DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE PROGRAM

WELCOME! 

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused doctoral degree, similar to a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Doctor of Medicine (MD), or Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), in contrast to a research-focused Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The purpose of the DNP is to develop advanced competencies for increasingly complex practice, teaching, and leadership roles in nursing, and provide an advanced educational credential for those in practice. The changing demands of this nation's complex healthcare environment require the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure quality patient outcomes.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recommends that the DNP be the terminal degree for nursing practice. In addition to meeting requirements of the Essentials of Doctoral Nursing Practice outlined by AACN, students complete coursework in teaching strategies, curriculum development, and may elect to complete a nursing education practicum to prepare for faculty roles.

Our vision is to be an exceptional advanced nursing degree program that prepares nurses at a doctoral level to lead healthcare change, serve as nursing faculty, and advance healthcare throughout California's communities.

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DNP Information Session

If you are planning to apply to the DNP Program, our Fall 2025 admission Information Sessions are a great source of answers to questions you might have about the Program or the application process. The info sessions are available through the application period. The info sessions are via a zoom meeting with the program director to ask the  questions that you still have after reading through the application information.

Choose a date for your Information Session

The application period for the Fall 2025 DNP Program will begin on October 1, 2024 and close on June 1, 2025. Applications are reviewed upon receipt. Qualifying applicants are scheduled for interviews and will receive an admission decision as soon as 2-4 weeks after application. If you have questions about the DNP Program or the application criteria, please email the DNP Director, Dr. Nisha Nair, nishanair@mail.fresnostate.edu. 

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Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The federally funded Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) aims to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty by offering financial support to students pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at Fresno State.  This program covers tuition and campus fees per semester, depending on available funding. NFLP provides service-cancelable loans to students committed to becoming academic or clinical nursing faculty. Graduates who secure a full-time faculty position within nursing immediately after graduation can have up to 85% of the loan forgiven over four years. The full-time service requirement can also be fulfilled through part-time employment that is equivalent to full-time.

This program is contingent upon ongoing federal funding and, therefore, subject to change. If you have questions about the grant, please contact the DNP program director.

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Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the California State University, Fresno is accrediated by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). 

     

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and approved by the California State University, Office of the Chancellor. 

Cohort 5 - Class of 2026

APPLY TO DNP! ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS INFORMATION PRESENTATION CURRICULUM INTENSIVE DATES    
CONTACT US DNP PROJECTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WEB RESOURCES   DNP HANDBOOKS