OSIs), which help prepare them for APRN clinical rotations and practice. In addition to providing valuable hands-on experience, OSIs give students the chance to learn unique skills that are relevant to their field of study, and also to get instructor feedback.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at West Coast University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791 (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The West Coast University Post-graduate Certificate in Nursing program holds initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037.
1 American Association of Nurse Practitioners, “NP Fact Sheet,” Updated April 2022
2 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, “Work Environment,” Accessed May 31, 2023
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Students enrolled through the Orange County campus must complete their OSI’s in California. Students enrolled through the Texas campus must complete them in Texas. Travel costs are not included in tuition and fees, and students are responsible for arranging transportation.