IMPORTANT! As of August 24, 2021, everyone attending on-campus events must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This includes employees and all students attending Clinical Bound and/or Frontier Bound. Please click here to view FNU's COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Effective May 2022 (for new students enrolling in Summer 2022 term), Frontier Bound attendance is required to be in-person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click the arrows before each question to expand and view the answer.
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Are there aspects of FNU that may impact my decision to apply?
The Admissions Office wants to ensure all applicants have been fully informed regarding important topics. Please click here for information you need to know prior to applying. Please contact your Admissions Officer if you have any questions.
How much does it cost to attend Frontier Nursing University?
Access FNU’s tuition and fees page by clicking here.
Is FNU on a semester or term (quarter) system?
FNU is on a term (quarter) system with each term being 11 weeks in length. There are 2 weeks off between terms. Even though FNU is on a term system, semester credits are awarded.
Does my GPA meet FNU’s minimum requirement?
The minimum GPA requirement to be eligible to apply to FNU is a cumulative 3.0 in your most recent degree in nursing or a related healthcare field. We do not round up, and we do not calculate GPAs. We use the final official GPA as listed on the official transcript. We do not consider work or additional educational/professional experience to raise your GPA. The GPA listed on your final official transcript is the one that is used to determine eligibility.
What if the GPA for my nursing courses is greater than a 3.0, but my cumulative GPA is 2.89, am I eligible to apply?
FNU uses the cumulative GPA as listed on the final official transcript and if the cumulative GPA is less than 3.0 you are not eligible to apply.
What can I do if my GPA is below 3.0?
Contact your degree granting institution and inquire about repeating courses in an effort to raise your overall GPA.
Will I be required to take a Statistics course during my first term at FNU?
- MSN and DNP Students - FNU no longer requires that applicants have statistics or that they must take statistics in their first term here if they have not taken it within the last 10 years.
- PGC Students - You will not be required to take statistics.
Will I be required to take a Physical Assessment (PA) course during my first term at FNU?
- MSN Students - If you have taken an approved PA course (no time limit) you will NOT be required to retake it with FNU. Click here to determine if your PA course will be approved by FNU. Please submit a final and official transcript to your Admissions Officer for final approval.
- PGC Students - If you haven’t successfully completed all the 3Ps (Advanced PA, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Pathophysiology) the missing course(s) will be added to your POS. Please submit a final and official transcript to your Admissions Officer for final approval.
- DNP Students - You will not be required to take PA.
Can I transfer previous course work?
Once you have accepted your offer of admission, you are eligible to submit course(s) for transfer. Please access the FNU catalog by clicking here and view the Course Transfer Policy and Procedure.
How many times am I required to attend an on-campus event and how long does each event last?
- MSN/PGC - You will be required to attend campus two times.
1-Frontier/DNP Bound. Frontier/DNP Bound is the new student 3-day orientation.
2-Clinical Bound. Prior to entering your clinical practicum you will return to campus for a 5-day Clinical Bound session.
- DNP Students - You will be required to attend campus one time.
1-DNP Bound. DNP Bound is the new student 3-day orientation.
Can I apply to FNU while finishing my nursing degree?
In order to apply to FNU, your nursing degree must be conferred and one year of RN experience (prior to coursework) is required. Once conferred a final official transcript showing the degree earned and the official GPA must be submitted.
Is there any flexibility in the deadline date?
In order to maintain consistency and fairness among all applicants and stay on a reasonable timeline with being able to announce admission decisions we must adhere to the published deadline. Deadlines can be viewed by clicking this link.
How soon after I apply will I learn if I have been accepted?
It is our goal to have admission decisions made and communicated within eight weeks after the deadline for application.
Do I need to have one (1) year of RN experience prior to applying to FNU or prior to beginning the coursework and does it have to be work experience as an RN or can it be in any nursing field (for example, an LPN)?
The one year of RN experience must be completed prior to the beginning of coursework. There are a few cases where experience outside the scope of an RN, such as extensive practice as a doula may substitute or in public health, although it is not common.
What is the difference between part-time and full-time enrollment?
Full-time is five (5) or more credits per term and part-time is four (4) credits or fewer. FNU has two Programs of Study (POSs) for each program; they are not designed on a full-time/part-time basis but more around the length of time a student chooses to complete the program.
Can I review the Programs of Study (POS) for the program I am interested in to determine how long it will take me to earn my degree?
Click here to view the POS for each specialty and degree offered by FNU.
How can I verify that the program I am interested in is accepted/approved in my state?
FNU cannot confirm if its programs meet individual state requirements for professional licensure. Students and applicants should contact the licensing boards in their state of residence, or any state in which they may reside in the future, to determine whether the program meets state requirements for licensure. A directory for state boards of nursing can be found here.
When considering graduate education as a nurse practitioner, be aware that the Consensus Model for Regulation has designated specific educational tracks that are recommended in order to provide care for a designated population group. States vary significantly on their licensure requirements regarding this model. Prior to applying, investigate state regulations where you anticipate working to ensure the program you are seeking enables you to provide care for the population you seek to serve.
When should I apply for financial aid?
You can apply for financial aid at any time. You can apply prior to receiving an offer of admission or after. You will still have plenty of time to apply after receiving your offer of admission. Access this link for the step-by-step process on applying for financial aid.
Does FNU offer military discounts/benefits?
FNU is a VA friendly school. We have a VA Certifying Official that works with the VA to certify enrollment so that the student can access their educational benefits but FNU does not provide tuition/fee discounts.
Do I submit my application packet electronically?
Yes. Upon completion of the enrollment application you will be provided a link. Do NOT share this link with anyone, it is unique to your enrollment application. The link will provide you with the required documents needed to complete your enrollment application and instructions on how to upload each required document.
How often are applicants admitted?
FNU has four terms (quarters) a year:
- Winter term-coursework begins in January
- Spring term-coursework begins in April
- Summer term-coursework begins in July
- Fall term-coursework begins in October
Please refer to our "Apply" page for application deadlines.
Can I work full time while completing the program?
That depends on the student and their support team. FNU does not require that students work less than full-time but FNU’s academic curriculum is demanding; it is unlikely, and usually inadvisable, for a student to be able to work full-time throughout the clinical practicum, and even part-time employment may prove difficult. Full- or part-time employment during the didactic portion may prove manageable, but that will depend on the individual’s work schedule and ability to fulfill work and personal commitments while successfully completing course requirements.
How are the online classes designed, meaning, will I have to log on each day or so many times a week at a certain time?
Course instruction and structure will vary from instructor to instructor. There are a few scheduled class times, but the setup depends on the course and instructor. However, all of the classes require some form of live interaction, presentations, modules, and assignments due with exams, simulation activities, forum posts, group work, and reflective writing. We also use a software called Proctorio that you will log into from your home to complete the exams.
Do you offer any dual programs?
FNU does not offer dual programs. However, after completion of one clinical certification, it is possible to add another clinical certification by applying for a Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) in another clinical track offered by FNU. Review this link for more information about our PGC programs.
How are courses graded?
Please access the FNU catalog by clicking here and viewing “Grading Policies.”
Which application do I complete if I want to earn an MSN but am not interested in the DNP?
You will complete the online application “MSN with DNP Option”. The key word is option. Once your MSN is conferred you have the option to transition to the DNP program via a direct admission process, but it is not required. The application can be found here.
If I receive an offer for the waitlist, can you tell me what number I am on the waitlist?
No. Please access the FNU website for Waitlist facts by clicking here.
If I begin coursework in one program but want to switch, is that an option?
Yes, but there are stipulations. The first step is to contact your Academic Advisor followed by communication with the Department Chair in each program.
What is the student to faculty ratio?
Although the ratio varies, the average student to faculty ratio is 21:1
How do I find out more information regarding preceptor and clinical sites?
For information about preceptors and clinical sites please access the FNU catalog through this link and review the “Clinical Site Selection” section.
I have a question that isn’t covered here, who do I contact?
Please feel free to contact an Admissions Officer. Access this link for the name and contact information of the Admissions Officer available to you. The list of Admission Officers available to assist you is located at the bottom of the page.
Are there aspects of FNU that may impact my decision to apply?
The Admissions Office wants to ensure all applicants have been fully informed regarding important topics. Please click here for information you need to know prior to applying. Please contact your Admissions Officer if you have any questions.
How much does it cost to attend Frontier Nursing University?
Access FNU’s tuition and fees page by clicking here.
Is FNU on a semester or term (quarter) system?
FNU is on a term (quarter) system with each term being 11 weeks in length. There are 2 weeks off between terms. Even though FNU is on a term system, semester credits are awarded.
Does my GPA meet FNU’s minimum requirement?
The minimum GPA requirement to be eligible to apply to FNU is a cumulative 3.0 in your most recent degree in nursing or a related healthcare field. We do not round up, and we do not calculate GPAs. We use the final official GPA as listed on the official transcript. We do not consider work or additional educational/professional experience to raise your GPA. The GPA listed on your final official transcript is the one that is used to determine eligibility.
What if the GPA for my nursing courses is greater than a 3.0, but my cumulative GPA is 2.89, am I eligible to apply?
FNU uses the cumulative GPA as listed on the final official transcript and if the cumulative GPA is less than 3.0 you are not eligible to apply.
What can I do if my GPA is below 3.0?
Contact your degree granting institution and inquire about repeating courses in an effort to raise your overall GPA.
Will I be required to take a Statistics course during my first term at FNU?
- MSN and DNP Students – FNU no longer requires that applicants have statistics or that they must take statistics in their first term here if they have not taken it within the last 10 years.
- PGC Students – You will not be required to take statistics.
Will I be required to take a Physical Assessment (PA) course during my first term at FNU?
- MSN Students – If you have taken an approved PA course (no time limit) you will NOT be required to retake it with FNU. Click here to determine if your PA course will be approved by FNU. Please submit a final and official transcript to your Admissions Officer for final approval.
- PGC Students – If you haven’t successfully completed all the 3Ps (Advanced PA, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Pathophysiology) the missing course(s) will be added to your POS. Please submit a final and official transcript to your Admissions Officer for final approval.
- DNP Students – You will not be required to take PA.
Can I transfer previous course work?
Once you have accepted your offer of admission, you are eligible to submit course(s) for transfer. Please access the FNU catalog by clicking here and view the Course Transfer Policy and Procedure.
How many times am I required to attend an on-campus event and how long does each event last?
- MSN/PGC – You will be required to attend campus two times.
1-Frontier/DNP Bound. Frontier/DNP Bound is the new 3-day student orientation.
2-Clinical Bound. Prior to entering your clinical practicum you will return to campus for a 5-day Clinical Bound session.
- DNP Students – You will be required to attend campus one time.
1-DNP Bound. DNP Bound is the new 3-day student orientation.
Can I apply to FNU while finishing my nursing degree?
In order to apply to FNU, your nursing degree must be conferred and one year of RN experience (prior to coursework) is required. Once conferred a final official transcript showing the degree earned and the official GPA must be submitted.
Is there any flexibility in the deadline date?
In order to maintain consistency and fairness among all applicants and stay on a reasonable timeline with being able to announce admission decisions we must adhere to the published deadline. Deadlines can be viewed by clicking this link.
How soon after I apply will I learn if I have been accepted?
FNU is now utilizing a rolling admissions process and applicants can learn the status of their application as soon as four to five weeks after complete and valid application materials are received by FNU’s Admission Services.
Do I need to have one (1) year of RN experience prior to applying to FNU or prior to beginning the coursework and does it have to be work experience as an RN or can it be in any nursing field (for example, an LPN)?
The one year of RN experience must be completed prior to the beginning of coursework. There are a few cases where experience outside the scope of an RN, such as extensive practice as a doula may substitute or in public health, although it is not common.
What is the difference between part-time and full-time enrollment?
Full-time is five (5) or more credits per term and part-time is four (4) credits or fewer. FNU has two Programs of Study (POSs) for each program; they are not designed on a full-time/part-time basis but more around the length of time a student chooses to complete the program.
Can I review the Programs of Study (POS) for the program I am interested in to determine how long it will take me to earn my degree?
Click here to view the POS for each specialty and degree offered by FNU.
How can I verify that the program I am interested in is accepted/approved in my state?
FNU cannot confirm if its programs meet individual state requirements for professional licensure. Students and applicants should contact the licensing boards in their state of residence, or any state in which they may reside in the future, to determine whether the program meets state requirements for licensure. A directory for state boards of nursing can be found here.
When considering graduate education as a nurse practitioner, be aware that the Consensus Model for Regulation has designated specific educational tracks that are recommended in order to provide care for a designated population group. States vary significantly on their licensure requirements regarding this model. Prior to applying, investigate state regulations where you anticipate working to ensure the program you are seeking enables you to provide care for the population you seek to serve.
When should I apply for financial aid?
You can apply for financial aid at any time. You can apply prior to receiving an offer of admission or after. You will still have plenty of time to apply after receiving your offer of admission. Access this link for the step-by-step process on applying for financial aid.
Does FNU offer military discounts/benefits?
FNU is a VA friendly school. We have a VA Certifying Official that works with the VA to certify enrollment so that the student can access their educational benefits but FNU does not provide tuition/fee discounts.
Do I submit my application packet electronically?
Yes. Upon completion of the enrollment application you will be provided a link. Do NOT share this link with anyone, it is unique to your enrollment application. The link will provide you with the required documents needed to complete your enrollment application and instructions on how to upload each required document.
How often are applicants admitted?
FNU has four terms (quarters) a year:
- Winter term-coursework begins in January
- Spring term-coursework begins in April
- Summer term-coursework begins in July
- Fall term-coursework begins in October
Please refer to our “Apply” page for application deadlines.
Can I work full time while completing the program?
That depends on the student and their support team. FNU does not require that students work less than full-time but FNU’s academic curriculum is demanding; it is unlikely, and usually inadvisable, for a student to be able to work full-time throughout the clinical practicum, and even part-time employment may prove difficult. Full- or part-time employment during the didactic portion may prove manageable, but that will depend on the individual’s work schedule and ability to fulfill work and personal commitments while successfully completing course requirements.
How are the online classes designed, meaning, will I have to log on each day or so many times a week at a certain time?
Course instruction and structure will vary from instructor to instructor. There are a few scheduled class times, but the setup depends on the course and instructor. However, all of the classes require some form of live interaction, presentations, modules, and assignments due with exams, simulation activities, forum posts, group work, and reflective writing. We also use a software called Proctorio that you will log into from your home to complete the exams.
Do you offer any dual programs?
FNU does not offer dual programs. However, after completion of one clinical certification, it is possible to add another clinical certification by applying for a Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) in another clinical track offered by FNU. Review this link for more information about our PGC programs.
How are courses graded?
Please access the FNU catalog by clicking here and viewing “Grading Policies.”
Which application do I complete if I want to earn an MSN but am not interested in the DNP?
>You will complete the online application “MSN with DNP Option”. The key word is option. Once your MSN is conferred you have the option to transition to the DNP program via a direct admission process, but it is not required. The application can be found here.
If I receive an offer for the waitlist, can you tell me what number I am on the waitlist?
No. Please access the FNU website for Waitlist facts by clicking here.
If I begin coursework in one program but want to switch, is that an option?
Yes, but there are stipulations. The first step is to contact your Academic Advisor followed by communication with the Department Chair in each program.
What is the student to faculty ratio?
Although the ratio varies, the average student to faculty ratio is 21:1
How do I find out more information regarding preceptor and clinical sites?
For information about preceptors and clinical sites please access the FNU catalog through this link and review the “Clinical Site Selection” section.
I have a question that isn’t covered here, who do I contact?
Please feel free to contact an Admissions Officer. Access this link for the name and contact information of the Admissions Officer available to you. The list of Admission Officers available to assist you is located at the bottom of the page.
DNP Q&A
Midwifery Week Q&A
PMHNP Q&A (NP Week)
