Master of Nursing Nurse Practitioner

Overview

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced education and training, enabling them to autonomously diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and offer comprehensive care that addresses both physical and mental well-being. NPs not only treat medical conditions but also focus on holistic health, offering guidance on disease prevention, lifestyle choices, and the management of chronic illnesses.

If you are a registered nurse seeking your first nurse practitioner licensure, you should apply to this program. Please note that this program does not prepare nurse practitioners to work in acute care settings or to focus on a clinical specialty.

Application deadlines and start dates

The Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner is a 33-credit online graduate program. You must complete at least 18 credits through Athabasca University. The program follows a course-based route. If you wish to complete a thesis, you will need to take an additional 4 courses.

• Your clinical practicums are completed during each of the life-stage courses.
• All clinical practice must be completed in Canada and you must hold current registered nurse licensure in the province where you are completing your clinical practice program.
• You must write a comprehensive examination after completing your nurse practitioner courses.

All courses are online grouped study, with defined start and end dates. You must attend a 1-week on-site component.

Completion times

You can take up to 5 years to complete the Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner.

Tuition and fees

Understanding how higher education fees and tuition are calculated is important to ensure you stay within your budget and make informed decisions.

Financial aid and awards

We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.

Explore financial aid and awards

Fees

The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2025. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

The following fees apply to all CNHS graduate programs and courses, unless specifically noted otherwise.

¹The course tuition fees include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $58, a Course Materials fee of $37, and Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fees of $14 per credit.

Students applying for financial assistance should apply for funding a minimum of 3 months before the applicable course registration deadline.

Estimated program tuition cost for MN and MHS students (2023-2024):

The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University would be $20,526 ($1,866 x 11 three-credit course equivalents). AUGSA fees are included in this calculation. Application and admission fees are not included in the above calculation.

Other fees

²The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees less the course withdrawal processing fee. Refer to Course withdrawal.

Special course related fees

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2025.

Courses

In this program, you'll take a variety of courses that prepare you for advanced nursing practice, ranging from evidence-based healthcare to pharmacotherapeutics and specialized care for different age groups. You'll also gain hands-on experience through required clinical practicums, where you'll work closely with experienced nurse practitioners or physicians to apply what you've learned in real-world settings.

Our program regulations plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

Program regulations

Courses to explore

Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.

Focus areas

Career options

After earning your Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner credential, you'll be well-equipped for a career as a nurse practitioner in settings like primary care offices, community health centres, and other non-acute healthcare environments. Beyond clinical roles, you could also explore opportunities in healthcare education, research, or administrative positions where advanced nursing expertise is valued.