Program Overview

Advance your career and scope of practice—and earning potential—with a Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree. Gain the credentials that will allow you to practice in a wide range of healthcare settings with the greatest employment potential.

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program is a professional degree which prepares experienced Registered Nurses to sit for certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The program builds on the background of professional nurses to prepare them to function as primary care providers in the emerging collaborative world of healthcare.

Housed in the Wellstar College of Health & Human Services on Kennesaw State’s Kennesaw, Ga., campus, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner program maintains close community ties with a variety of healthcare agencies. A heavy emphasis is placed upon precepted clinical experiences.

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program is a 44-credit hour course of study that lasts five semesters full time or eight semesters part time. The coursework has three components:

  • 17 credit hours of core classes
  • 9 credit hours of primary care area of concentration
  • 18 credit hours of practicum experience

Please note: All classes are offered in an online or hybrid format with a maximum of one weekend a month in on-campus classes and labs. 

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Admission Criteria

Admission decisions for acceptance into Kennesaw State University’s Nurse Practitioner school are based on the overall evaluation of the following components:

  • Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited institution
  • Minimum one year of full-time professional experience as a Registered Nurse, documented in a professional resume (experience must have occurred within the last five years and have involved direct patient care)
  • Current unencumbered RN licensure in the state of Georgia (submit copy)
  • Written statement of personal program goals
  • Undergraduate research course
  • Two professional letters of reference
  • No GRE required. 

Application Deadlines

  • Priority Deadline: January 15, 2024
  • Regular Deadline: April 30, 2024
apply here

If you have any questions about any aspect of the program, please contact the coordinator.

Transfer Credit

Up to 9 semester hours or 15 quarter hours of graduate work from other accredited institutions may be transferred. This work must correspond to the MSN curriculum at Kennesaw State University. Decisions regarding potential transfer will be made by the Program Coordinator. 

If you have any questions about any aspect of the program, please contact the coordinator.

Grades and Progression

Students must earn a grade of B (80) or better in each course to progress in the program. See the Graduate Catalog link for Academic Policies for further information about Academic Warning and Academic Exclusion. 

Candidacy for Graduation

To graduate, a grade of B (80) or better is required in all courses. MSN candidates must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of their degree requirements.

If you have any questions about any aspect of the program, please contact the coordinator.

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program Plans of Study 

course details

This link is to KSU’s 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog, which details the current  semester hour course of study. The 44-credit hour course of study takes effect in the 2024-2025 academic year (August 2024 – July 2025).

Contact the Coordinator

Susan M. Beidler PhD, MBE, ARNP, FAANP
FNP Program Coordinator and Professor
Wellstar School of Nursing

Prillaman Hall 520 Parliament Garden Way
Room 3035, MD 4102
Kennesaw, GA 30144

p: 470-578-6172
e: sbeidler@kennesaw.edu