MSN to DNP Online – Family Nurse Practitioner
Discover a Direct Pathway to Independent FNP Practice
Online Coursework
As Few as 36 Months (9 Semesters)
66 Credit Hours
$860 per Credit
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The MSN to DNP Online Program That Prepares Chicago Nurses for FNP Roles
- Apply By: 12/14/26
- Start Class: 01/11/27
Earning your master’s degree was an important step in your nursing journey. With the online MSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner program, you can advance the rest of the way, gaining the authority to assess, diagnose, and treat patients across the lifespan.
North Park University designed this pathway for MSN-educated nurses ready to lead with integrity and attain APRN licensure for independent practice. You’ll complete online courses and clinical experiences to earn a DNP that serves as recognition for the practitioner you’ve become. Our CCNE-accredited curriculum is designed to accommodate an active practice schedule—not the other way around.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at North Park University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Program Details
- Transfer up to nine credits of relevant core coursework
- Focus on delivering effective primary care to patients
- Explore Chicago-based placements in our clinical network
- Study part-time or full-time
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Preview the MSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
25 Courses
66 Credit Hours
North Park’s online MSN to DNP program immerses you in the full scope of FNP practice. The online courses cover healthcare information systems, pediatric and adult health management, biostatistics, advanced pharmacology, and beyond. You’ll also complete supervised clinical hours to build hands-on experience in diverse patient care settings.
We stress the importance of relationships throughout the online MSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner program. Each cohort is small by design, helping you gain personalized mentorship that carries forward to your career. Our faculty members also offer optional synchronous sessions to reinforce course concepts and offer guidance to foster your professional growth.
Key Benefits of the Online MSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Learn from Faculty Who Recognize Your Potential
Our faculty includes active practitioners who apply their expertise to prepare you to thrive as an FNP.
Build Clinical Experience in Chicago and Beyond
A member of Chicago’s community since 1891, North Park has relationships with health systems and can help you locate clinical placements.
Become Part of an Empowered Community
From cohort connections and clinical contacts to white coat ceremonies, North Park surrounds you with the people and experiences that matter after you graduate.
Admission Requirements
Apply to the Online MSN to DNP Program Today
Application Deadline 12/14/26
Start Date 01/11/27
North Park provides a simple admission process for the MSN to DNP – FNP online program. Review the following table to learn what to include when you apply. You can save your progress after starting the online application, and our enrollment team is here to answer your questions.
| Online Application Form | Completed NursingCAS application |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Requirements |
|
| GPA Requirement | 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all previous schools required, submitted via NursingCAS |
| Transfer Credits | Graduate nursing students may transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of equivalent coursework from an ACEN, NLN or CCNE accredited Master of Science in Nursing program to North Park, with approval. Transferred courses must have a grade of “B” or higher and be no more than five years old. The credentials examiner, in consultation with the academic standing committee of the graduate nursing faculty, will ascertain the transferability of a course. |
| Additional Requirements |
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It’s Always a Good Time to Apply to North Park
With multiple start dates per year, we make it easy for you to apply to the program of your choice and begin your educational journey. Our admissions process is straightforward, and our team is always here to guide you through the process.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
Explore the Tuition for the MSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Calculate your cost for attending North Park
Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
North Park’s MSN to DNP online program offers straightforward tuition. You’ll find the full picture below, and you can request information to discuss financial aid and other ways to make this online program fit your budget.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $860 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 66 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $56,760 |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | Additional costs may include books and materials not billed to you by North Park. These costs can vary depending on what courses you need to take, how you obtain textbooks, and a variety of other factors. There may also be costs associated with licensure and examination. |
Military Students at North Park
North Park University welcomes veterans of the US Armed Forces as students. Financial benefits are available for veterans attending the university as undergraduate or graduate students. Questions about benefits for veterans should be directed to the veterans coordinator in the Office of the Registrar at (773) 244-5560 or by email.
Paying for Your North Park Degree
There are multiple options for financing your degree at North Park. Be sure to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year and explore third-party scholarship opportunities. Investing in your education is a big decision, and we are here to help you finance your degree in a way that fits your needs. Programs are not eligible for NPU scholarships, or tuition discounts.
Tuition Details
Discover New Possibilities Through the Family Nurse Practitioner Online Program
By advancing from an MSN to a DNP, family nurse practitioner candidates can meet the licensure requirements for independent practice in a variety of primary care settings. These roles are in high demand, as nurse practitioner employment is projected to grow by 40% through 2034.1 The Chicago metropolitan area offers many opportunities in this field, ranking in the top five for NP employment in the United States.2
Key Data for Nurse Practitioner Roles in Chicago
Family Nurse Practitioner $115,108 per year3
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner $104,621 per year4
What You’ll Learn
North Park designed the online MSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner pathway for nurses wanting to gain the expertise and credentials for independent practice. You’ll move through immersive online coursework and supervised clinical experiences that prepare you for APRN licensure, establishing the clinical authority to care for patients across the lifespan. North Park’s Christian mission shapes every course, grounding your practice in moral conviction alongside doctoral-level competencies in:
- Adult health management
- Advanced health assessment
- Advanced pharmacology
- Biostatistics
- Health and wellness promotion
- Health information systems
- Pediatric health management
- Population health epidemiology
- Women’s health management
Program Outcomes
- Integrate science-based theories and concepts with ethical principles in the development, delivery, and evaluation of practice approaches that improve outcomes and reflect the Christian principles of the philosophy of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
- Utilize knowledge of organizations and systems together with leadership skills to improve health outcomes and ensure patient safety.
- Provide leadership for the translation of research into practice.
- Show proficiency in the use of information systems/technology resources to implement quality improvement initiatives and to support practice and administrative decision-making.
- Demonstrate leadership in the development and implementation of health policy at various levels.
- Employ leadership skills with interprofessional teams to improve patient and population health outcomes.
- Engage in leadership to operationalize evidence-based clinical prevention and population health services for individuals, aggregates, and populations.
- Apply advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based approaches to improve patient outcomes.
Expert Faculty Who Are Committed to Your Success
Our instructors have professional experience in their respective fields and are ready to form meaningful relationships with you as they guide and mentor you toward success. Our faculty are committed to the achievement of every student.
Dr. Christine Smith, Associate Professor of Nursing
Faculty Spotlight: Christine Smith
Dr. Christine Smith teaches from a Christian worldview and embraces the School of Nursing’s philosophy—that all people have intrinsic value, are worthy of respect, and that health is experienced when we are in harmony with the self, the environment, the community, and God.
For a city-centered experience, students perform practicums at community health centers located in Chicago. Smith invites her students to work alongside her at a local shelter, where she offers health education classes. She has also served as an advisor to student mission trips to Mexico.
Upon graduating, nursing students are trained to work in primary care settings and find employment in a variety of settings. According to Smith, some choose to work in community health centers, private practice offices, or work with seniors in rehabilitation centers or long-term care facilities. Other students work in school-based health centers, specialty care clinics, or retail clinics.
Education
- DNP, Rush University
- MA, Biblical Studies, Moody Bible Institute
- BSN, University of Illinois-Chicago
Professional Organizations & Associations
- Member, Christian Community Health Fellowship and Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing
Online Learning Experience
At North Park University, we’re here for you — even when you aren’t here. Our online programs are delivered through Canvas and taught by responsive faculty. You’ll be supported every step of the way.
Benefits:
- Hands-on, supportive faculty who have experience in online learning environments
- Flexible coursework that can be completed when and where you are
- Connections with a diverse student body from many walks of life, helping you develop a global perspective
- North Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Related Programs
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners.” Retrieved June 15, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023. 29-1171 Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved June 15, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes291171.htm.
- Payscale. “Average Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary in Chicago, Illinois.” Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Family_Nurse_Practitioner_(NP)/Salary/90aac943/Chicago-IL.
- Payscale. “Average Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary in Chicago, Illinois.” Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Women%27s_Health_Nurse_Practitioner_(NP)/Salary/a7d5a568/Chicago-IL.