Florida Southern College (FSC) offers three nurse practitioner population focuses through its Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences: family (FNP), adult-gerontology primary care (AGPCNP), and psychiatric-mental health (PMHNP). Each is offered as an MSN and as a post-master’s certificate. FSC’s DNP is a post-master’s leadership doctorate and does not prepare nurse practitioners.
Every NP track is taught on the Lakeland campus at one flat rate for every student. Three policies shape the decision more than any single specialty detail:
- Placement assigned, with an opt-out. FSC’s Clinical Placement Coordinator assigns every student a site and preceptor, but students may arrange their own if they prefer.
- Weekly campus classes. NP students attend in-person classes in Lakeland once a week; PMHNP students move to monthly after their second semester.
- A Florida license only. NP applicants need an active Florida RN license, and a compact license from another state does not qualify.
Quick facts
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Nursing School | Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences |
| Location | Lakeland, FL |
| NP Specialties | FNP, AGPCNP, PMHNP |
| Degree Options | MSN and post-master’s certificate in all three; no NP doctorate |
| Format | Hybrid: weekly in-person classes (PMHNP monthly after the second semester) |
| Clinical Placement | Assigned by a Clinical Placement Coordinator; students may arrange their own |
| Entry Points | RN with a BSN (MSN); RN with an MSN (certificate) |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 on the last 60 undergraduate hours |
| RN License | Active Florida RN license; compact licenses from other states not accepted |
| Tuition (2026-27) | $680 per credit for all students, plus a $550 program fee each semester |
| Accreditation | CCNE (master’s and post-graduate APRN certificate) |
Comparing FSC’s NP programs
All three MSN tracks share an advanced practice core of pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment, evidence translation, health promotion, informatics, and leadership. Clinical hours, credits, and length differ by specialty.
| Pathway | Credits | Clinical hours | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | |||
| MSN | 47 | 660 | 6 semesters |
| Post-master’s certificate | Gap analysis | Gap analysis | Varies |
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP) | |||
| MSN | 41 | 540 | 5 semesters |
| Post-master’s certificate | Gap analysis | Gap analysis | Varies |
| Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMHNP) | |||
| MSN | 44 | 540 | 6 semesters |
| Post-master’s certificate | Gap analysis | Gap analysis | Varies |
Credits and minimum clinical hours are from FSC’s program sheets. Certificate credits, hours, and length are set individually after admission, and prior approved clinical hours may count.
What stands out about FSC’s NP programs
- Two-way placement. FSC assigns every site but, unlike most schools that place students, lets them use their own instead, such as a current workplace.
- Compact master’s degrees. The MSNs run 41 to 47 credits in five or six semesters, shorter than many Florida programs.
- One rate for everyone. FSC charges $680 per credit regardless of residency, so there is no out-of-state premium.
- Clinical hours near the minimum. AGPCNP and PMHNP require 540 hours, 40 above the 500-hour certification floor; FNP requires 660.
- Flexible certificates. All three certificates admit MSN-prepared nurses, and prior verified clinical hours can be credited through the gap analysis.
Which FSC NP program fits your goal?
- FNP: Primary care across the lifespan, with the most clinical hours of FSC’s tracks
- AGPCNP: Primary care from late adolescence through frail older adults, with the shortest MSN
- PMHNP: Psychiatric care across the lifespan, with the lightest campus schedule after year one
Family Nurse Practitioner
Credits 47 · Clinical hours 660 · MSN · Certificate
The FNP MSN runs 47 credits over six semesters. Three 6-credit Advanced Practice Nurse courses carry most of its 660 clinical hours. It also includes a standalone course in care of older and frail elderly adults, a 1-credit diagnostics and procedures course, and 5 credits of pediatrics. Coverage of the childbearing family is a single credit.
The next MSN cohort starts January 12, 2027. Graduates are prepared for national FNP certification.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
Credits 41 · Clinical hours 540 · MSN · Certificate
The AGPCNP MSN is FSC’s shortest NP degree at 41 credits over five semesters. It covers late adolescence through frail older adults in primary care settings. The same three Advanced Practice Nurse courses carry the 540 clinical hours, and two courses focus specifically on adult-gerontology.
The next cohort starts January 12, 2027. Graduates are eligible for ANCC or AANPCB certification.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Credits 44 · Clinical hours 540 · MSN · Certificate
The PMHNP MSN runs 44 credits over six semesters. It includes advanced psychopharmacology and mental health assessment, followed by three practicums in individual and family psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and role synthesis. Students attend weekly for the first two semesters, then monthly.
The MSN admits once a year for a January 12, 2027 start, with a September 1 priority deadline and a December 15 final deadline. Graduates are eligible for ANCC or AANPCB certification.
Post-master’s certificates
FSC’s post-master’s certificate is offered in FNP, AGPCNP, and PMHNP. After admission, faculty review transcripts and syllabi and build an individual plan covering only what the applicant’s MSN did not.
- Eligibility: an MSN from a CCNE-, CNEA-, or ACEN-accredited program and an active Florida RN license; FSC does not list prior NP certification as a requirement
- Before clinicals: graduate pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and research, which FSC offers if missing
- Clinical hours: those of the chosen track, partly satisfied by approved prior coursework where verified
- Attendance: FNP and AGPCNP certificate classes meet weekly on campus; PMHNP core courses meet monthly
Cost and length cannot be known before the gap analysis.
Clinical placement
FSC’s Clinical Placement Coordinator assigns every MSN and certificate student to a clinical site and preceptor. Students do not have to find their own but may do so if they prefer. The $550-per-semester program fee covers clinical placement and experiential learning.
- Geography: FSC publishes no county limit, but placements require Florida RN licensure.
- Simulation: students train in FSC’s Simulation and Clinical Learning Center, which uses high-fidelity simulators and standardized patients.
- Clearance: a background check, ten-panel drug screen, and immunizations are required before clinicals.
Format and campus requirements
| Program | Format | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| FNP and AGPCNP MSN and certificates | Hybrid | In-person classes in Lakeland once a week |
| PMHNP MSN | Hybrid | Weekly for the first two semesters, then monthly |
| PMHNP certificate | Hybrid | Core courses meet monthly on campus |
FSC states that graduate courses may be delivered live, hybrid, or online. The attendance figures above come from its graduate nursing brochure.
Admissions
- Degree: a BSN from a regionally accredited institution with a CCNE-, CNEA-, or ACEN-accredited nursing program
- GPA: 3.0 on the last 60 undergraduate hours
- License: an active Florida RN license; a compact license from another state does not qualify
- Prerequisite: a C or better in statistics or biostatistics; some program sheets also list health assessment and nursing research
- Materials: transcripts and a résumé; a virtual interview may be required by invitation
- Testing and transfer: no GRE; up to two graduate courses may transfer in
All three MSN tracks list January 12, 2027 as the next start date. Admitted students complete a background check, drug screen, and immunizations.
Tuition
FSC charges one graduate nursing rate regardless of residency. A per-semester program fee adds meaningfully to the per-credit price.
| Tuition, per credit (2026-27) | $680 |
| Program fee, per semester | $550 |
| Technology fee, per semester | $25–$100 |
| CastleBranch compliance package (one time) | $224 |
| MSN Track | Credits | Tuition | Program Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGPCNP | 41 | $27,880 | $2,750 (5 semesters) |
| PMHNP | 44 | $29,920 | $3,300 (6 semesters) |
| FNP | 47 | $31,960 | $3,300 (6 semesters) |
- Fees add 10 to 12%: the program and technology fees raise each MSN total by roughly $2,900 to $3,900.
- No residency premium: nonresidents with a Florida RN license pay the same rate.
- Certificates: billed at the same rate and fees against an individual credit total.
These are NPPrograms.com estimates, not FSC-published totals. FSC participates in federal aid programs and offers tuition deferment for employer reimbursement; certificate students should confirm federal aid eligibility.
Accreditation and certification
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits FSC’s master’s degree in nursing and its post-graduate APRN certificate programs. Florida Southern College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Graduates sit for national certification in their population focus: FNP through the AANPCB or ANCC, and AGPCNP and PMHNP through the ANCC or AANPCB.
State authorization
FSC requires an active Florida RN license for every NP track and weekly or monthly attendance in Lakeland, so enrollment is practical only for nurses within reach of central Florida. Graduates planning to practice elsewhere should confirm with FSC that the program meets that state’s APRN education requirements.
Who is FSC best for?
May be a strong fit for
- Nurses in the Lakeland, Tampa, and Orlando corridor who prefer in-person classes
- Students who want a site assigned but may use their own workplace
- Nurses who want an NP master’s in five or six semesters
- MSN-prepared nurses adding FNP, AGPCNP, or PMHNP through a certificate
- PMHNP students who want monthly campus visits after year one
Compare other options if
- You want the lowest cost as a Florida resident
- You want clinical hours well above the certification minimum
- You need a fully online program or can’t reach Lakeland weekly
- You hold only a compact license from another state
- You want a BSN to DNP, acute care, or pediatric preparation
Compare more NP programs in Florida
- Florida Atlantic University - Boca Raton
- University of Central Florida - Orlando
- University of Florida - Gainesville
- University of Miami - Coral Gables
- University of South Florida - Tampa