Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)
Take care of patients of all ages when you earn your MSN-FNP.
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Help Fill Healthcare Gaps
The Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN–FNP) program at Concordia University Irvine prepares you to be a competent, compassionate, and holistic nursing professional who can lead change in healthcare.
With an ongoing shortage of healthcare workers, more hospitals and clinics are turning to nurse practitioners to deliver primary care. As a result, employment for nurse practitioners is projected to grow 46% from 2023–2033 — over 11 times faster than the average for all occupations.1
The family nurse practitioner program is designed with working nurses in mind, blending flexibility with hands-on experience:
- Online courses: All theory and didactic coursework is delivered fully online.
- On-campus intensives: Practice advanced skills alongside peers and faculty in state-of-the-art simulation labs and exam rooms.
- Hands-on practicum: Gain direct patient-care experience with placements in healthcare facilities across Southern California.
After completing this hybrid program, you’ll be eligible to apply for family nurse practitioner certification and be well positioned to advance your career in this high-demand field.
On Campus and Online
Courses are offered in a hybrid format.
48 Units
Complete your program in about 3 years.
$795/Unit
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
“The faculty…had so much passion and so much energy for developing us. I was already sold on the program, but they just tipped the scales for me. It was the best decision that I’ve made.”
George Ellis ’17 – PCG Basketball
Getting Started
Our MSN-FNP program welcomes students who are interested in ethically sound and caring-based patient advocacy. We’re preparing nurses who will serve, lead, and train diverse populations across the lifespan to promote health and well-being.
The curriculum begins with a foundation of MSN core courses before moving into FNP specialization courses. All theory courses are delivered fully online in an asynchronous format. The program can be completed in 36 months, with courses taken one at a time. Classes are 8 weeks long.
Next Start
August 24, 2026
Upcoming Starts
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Fall 2 2026 October 19, 2026
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Spring 1 2027 January 11, 2027
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Spring 2 2027 March 15, 2027
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (Sample Courses):
- MSN601 – Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
- MSN603 – Primary Care Across the Lifespan Theory: Adult and Older Adult
- MSN605 – Practicum: Primary Care Across the Lifespan: Adult and Older Adult
- MSN607 – Primary Care of the Family Theory: focus on Pediatrics, Childbearing Patient and Family
- MSN609 – Practicum: Primary Care of the Family Theory: focus on Pediatrics, Childbearing Patient and Family
- MSN611 – Advanced Clinical Diagnosis in Primary Care Theory: focus on Behavioral Health, Acute Care
- MSN613 – Practicum: Advanced Clinical Diagnosis in Primary Care: focus on Behavioral Health, Acute Care
- MSN615 – Primary Care focus on Indv, Fam, Cmnties Thry: emph on Population Health, Promotions of Hlth & Wlns
- MSN617 – Pract: Prmry Care focus on Indv, Fam, Cmnties Thry: emph on Popultn Hlth, Promotions of Hlth & Wlns
- MSN619 – FNP in Clin Pract I: fcs on aplng knwldg, skls & adv cncpt/Fam Clin Pract & Evdnc-based Cpstn Proj
- MSN621 – FNP in Clin Pract II: fcs on aplng knwldg, skls & adv cncpt/Fam Clin Pract & Evdnc-based Cpstn Proj
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of courses.
Tuition and Fees
At Concordia, we understand that investing in your education is a significant decision. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make your academic journey more affordable. View tuition costs and fees.
Admission Requirements
View the Graduate Application page for full details on application and admission requirements.
Information Sessions
Attend an Information Session online to learn more about our MSN-FNP program, the application process, financial aid, payment plans, and more.
Career Outcomes
Healthcare is a fast-growing industry. So fast, in fact, that about 1.9 million openings are projected each year, on average, between 2023 and 2033.1 Within those openings are those for nurse practitioners, which are expected to grow an astonishing 46% in that same period.1
Common workplaces for nurse practitioners1 include:
- Physicians’ offices
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care centers
- Offices of other health practitioners
- Educational services
Networking Opportunities
As a graduate student at Concordia, you’ll become part of a vibrant community of over 25,000 alumni and over 3,500 peers, fostering meaningful connections that support both personal and professional growth. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to helping you discover and develop your callings through mentorship and collaboration.
Located in Irvine — home to more than 900 tech companies and a hub for innovation — students benefit from proximity to leading industries in life sciences and information technology. One-third of all Fortune 500 companies have a presence in Irvine, offering abundant opportunities for internships, mentorships, and career advancement.
Irvine’s strategic position in Southern California provides access to a dynamic business ecosystem, making it an ideal place to build your professional network. Whether you’re attending on-campus events or engaging with our online community, Concordia offers the resources and support to help you thrive in your various vocations.
Explore Financial Aid
Reduce your tuition costs with financial aid — with help from a team that wants to make your time at Concordia as affordable as possible.
Meet Our Faculty
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Cheryl Smythe-Padgham
Assistant Dean, Director of Nursing, School of Health and Human…
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Maria Jean Caterinicchio
Assistant Director, Academic Clinical Partnerships
FAQs
Does an MSN make you an NP?
Not by itself. To become a nurse practitioner, you need to earn an MSN with an FNP focus and pass a national certification exam.
How to become a nurse practitioner: What’s required?
To become a nurse practitioner, you’ll need to follow a few steps2:
- Hold an active RN license
- Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Complete an MSN with a nurse practitioner focus
- Pass your board certification exam
Plus, if you’re already a nurse, you can earn your master’s degree online at Concordia without giving up your career, as our MSN-FNP program is mostly completed online.
How is a nurse practitioner different from a doctor?
They’re different roles that work together. Nurse practitioners are educated within the nursing model of care, while physicians are educated under a medical model.
FNPs are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary care the way doctors do — examining patients, ordering tests, diagnosing, prescribing medicine, and educating.
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Sources
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm (viewed Dec. 6, 2024),
- https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-1171&ioType=o (viewed Dec. 6, 2024),
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/ (viewed Dec. 6, 2024).
2American Association of Nurse Practitioners, The Path to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP), on the internet, at:
- https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/explore-the-variety-of-career-paths-for-nurse-practitioners (viewed Dec. 7, 2024).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.