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About The MSN Community/Public Health Nursing Online Program
Are you seeking an advanced nursing program that focuses on specific patient populations? What if you could make healthcare more accessible, improve outcomes for vulnerable populations, and develop health promotion programs aimed at disease prevention? Imagine achieving both in one nursing program.
American Public University's online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Community/Public Health Nursing is your opportunity to learn about:
- Population-based healthcare, including environmental health
- The social determinants of health
- Health policy
- Health education programs
This MSN program through American Public University is among a growing number of community/public health nursing programs nationwide.
This online MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). It is designed for registered nurses who have earned a bachelor of science in nursing; have a current, active, and unencumbered license; and seek a specialized concentration, such as Community/Public Health Nursing.
The mission of the program is to provide quality, affordable, and accessible higher education to professional registered nurses by fostering lifelong learning through a spirit of inquiry to prepare students for service and leadership roles.
NOTE: This program has specific admission requirements and is currently not open for admission to residents of Washington, D.C., or Washington state.
What You Will Do
- Apply ethical principles to advanced professional nursing practice
- Demonstrate leadership skills that support safe nursing practices and patient-centered care
- Advocate for health policy improvement
- Apply your knowledge and evidence-based practice to deliver high-quality, safe care to different populations in a variety of settings
- Apply data management principles to provide cost-effective care and improve health outcomes
Degree at a Glance
$386.75** | $409.50***
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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:
The community/public health nursing concentration prepares nurses to serve, protect, and promote the health of communities locally and globally through the application of three core functions of public health: assessment, policy development, and assurance. Students are taught to serve as change agents practicing with a justice approach that is collaborative, promotes health and equity, and engages community gatekeepers and stakeholders. Graduates are equipped to analyze determinants of health using epidemiological data and other evidence. They are also prepared to apply social and behavioral science theories, models, and principles to develop or improve programs to address public health issues and to promote public health policies, programs, and resources that improve health outcomes.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze social determinants of health that affect the health of a community.
- Evaluate prevention strategies of communities to identify opportunities for improvement in health and disease prevention of vulnerable populations.
- Enhance the health of a vulnerable population through interprofessional coordination, planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of a public health nursing intervention for a selected community.
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 5349
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 | Summer 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 03/31/25 - 08/29/25 | 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 | Summer 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
| 05/26/25 - 10/31/25 | 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 | Fall 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4507
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 | Summer 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 02/24/25 - 08/01/25 | 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 | Summer 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 03/31/25 - 08/29/25 | 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 | Summer 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
| 04/28/25 - 10/03/25 | 10/06/25 - 11/30/25 | Fall 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3884
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 | Summer 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 05/26/25 - 10/31/25 | 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 | Fall 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3628
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 | Summer 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 02/24/25 - 08/01/25 | 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 | Summer 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 03/31/25 - 08/29/25 | 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 | Summer 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
| 06/30/25 - 11/28/25 | 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 | Fall 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2831
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/24/25 - 08/01/25 | 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 | Summer 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 03/31/25 - 08/29/25 | 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 | Summer 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
| 06/30/25 - 11/28/25 | 12/01/25 - 01/25/26 | Fall 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 4788
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 | Summer 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 03/31/25 - 08/29/25 | 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 | Summer 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
| 05/26/25 - 10/31/25 | 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 | Fall 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4789
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 | Summer 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 03/31/25 - 08/29/25 | 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 | Summer 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
| 05/26/25 - 10/31/25 | 11/03/25 - 12/28/25 | Fall 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4791
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 | Summer 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 03/31/25 - 08/29/25 | 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 | Summer 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4792
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 | Summer 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 03/31/25 - 08/29/25 | 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 | Summer 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 5052
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 | Summer 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 5350
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/27/25 - 07/04/25 | 07/07/25 - 10/26/25 | Summer 2025 Session A | 16 Week session |
What is the Role of a Community/Public Health Nurse?
The community/public health nurse serves two powerful purposes:
- Public health nurses problem solve for whole populations, which could also be termed population health management. They are involved in public health programs, such as vaccination initiatives. They often work for government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as local and state departments of health. Some may work in research labs that address disease prevention.
- Community health nurses are hands-on, population-based nurses. They typically work outside hospital settings with very specific communities. They may be a school nurse, home health nurse, church mission nurse, or work with those served by clinics or community health centers, for example. They also work to develop health programs to address health disparities in underserved communities.
The knowledge you gain through this community and public health nursing MSN allows you to effectively combine the two disciplines. Nurses who hold an MSN in Community/Public Health become agents of change, using a justice-led approach and a collaborative mindset.
About Our Community/Public Health Nursing Specialty
American Public University’s program blends learning about the two distinct subsets within the community/public health nursing specialty, exploring both the public health nurse and the community health nurse. The program provides a balanced approach to prepare nurses for this impactful healthcare segment. It is designed to cultivate your knowledge and skill as a practitioner, scientist, and nurse leader.
In American Public University’s Community/Public Health Nursing track, you’ll learn to promote health equity, while empowering community gatekeepers and stakeholders to address community/public health matters. With an eye toward local and global impact, you’ll explore the three core functions of public health initiatives: assessment, policy development, and assurance.
Our MSN in Community/Public Health allows you to analyze the underlying causes of health inequity. Using evidence-based methods, such as epidemiological data, you’ll become competent in these key areas: applying models and principles of social and behavioral sciences, designing or improving initiatives that center on public health nursing, and promoting policies that fulfill your mission—to improve public health programs.
Your curriculum includes a two-part practicum in your community, leveraging what you’ve learned throughout this online master’s degree program. It is the only in-person requirement of this program. All other coursework is fully online.
Why Choose American Public University?
American Public University prides itself on value. The University is part of American Public University System, which a Georgetown University study* ranked in the top 22% for return on educational investment. In keeping with a focus on value, this program features affordable per-credit-hour tuition, and you can apply to this master’s degree program at no cost.
*Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce report, Ranking 4,396 Colleges by ROI (2025), ranking is based on the most recent data available (2021-2022 cohort) showing students’ median earnings 20 years following their initial enrollment at APUS.
How else will you benefit from this CCNE-accredited program?
- Becoming a Master’s-prepared Community/Public Health Nurse: Advance your existing knowledge about population health management, informatics and technology, public health, and global health policy
- No Waitlist: Unlike some on-campus programs, American Public University’s online MSN program lets you enroll upon acceptance. Nursing classes begin every other month, and the flexible online format lets you log in on your schedule to complete weekly assignments
- Expert Faculty: You’ll be guided by faculty who share their knowledge from advanced nursing practice, hospitals and hospital systems, public health departments, government agencies, and community health centers
- Accessible Learning: No entrance exams or GRE® scores are required. But this master of science program has prerequisite admission requirements. Please request information to learn more
GRE® is a registered trademark of ETS.
Benefits of Learning Online
Online learning comes with a host of advantages:
- Getting Comfortable with Technology: This program introduces industry-relevant technology, which enhances your digital skills as you pursue your degree in nursing.
- Flexibility: This program is designed to fit any schedule. Because there are no set login times, you can complete weekly assignments as you work around job and family commitments.
- Networking: This online program enables you to connect with faculty, nursing professionals, and other students seeking an MSN who come from outside your own community. You learn about health matters that differ from your own. For instance, you may live in a small town, but you connect with nurses from large urban hospitals, which presents an entirely different set of circumstances related to patient care and resources.
Why Accreditation for Online MSN Programs Is Important
American Public University is part of American Public University System. The master of science program in nursing at American Public University System is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
CCNE sets national standards for quality in nursing education. But why is it important for nursing programs to be accredited?
Accreditation ensures that education programs meet certain standards of quality, ethics, and care. Through rigorous evaluation processes, accrediting bodies such as CCNE ensure that students are receiving high-quality education that meets professional needs. The goal is to ensure that graduates are well-prepared for their future roles in the healthcare industry. Accreditation also assures employers hiring new nurses that they are well-equipped for their role.
American Public University’s accredited MSN program provides access to faculty members who are experienced in their field. Graduating from an accredited program is an important consideration in a competitive job market and may build confidence in professional pursuits after graduation.
How Transfer Credits Can Accelerate Your Progress
You may have job experience that can translate to academic credit hours. Perhaps you have completed graduate nursing courses elsewhere. Transferring credits is a great way to enable you to reach your academic goals more quickly while reducing the cost of your nursing degree.1
American Public University may award up to 15 credits toward transfer for this MSN in community and public health nursing program. If you think you have transfer credit hours, we encourage you to inquire about an evaluation. We evaluate and apply transfer credit at no cost, another reflection of our commitment to affordability and value for our students.
Learn more on our graduate transfer credit page.
1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University’s transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
How to Pay for Your Nursing Degree
At American Public University, we pride ourselves on affordable tuition and fees. Our online master of science in nursing (MSN) degree provides you access to many advantages similar to on-campus programs, including advisors who can suggest options for obtaining financial aid. Here are options to consider:
- Federal Student Aid: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, available at studentaid.gov to determine your eligibility to receive federal student loans or financial aid
- Employer Benefits: If you’re a working registered nurse, check with your HR department on whether your organization partners with American Public University for educational benefits
- Scholarships: Groups such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) offer a website filled with search engines and links to scholarships for nursing students
Get your questions answered: Paying for an advanced degree doesn’t need to be complicated. We can help you evaluate your options. Simply email us at [email protected] or call to speak with an advisor at 877-755-2787.
Are you ready to get started? Request information from American Public University today.
American Public University offers two avenues to earn a Master of Science in Nursing in the Community/Public Health Nursing track.
- Master of Science in Nursing: If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, this program is a standalone master’s degree tailored for those specifically interested in community/public health
- RN to MSN Program: A great option for nurses who do not have a bachelor’s degree yet, this program is tailored for the registered nurse (RN) who holds a diploma or an associate degree in nursing and seeks to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing simultaneously
Each route includes a practicum as a capstone experience. Clinical practice hours are completed in your local community, where you will evaluate the significance of population health programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Public health nurses focus on issues pertaining to the overall population, while community health nurses focus on specific segments of a community. A Community/Public Health Nursing program typically features a rich array of courses from both disciplines. The knowledge you gain allows you to combine the two to address public health and engage in health promotion activities aimed at specific communities. There are academic programs, such as an MSN in Public Health, that focus exclusively on the public health segment.
There are two subsets of the Community/Public Health Nursing specialty: the public health nurse and community health nurse. Here are the key differences:
- Public health nurses solve problems that affect whole communities. They often work for local and state health departments and government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). They address large population health issues, such as tackling the next pandemic when it arises or running an effective vaccine program by using their evidence-based practice skills.
- Community health nurses typically work outside hospital settings. They work with very specific populations, at times developing culturally sensitive programs. They are school nurses, home health nurses, or doctor’s office private practice nurses. They also can be found working for organizations that provide disaster relief. Some focus on programs that address health disparities among vulnerable populations.
Here are 3 key benefits to getting your MSN:
- Networking—This degree helps you establish professional connections and broadens your exposure to healthcare and the public health sector. Fellow students share experiences from varied settings, like small rural hospitals, large urban healthcare settings, or community health clinics.
- Technology—Learn the value of becoming acquainted with technology and its ability to enhance your digital skills for professional application.
- Specialization—A registered nurse who obtains a master’s-level education gains advanced knowledge for specialized roles, such as nursing education, nursing practice informatics, and community health.
The MSN in Public Health is a Master of Science in Nursing designed to build expertise specifically in public health nursing. Those who earn an MSN in Public Health are trained to develop public health programs that improve population health outcomes and learn to evaluate the efficacy of these programs.
American Public University offers an MSN degree that goes beyond the more narrow MSN in Public Health. Its MSN with a Community/Public Health concentration combines the study of both public health nursing with the nuances specific to the role of the community health nurse.
Admission Requirements
This program has specific admission requirements and is currently not open for admission to residents of Washington, D.C., or Washington state.
All APU master's degree and graduate certificate programs require you to have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
In addition, the following is required for admission into this program. All documentation must be provided prior to course registration:
- Official transcripts showing a conferred Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a program accredited by: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN®), Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA®), or
Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN). - Current and active unencumbered registered nurse (RN) in state or province where practicums will be conducted
- Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate nursing degree
- Successful completion of an undergraduate level statistics course with a “C” or higher
- Current resume/CV
- Signed statement of understanding (SOU)
- 500-600 word statement of purpose and goals for graduate education is required for admission. Writing style should be scholarly and coherent with no grammatical errors. Your statement should include a description of relevant work experience, and clearly articulated reasons for applying to the master’s program. Long-term goals or professional career aspirations should be included.
Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students).
An APU admissions representative will contact you via email or phone to assist you with the enrollment process, review your documentation, and notify you when you have been admitted into the program and may register for courses.
Note: You must complete this program within 5 years of starting your first nursing (NURS) course.
ACEN® is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
CNEA® is a registered trademark of the National League for Nursing, Inc.
Program Goals
The goals of the MSN program are to prepare students to:
- Assume service and leadership roles and effectively employ leadership skills to affect practice changes across systems
- Foster a culture of personal lifelong learning and professional development to align the nursing profession with the future of health and healthcare systems
- Cultivate and lead collaborative inter-professional healthcare teams
- Provide a seamless transition for the BSN-prepared Registered Nurse to earn an MSN and provide a foundation for doctoral studies in nursing
- Encourage licensed nurses to attain and apply specialized knowledge at the graduate level in the Community and Public Health Nursing concentration
Materials Cost
Most courses in this program use Open Educational Resources (OER). These teaching, learning, and research materials are made available to you at no cost, meaning there are minimal book costs associated with earning this degree.
There is a one-time fee for Typhon student practicum tracking software. This fee will be paid directly to the Typhon group. Technology fee: $85 per course
Need Help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].
Quality Education Should Be Affordable
So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.
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Disclosures
Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.
1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
*Cost Per Credit Hour
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.
Cost of Attendance
Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.
