Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

How long is the program?

With a summer start and a full-time degree plan, the program can be completed in as soon as six semesters or two years (including summer terms).

The first 18 credit hours are core courses, followed by 28 women’s health-specific semester credit hours (see degree plan).

Students have a specific degree plan based on the semester in which they enter the program. All requirements toward a master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive calendar years from the date of admission or the date of the first transfer credit course.

Spring and summers follow a 13-week schedule.

Is there a part-time program?

Yes. Texas Woman's University considers nine credit hours full-time. However, most MSN students enroll in a minimum of six hours per semester. Students planning part-time enrollment need to consult closely with an advisor and MSN program coordinator. Not all core courses are offered every semester but can be taken in any order and must be completed before moving into the WHNP track. The WHNP courses are only offered in specific semesters and must be taken sequentially.

While a full-time student can complete required coursework in at least two years, a part-time student will require a longer period, but must be complete within six years.

If accepted into the program, the student will meet with the program coordinator to establish a degree plan.  
For those planning financial aid, five semester credit hours are required to qualify.

Is the program completely online?

Almost. The courses are all online. Some faculty schedule synchronous Zoom class meetings, and others are asynchronous. Students are required to come to the Dallas campus during one semester for a two-day on-campus assessment and skills intensive required of all nurse practitioner students. WHNP students are offered (and highly encouraged) to attend another hands-on procedure day in Dallas later in the program.

I live in another state. Can I still enroll since the program is online?

That depends. First, you must have an active Texas nursing license.

You must also complete ALL clinical hours in Texas. Clinical requirements are the final three semesters of the program. All of these hours must be direct patient care hours. Spring semester requires 180 hours. Summer and fall semesters are 300 hours each. This is non-negotiable.

Will I be able to work while taking classes?

That depends on the individual student. Many students work full-time in the full-time degree plan. Some can work part-time and take a full-time course load. Clinical practicum is in the final three semesters. The first practicum semester includes a didactic course and 180 clock hours, which can be done while working full-time. The final two semesters include a didactic course and 300 clinical hours each. Most students continue to work full-time. It is challenging, but students who stay focused and organized do well.

How many clinical hours are required?

Completing the WHNP track for MSN or Post Master’s Certificates requires 780 Women’s Health Direct Patient Care hours.

Can I transfer to the TWU WHNP program from another institution?

Yes. An applicant still needs to meet high standards for acceptance. Courses that have already been taken will be thoroughly evaluated to ensure alignment with the program. After this review, some courses may not be accepted as transfer credits.

Students can email unofficial transcripts AND syllabi for the courses to transfer into the program. There is no guarantee that these will be reviewed before program applications open. 

Can I transfer to the WHNP program from another NP program at TWU?

Possibly. We encourage students to continue the path they started. First, it is important to know that a request for a transfer does not mean that the request will be granted. There are many factors to consider.

We strongly encourage students to contemplate why a change is desired. Students should consider where they are in their current degree plan. Changing programs will, most likely, significantly alter degree completion time. Students who are considering transfer must also meet the high standards for acceptance into our highly desired program. Students should meet with their current academic advisor when considering a change of focus.  

A master’s program specialty transfer form should be submitted for review. For students considering transfer within the TWU MSN program, contact Mandy Horne (mhorne4@twu.edu) and your current faculty advisor.

Will I have to write a thesis?

The MSN program requires an evidence-based practice project that culminates over the final three semesters. Students will present their research to faculty and peers in the final spring semester.

Will I need to find my preceptors?

TWU has a placement team that performs essential activities necessary for students to have successful clinical rotations and is committed to sourcing clinical placement for MSN clinical students.

Students may decline placement secured by TWU placement services, understanding that securing a preceptor semester becomes the student’s responsibility for that term semester.

Since online students may be from anywhere in the state, we encourage students to make local connections. A student may likely live in an area with no TWU existing relationships with qualified preceptors. We discourage students from making cold calls or going into offices to ask if they accept students. There are strict guidelines that must be followed when securing placements.

I have a provider who has agreed to by my preceptor. Can I do that?

Most likely. When students have a preferred site to use, they should notify the placement team. The team will work with them to make arrangements.

Each clinical site for clinical rotations must have a legal affiliation agreement with TWU. If students wish to source their preceptors, students are to reach out to faculty on how to proceed with an affiliation agreement.

Affiliation agreements are legal contracts between the medical facility and Texas Woman’s University. These agreements can take anywhere from two weeks to five months to complete. Students are encouraged to start this process early for student-derived placement opportunities.

We discourage students from practicing at the same clinical site all three semesters. Students exposed to a wide variety of patients and work with several different providers have a greater depth of knowledge and are better able to apply that knowledge to patient care. 

I am already a Nurse Practitioner. Can I obtain a post-master's certificate (PMC) in Women’s Health?

Yes. Dual certification is highly marketable.

PMC applicants must have a Master’s of Science in Nursing to qualify for the PMC program. Courses known as the 3 P’s - advanced pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, and advanced assessment courses - must fall within six years of the anticipated TWU graduation date. Otherwise, they must be repeated.

Students are required to complete all practicum hours despite any professional experience they may have.

What is the professional organization for WHNPs?

The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) is the professional organization for WHNPs. We highly recommend students review the NPWH website to learn more about Women’s Health NPs.

What happens next?

Once a student applies, applicant information will be reviewed by the graduate school. That information will then go to the WHNP program coordinator for review if approved. The program coordinator will contact the applicant with next steps and detailed instructions. Applicants will be asked to write an essay about background and why they want to become a WHNP. Two professional letters of reference are required. 

A telephone or Zoom interview may be scheduled depending on the number of qualified applicants. Final decisions will be made as soon as possible.

Admission to the program is highly competitive. 

I still have questions. What should I do?

Contact Mandy Horne (mhorne4@twu.edu).

Program Contacts

FNP Online Program: admissions@onlinenursing.twu.edu, 833-898-8986

Family Nurse Practitioner: Christiana Acho, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
cacho@twu.edu   

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: Susan Chrostowski, DNP, APRN, ANP-C
schrostowski@twu.edu 

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Jeri Striplin, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC
jstriplin@twu.edu  

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Andrea Brooks, Ph.D., APRN, CNE, PPCNP-BC
abrooks25@twu.edu  

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Misty Richmond, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC
mrichmond4@twu.edu  

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner: Mandy Horne, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC
mhorne4@twu.edu    

Nurse Educator: Elaine Wilson, PhD, RN, CPN
cwilson@twu.edu 

Application Deadlines

Fall - February 15
Spring - September 15
Summer - 

Psychiatric Mental Health NP - Rolling admission

Admission Requirements

• Current US RN license (unencumbered) uploaded into application
• Basic statistics course (undergraduate)
• BS or BSN degree from a nationally-accredited nursing program
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of course work toward the undergraduate nursing degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all prior graduate course work

Applicants who do not meet these criteria but have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 semester credit hours of course work toward the undergraduate nursing degree may be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis. Factors that may be considered in the admission decision are: GPA on any prior graduate course work, scholarly activities, professional leadership, and work history.

For applicants who have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a master's degree in another field (or more than one graduate degree), the grade point average from all previously earned degrees and post-graduate work can be considered in making the admission decision.

Individuals who have a master’s degree in nursing may seek admission to a post-master’s certification program in one of three areas: nurse practitioner, nursing health systems management, or nursing education. 

Applicants who wish to transfer from another nursing program must provide evidence of eligibility to continue in the previous nursing program. Nine semester hours for programs requiring 39-44 semester hours, 12 semester hours for programs requiring 45 or more semester hours, may be transferred, if approved. A grade of B or higher in each course is necessary for semester credit hours to be considered for transfer.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP requires one year experience in an acute care environment. {Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP must be selected if not wanting Acute Care NP. This is often a mistake students make when applying and may require a new application and application fee.}  

This program requires the name, Email addresses, and phone number for two academic or professional references familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide letters of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application. 

Psychiatric Mental Health NP requires experience in a behavioral health environment (one year full-time or two years part-time). Applicants are also required to:
1. Submit a copy of their current CV/resume, the name, email address, and phone number for two mental health practitioners/former faculty references familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide letters of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application. 
2. A one-page essay about their desire to be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. 
3. Applicants who do not possess experience in a behavioral health setting may be considered for provisional admission, in which case the required experience must be obtained before starting clinical practicum courses.

Pediatric NP Primary Care requires one year experience in a pediatric setting.  Applicants who do not possess experience in a pediatric setting may be considered for provisional admission, in which case the required experience must be obtained before starting clinical practicum courses.

Women's Health NP requires at least two years in any field of nursing of which one year should be in a women's health setting. Exceptions may be made based on other prior work experience, contributions to the community, scholarship, and references. Exceptions may be made in certain cases, However, this will require review by the WHNP Program Coordinator.

Applicants are also required to submit a copy of their current CV/resume, two letters of recommendation from women's health practitioners/former faculty, and a one-page essay about their desire to be a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. 

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
3. Submit Recommendation Requests
   If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application.
4. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
   1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
   2. Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - Payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 304 Administration Drive, Suite 102, Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
   3. Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (down the hall in ACT).
   4. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
   5. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.