Already have an MSN and looking for an advanced practice nursing degree?
Explore our DNP or post-master’s NP certificate options.
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Nurse Practitioner
Take your nursing expertise to the next level with an accredited MSN - Nurse Practitioner program designed to fit your life and goals. Already have an MSN and looking for an advanced practice degree? Explore our post-master's NP certificate options. Specializations include Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
A flexible MSN - Nurse Practitioner program
A Capella University MSN - Nurse Practitioner degree can help prepare you to become an advanced-practice registered nurse, expanding your ability to diagnose, treat and manage patient care in specialized areas such as family, psychiatric mental health or adult-gerontology primary care nursing.
Online Master of Science in Nursing overview
Our CCNE-accredited* online MSN program is designed to help registered nurses reach for their professional goals with flexible, online specializations.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Capella University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Why Capella?
- Quality curriculum
- Student experience
Distinguished faculty
Our expert faculty members have designed curricula to prepare our students and graduates to impact patient, system and population outcomes.
MSN – NP
Expand your potential in the field of advanced nursing practice with specializations including Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
MSN - NP learning outcomes
In this program, graduates are prepared to:
- Provide advanced, evidence-based clinical care across diverse populations, promoting health and managing acute and chronic conditions.
- Lead organizational and clinical change to improve patient outcomes, population health and the overall quality and efficiency of care.
- Apply evidence to clinical decision-making and advanced practice, upholding ethical and professional standards in all patient interactions.
- Design and implement person- and population-centered care plans that emphasize health promotion, disease prevention and holistic well-being.
- Collaborate effectively within interprofessional healthcare teams to enhance communication, coordination and continuity of care.
- Leverage emerging healthcare technologies and information systems to support clinical decisions, improve safety and optimize outcomes.
- Advocate for patients and the nursing profession through engagement with health policy, leadership and community initiatives.
- Communicate clearly and compassionately with patients, families and colleagues, demonstrating professionalism and cultural competence in advanced nursing practice.
Financing support
- Assistance with the financial aid process
- Scholarships, transfer credits and credit for prior learning
Academic support
- One-on-one enrollment and advising support
- Writing Center, online library and tutoring services
- Expert faculty with real-world knowledge
Additional support resources
MSN NP insights
Specializations
MSN NP
- MSN Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN - AGPCNP)
- MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN - FNP)
- MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN - PMHNP)
Frequently asked questions
Applicants to the MSN - AGPCNP, MSN - FNP or MSN - PMHNP program must provide the following for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official transcripts, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Verification of your current, unrestricted RN license to practice in the United States
- One year of RN experience within the past two years
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- An admission application (no application fee required)
- A background check
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
Nurse practitioners bring a comprehensive perspective and personal touch to healthcare. They are clinicians who blend clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management.
Learn more about the nurse practitioner practicum.
Our MSN - NP program begins with core courses that build a strong foundation in advanced nursing theory, evidence-based practice and leadership. From there, you’ll move into specialized coursework focused on advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment to develop your expertise as a nurse practitioner and prepare for your final clinical project or practicum experience.
Inquire for more information on available degree programs in nursing.
As a nurse practitioner, you can assess patients, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications and develop treatment plans. You’ll provide advanced, evidence-based care in settings such as hospitals, clinics or private practices – often serving as a primary or specialty care provider with greater autonomy and responsibility.
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) focuses on advanced nursing leadership, education and systems-level roles. A Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (MSN - NP) builds on your nursing foundation with advanced clinical training, preparing you to deliver direct patient care, diagnose and manage health conditions, prescribe treatments and practice with greater independence as an advanced-practice registered nurse.
Capella University’s MSN - Nurse Practitioner program is designed to prepare students and graduates to help make a meaningful impact on patient, system and population health outcomes. We maintain close partnerships with healthcare professionals and organizations to ensure our programs reflect current practice standards and emerging trends in advanced nursing care.
Our curriculum framework emphasizes the development of key competencies essential to today’s nurse practitioners – including interprofessional collaboration, quality improvement, evidence-based practice and information management.
Our rigorous, online, competency-based coursework is designed to engage students and make learning immediately applicable. Each course includes real-world assignments that mirror the challenges of modern clinical practice, allowing students to demonstrate their skills using authentic tools, processes and decision-making frameworks. Learning takes place in a supportive environment enriched with resources to help students thrive and achieve success.
The MSN - NP program coursework is exclusively online, while practicum and in-person requirements are recommended to be completed in your local community.
For more information on the specific requirements of the available specializations, visit the specialization pages:
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Nursing program guide
Get the details on every nursing program offered at Capella University – including available learning formats, financing options and more, all in one place.