Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program Guide

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Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program Guide

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

Hawai‘i Pacific University’s online MSN program is an educational experience unlike any other, offering a unique blend of comprehensive academics, cultural diversity, and traditional island values designed to provide more than a nursing education. We’ll teach you kàkou, the language of working together, of inclusiveness, and the idea that WE ARE ONE.

Start your journey

Start Dates:
3 starts per year (fall, spring, and summer)

Application Deadline:
Summer
April 21, 2025

Upcoming Start Date:
Summer
May 5, 2025

Call: 866-525-2280

Schedule an appointment with an advisor

At a Glance


100% online coursework with mobile-friendly delivery


Choose from 3 concentrations and prepare for national NP licensure


Dedicated student support from first contact through graduation


Earn your MSN-NP in as few as 28 months


Small classes with faculty who care about your success and well-being


Transfer up to 12 credits

Choose from three in-demand concentrations:

Family Nurse Practitioner

Designed for nurses interested in providing advanced care and a wide range of mental health services to patients of all ages.

43 credits | 504 clinical hours | $47,925 total tuition

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Designed for nurses seeking an advanced practice role caring for adult/elderly patients with acute, chronic illness.

48 credits | 630 clinical hours | $51,120 total tuition

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Designed for nurses who want to provide primary care services to patients across the lifespan.

46 credits | 630 clinical hours | $48,990 total tuition

Curriculum

HPU is different. Here, you learn from professors who are at the top of their field — not only in academics but in applied and industry knowledge. With this type of education, you don’t just learn from lectures and textbooks. HPU courses are hands-on, interactive, and taught by faculty who excel as both educators and practitioners. Our advanced nursing coursework is designed to help you pass national nurse practitioner certification exams on the first try. Whatever your goals, you can feel confident that you’re learning from a dedicated faculty and robust, accredited curriculum. Courses in HPU’s online MSN program are built around the nationally recognized MSN Essentials set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

(45 total credits)

Core Courses

18 credits

NUR 6000

Introduction to Advanced Practice Roles

3 Credits

NUR 6010

Advanced Pathophysiology

3 Credits

NUR 6020

Advanced Nursing Research

3 Credits

NUR 6025

Advanced Pharmacology

3 Credits

NUR 6030

Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning

3 Credits

NUR 8050

Development and Implementation of Health Care Policy

3 Credits

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER (FNP) PROGRAM CURRICULUM

27 credits

NUR 6960

Advanced Theory: Primary Care of Children

3 Credits

NUR 6961

Practicum I

3 Credits

NUR 6962

Advanced Theory: Primary Care of Women

3 Credits

NUR 6963

Practicum II

3 Credits

NUR 6964

Episodic Conditions in Primary Care

3 Credits

NUR 6965

Practicum III

3 Credits

NUR 6966

Chronic Conditions in Primary Care

3 Credits

NUR 6967

Practicum IV

3 Credits

NUR 7000

Project Proposal Paper

3 Credits

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

(48 total credits)

Core Courses

18 credits

NUR 6000

Introduction to Advanced Practice Roles

3 Credits

NUR 6010

Advanced Pathophysiology

3 Credits

NUR 6020

Advanced Nursing Research

3 Credits

NUR 6025

Advanced Pharmacology

3 Credits

NUR 6030

Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning

3 Credits

NUR 8050

Development and Implementation of Health Care Policy

3 Credits

PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER (PMHNP) PROGRAM CURRICULUM

30 credits

NUR 6970

Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I 

3 Credits

NUR 6026

Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan

3 Credits

NUR 6975

Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing III Practicum

5 Credits

NUR 7000

Project Proposal Paper

3 Credits

NUR 6974

Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing III

3 Credits

NUR 6973

Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing II Practicum

5 Credits

NUR 6972

Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing II 

3 Credits

NUR 6971

Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I Practicum

5 Credits

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

(46 total credits)

Core Courses

18 credits

NUR 6000

Introduction to Advanced Practice Roles

3 Credits

NUR 6010

Advanced Pathophysiology

3 Credits

NUR 6020

Advanced Nursing Research

3 Credits

NUR 6025

Advanced Pharmacology

3 Credits

NUR 6030

Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning

3 Credits

NUR 8050

Development and Implementation of Health Care Policy

3 Credits

ADULT-GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER (AGACNP) PROGRAM CURRICULUM

28 credits

NUR 6980

Fundamentals of Acute Care I

3 Credits

NUR 6982

Advanced Clinical Decision Making

3 Credits

NUR 6983

Fundamentals of Acute Care II

3 Credits

NUR 6984

AGACNP Practicum I

3 Credits

NUR 6985

Fundamentals of Acute Care III

1 Credit

NUR 6986

AGACNP Practicum II

6 Credits

NUR 6987

AGACNP Practicum III

6 Credits

NUR 7000

Project Proposal Paper

3 Credits

Admission Requirements

 

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited university
  • 3.0 GPA from undergraduate degree
  • U.S. unencumbered state RN license
  • Undergraduate Statistics course is required
  • Have at least one year of professional nursing experience for FNP and PMHNP or 2 years for AGACNP

You must also include the following with your completed application:

  • Application fee
  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • Letters of recommendation must be submitted by individuals who can speak to your ability to perform graduate-level work (e.g., former professors, academic counselors, employers, business colleagues).
  • CV or resume
  • Statement of purpose: Why do you want to attend Hawai‘i Pacific University to earn your MSN? Describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss how your unique background would contribute to the diversity of HPU’s graduate program.

Accreditations

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

AACN

Member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)

NONPF

Member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education logo

WASC

Accredited by the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC/WSCUC)

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

NC-SARA

Participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) to offer distance education in member states

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education logo

CCNE

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

Ready to get started?

Call 866-525-2280 or schedule an appointment with an advisor to learn more about Hawai‘i Pacific University’s online MSN program.