School of Nursing
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
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
- Yes, the entire program is a distance learning educational experience
- Online components may use such methodologies as Zoom, and other videos/audio conferencing. Canvas is the Learning Management System
- Synchronous and asynchronous learning methods are used
- Technology training is part of the orientation to the DNP program
- Yes. The first and fourth semesters of the Program require an on-campus "intensive" which occur at the start of the Fall semesters.
- The second, third, and fifth semester intensives are online and do not require on-campus attendance.
- In addition to the two fall on-campus intensives, the Oral Defense of your DNP Project is an in-person event n the Spring of the final semester of the Program.
- All three on-campus events are mandatory for completion of the DNP program
- First Semester Intensive: 2 consecutive days on campus
- Fourth Semester Intensive: 1 day on campus
- Second, Third, and Fifth semester intensives: 1 day (online) each
- All Intensives are manadatory attendance
- Five semesters (21 months) beginning with the Fall admission to program
- Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Spring
- Graduation in Spring (fifth semester)
- 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. 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
- 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:
- Application to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program
- Application to California State University, Fresno through Cal State Apply
- Create a student email account
- 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