Nursing, M.S. (Nurse Practitioner)

If you are already a registered nurse, Saint Louis University’s online Master of Science in Nursing-Nurse Practitioner degree can train you to become a nurse practitioner. SLU's M.S.N.-Nurse Practitioner degree prepares you to balance patient care needs with the demands of today's health care providers or to educate future nurses. We offer nurse practitioner specialties in adult/gerontological acute care, family, pediatric primary care and family psychiatric/mental health.

The online M.S.N.-nurse practitioner degree program at SLU's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing offers the flexibility and support that working RNs require and can be specialized to your interest. Once accepted into this program, our students meet with their faculty advisor to create an individualized full- or part-time curriculum plan suitable for their personal and professional schedules.

If you plan to teach, you can take three additional courses focusing on theory and practicum experience in nursing education. If you’d like to also apply for the National League for Nursing Nurse Educator certificate, you will take an additional three-credit education course. Post-master's certificate programs are available in all specialty areas.

Top Online M.S.N. Degree Program

SLU's MSN-NP program is highly respected across academic and professional nursing institutions. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks our MSN-NP program as a top program in its Best Graduate Programs survey. 

Program Highlights

SLU’s M.S.N.-NP degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and offers:

  • Full- and part-time curriculum plans
  • Many specialty areas and role options
  • Options to emphasize research in any specialty area
  • Responsive faculty who are nationally recognized for teaching excellence, nursing leadership, scholarly research and student mentorship
  • Faculty advisers who are individually assigned to mentor each student throughout the program
  • An online library and online writing center
  • State-of-the-art teaching facilities

Curriculum Overview

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing at Saint Louis University offers five concentrations in the Master of Science in Nursing program completely online.1

1

Two campus visits are required. The first visit is a two-day orientation immediately before the program begins. The second visit occurs during one of the clinical management courses. This visit is to evaluate your progress and to teach skills not acquired through online learning, such as suturing and office procedures.

Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

If you choose the adult/gerontological acute care nurse practitioner program, you will learn to use complex monitoring and invasive therapies, high-intensity interventions, and continuous vigilance within the range of high-acuity care to help meet the specialized physiological and psychological needs of adults of all ages, including the frail elderly.

Adult/gerontological acute care nurse practitioners work in emergency departments, tertiary care settings, intensive care units, trauma centers and specialty medicine areas treating patients with acute, critical and chronic illnesses and those with disabilities or injuries. Graduates are eligible for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

SLU’s family nurse practitioner program prepares you to provide primary health care to patients of all ages. You will help prevent disease, assess and manage acute and chronic health problems, and consult and refer patients within the health care system. SLU’s family nurse practitioner program emphasizes quality relationships with patients, families and communities, and the education and coordination of services aimed at specific health outcomes.

Family nurse practitioners, also known as FNPs, work in various settings and are well-suited to rural populations, where specialty care may not always be available. Graduates are eligible for national certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program.

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

If you choose the pediatric primary nurse practitioner program, you will be prepared to provide care to patients from birth through age 21. Pediatric primary care nurse practitioners, also known as PNPs, focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic conditions in pediatric offices and schools, community, urgent care and specialty settings. Graduates are eligible for national certification from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

If you pursue the SLU’s family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program, you will work with children, adolescents and adults of all ages with acute or complex mental health needs, or psychiatric diagnoses. SLU’s family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program encourages evidence-based, culturally sensitive, recovery-oriented, holistic care.

You will be prepared to apply the nursing process and medical/medication management to promote optimal mental health while engaging in ongoing collaboration with clients, their families, significant others, and the inter-professional team. Graduates are eligible for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Careers

Graduates from SLU's M.S.N.-N.P. degree program apply for the appropriate certification for their program option, are well prepared and are ready to work as nurse practitioners.  According to a U.S. News & World Report ranking, the median salary of NPs in 2022 was $120,680. The best-paid 25% of NPs made $129,680 that year; the lowest-paid 25% made $99,540.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 52.2% employment growth for NPs between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 114,900 jobs are projected to open up in the NP profession.

Admission Requirements

The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing adheres to the principles of a holistic admission process in which selection criteria are broad-based and linked to our University’s and school’s mission and goals. While we do consider academic metrics, we also look at applicant experiences, attributes, potential for success, and how applicants may contribute to the school’s learning environment and to the profession.

Licensure Disclosure

The curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the State of Missouri. Note that the Missouri Board of Nursing may impose additional requirements on candidates prior to granting a license; we encourage you to investigate these requirements.

SLU's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing has not determined whether the curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for nursing licensure in any other states or territories. However, graduates of our APRN programs are eligible to sit for National Board Certification Exams in all states and territories. We encourage you to investigate the requirements in your state or territory before accepting an offer of admission at the Valentine School of Nursing.

SLU's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing accepts applications to the D.N.P. and M.S.N.-NP program from students living in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Applicant Criteria

  • A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
  • An unencumbered registered nurse license in the state in which clinical experience will be done. You must have a registered nurse license at the time of application.
  • Current CPR certification from the American Heart Association is required after acceptance into the M.S.N. program.
  • Completion of a beginning-level health assessment course or the equivalent thereof prior to enrollment in “Advanced Health Assessment.”

Application Requirements

Applying for the M.S.N.-N.P. program requires careful planning to ensure that all admission requirements are met. You may experience a delay in processing if the application instructions are not followed exactly as listed.

Requirements for International Students

International students on F-1 or J-1 student visas are not eligible for admission to this nursing program due to the fact that the Master of Science in Nursing degree is offered completely online. For additional information, contact the Office of International Services office at 314-977-2318.

Please follow the five steps outlined below to apply:

Step 1 - Application

Submit the application form and pay the associated fee through NursingCAS. Select Saint Louis University. 

Step 2 - Transcripts

Please submit your official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended directly to NursingCAS. They will provide details when the application is initiated.

Step 3 – Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Attach your CV/résumé documenting your education, clinical nursing experience, and service to the nursing profession/community within the NursingCAS application.

Step 4 – Professional Goal Statement

Attach your professional goal statement within the NursingCAS application. The goal statement should outline your short- and long-term goals as a nurse practitioner and include an explanation of why you've decided on that path. The statement should be one-to-two pages and double-spaced.

Step 5 – RN License

Attach a copy of your unencumbered registered nurse license in the state in which clinical experience will be done within the NursingCAS application.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall admissions: Priority admission is April 15 with an application deadline of June 1.
  • Spring admissions: Priority admission is October 15 with an application deadline of December 1.

If the application deadline has passed for your semester of interest, please contact gradnurse@slu.edu. Late applications may be accepted. 

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed shortly after all application requirements have been submitted.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,310

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financing for this program may be available through grants, scholarships, loans (federal and private) and institutional financing plans.  For price estimates, please review the SLU Cost Calculator.  

The Valentine School of Nursing offers scholarship and graduate research assistantship opportunities to eligible graduate students.  Additionally, most nursing students will participate in a tuition assistance program provided through their employer.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

Accreditation

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice at the Valentine School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. To achieve its educational objectives, the school uses the hospitals within SSM Health and many health care organizations in the greater St. Louis area.

  1. Graduates will be able to implement collaborative strategies to provide ethical, high quality, safe, effective, patient-centered care.

  2. Graduates will be able to use scholarly inquiry including evidence-based practice and research application to improve decision-making and health outcomes.

  3. Graduates will be able to integrate advanced competencies, skills, theories, and cultural sensitivity in relationships with patients and professionals.

  4. Graduates will be able to design culturally sensitive patient care that includes health promotion and disease prevention.

  5. Graduates will be able to facilitate the improvement of health care through leadership within health care systems and communities.

  6. Graduates will be able to demonstrate competence in a specialized area of advanced practice nursing that builds on foundational nursing knowledge.

  7. Graduates will be able to utilize health care informatics and technologies to support practice.

  8. Graduates will be able to advocate for policies that improve the health of the public and the profession of nursing.

NURS 5040Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition1
HCE 5500Ethics in Nursing& Health Care2
NURS 5080Advanced Pharmacology3
NURS 5110Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision Making3
NURS 5140Health Promotion3
NURS 5160Principles of Practice Management2
NURS 5170Advanced Pathophysiology3
NURS 5200Gen Research Methods3
NURS 5900Residency0
Concentrations16-22
Select one of the following:
Total Credits36-42

Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Concentration Courses
NURS 5310Critical Appraisal of Technology: Acute Care3
NURS 5260Advanced Clinical Studies I: The Acute Care Setting4
NURS 5270Advanced Clinical Studies II: The Acute Care Setting5
NURS 5810Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum5
Total Credits17

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Concentration Courses
NURS 5630Dynamics of Family Nursing Practice3
NURS 5280Advanced Clinical Studies I: Adults and Older Adults5
NURS 5290Advanced Clinical Studies II: Women and Children5
NURS 5510Mental Health Care Family2
NURS 5810Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum5
Total Credits20

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Concentration Courses
NURS 5550Family and Child Development3
NURS 5320Advanced Clinical Studies I: Nursing of Children4
NURS 5330Advanced Clinical Studies II: Nursing of Children4
NURS 5810Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum5
Total Credits16

Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Concentration Courses
NURS 5400Ecological Approach to Human Behavior3
NURS 5550Family and Child Development3
NURS 5340Advanced Clinical Studies I: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing4
NURS 5350Advanced Clinical Studies II: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing5
NURS 5430Psychopharmacology2
NURS 5810Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum5
Total Credits22

Nurse Educator Option

Nurse educator courses provide an opportunity for coursework and practicum experience in nursing education. NURS 5560 Evidence-Based Approaches for the Nurse Educator (2 cr) may be added to earn the Nurse Educator Certificate.

NURS 5570Curriculum Development in Nurse Education2
NURS 5580Instructional Strategies and Evaluation in Nurse Education2
NURS 5590Practicum in Nursing Education2
Total Credits6

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

 

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
NURS 5040 Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition 1
NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
 Credits7
Spring
NURS 5110 Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision Making (75 Clinical Hours) 3
NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
 Credits6
Summer
HCE 5500 Ethics in Nursing& Health Care 2
 Credits2
Year Two
Fall
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
NURS 5260 Advanced Clinical Studies I: The Acute Care Setting (75 Clinical Hours) 4
 Credits7
Spring
NURS 5270 Advanced Clinical Studies II: The Acute Care Setting (150 Clinical Hours) 5
NURS 5310 Critical Appraisal of Technology: Acute Care 3
 Credits8
Summer
NURS 5810 Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum (75 Clinical Hours) 1
 Credits1
Year Three
Fall
NURS 5160 Principles of Practice Management 2
NURS 5810 Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum (225 clinical hours) 3
 Credits5
 Total Credits36

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
NURS 5040 Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition 1
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
 Credits4
Spring
HCE 5500 Ethics in Nursing& Health Care 2
NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
 Credits5
Year Two
Fall
NURS 5110 Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision Making (75 clinical hours) 3
NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
 Credits6
Spring
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
NURS 5510 Mental Health Care Family 2
 Credits5
Year Three
Fall
NURS 5280 Advanced Clinical Studies I: Adults and Older Adults 5
NURS 5630 Dynamics of Family Nursing Practice 3
 Credits8
Spring
NURS 5290 Advanced Clinical Studies II: Women and Children 5
NURS 5900 Residency 0
 Credits5
Summer
NURS 5810 Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum 2
 Credits2
Year Four
Fall
NURS 5160 Principles of Practice Management 2
NURS 5810 Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum 3
 Credits5
 Total Credits40

Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS 5040 Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition 1
 Credits4
Spring
NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
 Credits6
Summer
NURS 5430 Psychopharmacology 2
 Credits2
Year Two
Fall
NURS 5110 Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision Making 3
NURS 5550 Family and Child Development 3
 Credits6
Spring
NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
NURS 5400 Ecological Approach to Human Behavior 3
 Credits6
Summer
HCE 5500 Ethics in Nursing& Health Care 2
 Credits2
Year Three
Fall
NURS 5340 Advanced Clinical Studies I: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (150 clinical hours) 4
 Credits4
Spring
NURS 5350 Advanced Clinical Studies II: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (150 clinical hours) 5
NURS 5900 Residency 0
 Credits5
Summer
NURS 5810 Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum (150 clinical hours) 2
 Credits2
Year Four
Fall
NURS 5160 Principles of Practice Management 2
NURS 5810 Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum (150 clinical hours) 2
 Credits4
 Total Credits41

3 day on-site; usually end of April

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
NURS 5040 Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition 1
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
 Credits7
Spring
Critical course:  NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
Critical course:  NURS 5110 Advanced Assessment and Clinical Decision Making (Critical course:  75 clinical hours) 3
 Credits6
Summer
Critical course:  HCE 5500 Ethics in Nursing& Health Care 2
 Credits2
Year Two
Fall
NURS 5320 Advanced Clinical Studies I: Nursing of Children (75 clinical hours) 4
Critical course:  NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
 Credits7
Spring
NURS 5330 Advanced Clinical Studies II: Nursing of Children (75 clinical hours) 4
NURS 5550 Family and Child Development 3
NURS 5900 Residency (Two day, onsite in St. Louis, MO in mid April) 0
 Credits7
Summer
NURS 5810 Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum (150 clinical hours) 2
 Credits2
Year Three
Fall
NURS 5810 Advanced Practice Nursing Clinical Practicum (225 clinical hours) 3
NURS 5160 Principles of Practice Management 2
 Credits5
 Total Credits36

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact the Valentine School of Nursing's recruitment and enrollment staff:

Undergraduate Inquiries
314-977-8995 
slunurse@slu.edu 

Graduate Inquiries
314-977-8976 
gradnurse@slu.edu