Online FNP Program (DNP) Compassionate Clinicians for the Family
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78
Credit Hours
Online* with required intensive
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Complete the Highest Level of Nursing Education with Liberty’s Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Liberty’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree is designed to help you pursue top-level roles as a nursing professional. This program provides advanced training in clinical care with an emphasis on family medicine. You can become better equipped to serve as a nurse practitioner (NP) in a variety of healthcare settings and offer family-focused care to many populations.
Learn how to synthesize academic knowledge with ethically sound nursing practices. At Liberty, you can receive a flexible, rigorous, high-quality education. We can help you lead with excellence and integrity in your industry.
Partner with us and learn how to provide the best possible care to your patients.
Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the postgraduate APRN certificate program at Liberty University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
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Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose Liberty University’s FNP Program?
We know that while searching for nurse practitioner programs online, you are searching for excellent credentials that can help you excel in your career. As a leader in online education, Liberty is dedicated to your success. We know that going back to school is a big decision.
Most of our FNP courses are offered online. That means you can complete your classes from the comfort of your home and easily access your books and materials whenever you need them. Our FNP program does have 1 required intensive that is offered on our residential campus in Lynchburg, Va. With flexibility like this, you can complete your degree when it’s most convenient for you. Most importantly, you can stay invested in the things that really matter — like your family, job, church, and community — while taking the next step in your academic journey.
In this online BSN to FNP program, you’ll study under nursing professionals with years of real-world experience. Our faculty will provide valuable instruction and guidance that can help strengthen your nursing expertise. For some of your courses, you will have weekly online meetings with your professors, allowing you to further benefit from their mentorship.
If you want to earn your nursing doctorate but don’t have a master’s degree, then Liberty University’s DNP program is for you! This degree is a BSN to NP online program. This means you can apply as long as you have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and at least 1 year of professional nursing experience prior to practicum enrollment. And, if you already have a master’s degree, this DNP also serves as an MSN to NP program online!
Liberty University’s online DNP program includes 1 residential intensive. During this intensive, you’ll have the opportunity to study at our beautiful campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, and gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art facilities. Additionally, you’ll get to connect in person with other nursing students and faculty and build your network!
What Will You Study in Our BSN to Nurse Practitioner Program?
This degree is broken down into 4 main parts: core nursing courses, advanced practice classes, project and practicum courses, and the FNP specialization. Throughout this program, you will explore the theoretical, clinical, and administrative aspects of nursing. You can develop the skills you need to pursue many career paths at the highest level of nursing practice.
Learn how to design and implement innovative solutions to healthcare challenges. Our core DNP classes provide a solid foundation in nursing research, evidence-based care, interprofessional collaboration, translational research, and clinical prevention. You can also learn how to address various ethical challenges that arise in the healthcare industry. That way, you can make medical decisions that are morally and scientifically sound.
Within the FNP concentration, you will study topics like family nursing, global health, women’s health, and children’s health. You’ll complete extensive DNP and FNP practicums, allowing you to gain hands-on clinical experience. Additionally, you’ll write and defend a scholarly project based on original research in the field.
At Liberty, we also have optional nurse educator electives. The Nurse Educator Elective Sequence was developed to include the National League of Nursing (NLN) core nurse educator curriculum requirements for Nurse Educators.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Clinical researcher
- Family nurse practitioner
- Healthcare manager
- Military nurse practitioner
- Nurse advocate
- Nursing administrator
Featured Courses
- NURS 716 – Applications of Evidence-Based Care
- NURS 733 – Women’s Health
- NURS 735 – Infants and Children’s Health
- NURS 737 – Family Nursing II: Chronic Health
Course guides available upon request
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Nursing.
- View the Graduate Nursing Course Guides (login required).
- This program contains a mix of online classes and 1 residential intensive. Some online courses have synchronous login times.
Additional Information
Disclosures
RN Licensure
Students must hold a current and active RN license within the United States.
Non-Discrimination Statement
View the School of Nursing Non-Discrimination Statement.
For advising, please contact dnp@liberty.edu.
Disclosure Statement
Enrollment in one of Liberty University’s licensure programs does not guarantee a degree from Liberty or qualification for licensure. Students are responsible for meeting all academic and professional requirements for graduation. Further information regarding these academic and professional requirements is outlined on this program page and on the full admission page linked on the Admission Requirements tab. Students enrolled in a licensure program are responsible for knowing the material outlined for their program. Further, it is the sole responsibility of the student, not the institution, to obtain information regarding prerequisites for licensure as outlined by their particular state Board of Nursing.
Licensure requirements for any state are subject to change without notice. Liberty University is not responsible for knowing when changes occur. Additionally, there might be other states with unique licensure requirements. Please reference our State Requirements for NP and APRN Licensure page and contact your State Board of Nursing for further information.
Liberty University Online State Approval Disclosure
Licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View the licensure/certification requirements for your state.
Practicum Sites
For additional questions related to practicums, please reach out to the School of Nursing at dnp@liberty.edu.
Degree Completion Plan
State Licensure Requirements
Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.
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Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Doctoral Full Time | $595/Credit |
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Doctoral Part Time | $650/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Online FNP School Program
Admission Requirements
At this time, our DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner degree is limited in certain states. Please view the licensure/certification requirements for your state. International students can contact the School of Nursing for questions about admission to their specific degree of interest.
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). Transcripts must show all post-secondary schools, and must show a regionally or nationally accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). This bachelor’s or master’s degree must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and be accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Admission to this program requires the following additional items to be submitted:
- Current and active RN license issued in an approved state. (If a past sanction or disciplinary action exists on a professional license, the applicant may be contacted by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee for further explanation.)
- Documentation of Active APRN license and Active National Certification for Nurse Practitioner (if applicable). Note: APRN licensure is not required for the DNP-FNP program, however, if an applicant is currently licensed in another advanced practice nursing specialty (i.e., Clinical Nurse Specialist), applicants must submit an APRN license and certification.
- Clinical Education Prerequisites: Must have bachelor’s-level courses in statistics, research methods, and health assessment.
- Curriculum Vitae and consent to contact recent employers to verify 1 year of professional nursing experience. This form is part of the CV template.
- American Heart Association BLS CPR Card for Healthcare Providers with AED.
- 1 Academic, 1 Professional, and 1 Personal Reference: Your references should be able to speak to your work ethic and academic abilities; this contact should also be able to be reached via phone or email.
- Writing Sample
- Answer the following prompts using APA rules of grammar. First person is permitted; APA formatting (i.e. title page, headers) is not needed. Return completed writing sample to luoverify@liberty.edu.
- Part I: In 1,000 words or fewer, please describe your professional nursing career. In addition, please include how you incorporate your worldview in your current profession.
- Part II: Please describe your vision for your scholarly project and post-doctoral practice in 1,000 words or fewer.
- Please also provide the following:
- Name of present or most recent employment and position
- Length of Employment (Indicate in MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY. If still employed, write ‘current’ as the end date)
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Students must have bachelor’s-level courses in statistics, research, and health assessment. A graduate-level biostatistics course is also required as a prerequisite to NURS 832, but this course may be completed after acceptance into the program.
For advising, please contact dnp@liberty.edu.
Supplemental Acceptance Steps
After reviewing applications, the School of Nursing will contact selected applicants for an interview. Please note that not all applicants will be requested to interview with the School of Nursing. Interviews can be conducted remotely, as needed. If an acceptance offer is extended to an applicant, there will be additional application steps needed before attending courses.
Included in these steps is the purchase of a standardized background check and submission of immunization records. More information will be provided to selected applicants.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your BSN or master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’s or Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree, within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree, or show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours for a bachelor’s degree.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.
Transcript Policies
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
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Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a family nurse practitioner (FNP)?
FNPs provide comprehensive healthcare to people of all ages, usually within the context of family practices or clinical settings. As an FNP, you can help your patients maintain health and wellness over a long period of time – and our program can help prepare you to do just that.
Can I get a nurse practitioner degree online?
At Liberty, you can earn your DNP – FNP degree almost completely online. You will need to complete 1 residential intensive at our campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, as well as practicums, but the rest of our DNP courses are offered online. The required intensive and practicums are designed to provide you with a comprehensive and well-rounded education. Additionally, during your intensive, you’ll have the opportunity to network with classmates and faculty. With opportunities like these, you can stand out from the competition and take the next step in the nursing field.
How long is the family nurse practitioner program?
We know that the time it takes to earn your degree is an important factor. While time to completion may vary for individuals, we offer a fast, flexible path to graduation from our FNP program online that lets you further your education without uprooting your personal and professional life.
How long should you be a nurse before becoming a nurse practitioner?
At Liberty, all you need to have is a BSN degree and at least 1 year of professional experience prior to your practicum placement. Other DNP nurse practitioner online programs may have extensive requirements for how long you need to be a nurse before being able to become a nurse practitioner.
Whether you are just entering the nursing profession or are a seasoned veteran seeking positions of added responsibility, we believe that the process of becoming a nurse practitioner should be attainable and seamless. We want to partner with you as you take the next step in the nursing profession.
Are online nursing schools legitimate?
As long as you attend an accredited institution, you can be confident that your online nursing degree is a valuable, industry-recognized credential.
Liberty’s online doctorate in FNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). We provide a rigorous curriculum and hands-on training that can help equip you for success. In addition to program-specific accreditation, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), so you can be confident that you are earning a world-class education.
How do online nurse practitioner programs work?
At Liberty, you can complete most of your DNP – FNP classes online. You’ll also attend 1 on-campus intensive and have weekly online meetings with your professors for some of your courses. Additionally, you will gain real-world experience by completing several practicums at a location near you.
Do I need to have my MSN first?
This degree serves as both 1) a BSN to DNP online program and 2) an online MSN to DNP program. If you have practical nursing experience and either a BSN or MSN degree, you can apply to Liberty’s online FNP program!
Does this program have any additional accreditation?
Liberty University’s NP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
What resources will be available to me in this program?
You can access a wealth of resources through our research portal while completing your DNP at Liberty University. Liberty University’s nursing programs are designed to help you graduate career-ready. To fulfill this mission, we’ve designed a top-notch curriculum based on cutting-edge research and biblical principles. Apply to our online DNP – FNP program today and prepare to become a Champion for Christ.
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