Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Online Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Delaware offers a program that prepares baccalaureate-prepared nurses for advanced practice roles in today’s complex healthcare systems.

As part of a cutting-edge University, the School of Nursing provides a diverse, energetic, and collegial environment for participating in world-class interprofessional education, scientific inquiry and practice opportunities.

UDs highly sought-after faculty prepare the MSN student to provide and manage care for patients — individually and in groups — with an emphasis on understanding the clinical progression of patients, care transitions and processes, and evidence-based practice.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in nursing who want to become a nurse practitioner may choose one of the following advanced practice tracks:

  • Nursing Education
  • Family/Individual Across the Lifespan (FNP) 
  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
  • Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
  • Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The University of Delaware is required to comply with state and federal laws regarding the delivery of distance education.  Please see the University’s State Authorization page for more information.

Students will be admitted to the program based on enrollment availability and their ability to meet the following minimum recommended admission requirements:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree awarded by an accredited college or university.
  • RN Licensure in the United States
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended.
  • An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Official results from the TOEFL or IELTS exam taken within the last 2 years (for non-native English speaking applicants only). Applicants must meet minimum requirements for graduate students of the University of Delaware.

We recognize that registered nurses have busy schedules, so our MSN program can be completed on your own time while working full time. The program is flexible to your schedule and can be completed in 3 years while you work full-time.

MSN Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners provide primary care to individuals, families, and communities.

Credit Hours: 45

Practicum Hours: 748

 

Curriculum

Course Credits
NURS621 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS622 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS667 Seminar: Concepts for Advanced Healthcare Delivery 3
NURS691 Primary Care I 4
NURS620 Advanced Health Assessment 3
NURS628 Nursing Research 3
NURS630 Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning 2
NURS693 Primary Care II 4
NURS692 Primary Care NP Practicum I (204 hrs) 3
NURS618 The Role of the Nurse Practitioner 2
NURS694 Primary Care Practicum II (204 hrs) 3
NURS695 Primary Care of Frail/Older Adults 3
NURS678 Primary Care of Women 3
NURS699 Primary NP Practicum: Frail and Older Adults (68 hrs) 1
NURS698 Primary NP Practicum: Women’s Health (68 hrs) 1
NURS667 Seminar: Financial Management for Healthcare Practitioners 2
NURS921 Clinical Role Immersion (204 hrs) 3
Total Program Credits 48

MSN Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNP)

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners are prepared to diagnose and treat patients with acute or critical issues or acute exacerbations of chronic health conditions.

Credit Hours: 42

Practicum Hours: 816

 

Curriculum

Course Credits
NURS621 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS622 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS667 Seminar: Concepts for Advanced Healthcare Delivery 3
NURS641 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I 3
NURS620 Advanced Health Assessment 3
NURS630 Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning 2
NURS642 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II 3
NURS644 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum I (204 hrs) 3
NURS618 The Role of the Nurse Practitioner 2
NURS645 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (204 hrs) 3
NURS643 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III 3
NURS628 Nursing Research 3
NURS646 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum III (204 hrs) 3
NURS667 Seminar: Financial Management for Healthcare Practitioners 2
NURS921 Clinical Role Immersion (204 hrs) 3
Total Program Credits 42

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Family Nurse Practitioners provide primary care to individuals, families, and communities.

Credit Hours: 48

Practicum Hours: 816

 

Curriculum

Course Credits
NURS621 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS622 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS667 Seminar: Concepts for Advanced Healthcare Delivery 3
NURS691 Primary Care I 4
NURS620 Advanced Health Assessment 3
NURS628 Nursing Research 3
NURS630 Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning 2
NURS693 Primary Care II 4
NURS692 Primary Care NP Practicum I (204 hrs) 3
NURS618 The Role of the Nurse Practitioner 2
NURS694 Primary Care Practicum II (204 hrs) 3
NURS695 Primary Care of Frail/Older Adults 3
NURS678 Primary Care of Women 3
NURS679 Primary Care of Children 3
NURS699 Primary NP Practicum: Frail and Older Adults (68 hrs) 1
NURS698 Primary NP Practicum: Women’s Health (68 hrs) 1
NURS697 Primary NP Practicum: Pediatrics (68 hrs) 1
NURS667 Seminar: Financial Management for Healthcare Practitioners 2
NURS921 Clinical Role Immersion (204 hrs) 3
Total Program Credits 48

MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners provide care to children from birth through young adult (up to 21) with an in depth knowledge and experience in pediatric primary healthcare including well child care and prevention/management of common pediatric acute illnesses and chronic conditions.

Credit Hours: 44

Practicum Hours: 816

 

Curriculum

Course Credits
NURS621 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS622 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS667 Seminar: Concepts for Advanced Healthcare Delivery 3
NURS650 Advanced Concepts of Pediatric Development 2
NURS620 Advanced Health Assessment 3
NURS630 Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning 2
NURS651 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner I 3
NURS654 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practicum I (204 hrs) 3
NURS618 The Role of the Nurse Practitioner 2
NURS652 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner II 3
NURS655 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (204 hrs) 3
NURS628 Nursing Research 3
NURS653 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner III 3
NURS656 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practicum III (204 hrs) 3
NURS667 Seminar: Financial Management for Healthcare Practitioners 2
NURS921 Clinical Role Immersion (204 hrs) 3
Total Program Credits 44

MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are prepared to tackle the latest clinical challenges in the field and to provide leadership in integrated healthcare delivery models and interdisciplinary collaboration by combining cutting-edge neuroscience, evidence-based practice, classical theoretical underpinnings, and innovative modalities; our practitioners are dually prepared to provide both psychotherapy and medication management.

Credit Hours: 45

Practicum Hours: 816

 

Curriculum

Course Credits
NURS621 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS622 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS667 Seminar: Concepts for Advanced Healthcare Delivery 3
NURS668 Advanced Clinical Neuroscience for the Nurse Practitioner 3
NURS620 Advanced Health Assessment 3
NURS669 Advanced Psychopharmacology 3
NURS630 Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning 2
NURS671 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I 3
NURS674 Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum I (204 hrs) 3
NURS618 The Role of the Nurse Practitioner 2
NURS675 Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum II (204 hrs) 3
NURS672 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing II 3
NURS628 Nursing Research 3
NURS673 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing III 3
NURS676 Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum III (204 hrs) 3
NURS667 Seminar: Financial Management for Healthcare Practitioners 2
NURS921 Clinical Role Immersion (204 hrs) 3
Total Program Credits 45

MSN Nursing Education

Nurse educators exhibit outstanding leadership in nursing education, scholarly inquiry and healthcare innovation to improve regional, national and global health and healthcare delivery.

Credit Hours: 30

Practicum Hours: 500

 

Curriculum

 

Course Credits
NURS621 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS622 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS604 Teaching Strategies and Design Models 3
NURS609 Curriculum Design in Nursing Education 3
NURS620 Advanced Health Assessment 3
NURS628 Nursing Research 3
NURS603 Role of the Nurse Educator 3
NURS610 Outcomes & Evaluation in Nursing Education 3
NURS690 Teaching Practicum in Nursing Education 3
Total Program Credits 30

UD Tuition

The 2024-2025 UD graduate student tuition rate per credit hour is $1,406.

Tuition Credit

Due to a College of Health Sciences Dean’s Scholarship, the student tuition rate is lower than the published UD graduate tuition rate. The final student tuition rate for the MSN program is $848/credit. Please contact the department for more information. 

At a Glance

Advance your career with a nursing education focused on an understanding of the clinical progression of patients, care transitions and processes, and evidence-based practices.

Degree

Master's

Location

Online

Credit Hours

30 - 48

Tuition Rates

$848/credit with Dean's Scholarship, which benefits all students

Time to Finish

3-years, part-time

Application Deadline

July 15

Practice Tracks

  • Nursing Education
  • Family/Individual Across the Lifespan
  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

ACCREDITATION & RECOGNITION

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Delaware are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

University of Delaware School of Nursing, a member of the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence

NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education Logo