The MSN prepared Nurse Practitioner is ready to assume responsibility and accountability for the health promotion, assessment, diagnosis, and management of patient problems including the prescription of pharmacologic agents within a specialty area of clinical practice such as Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP).
The MSN prepared Nurse Educator (NE) is prepared for a leadership role in the academic setting, health care facility, staff development, and/or the community as a health care educator. The Nurse Educator is prepared to develop, deliver, and assess curriculum in a variety of settings.
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who use theory, evidence-based practice/research, and clinical expertise to provide care to people of various ages and populations.
Nurse educators are at least master's degree prepared nurses who use theory and evidence-based research to develop, deliver, and assess nursing curriculum primarily in undergraduate, graduate, and professional staff development programs.
State Regulation Requirements
Each state has different registration and approval regulations for online degree programs offered within their state. We highly recommend students review this list prior to completing your application for one of our programs. We are not approved to offer online degree programs in all states. Please review the state regulatory map to verify the status of your state's regulations.
^ - Spring start * - Summer start ~ - Fall start
Visit our Graduate Admissions page to view step-by-step application instructions.
Financial Aid and Tuition Accreditation
On campus residencies are required during the online programs (excluding the Nurse Educator track which is 100% online). These dates are scheduled in advance and communicated on the schedule for the semester to allow students ample time to make proper arrangements. Faculty will provide more information prior to each scheduled on-campus residency. These residencies consist of intensives that range from 2-3 days in length, and occur once-per-semester during clinical courses only, which amount to 3-4 residencies total over the span of the program.
The graduate nursing program courses are conducted online with some required class/chat times. Class/chat times are usually scheduled on Thursdays or Fridays and are communicated well in advance.
Students use the Web-based software, Canvas, for their online courses. Courses are conducted in synchronous and asynchronous modes depending on the professor and class. You can log on to find homework, class assignments, a class list, a syllabus and more at any time. The program allows students to engage in interactive learning with faculty and other students in an online platform.
Online coursework may require synchronous scheduled online class times.
In support of the SoNHS mission to prepare leaders in the nursing workforce, the Master of Science in Nursing program provides an innovative graduate education that prepares the nurse for leadership within complex and diverse systems, teaching to improve health outcomes, and knowledge and skills to enhance healthcare in various roles and inter-professional settings.
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) role in primary care provides family-centered and culturally respectful care for pediatric patient's birth to 21 years of age. Advanced practice nurses (APRNs) provide high-quality healthcare services in a wide range of problems from acute, chronic, complex, and wellness care to health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling. The core courses provide a solid foundation in the use of evidence-based practice guidelines and theory as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of illness and the promotion of wellness. Clinical experiences are conducted with preceptors in community, inpatient, and outpatient settings.
The main emphasis of the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner (NP) is comprehensive, chronic, continuous care characterized by a long-term relationship between the patient and primary care NP, in an outpatient primary care clinic. The primary care NP provides care for most pediatric health needs and coordinates additional health care services that may be needed.
*PNP Applicants: A minimum of one-year, full-time equivalent pediatric clinical experience within the past three years is required for admission.
Within the pediatric nurse practitioner track the student options currently include completing either an MSN or DNP degree.
Graduates will be prepared to take the certification test to be a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Be encouraged to get involved with national nurse practitioner organizations i.e., AANP, NAPNAP - National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, the professional home for PNP's and other advanced practice nurses who care for children.
*Students who select the MSN degree as entry to practice are encouraged to continue on to the DNP degree through the post-MSN program option.
The UMKC NP graduate programs include three separate courses in:
AND content in
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) role provides family-centered and culturally respectful care for pediatric patient's birth to 21 years of age. Advanced practice nurses (APRNs) provide high-quality healthcare services in a wide-range of problems from acute, chronic, complex, and wellness care to health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling. The core courses provide a solid foundation in the use of evidence-based practice guidelines and theory as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of illness and the promotion of wellness. Clinical experiences are conducted with preceptors in community, inpatient, and outpatient settings.
*ACPNP Applicants: A minimum of two-year, full-time equivalent pediatric clinical experience within the past three years is required for admission.
The acute care pediatric nurse practitioner (ACPNP) focuses on restorative care that is characterized by rapidly changing clinical conditions. The ACPNP provides care for patients with unstable chronic, complex acute, and critical conditions most times in an acute care facility.
The MSN Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP) option
The practitioner in this role is responsible for independent and collaborative decision making with direct accountability for clinical judgement. Graduates of the UMKC ACPNP programs will respond to national and local demand for Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
Graduates will be prepared to take the certification test to be a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Be encouraged to interact with peers in the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (NAPNAP) the professional home for PNP's and other advanced practice nurses who care for children.
The UMKC NP graduate programs include three separate courses in:
AND content in
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track prepares students for advanced practice of nursing in the primary health care of children and adults. Advanced practice nurses (APRNs) provide high-quality healthcare services in a wide range of problems from acute, chronic and wellness care to health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling. The core courses provide a solid foundation in the use of evidence-based practice guidelines and theory as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of illness and the promotion of wellness. Clinical experiences are precepted in community or outpatient-based settings after approval by the faculty.
UMKC SoNHS provides two degree options to obtain entry to practice as an FNP; the MSN or DNP degree. A certificate is also available for those with a graduate nursing degree who are interested in becoming a FNP.
The students who select the MSN degree as entry to practice, with preparation for successful completion of the FNP national certification exam, through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), are encouraged to continue with the DNP degree through the post-MSN DNP program option.
Review the references located with the ANCC or AANP in order to take the certification test to be a Family Nurse Practitioner.
The UMKC NP graduate programs include three separate courses in:
AND content in health promotion and disease prevention, and differential diagnosis and disease management
The Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) track prepares students for advanced practice nursing in the management of gynecological, obstetrical, and primary care of women. Advanced Practice Nurses (APRNs) provide high-quality healthcare services in a wide range of problems from acute, chronic and wellness care to health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling. The core courses provide a solid foundation in the use of evidence based practice guidelines and theory as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of illness and the promotion of wellness. Clinical experiences are precepted in community or outpatient settings.
UMKC SoNHS provides two degree options to obtain entry to practice as a WHNP; the MSN or DNP degree.
The students who select the MSN degree as entry to practice are prepared for successful completion of the WHNP National Certification Exam (NCC). Graduates are encouraged to continue on to the DNP degree through the post-MSN program option.
Review the National Certification Corporation (NCC) information here. For additional information, please reference the Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) information.
The UMKC NP graduate programs include three separate courses in:
AND content in health promotion and disease prevention, and differential diagnosis and disease management
Caring for a sick newborn demands specialized skill and commitment. UMKC offers a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner graduate program to educate leaders in newborn health care.
The online program is focused on health management of the neonate and their family. Students graduate with a broad base of knowledge, including nursing theory, research, different cultures, health policy, ethics and leadership related to the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse. Graduates of the accredited program are qualified and prepared to sit for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Board Exam offered by the National Certification Corporation.
The UMKC Nurse Practitioner graduate programs include three separate courses in:
AND content in
Experience Required
Applicants must have the equivalent of 2 years of full-time clinical practice experience (within the last 5 years) as a RN in the care of critically ill neonates or infants with the majority of experience being in a level III or level IV NICU.
A graduate degree as a Nurse Educator prepares you for a leadership role in academia, staff development and the community as an educator.
UMKC’s School of Nursing and Health Studies will prepare nurse educators to employ cutting-edge teaching strategies in the didactic, simulation and clinical setting, synthesize teaching and learning theories and acquire skills in curriculum development and evaluation. Clinical objectives include the student’s ability to provide didactic and clinical instruction as well as in writing objectives, teaching, clinical instructing, test writing and student management. Completion of the program meets the educational requirements to be eligible for the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Certification Exam.
The online program offers hands-on experience in writing objectives, teaching, clinical instructing, and test writing and student management. Completion of the program meets the educational requirements to be eligible for the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Certification Exam.
The program allows students to arrange their clinical preceptors and sites — with UMKC approval — for the three Nurse Educator clinical courses.
Wondering if an online course will fit your needs? The MSN Nurse Educator program allows students to start slow by taking one class. Call or email us to see how the program will fit your needs.
N5544 Advanced Health Assessment Skills requires clinical preceptor and site for focused/systems assessment practice, preferably in an acute care inpatient setting (45 clinical contact hours).
N5564NE Clinical for Nurse Educators requires clinical preceptor and site for acute care clinical practice and student teaching in an inpatient staff development department (180 clinical contact hours).
N5572NE Synthesis Practicum for Nurse Educators requires clinical preceptor and site for clinical instructing and didactic teaching in an academic unit setting (180 clinical contact hours).
The post-master's Nurse Educator Certificate program of study builds on the Master of Science in Nursing degree to prepare professional nurses to become leaders in nursing education. Certificate students learn to synthesize teaching and learning theory, acquire skill in curriculum development and evaluation methods, and employ cutting-edge teaching strategies in both clinical and academic settings. Hands-on experience in objective writing, teaching, clinical instructing, test writing, and student management are offered through clinical experiences provided by master educators.
Completion of the certificate program meets the eligibility requirements for the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Certification Exam. There are five courses required for the program with a total of 12 credit hours. All courses must be completed within three years.
N5515NE Role of the Nurse Educator (2 credit hours)
N5516 Curriculum Development (3 credit hours)
N5517 Teaching Strategies (2 credit hours)
N5559 Evaluation Methods (2 credit hours)
N5572NE Synthesis Practicum for Nurse Educators (3 credit hours precepted clinical course)
Note: Students are responsible for arranging their clinical preceptor and site for the Practicum course. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain clinical eligibility to practice during the program. It is recommended that students maintain active clinical practice in preparation for the practicum course.
A specialized degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) allows you to provide a full range of psychiatric services to patients.
Our graduates work in outpatient mental health clinics, psychiatric emergency services, private practice, and hospitals. Graduates also provide primary mental health care that involves continuous and comprehensive services necessary to improve mental health, prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders and health maintenance. PMHNPs diagnose, conduct therapy, and prescribe medications for patients who have mental health disorders. They may also serve as consultants or as educators.
Graduates of UMKC are prepared and eligible to sit for national certification as a PMHNP by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Most states require certification from ANCC and often require collaboration with a psychiatrist for prescriptive practice. To learn more about your license requirements and scope of practice, contact your state’s Board of Nursing.
Three separate comprehensive graduate-level courses in:
Content in:
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) provide high-quality healthcare services for a wide range of problems from acute, chronic and wellness care to health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling. The core courses provide a solid foundation in the use of evidence based practice guidelines and theory as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of illness and the promotion of wellness. Clinical experiences are precepted in community or outpatient-based settings.
UMKC SoNHS provides two degree opportunities to obtain entry to practice as an AGNP, the MSN or the DNP degree.
The students who select the MSN degree as entry to practice, which includes successful completion of the AGNP national certification exam, through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), are encouraged to continue on to the DNP degree through the post-MSN program option.
The UMKC NP graduate programs include three separate courses in:
AND content in