Completing Multiple Specialties

FNU offers individual programs of study for all students, including those students interested in completing more than one specialty track. Many students desire to complete two specialties, such as nurse-midwifery and family nurse practitioner.

Current Students Planning to Complete Two Specialty Tracks

If the student declares this intention at the beginning of their education, a program of study can be set up that will facilitate this goal. The benefit of declaring early is that it allows the student and the Department Chairs to set up a program of study that will facilitate the goal of completing more than one specialty with minimum overlap in coursework. This is not a dual program or a separate program, but a program of study that allows the student to complete their MSN or post-master’s certificate and become eligible for certification as a family nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or women’s health care nurse practitioner and then complete another specialty track as a post-master’s certificate. The student may declare their intention to complete more than one specialty at the time of admission into FNU or at any time during their course of study.

Students who have declared an interest in completing more than one specialty will enroll in one specialty initially. They will inform both Department Chairs and meet with their initial Department Chair for the development of an individual program of study. Declaring the intention to complete more than one specialty does not constitute admission to the second specialty. Students who wish to complete a second specialty must apply to the post-master’s program for the second specialty after they complete their first specialty program. No student can be dually enrolled in two specialty tracks at the same time.

The actual post-master’s program of study for each student will be individualized based on that student’s needs. It takes the average learner 4-6 terms of full-time study to complete a second specialty track. A program of study with an established time frame designating the number of terms expected to complete the program will be designed. Students will be charged extension fees if they do not complete their program of study within the established time frame. Students may be required to attend Frontier Bound and/or Level III/Clinical Bound depending on their initial graduation date. Sample programs of study for students completing a second specialty are available from the FNU Department Chairs.

Graduates Returning to Complete a Second Specialty

All FNU graduates wishing to return to complete a post–master’s certificate in a second specialty must complete the application process by submitting an application. Transcripts are not required when applying to complete a post-master’s certificate in a second specialty track unless credits from another school are being evaluated for transfer. The Department Chair will conduct the admission interview and discuss the individualized program of study based on the applicant’s needs. All applications will go through the Admissions Committee process.

CNEP Graduates without a MSN

CNEP graduates who have not completed their MSN must complete the second specialty track as a master’s completion program of study. All FNU students must graduate with a MSN or post-master’s certificate. Post-baccalaureate certificates are no longer offered by the FNU.