BSN to DNP Degree Admission Requirements and Curriculum

Admission Requirements for BSN to DNP Applicants:

• Completed application for graduate admission to the DNP Degree program
• Graduated from an accredited BSN program with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all nursing and prerequisite coursework with all official transcripts.
• Unencumbered RN license
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• College statistics course with grade of C or higher equivalent to approved SVSU courses.
• DNP Essay Goal Statement with literature support - 1000 to 1250 words in length following APA format including four scholarly references from the literature.
  • Provide your reason(s) for pursuing a DNP practice degree.
  • Identify your professional career plans and goals.
  • Include potential interest areas for the doctoral project.
  • Explain your understanding of the DNP degree and the purpose of a practice doctorate degree.

• Discussion with the Graduate Nursing Coordinator.
• Letters of recommendation are not required but may be requested at the discretion of the graduate nursing coordinator.
• Additional international student admission requirements:
  • Completed international application for graduate admission.
  • An academic report by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
  • A score of 92 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), 580 Paper-based TOEFL (PBT), or an IELTS band score of 7.0 in each skill area.
  • Evidence of financial support.
• Recommended: Review Graduate Nursing Handbook 2024-25 (1,805KB)

Additional admission criteria may be required for any applicant based on record review.

The Nursing Department promotes an inclusive learning environment and will provide reasonable accommodations providing essential program/curriculum elements are maintained.

Prior to practice courses, a criminal background check, evidence of current immunizations, physical exam, CPR, and drug testing are required as described in the Graduate Nursing Handbook. 

BSN to DNP Plans of Study

BSN to DNP Program Core Curriculum (71 cr, including 1,020 clinical hours)

» View the complete list of courses and descriptions

» Benefits of Becoming a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner

A minimum 71 credits required which includes a minimum total of 1,020 clinical and/or DNP practice hours).

• NURS 610 - Advanced Pathophysiology for APRN 3 credits
• NURS 612 - Advanced Pharmacology for APRN 3 credits
• NURS 615 - Advanced Health Assessment 4 credits
• NURS 624 - Foundations for Research in ANP 2 credits
• NURS 626 - Critical Inquiry in ANP 2 credits
• NURS 630 - Policy & Leadership in ANP 2 credits
• NURS 636 - Differential Diagnosis 1 credits
• NURS 641 - Primary Care I FNP for Chronicity 3 credits
• NURS 643 - Primary Care II FNP for Pediatrics 3 credits
• NURS 645 - Primary Care III Gender/Mental Health 3 credits
• NURS 647 - Primary Care IV FNP Acute/Transition 3 credits
• NURS 651 - Clinical Office Procedures 1 credits
• NURS 674A - FNP Clinical A 1 5 credits
• NURS 674B - FNP Clinical B 1 4 credits
• NURS 674C - FNP Clinical C 1 4 credits
• NURS 674D - FNP Clinical D 1 4 credits
• NURS 772 - Epidemiology & Population Hlth in ANP 3 credits
• NURS 774 - Informatics for ANP 3 credits
• NURS 776 - QI/Patient Safety for ANP 3 credits
• NURS 778 - Interprofessional & Organiz Leadership 3 credits
• NURS 805 - Communication for Advanced Nursing Prac 1 credits
• NURS 810 - Scholarship for ANP 3 credits
• NURS 814 - Translational Scholarship for ANP 2 credits
• NURS 824 - Analytic Methods of Quality Improvement 3 credits
• NURS 830 - Financial Data for Practice Change 3 credits
• NURS 850A - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850B - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850C - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850D - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850E - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850F - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits

All DNP students must complete a minimum of 3 credits of DNP Project/Immersion in 3 semesters.
These courses may be taken more than once for credit in order to fulfill program requirements.

(1 cr. = 60 DNP hours)
(Credits will vary by Program Plan) Credits / Units: 1-3