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School of Nursing

Students Talking by Trees

Fresno State Doctor of Nursing

Frequently Asked Questions

Several factors have created the need for advanced nursing education at the doctoral level. The changing demands of the nation’s complex healthcare environment require the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure quality patient outcomes.

The DNP is a practice-oriented doctorate, such as the Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Optometry, or Doctor of Physical Therapy 

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has set a standard that the DNP will be the entry level for advanced practice nursing as of 2015. This is currently a recommendation and not a requirement.

Assembly Bill 422 (AB422) authorized the California State University (CSU) system to offer the post-master’s degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). There are three statewide locations offering the DNP program. There is one collaboration between CSU Fullerton, Long Beach and Los Angeles (Southern California Consortium) and two independent DNP programs. The independent programs are located at California State University, Fresno and San Jose State University. 

Doctor of Nursing Practice                                                      Per Semester
All Students                                                                                $7,635


$421.50 (University Fees*) + $7,635 (DNP Tuition Fee) = $8,056.50/semester

$8,056.50 x 5 semesters = $40,282.50**

Year 1: Fall and Spring
Year 2: Summer, Fall, and Spring

*University Fees subject to change
** Fees does not include the cost of books, travel expenses, and supplies

Tuition & Other Fees
Financial Aid

  • Yes, the entire program is a distance learning educational experience
  • Online components may use such methodologies as Zoom, Skype, and other videos/audio conferencing. Blackboard is the Learning Management System
  • Synchronous and asynchronous learning methods are used
  • Technology training is part of the orientation to the DNP program

  • Yes, at least one intensive will be scheduled prior to each semester of the program, and are held on Fresno State campus.
  • Dependent on each instructor, one or two other on-campus sessions may be required. For example, in the Fall semester 4, you are required to travel to Fresno the first weekend of December for NURS 591.

  • Semester 1: 3 days
  • Semester 2: 1 1/2 days
  • Semester 3-5: 1 day

Intensives are mandatory and attendance is required

  • Five semesters (21 months)
  • Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Spring

  • The DNP program requires documentation of at least 1000 clinical hours
  • Yes, practicum requirements vary based on the number of eligible post-baccalaureate clinical hours documented
  • Even if you have 1000 clinical hours or more post-baccalaureate, you are still required to perform 270 hours during the DNP program (one semester). These hours are performed in conjunction with your doctoral project.

  • Yes, the doctoral project is the culminating experience
  • Systemic, rigorous research application on a significant professional issue
  • Expected to contribute to an improvement in professional practice or policy
  • Exhibits commands of the research literature and demonstrates the student's mastery of evidence-based practice at the doctoral level

Faculty are comprised primarily of tenure, tenure-track faculty who teach within the CSU system. Faculties are not necessarily within the department of nursing. Each faculty member brings both practical and educational perspectives to their courses within the DNP program.

  • The program is designed so that the student can work full time and, with the permission of the employer, the doctoral project may be completed within the student's employment setting
  • There is only full-time status in the program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the California State University, Fresno is accreditated 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.

  • Early applications are strongly advised.
  • Approximately 30 students are accepted into our program as a cohort.
  • The application is a four-step process:
  1. Application to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program
  2. Application to California State University, Fresno through Cal State Apply
  3. Create a student email account
  4. Application for Financial Aid (recommended)
  • Qualified applicants will be invited to an onsite in-person interview
  • Notification of acceptance to the program may take up to two weeks