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Dec 05, 2025
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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Nursing (D.N.P.) - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization
Location(s):
Online
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 Return to: Colleges, Departments, Schools and their Academic Programs
Program Coordinator/Contact
Cami Veire, Nursing Advisor and Graduate Specialist
Graduate Nursing
SDSU Sioux Falls Campus (STC)
2300 N Career Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
605-367-8400
Program Information
The D.N.P. program was established in 2009. The purpose of the D.N.P. program is to prepare Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to transform clinical practice as expert clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and postgraduate advanced practice registered nurse certificate program at South Dakota State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
South Dakota State University College of Nursing Healthcare Simulation Center has full accreditation by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in teaching/education. This status will be granted from Oct. 25, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2027.
Certification and Licensure
Students must provide evidence of professional registration by submitting a copy of the most current RN license.
After completing the program of study, graduates are eligible to complete certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Course Delivery Format
The program coursework is delivered online and includes a field-based practicum.
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Available Options for Graduate Degrees
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | Post Master’s to D.N.P. | 42-54 Credit Hours | | | B.S.N. to D.N.P. | 78 Credit Hours | Total Required Credits: 42-54 (Post Master’s to D.N.P.)
Total Required Credits: 78 (B.S.N. to D.N.P.)
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 - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 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 B.S.N. to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Psychiatric Mental Health 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.
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