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.
• Employed as a RN with current license in Michigan by start of the program.
• Curriculum vitae or resume .
• Current unencumbered RN licensure. *Students who reside outside the state of Michigan will be considered on a state-by-state basis.
• Three graduate recommendation forms from previous faculty member, supervisor, and/or professional colleague. One must be from a doctorally-prepared academician. NOTE: This requirement will be waived for Fall 2024 students.
• 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.
• 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.

BSN to DNP Plans of Study

BSN to DNP Program Core Curriculum (74 cr, including 1,080 clinical hours)

» View the complete list of courses and descriptions

» Benefits of Becoming a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner

A minimum 74 credits required which includes a minimum total of 1,080 clinical and/or DNP practice hours).

• NURS 610 - Pathophysiology for FNP 3 cr
• NURS 612 - Pharmacology for FNP 3 cr
• NURS 615 - Advanced Health Assessment 4 cr
• NURS 617 - Nurs Informatics & Quality Improvement 2 cr
• NURS 624 - Foundations for Research in ANP 2 cr
• NURS 626 - Critical Inquiry in ANP 2 cr
• NURS 630 - Policy & Leadership in ANP 2 cr
• NURS 636 - Differential Diagnosis 1 cr
• NURS 638 - Nursing Theory & Knowledge Development 3 cr
• NURS 641 - Primary Care I FNP for Chronicity 3 cr
• NURS 643 - Primary Care II FNP for Pediatrics 3 cr
• NURS 645 - Primary Care III Gender/Mental Health 3 cr
• NURS 647 - Primary Care IV FNP Acute/Transition 3 cr
• NURS 651 - Clinical Office Procedures 1 cr
• NURS 674A - FNP Clinical A 2-5 cr
• NURS 674B - FNP Clinical B 2-4 cr
• NURS 674C - FNP Clinical C 2-4 cr
• NURS 674D - FNP Clinical D 2-4 cr
• NURS 772 - Epidemiology & Population Health in ANP 3 cr
• NURS 774 - Informatics for ANP 3 cr
• NURS 776 - QI/Patient Safety for ANP 3 cr
• NURS 778 - Interprofessional & Organiz Leadership 3 cr
• NURS 805 - Communication for Advanced Nursing Prac 1 cr
• NURS 810 - Scholarship for ANP 4 cr
• NURS 814 - Translational Scholarship for ANP 2 cr
• NURS 824 - Analytic Methods of Quality Improvement 3 cr
• NURS 830 - Financial Data for Practice Change 3 cr
• NURS 850A - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850B - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850C - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850D - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850E - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850F - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr

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