Jan 31, 2026  
University of Alberta Calendar 2025-2026 
    
University of Alberta Calendar 2025-2026

Master of Nurse Practitioner Practice (Effective July 2026)


Please note [January 15, 2026] - ADDENDUM. This is a new program. See Amendments to the Calendar  for additional information.


General Information


The MNPP is a clinical graduate program that prepares graduates to achieve eligibility to write the relevant nurse practitioner licensing exam for entry-to-practice as a Nurse Practitioner in Canada in either an All Ages All Settings or Neonatal category of practice.

Refer to the Faculty of Nursing website for a full description of MNPP program outcomes.

Specializations


The MNPP program prepares students to enter practice at a novice NP level, meeting the basic entry-levelcompetencies for the profession, as certified by a national NP licensing exam for AAAS specialization, or a provincial NNP licensing exam in Alberta for NNP specialization. There are two specializations available with the MNPP program: All Ages All Settings (AAAS) Nurse Practitioner and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).

  • All Ages All Settings (AAAS) Nurse Practitioner - Graduates are prepared to practice in diverse settings (including hospital, outpatient clinics, primary care, long term care, and community settings).
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) - Graduates are prepared to practice in neonatal intensive care settings. Graduates will have a license initially in the province of Alberta, and will apply to other provincial colleges for transfer of license to the province where employment will be secured following graduation.

Program Requirements


Course-based or Thesis-based Routes


Students in the MNPP program can select a course-based or thesis-based route.

MNPP Course-based


Students in the course-based MNPP program complete a minimum of 52 course credits, plus a 3-unit credit capping exercise (NURS 900 ).

The capping exercise is developed through coursework across the program of studies with guidance from a faculty advisor. This exercise is an inquiry that demonstrates a synthesis of the individual’s learning experiences, and explores a topic that is linked to the student’s coursework and nursing experience.

Course-based students should complete at least three courses (9 credits) per year. All part-time course-based graduate students must register in a minimum of 3 units in course-work or in M REG 800  each September to August period to maintain their student status.

MNPP Thesis-based


Students in the thesis-based MNPP program are required to complete 64 credits including a thesis (52 course credits and a minimum of 12 thesis credits).

The thesis project demonstrates the student’s ability to develop and implement a research proposal using an accepted research method, and to present the findings in an appropriate scholarly manner. Students work closely with their supervisor to complete the research.

Residency Requirement


MNPP students have opportunities to study in courses that are offered in face-to-face or hybrid synchronous teaching modalities. During two courses, students are required to attend on campus for a residency of up to two weeks total (10 teaching days) as they engage in activities such as seminars, clinical simulations, and OSCE examinations in preparation for entry to WIL/practicum hours.

  1. NURS 547 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning I / NURS 537 - Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Diagnostic Reasoning - Neonate
  2. NURS 550 - Clinical Reasoning and Management of Chronic Disease Across the Lifespan in the fall term and NURS 540 - Advanced Clinical Care III - Neonatal

Clinical Requirements Prior to Engaging in Clinical Placement Courses


See additional details related to Clinical Requirements on the Faculty of Nursing website.

Students are responsible for the health and safety requirements for all clinical practice courses in their graduate program. All requirements must be met prior to starting the courses which include clinical hours. If there is an associated fee, students are responsible for the costs incurred.

  • Must hold licensure as a Registered Nurse with the Canadian provincial or territorial nursing regulatory jurisdiction(s) for the duration of the program, and specifically must hold licensure in jurisdiction(s) where clinical placements will occur.
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification (BCLS) for all students, regardless of specialty
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (ACLS) for All Ages All Settings specialization
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) for Neonatal specialization
  • Completion of all required health and safety forms and clinical placement forms
  • Immunization Requirements: See University Infectious Diseases Regulation  
  • Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check (Security Clearance Check)
  • Professional Ethics/Code of Student Behaviour

GPS Graduate Requirements


MNPP students are required to complete the following University of Alberta requirements from the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS):

  1. Professional Development (PD) Requirement
    This entails completion of an Individual Development Plan as approved by the graduate supervisor, and completion of eight hours of professional development activities inspired by the career plan.
  2. Academic Integrity and Ethics Requirement
    MNPP students must complete INT D 710 , which is an asynchronous online course on Ethics and Academic Citizenship.

Course Requirements


MNPP (AAAS) All Ages All Settings


Graduates are prepared to practice in diverse settings (including hospital, outpatient clinics, primary care, long term care, and community settings).

MNPP (AAAS) Course Sequence: Full Time - Course Based

Year One: Fall

  • NURS 519 - Foundations of Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 523 - Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 526 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar I
  • NURS 589 - Master’s Community of Inquiry I
  • NURS 595 - Foundations of Scholarship/Critical Thought
Year One: Winter

  • NURS 521 - Applied Nursing Research
  • NURS 524 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 527 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar II
  • NURS 590 - Master’s Community of Inquiry II
  • NURS 597 - Understanding Complex Systems
Year One: Spring/Summer (13 weeks)

  • NURS 552 - Clinical Practicum I
Year One: Spring (6 weeks)

  • NURS 547 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning I
  • NURS 591 - Master’s Community of Inquiry III
Year One: Summer (6 weeks)

  • NURS 528 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar III
  • NURS 548 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning II
Year Two: Fall

  • NURS 549 - Clinical Reasoning and Management of Acute Disease Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 550 - Clinical Reasoning and Management of Chronic Disease Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 553 - Clinical Practicum II
  • NURS 900 - Capstone Project
Year Two: Winter

  • NURS 529 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar IV
  • NURS 551 - Transitions to Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 554 - Clinical Practicum III
  • NURS 555 - Clinical Consolidation
MNPP (AAAS) Course Sequence: Part Time - Course Based

Year One: Fall

  • NURS 519 - Foundations of Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 595 - Foundations of Scholarship/Critical Thought
Year One: Winter

  • NURS 521 - Applied Nursing Research
  • NURS 597 - Understanding Complex Systems
Year Two: Fall

  • NURS 523 - Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 526 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar I
  • NURS 589 - Master’s Community of Inquiry I
Year Two: Winter

  • NURS 524 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 527 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar II
  • NURS 590 - Master’s Community of Inquiry II
(Start of Full Time) Year Two: Spring/Summer (13 weeks)

  • NURS 552 - Clinical Practicum I
Year Two: Spring (6 weeks)

  • NURS 547 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning I
  • NURS 591 - Master’s Community of Inquiry III
Year Two: Summer (6 weeks)

  • NURS 528 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar III
  • NURS 548 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning II
Year Three: Fall

  • NURS 549 - Clinical Reasoning and Management of Acute Disease Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 550 - Clinical Reasoning and Management of Chronic Disease Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 553 - Clinical Practicum II
  • NURS 900 - Capstone Project
Year Three: Winter

  • NURS 529 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar IV
  • NURS 551 - Transitions to Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 554 - Clinical Practicum III
  • NURS 555 - Clinical Consolidation
MNPP (AAAS) Course Sequence: Full Time - Thesis Based

Year One: Fall

  • NURS 519 - Foundations of Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 523 - Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 526 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar I
  • NURS 589 - Master’s Community of Inquiry I
  • NURS 595 - Foundations of Scholarship/Critical Thought
Year One: Winter

  • NURS 521 - Applied Nursing Research
  • NURS 524 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 527 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar II
  • NURS 590 - Master’s Community of Inquiry II
  • NURS 597 - Understanding Complex Systems
Year One: Spring/Summer (13 weeks)

  • NURS 552 - Clinical Practicum I
Year One: Spring (6 weeks)

  • NURS 547 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning I
  • NURS 591 - Master’s Community of Inquiry III
  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year One: Summer (6 weeks)

  • NURS 528 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar III
  • NURS 548 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning II
  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year Two: Fall

  • NURS 549 - Clinical Reasoning and Management of Acute Disease Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 550 - Clinical Reasoning and Management of Chronic Disease Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 553 - Clinical Practicum II
Year Two: Winter

  • NURS 529 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar IV
  • NURS 551 - Transitions to Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 554 - Clinical Practicum III
  • NURS 555 - Clinical Consolidation
Year Two: Spring

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research (as needed for completion)
Year Two: Summer

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research (as needed for completion)
MNPP (AAAS) Course Sequence: Part Time - Thesis Based

Year One: Fall

  • NURS 519 - Foundations of Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 595 - Foundations of Scholarship/Critical Thought
Year One: Winter

  • NURS 521 - Applied Nursing Research
  • NURS 597 - Understanding Complex Systems
Year One: Spring

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year One: Summer

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year Two: Fall

  • NURS 523 - Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 526 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar I
  • NURS 589 - Master’s Community of Inquiry I
Year Two: Winter

  • NURS 524 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 527 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar II
  • NURS 590 - Master’s Community of Inquiry II
(Start of Full Time) Year Two: Spring/Summer (13 weeks)

  • NURS 552 - Clinical Practicum I
  • NURS 591 - Master’s Community of Inquiry III
Year Two: Spring (6 weeks)

  • NURS 547 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning I
  • NURS 591 - Master’s Community of Inquiry III
  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year Two: Summer (6 weeks)

  • NURS 528 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar III
  • NURS 548 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning II
  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year Three: Fall

  • NURS 549 - Clinical Reasoning and Management of Acute Disease Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 550 - Clinical Reasoning and Management of Chronic Disease Across the Lifespan
  • NURS 553 - Clinical Practicum II
  • NURS 900 - Capstone Project
Year Three: Winter

  • NURS 529 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar IV
  • NURS 551 - Transitions to Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 554 - Clinical Practicum III
  • NURS 555 - Clinical Consolidation
Year Three: Spring

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research (as needed for completion)
Year Three: Summer

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research (as needed for completion)

MNPP (NNP) Neonatal Specialization


Graduates are prepared to practice in neonatal intensive care settings. Graduates will have a license initially in the province of Alberta, and will apply to other provincial colleges for transfer of license to the province where employment will be secured following graduation.

MNPP (NNP) Course Sequence: Full Time - Course Based

Year One: Fall

  • NURS 519 - Foundations of Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 526 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar I
  • NURS 543 - Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology - Neonate
  • NURS 589 - Master’s Community of Inquiry I
  • NURS 595 - Foundations of Scholarship/Critical Thought
Year One: Winter

  • NURS 521 - Applied Nursing Research
  • NURS 527 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar II
  • NURS 544 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics - Neonate
  • NURS 590 - Master’s Community of Inquiry II
  • NURS 597 - Understanding Complex Systems
Year One: Spring/Summer (13 weeks)

  • NURS 552 - Clinical Practicum I
Year One: Spring (6 weeks)

  • NURS 537 - Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Diagnostic Reasoning - Neonate
  • NURS 591 - Master’s Community of Inquiry III
Year One: Summer (6 weeks)

  • NURS 528 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar III
  • NURS 538 - Advanced Clinical Care I - Neonatal
Year Two: Fall

  • NURS 539 - Advanced Clinical Care II - Neonatal
  • NURS 540 - Advanced Clinical Care III - Neonatal
  • NURS 553 - Clinical Practicum II
  • NURS 900 - Capstone Project
Year Two: Winter

  • NURS 529 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar IV
  • NURS 551 - Transitions to Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 554 - Clinical Practicum III
  • NURS 555 - Clinical Consolidation
MNPP (NNP) Course Sequence: Part Time - Course Based

Year One: Fall

  • NURS 519 - Foundations of Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 595 - Foundations of Scholarship/Critical Thought
Year One: Winter

  • NURS 521 - Applied Nursing Research
  • NURS 597 - Understanding Complex Systems
Year Two: Fall

  • NURS 526 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar I
  • NURS 543 - Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology - Neonate
  • NURS 589 - Master’s Community of Inquiry I
Year Two: Winter

  • NURS 527 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar II
  • NURS 544 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics - Neonate
  • NURS 590 - Master’s Community of Inquiry II
(Start of Full Time) Year Two: Spring/Summer (13 weeks)

  • NURS 552 - Clinical Practicum I
Year Two: Spring (6 weeks)

  • NURS 537 - Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Diagnostic Reasoning - Neonate
  • NURS 591 - Master’s Community of Inquiry III
Year Two: Summer (6 weeks)

  • NURS 528 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar III
  • NURS 538 - Advanced Clinical Care I - Neonatal
Year Three: Fall

  • NURS 539 - Advanced Clinical Care II - Neonatal
  • NURS 540 - Advanced Clinical Care III - Neonatal
  • NURS 553 - Clinical Practicum II
  • NURS 900 - Capstone Project
Year Three: Winter

  • NURS 529 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar IV
  • NURS 551 - Transitions to Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 554 - Clinical Practicum III
  • NURS 555 - Clinical Consolidation
MNPP (NNP) Course Sequence: Full Time - Thesis Based

Year One: Fall

  • NURS 519 - Foundations of Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 526 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar I
  • NURS 543 - Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology - Neonate
  • NURS 589 - Master’s Community of Inquiry I
  • NURS 595 - Foundations of Scholarship/Critical Thought
Year One: Winter

  • NURS 521 - Applied Nursing Research
  • NURS 527 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar II
  • NURS 544 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics - Neonate
  • NURS 590 - Master’s Community of Inquiry II
  • NURS 597 - Understanding Complex Systems
Year One: Spring/Summer (13 weeks)

  • NURS 552 - Clinical Practicum I
Year One: Spring (6 weeks)

  • NURS 537 - Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Diagnostic Reasoning - Neonate
  • NURS 591 - Master’s Community of Inquiry III
  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year One: Summer (6 weeks)

  • NURS 528 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar III
  • NURS 538 - Advanced Clinical Care I - Neonatal
  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year Two: Fall

  • NURS 539 - Advanced Clinical Care II - Neonatal
  • NURS 540 - Advanced Clinical Care III - Neonatal
  • NURS 553 - Clinical Practicum II
Year Two: Winter

  • NURS 529 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar IV
  • NURS 551 - Transitions to Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 554 - Clinical Practicum III
  • NURS 555 - Clinical Consolidation
Year Two: Spring (6 weeks)

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research (as needed for completion)
Year Two: Summer (6 weeks)

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research (as needed for completion)
MNPP (NNP) Course Sequence: Part Time - Thesis Based

Year One: Fall

  • NURS 519 - Foundations of Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 595 - Foundations of Scholarship/Critical Thought
Year One: Winter

  • NURS 521 - Applied Nursing Research
  • NURS 597 - Understanding Complex Systems
Year One: Spring (6 weeks)

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year One: Summer (6 weeks)

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year Two: Fall

  • NURS 526 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar I
  • NURS 543 - Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology - Neonate
  • NURS 589 - Master’s Community of Inquiry I
Year Two: Winter

  • NURS 527 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar II
  • NURS 544 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics - Neonate
  • NURS 590 - Master’s Community of Inquiry II
(Start of Full Time) Year Two: Spring/Summer (13 weeks)

  • NURS 552 - Clinical Practicum I
Year Two: Spring (6 weeks)

  • NURS 537 - Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Diagnostic Reasoning - Neonate
  • NURS 591 - Master’s Community of Inquiry III
  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year Two: Summer (6 weeks)

  • NURS 528 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar III
  • NURS 538 - Advanced Clinical Care I - Neonatal
  • THES 906 - Thesis Research
Year Three: Fall

  • NURS 539 - Advanced Clinical Care II - Neonatal
  • NURS 540 - Advanced Clinical Care III - Neonatal
  • NURS 553 - Clinical Practicum II
  • NURS 900 - Capstone Project
Year Three: Winter

  • NURS 529 - Nurse Practitioner Practice Seminar IV
  • NURS 551 - Transitions to Nurse Practitioner Practice
  • NURS 554 - Clinical Practicum III
  • NURS 555 - Clinical Consolidation
Year Three: Spring (6 weeks)

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research (as needed for completion)
Year Three: Summer (6 weeks)

  • THES 906 - Thesis Research (as needed for completion)

Academic Standing


Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, with no grade less than C+, throughout the course of the program. Failure to maintain the required cumulative GPA (or failure to progress in research if thesis-based) will normally result in a recommendation by the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies to GPS that the student be placed on academic probation or required to withdraw.

Length of Program


Available seats in the MNPP program are designated as either full-time or part-time. Applicants must select either fulltime or part-time options for their studies. Students wishing to change their part-time or full-time status following admission must apply for consideration to transfer to an alternate program format.

Due to the sequential nature of the clinical courses, all students must complete the final 12 months as a full-time student.

  • Full-time studies are completed in 20 months. All students admitted to full-time studies attend continuously through the spring/summer terms between their first and second years.
  • Part-time studies are normally completed in 32 months. Students admitted to part-time studies will take part-time credits only for the first 20 months of the program, and then must attend continuously as full-time students during the final 12 months of the program.