Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 University Catalog 
    
2017-2018 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP


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(36-45 units)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is offered through the Southern California CSU DNP Consortium, which includes the CSU campuses of Fullerton, Long Beach and Los Angeles. The DNP is a professional practice degree designed to prepare nurses in advanced practice for complex practice and leadership roles in the clinical setting as well as teaching roles at California’s community colleges and at the California State University. Students admitted into the program will be able to draw on faculty expertise across three large institutions. Specialty areas include Anesthesia, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Management/Administration/Leadership, Midwifery, Nurse Practitioner and Community Health Nursing.

The DNP program is an extremely demanding and rigorous academic experience designed to prepare nurses to assume the highest levels of nursing professional practice. In addition to developing advanced competencies in evidence-based practice, leadership, health policy and advocacy, graduates will develop in-depth skills in a focused area of nursing practice. Students will complete a total of 1,000 clinical hours in practicum experience.

Admission Requirements


Candidates seeking admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program must meet California State University, Fullerton and CSUF School of Nursing requirements for admission (admission requirements are equivalent for all Consortium schools).

Applicants seeking admission to the DNP program must have:

  • A master’s degree, from an accredited institution, in nursing or a health-related field (i.e., public health or health administration) and national certification as an APRN (CNM, CNS, CRNA or NP) for preparation as clinicians, leaders or educators (direct care track)
    OR
    A master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution in nursing leadership or administration, nursing education or community health nursing for preparation as nurse educators or nurse leaders (indirect care track), and national certification in a clinical nursing specialty
  • Official transcripts from all institutions ever attended
  • A grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in overall prior graduate coursework attempted
  • Pre-requisite courses for admission include:
  • Master’s level courses in Advanced Physical/Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology for the direct care track only
  • Master’s level courses in core nursing areas such as nursing theory, research and transcultural nursing
  • Current, unrestricted California RN licensure or eligibility and advanced practice national certification and national furnishing/prescriptive authority, if applicable
  • Three letters of reference with completed recommendation forms
  • A personal written statement of purpose
  • Official documentation of nursing practicum hours attained during the master’s degree program or the post-master’s certificate program
  • Completion of the School of Nursing Application and proof of university application
  • Proof of meeting or plan to meet the CSUF Writing Requirement
  • Completion of interviews and on-site writing sample, as requested

Admission Procedures


Students are accepted into the DNP program once a year in the fall semester. Admission to the program is a multi-step process.

  • Applicants must apply to the university via calstate.edu/apply. Current deadlines for applications can be found on the website
  • Applicants must also complete a supplemental application and submit it directly to the School of Nursing at CSUF. Details are provided within the application and found on the School of Nursing website. All required items must be submitted in one packet to the School of Nursing
  • Applications are evaluated by faculty, and selected candidates are invited to attend a writing assessment
  • Candidates will complete a computer-based writing assessment, the details of which will be provided
  • Applicants who pass the writing assessment will be scheduled for interviews. If selected for an interview, the specific time and location will be provided
  • Once accepted into the program, students are required to complete a background check, provide evidence of medical clearance and required immunizations, and provide documentation as required by the university and School of Nursing

Requirements for Degree


In order to graduate with a DNP degree, students must meet university, as well as School of Nursing requirements; and must have been classified, advanced to candidacy and completed a satisfactory pattern of study in an approved field. Each student’s program for a doctoral degree (including eligibility, classified standing, candidacy, and award of the degree) must be approved by the Graduate Program Adviser, and the Graduate Studies Office. Details are provided in the DNP Student Handbook.

Students must earn a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 in all study plan coursework. No grade lower than a “C” will be counted towards DNP study plan coursework. A DNP student will be placed on probation if either the cumulative graduate or study plan GPA falls below 3.0; and will be subject to disqualification the second term the student’s GPA is below 3.0.

Study Plan


Total (36-45 units)


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