Close Close

Nurse Practitioner Programs (MSN)

Advance your nursing career, boost your earning potential, and make a meaningful difference in your community.

Jump To

MSN Program Overview

There’s an unprecedented demand for nurse practitioners. Also known as advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), these skilled healthcare professionals provide an array of primary and specialty care services throughout the lifespan. 

If you’re a BSN and looking to advance your career, becoming a nurse practitioner is an ideal next step. Monmouth University’s online asynchronous Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program allows you to take classes while continuing to work full-time.

The Monmouth MSN – Nurse Practitioner Program gives you an option to choose a concentration that aligns with your professional interests. 

Family Nurse Practitioner Track

This 43-credit MSN track focuses on the care of a patient population throughout the lifespan, from newborn to older adult in the primary care setting.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Track

This 39-credit MSN track focuses on providing care to adults and older adults, including physiological changes and needs in the primary care setting.

Post-Master’s Nursing Certificate Programs

If you already have an MSN degree and are a licensed RN in New Jersey or hold a multi-state compact license, you can expand your scope of practice by pursuing a graduate certificate in either of these two areas:

Career Outcomes: Master of Science in Nursing Jobs

With an MSN degree, you’ll have plenty of opportunities. U.S. News & World Report ranks nurse practitioner #1 on its 100 Best Jobs in America list for 2025. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the profession as the No. 3 fastest-growing occupation in the nation. You can find jobs with an MSN in a variety of settings, such as: 

  • Primary Care Practices
  • Urgent Care Facilities
  • Outpatient Clinics
  • Community Health Centers
  • Educational Health Care Centers

In addition to serving as a practitioner, an MSN also affords you leadership opportunities within healthcare organizations.

Degree Requirements

Here’s an overview of the curriculum requirements for our MSN program. 

MSN Curriculum Requirements

Your MSN degree requirements include graduate nursing core classes, track requirements, and clinical experience. Graduate APN concentration classes must be completed prior to progressing to the track specialty courses.

Graduate Nursing Core

Whichever concentration you choose, you’ll take core courses such as:

  • Factors Affecting Healthcare
  • Nursing Research for Advanced Nursing Practice
  • Data Management for Advanced Nursing Practice
  • Education and Motivation of Nursing Clients

APN Concentration

  • Pathophysiology and Histology
  • Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice
  • Advanced Health and Physical Assessment

Track Specialty Requirements

Learn more about the clinical specialty course requirements for each nurse practitioner program at these catalog links:

MSN Admission Requirements & Application Overview

Here’s an overview of the admissions process for our MSN nurse practitioner programs:

MSN Admissions Requirements & Application Process

Please Note: For all MSN programs and certificates, applicants must reside in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or New York, as all practicum experiences must be completed in New Jersey. 

To be considered for admission:

  • Have bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) from an accredited program with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
  • Hold a current New Jersey RN license or a multi-state compact license
  • Be currently employed as a registered nurse

Your application must also include: 

  • Resume
  • Personal statement (one page, double-spaced) outline professional goals

Post-admission requirements:

  • Prior to starting the practicum courses, students must submit a certificate of good health from a primary care practitioner, including a health history and physical examination with associated laboratory studies, immunizations, and criminal background checks in accordance with the special requirements of affiliation contracts with clinical agencies.
Graduate Certificate Admissions Requirements & Application Process

Our department also offers post-master’s graduate certificates. Admissions criteria for those are as follows:

To apply, candidates must:

  • Have a master’s degree in nursing
  • Hold a current New Jersey RN license or a multi-state compact license
  • Be currently employed as a registered nurse

Your application must also include: 

  • Resume
  • Personal statement (one page, double-spaced) outlining professional goals

*Students may transfer in a maximum of 12 credits of graduate course work in Pathophysiology and Histology, Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice, and/or Advanced Health and Physical Assessment provided that the course work are five years old or less.

Accreditation

CCNE Accredited

A CCNE-Accredited MSN Program

Monmouth University’s bachelor’s degree in nursing, graduate nurse practitioner programs, and post-graduate APRN certificates are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 

#1

Best Job in America

Enter a high-demand profession. Nurse practitioner tops the U.S. News & World Report 100 Best Jobs in America list for 2025.

Career-Focused Tracks

Choose a specialty area that aligns with your interests, such as adult-gerontology primary care or family nurse practitioner.

500+ Clinical Partners

Get hands-on experience at a practicum/externship site in New Jersey. You’ll also get personalized assistance from our dedicated placement coordinator and experienced faculty.

Shot of a garden with a large fountain in the middle, red pedals and green leaves abounding

More Affordable

Learn more about tuition and financial aid options for graduate students. 

Student Involvement

Nursing students of all levels at Monmouth University can get involved in several academic and professional organizations. 

Students smiling, wearing medical gloves and working on project

Nurse Practitioner Program Faculty

Faculty and staff members in the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies are expert educators, practitioners, and administrators. 

Photo of Rose Knapp

Program Director

Associate Professor (Graduate Faculty);
MSN Program Director and NP Track Coordinator;
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

732-923-4671

Photo of Colleen Manzetti, DNP, RN, CNE, CNLCP

Program Chair

Associate Professor;
Acting Assistant Dean for Nursing Accreditation;
Chair, Nursing Department;
Chief Nurse Administrator;
Program Director, Nurse Faculty Loan Program

732-923-4550

Photo of Polina Amburg

Polina Amburg, Ph.D., RN, M.S.

Assistant Professor

Headshot of Cheryl Leiningen

Cheryl Leiningen, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC

Associate Professor;
Graduate Faculty;
MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator;
Scholar, Edmond J. Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty Program at the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

Photo of Erica Sciarra

Erica Sciarra, Ph.D., DNP, APN, A-GNP-C, CNE

Assistant Professor ;
Coordinator of the Nurse Educator Program (MSN & DNP Electives);
Program Director, Nurse Faculty Loan Program

Photo of Kathryn Vieira

Kathryn Vieira

Specialist Professor