Family Nurse Practitioner

The Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP) program at Keiser University emphasizes the acquisition of advanced practice nursing knowledge and advanced practice clinical skills, using a family-oriented approach. The curriculum focuses on health promotion, injury and illness prevention and management of acute and chronic illnesses, across the lifespan. Due to the intensity of this program, students are expected to be highly motivated, self-directed learners who can grasp a large amount of complex material. Students will spend a significant amount of time studying and in clinical practice experiences. Graduates are required to take the Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Examination in order to be licensed and to work as a Family Nurse Practitioner. This program is aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) guidelines as prescribed in the Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing (AACN, 2026) and with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Population Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies (NONPF, 2024).

Program Mission

The College of Nursing at Keiser University utilizes a “student first” philosophy to increase access to nursing education for a varied student body at the undergraduate and graduate level and prepares students to provide holistic nursing care to improve individual, community, and global health outcomes.

Program Goals

1. Critical thinkers who creatively engage in rational inquiry using nursing processes and current research to improve healthcare outcomes.
2. Caring culturally responsive communicators capable of effectively leading interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
3. Nursing professionals dedicated towards advancing a culture of professional excellence and achievement through lifelong learning.
4. Nursing leaders prepared to assume leadership roles in health care systems.
5. Ethically responsive nursing leaders who advocate to influence policy decisions to improve health care that is effective, timely, efficient, and equitable for all members of society.
6. Effective collaborators of healthcare committed to improving best practices in health promotion, disease prevention, quality, safety and equality.
7. Professional written communicators through organizing, thinking critically, and communicating ideas and information in documents and presentations.

Applicants desiring to enter Keiser University must submit an application to the Admissions Office well in advance of the start date. This permits proper scheduling and ensures availability of classroom space. Applications for Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall semesters should be made as early as possible, as these entry dates are normally the time of greatest enrollment.

Credit for courses or degrees completed at another institution is subject to approval by the Dean of Academic Affairs. These courses or degrees must be similar in content and duration to those offered in the program for which an applicant has applied. The Dean of Academic Affairs makes the final decision of accepted transfer credits from the received transcript. However, only courses listed on official transcripts receive permanent official transfer credit. To grant such credit, Keiser University must receive official transcript directly from the previous institution by the end of a student’s first semester. Keiser University requires that, at a minimum, a student complete at least one third of the credit hours required for any graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree through instruction offered by Keiser University. Active duty, reservists, and National Guard service members who are students can complete at a minimum one third of a program at any time through the University. Transfer students are informed in writing of any credits accepted as transferable. Preliminary notification is presented, in most cases, prior to enrollment but in no case later than the end of a transfer student's first semester. Students are responsible for having official transcripts sent to Keiser University from all former institution(s). It may be necessary for students to forfeit some previously earned credit in the transfer process since college philosophies, objectives and programs may vary and change from year to year. Keiser University does not make any blanket assurances or guarantees regarding the acceptance or transferability of credits from other institutions. Each credit evaluation is conducted on a caseby-case basis in accordance with university policy.

Keiser University may accept transfer credits from a college or university recognized by the by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Coursework must be equivalent in content, level, and credit hours to the corresponding Keiser University course/s.

Qualified, accepted master’s degree seeking students may transfer a maximum of 12 graduate level credits, but no more than two-thirds of the total credit hours (whichever is less), required for the program unless otherwise specified by a programmatic accreditor.

Acceptable courses will be equivalent to a B grade or higher unless otherwise specified by programmatic requirements. Courses represented with a Pass or Satisfactory grade may be transferable at the discretion of the program chair and/or appropriate program Dean.

Transfer of graduate credits will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Keiser University publishes this program as 49.0 graduate semester credit hours, approximately 28 months in length (this will vary if a student transfers in credits).

Keiser University’s Graduate School Academic Calendar runs three semesters a year, beginning in January, May and August, and each semester is made up of two eight-week terms — six start dates a year.

Keiser University charges tuition and education fees per semester, based on scheduled credit hours. Each semester is 16 weeks. The rates below are the university’s published Tuition and Fee Disclosure for the Graduate School, effective Fall Semester 2026, and are subject to annual review.

This program is charged at the rate for Master of Science in Nursing specialty programs.

An education fee of $750.00 per semester is charged for all graduate-level programs. One-time charges on enrolment are an application fee of $55.00 and a registration fee of $145.00.

A one-time residency fee of $1,000.00 applies to this program.

Graduates of Keiser University’s MSN FNP program earn an advanced practice registered nurse designation and step into high-demand roles across primary care settings. Nurse practitioners serve as primary care providers in a wide range of environments, including primary care clinics, urgent care clinics, community health centers, and family practice offices. According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners rank among the fastest-growing occupations in the country. This FNP degree supports licensed registered nurses seeking to expand their scope of practice, prescribe medications, create treatment plans, and deliver comprehensive care to patients across the lifespan.

Career Pathways in Family Nursing

• Family nurse practitioner
• Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
• Advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP)
• Primary care provider
• Nurse practitioner in urgent care clinics
• Nurse practitioner in community health centers
• Nurse practitioner in women’s health
• Acute care nurse practitioner
• Nursing supervisor
• Nurse administrator
• Nursing instructor
• Pediatric primary care nurse practitioner

Keiser University’s MSN FNP program serves registered nurses ready to advance their clinical careers through an accredited online family nurse practitioner degree. With flexible online delivery, experienced nursing faculty, and a curriculum grounded in advanced practice nursing, the program builds the clinical hours, clinical training, and certification readiness students need to become a family nurse practitioner. Whether the goal involves working in primary care, community health centers, or urgent care clinics, Keiser provides the MSN program structure and support to help students earn their FNP degree and move forward with confidence.