Master of Science in Nursing
RN to MSN Program
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares advanced practice nurses (RN) in a variety of specialty areas.
The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing (FSMFN) offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and post-master’s certificates leading to education as a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), family nurse practitioner (FNP), and/or a women’s health care nurse practitioner (WHCNP). The FSMFN seeks to meet the needs of prospective nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who do not want to leave their home communities to obtain the graduate education they desire to fulfill their professional aspirations. Didactic coursework is delivered online using web-based, distance education courses allowing students to achieve their higher education goals without leaving home for classes. Using clinics, hospitals, and preceptors in their own community allows students to get the hands-on clinical experience required for these exciting health care professions.
The ADN to MSN Bridge consists of six courses (20 credits) designed to “bridge” the differences between the educational preparation of the associate degree nurse and the baccalaureate nurse. These six courses will be completed over twelve months in four 12-week terms, prior to the start of the student’s designated specialty track in the master’s program. The Bridge is an entry option to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program for nurses without a bachelor’s degree.
RN to MSN applicants are admitted to any of the MSN specialties like:
- Acute and Adult Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse - Midwife
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
DNP Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
The purpose of the DNP program at the FSMFN is to prepare nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife leaders who will evaluate and improve primary care practice.
The ultimate goal of the program is to improve the health care and the health status of populations with a focus on rural and underserved communities.
Description of the DNP Program
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is conceived as the highest degree for clinical nursing practice. The FSMFN DNP program is initially designed as a post-master’s degree program for nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives who want to improve their skills in the areas of leadership, clinical scholarship, evidence-based practice and clinical evaluation. All students entering the DNP program must be registered nurses who have completed a master’s degree in nursing and are nationally certified as either a nurse practitioner or a nurse-midwife. The DNP program builds upon and expands the competencies of the masters’ prepared advanced practice nurse.
The DNP program is 33 semester credits. These include 8 credits (360 hours) of clinical practicum. The curriculum is delivered using distance education strategies over the course of five 12-week terms.
The DNP curriculum has been carefully constructed to incorporate the eight essential competencies delineated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
The DNP completion program is full-time plan of study designed for student to take 2 courses per term. Students will be accepted into a cohort and progress through the program with their cohort group.