Nursing (D.N.P.) - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Core Requirements

Additional Admissions Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
IELTS: 6.5 total band
Duolingo: 110

Additional Admissions Requirements for Post Master’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Post Master’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization must have:

• Current, unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
• Students who have not previously completed Advanced Physical Assessment (Lifespan), Advanced Pathophysiology (Lifespan), Advanced Pharmacology / Pharmacotherapeutics (Lifespan) or equivalent coursework will be required to complete those courses as part of this program. All previous coursework will need to be evaluated for equivalency and approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing.
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to taking Advanced Physical Assessment (Lifespan).
• Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
• Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
• Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.

For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
• Master’s degree in nursing (from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

• A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
• A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Master’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system. 

Additional Admission Requirements for Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization must have:

• Current, unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to taking Advanced Physical Assessment (Lifespan).
• Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
• Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
• Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.

For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

• A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

Accelerated Graduate Program

The accelerated graduate program will be available to eligible SDSU students. Up to 6 credits applied to the undergraduate degree may be used to satisfy graduate credit. Students must follow SDSU Policy 2:22 Use of Graduate Credit for Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

General Requirements

Graduate students must consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework. For additional information, refer to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Requirements .