Hybrid Advanced Certificate Program – Family Nurse Practitioner
Expand Your Nursing Practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner
A flexible, part-time hybrid certificate program for registered nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and are seeking preparation for advanced practice as Family Nurse Practitioners.
The Hybrid Advanced Certificate Program – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) at the University of Mount Saint Vincent provides nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing with focused graduate-level education in advanced nursing practice and Family Nurse Practitioner care.
The 27-credit program combines on-campus instruction with live, synchronous online learning and includes 600 clinical hours that provide hands-on experience in Family Nurse Practitioner practice. Designed with working nurses in mind, courses meet one evening per week, alternating between on-campus and live, synchronous online instruction.
The curriculum combines advanced nursing coursework, FNP specialty preparation, and supervised clinical experiences designed to prepare graduates for advanced practice and national FNP certification.
FNP Advanced Certificate Program Highlights
- Hybrid format combining on-campus and live, synchronous online instruction
- Part-time enrollment designed for working nurses
- 27 graduate credits
- 600 clinical hours
- One evening of class per week
- Evening courses
- Designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing
- Advanced nursing support coursework
- Family Nurse Practitioner theory and practicum coursework
- Preparation for national FNP certification examinations
How the Hybrid Format Works
The program uses an alternating hybrid format that combines on-campus instruction with live, synchronous online learning.
On-Campus Class Sessions
Attend class on campus one evening for lectures, hands-on learning, discussions, and scheduled exams or other in-person assessments.
Online Class Sessions
Participate in one evening of live, synchronous online instruction with the same faculty and classmates.
The alternating format reduces the number of trips to campus while maintaining regular interaction with faculty and classmates and the benefits of face-to-face learning.
Clinical experiences are completed separately from the weekly classroom schedule and require a total of 600 clinical hours.
Focused Preparation for Family Nurse Practitioner Practice
The Advanced Certificate Program provides focused graduate-level coursework and clinical preparation in the scientific foundations of advanced nursing practice and Family Nurse Practitioner care.
Students build knowledge and clinical competency in areas including:
- Advanced pathophysiology
- Advanced health assessment
- Pharmacophysiology
- Advanced practice theory
- Family Nurse Practitioner theory
- Advanced practice seminars and practicums
- Direct patient care across the lifespan
The curriculum is designed for nurses who have already completed graduate-level nursing education and are seeking additional preparation in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty.
Curriculum
The Advanced Certificate Program – Family Nurse Practitioner requires 27 credits and 600 clinical hours.
| Course | Course Title |
|---|---|
| I. Nursing Support Courses — 9 credits | |
| NURS 530 | Advanced Pathophysiology |
| NURS 531 | Advanced Health Assessment |
| NURS 532 | Advanced Pharmacophysiology |
| II. Family Nurse Practitioner Courses — 18 credits | |
| NURS 650 | Advanced Practice Theory I |
| NURS 651 | Advanced Practice Seminar/Practicum II |
| NURS 652 | Advanced Practice Theory II |
| NURS 653 | Advanced Practice Seminar/Practicum II |
| NURS 656 | Family Nurse Practitioner Theory III |
| NURS 657 | Family Nurse Practitioner Seminar/Practicum III |
Course sequencing and availability are subject to change.
Clinical Experience
Students complete 600 clinical hours as part of the Advanced Certificate Program.
Clinical experiences provide opportunities to apply advanced assessment, diagnostic, treatment, and patient-management skills in real-world healthcare settings under appropriate supervision.
The clinical component is integrated with the program’s Family Nurse Practitioner seminar and practicum coursework and is designed to help students develop the competencies required for advanced practice nursing.
Preparation for FNP Certification
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates may be eligible to pursue national certification as Family Nurse Practitioners through organizations such as:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
Certification eligibility is subject to the requirements established by the applicable certifying organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Family Nurse Practitioner certificate program hybrid?
Yes. The program combines on-campus and live, synchronous online instruction, alternating between the two formats.
Is the FNP certificate program part time?
Yes. The program is designed for part-time study and working nurses.
How many credits is the FNP certificate?
The Advanced Certificate Program requires 27 graduate credits.
How many clinical hours are required?
Students complete 600 clinical hours as part of the Advanced Certificate Program.
Who is eligible for the FNP certificate program?
The program is designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing.
How often are classes held?
Courses meet one evening per week, alternating between on-campus and live, synchronous online instruction. Clinical hours are completed separately from the weekly classroom schedule.
Does the FNP certificate require clinical experience?
Yes. Students complete 600 clinical hours as part of the program’s Family Nurse Practitioner practicum requirements.
Where can students complete their clinical experiences?
Clinical placements are available through affiliated health care organizations throughout the greater New York metropolitan area, including all five New York City boroughs, Westchester County, and Long Island.
Are clinical experiences one-on-one?
Yes. Clinical experiences are structured as one-on-one preceptorships with an experienced health care provider.
Can students schedule their clinical hours around their work schedule?
Students arrange their clinical hours based on their availability and their preceptor’s schedule. UMSV’s Graduate Clinical Team works with students to accommodate their schedules and preferred geographic location whenever possible.
How is the certificate different from the MS-FNP?
The Advanced Certificate Program is designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and are seeking additional preparation in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. The MS-FNP is a 42-credit master’s degree program designed for eligible nurses pursuing the master’s degree as well as FNP preparation.
What courses are included in the certificate?
The 27-credit curriculum consists of 9 credits of Nursing Support courses and 18 credits of Family Nurse Practitioner courses, including seminar and practicum experiences.
Does the certificate prepare students for FNP certification?
The program provides graduate-level academic and clinical preparation for graduates to pursue national FNP certification, subject to the eligibility requirements of the applicable certifying organization.
Take the Next Step
Build on your graduate nursing education and prepare for advanced practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Explore the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Hybrid Advanced Certificate Program – Family Nurse Practitioner and take the next step in your nursing career.