Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP

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
• Prerequisite 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

Degree Requirements

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.

DNP students must earn a “B” (3.0) or better for each course taken in the program. If a student receives a “B” or less on a study plan course, the course must be repeated and passed with a “B” or better. A “B” or less in 6 or more units will result in dismissal from the DNP program.

Total (36-45 units)