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Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner

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Overview

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Already have your MSN degree? Take your career to new heights with Xavier's Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner.

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As a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), you are the first line of defense in healthcare. Xavier University’s Online Post-Master’s FNP Certificate gives you the clinical mastery and leadership skills to manage acute and chronic illness, promote wellness, and lead interprofessional teams in a primary care setting.
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Calendar

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Application Deadline
Fall 2026
7/1/2026
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Why Choose Xavier Online?

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At Xavier, we don’t just teach nursing; we cultivate leaders. Our program is one of only 17 in the U.S. endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation.

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A Holistic Edge
Integrate medical management with a deep understanding of recovery-oriented, culturally sensitive care.
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Jesuit Values
Experience an education rooted in Cura Personalis (care for the whole person) and a commitment to changing the world for the better.
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Small Classes, Big Impact
Benefit from personalized attention from faculty who are active practitioners in the field.
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What Makes Xavier Different
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Curriculum

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Our 20-credit hour Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed to fit the schedule of a working RN while ensuring you meet the highest clinical standards.

The "3 Ps" Review: We conduct a gap analysis of your previous transcript to see if you meet the requirements for Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology.

Per Ohio law, Advanced Pharmacology must have been completed within the last 5 years unless you are an actively practicing NP.
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Nurse Practitioner Core Courses

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NURS 658: Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
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This course assumes basic knowledge of pharmacology and focuses on advanced pharmacology and the role of the clinical nurse leader in pharmacotherapeutics. Advanced clinical application of drug therapy and concepts relating to the mechanisms of drug actions, interactions, and adverse reactions, including immunologic-idiosyncratic-allergic drug responses will be explored. Emphasis is on pharmacotherapeutics and cultural/ethnic considerations. Current pharmacologic research is also incorporated in the course.
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NURS 680: Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
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Emphasis is on pathophysiology as it relates to adverse effects and illnesses in persons having acute, chronic and long-term health care problems. Knowledge of pathophysiology is used to predict illness progression and response to therapy, which is used to guide and teach patients and families regarding care.
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NURS 756: Advanced Physical Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
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This course prepares nurses to conduct and communicate accurately comprehensive holistic, health assessments for clients and families across the lifespan. The students will learn how to perform, organize, analyze and document complete physical, psycho-social assessments. As part of health assessment, the student will identify pertinent health and potential health issues including the cultural, occupational, and environmental factors integral to those issues. The student will define appropriate health preventive and maintenance strategies to address common and complex health care concerns within an evidence-based practice framework. In addition to didactic and online discussions, students will practice advanced physical assessment skills in simulation laboratories and clinical settings under the guidance of preceptors.
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NURS 760: Differential Diagnosis and Medical Decision Making (2 credits)
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This course is designed to equip Nurse Practitioner (NP) students with the critical thinking skills and clinical reasoning needed to accurately diagnose and manage a wide range of medical conditions across the lifespan. Emphasizing the process of differential diagnosis, students will learn to systematically evaluate patient symptoms, medical histories, physical exam findings, and diagnostic test results to rule in or rule out potential diagnoses. Through case studies, clinical scenarios, and evidence-based strategies, students will develop the ability to formulate a comprehensive differential diagnosis and determine appropriate interventions. Key topics include understanding common and complex medical conditions, prioritizing differential diagnoses, integrating diagnostic data, and recognizing red flags that require immediate attention. The course will also emphasize the importance of collaboration with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and effective communication with patients regarding the diagnostic process.

Note: NURS 760 will be required for students enrolling FA26 and after.

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FNP Core Courses

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NURS 770: Primary Care FNP Role (3 credits)
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This course is foundational to the Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum. Within this course the student will utilize family and holistic theories needed to provide family-centered nursing care to families across the life span. This course will prepare the student to assist the family in improving or maintaining health for all members in diverse populations. Other key principles to be examined are the impact of acute/chronic or common illnesses on the family and methodologies used to promote self-care within families, particularly with family members with disabilities. Students will be prepared to provide holistic care to families experiencing transition across the lifespan. The impact of professional organizations, key leadership and management principles will be examined in relation to the care provided within a complex global healthcare area. Students must be admitted to the FNP track in order to enroll in this course.
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NURS 771: Woman’s Health & Family Care Practicum – (1 credit*) ~150 clinical hours
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The purpose of this course is to provide the Family Nurse Practitioner student the opportunity to apply concepts of holistic family-centered, community-based care to families including a focus on the specific periods of transition during the childbearing years. Students will engage in comprehensive assessment, development of differential diagnosis, .and management of common health variations including appropriate prescription medications. Students will employ current evidence-based practice strategies to provide safe, holistic, patient-centered care. Students will work collaboratively with other inter-professional healthcare providers to provide family-centered primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention to childbearing families across the lifespan. Students will apply the components of artistic nursing practice to childbearing families within an Ignatian and holistic worldview.
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NURS 772: Woman’s Health & Family Care (3 credits)
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The purpose of this course is to prepare the Family Nurse Practitioner student to provide holistic family-centered, community-based care to families including a focus on the specific periods of transition during the childbearing years. Key psychosocial influences will be examined related to care provided for women and men in the context of reproductive health, a complex healthcare system, and the wider global community. Focused areas of study will include relevant reproductive physiology, advanced physical assessment, the range of concerns specific to women’s health including the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics that can affect pregnant, lactating women and their infants. Students will engage in comprehensive assessment, development of differential diagnosis and management of common health variations, including appropriate prescription medications. The course will prepare the student to work collaboratively with other interprofessional healthcare providers to provide family-centered primary, secondary and tertiary prevention to childbearing families across the lifespan. Students will explore the components of an artistic nursing practice to the family throughout their childbearing years while considering an Ignatian and holistic worldview.
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NURS 773: Pediatric and Adolescent Family Care Practicum (1 credit*) ~150 clinical hours
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The purpose of this course is to prepare the Family Nurse Practitioner student to apply concepts of holistic family-centered, community-based care to families with infants, children, and adolescents. Students will engage in comprehensive assessment, development of differential diagnosis, and management of common health variations including the prescription of appropriate medications. Students will work collaboratively with other inter-professional healthcare providers to provide family-centered primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention to infants, children, adolescents, and their families. Focused areas of study will include relevant pediatric pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, the range of health concerns specific to newborns, infants, children, and adolescents including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Students will apply the components of an artistic nursing practice to infants, children, adolescents and their families within an Ignatian and holistic worldview.
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NURS 774: Pediatric and Adolescent Family Care (3 credits)
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The purpose of this course is to prepare the Family Nurse Practitioner student to provide holistic family-centered, community-based care to families with infants, children, and adolescents. Key psychological influences will be examined related to care provided for child-rearing families in the context of a complex healthcare system, and the wider global community. Focused areas of study will include relevant pediatric pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, the range of health concerns specific to newborns, infants, children, and adolescents including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Students will engage in comprehensive assessment, development of differential diagnosis, and management of common health variations, including appropriate prescription medications. The course will prepare the student to work collaboratively with other inter-professional healthcare providers to provide family-centered primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention to child-rearing families across the lifespan. Students will explore the components of an artistic nursing practice to infants, children, adolescents and the family while considering an Ignatian and holistic worldview.
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NURS 775: Adult and Geriatric Family Care Practicum (1 credit*) ~150 clinical hours
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The purpose of this course is to prepare the Family Nurse Practitioner student to provide holistic family-centered, community-based care experiencing acute and chronic health problems common to adult and geriatric patients. Students will engage in comprehensive assessment, development of differential diagnosis, and management of common health variations including appropriate prescription medications. Students will employ current evidence-based practice strategies to provide safe, holistic, and cost-effective care to the adult and geriatric patient in a variety of healthcare settings. Students will work inter-professionally to provide family-centered care including primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Students will apply the components of artistic nursing practice to adult and geriatric clients and their families within an Ignatian and holistic worldview.
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NURS 776: Adult and Geriatric Family Care (3 credits)
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This course is designed to prepare the Family Nurse Practitioner with a theoretical and practice foundation of acute and chronic health care problems common to adult and geriatric patients. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and interprofessional management strategies. Students use evidence-based care and clinical guidelines to provide safe, holistic and cost-effective care to the adult and geriatric patient in a variety of healthcare settings.
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NURS 787: FNP in Practice Practicum (1 credit*) ~150 clinical hours
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The purpose of this course is to provide a practicum experience for the FNP student, building upon the student’s proficiency in comprehensive health assessment across the lifespan within the context of family, community, and culture. Using an evidence-based practice framework, the student will apply health promotion, disease prevention, and screening recommendations to assess, diagnose, and manage the most common acute and chronic conditions seen in primary care. Students will utilize advanced pathophysiology, pharmacologic interventions, and advanced assessment skills while taking a holistic approach in diagnosis and developing treatment plans for individuals and families according to current scare standards in various settings.
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*Indicates the number of didactic credit hours to practicum credit hour. Each practicum credit hour is 8 clinical contact hours: 1:8. The total number of practicum hours required for the FNP is 600.

Pre/Co-requisites: NURS 770 is pre/co-req for NURS 775/776 and is a pre-req for NURS 773/774 and NURS 771/772.

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Admission

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Xavier accepts applications to our certificate programs on a rolling basis. Once admitted into the program, you may start online classes in the fall or spring semesters.

Application Deadline: July 1, 2026
Start: Fall 2026

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Admission Requirements
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To receive acceptance into the online Post-Master’s Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner program, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a registered nurse with an unencumbered United States RN license in the state where practicum experiences are to be completed. A minimum of 1 year of nursing experience is required, a strong candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience.
  • Hold an MSN and be a graduate of an accredited college or university’s nursing program (the College of Nursing will verify accreditation to ensure it meets requirements). Transfer credits are accepted only from regionally accredited institutions.
  • An undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better is required for admission.
  • A strong applicant will have a 3.0 GPA.
    • GPA Requirements:
      • 3.0 out of 4.0 in the last two years of undergraduate matriculation; or,
      • 2.7 cumulative GPA in undergraduate matriculation; or,
      • 2.5 cumulative in the last 2 years of undergraduate matriculation with 5 years of work experience in a nursing or related field.
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Application Materials
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  • Free Online Application
  • Official Transcript
    • One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
      • Xavier University
        ATTN: Admission Processing Center
        3800 Victory Parkway
        Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131
      • For electronic transcripts, send to:
        xuadmit@xavier.edu
  • Letters of Recommendation
    • Three letters of recommendation from professional references who are able to assess your potential for success in this program.
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State Authorization
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Due to state regulations regarding the delivery of distance education, as well as requirements of each individual state board of nursing, Xavier is not currently able to accept applications from all states into all of its online programs.

View the complete list of approved states on the State Authorization page.
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International Admission
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Xavier welcomes students from outside the United States to enroll in its online programs. However, some countries do not formally recognize foreign online degrees. This may have implications for enrolling in subsequent degree programs or for securing employment requiring these credentials. It is students’ responsibility to determine whether the online degree will be recognized in their country of residence or in any country in which they plan to work.

Additionally, students should inquire in their country of residence how the collection of student data may be used and whether they will be subject to additional withholding taxes in addition to the cost of tuition.

  • All international students are strongly encouraged to submit an official third-party course-by-course evaluation of their high school and/or college transcripts from an international credential evaluation service accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
  • International students must pass either the TOEFL or IELTS exam if English is your second language.
  • International students may have additional application requirements. Find more information on the International Admission page.

Note: International students in the U.S. cannot enroll in an online degree program to fulfill the legal requirement for an F-1 or J-1 visa.

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Tuition and Fees

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Get More from Your Graduate Education with Xavier

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At Xavier, we understand that no two graduate programs and no two students are alike. Therefore, we structure every online degree and certificate program to address the unique needs of individual students and have created unique fee structures for each program as well.
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Tuition

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MSN: $739
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Fees

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  • Liability Insurance (per semester with practicum): $18
  • Student ID Fee: $15
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking full-time: $15 (per semester)
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking part-time: $10 (per semester)

Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 7 semesters.

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The amounts listed are for the 2026-2027 academic year, and include classes from Fall 2026 through Summer 2027. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated. For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.

Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.

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