Nurse Practitioner at SDSU
San Diego State University’s School of Nursing ranks #50 among Best Nursing Schools for Master’s programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits the school, while the California Board of Registered Nursing approves traditional Bachelor of Science and Nurse Practitioner programs.
SDSU nursing creates exceptional learning experiences through its vast community engagement network. Students and faculty work with more than 100 community partners throughout San Diego and Imperial Valley Counties. These ground applications help build strong collaborative networks that address current and future healthcare needs in the region.
The school believes nursing combines science and art. This belief stems from biophysical and behavioral sciences, along with nursing science and evidence-based practice. The artistic side highlights human connection, empathy, compassion, and dedicated service.
Master’s program applicants should note the $70 application fee for U.S. residents. Students pay $7,608 yearly for in-state tuition and $13,734 for out-of-state tuition. The school boasts a 2:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with 35 full-time faculty members teaching 48 graduate nursing students.
SDSU’s nursing program helps students build essential skills through these curriculum opportunities:
- Knowledge acquisition from natural and social sciences
- Clinical decision-making abilities development
- Research application in nursing processes
- Leadership growth and professional accountability
- Understanding of new professional roles and healthcare social forces
The nursing profession at SDSU emphasizes complete healthcare for individuals, families, and communities. Students learn health promotion, illness prevention, and care techniques for acute and chronic patients. This comprehensive approach readies graduates for work in acute care hospitals, community health agencies, homes, correctional facilities, outreach programs, schools, and clinics serving underprivileged populations.
Full-time Master’s program enrollment shows 68.8% female and 31.3% male students. The program structure ensures graduates can handle modern healthcare’s complex needs while serving diverse communities effectively.
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs Available
SDSU provides multiple paths to become a nurse practitioner through specialized clinical programs that align with different career goals. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) serves as the core program at the doctoral level. Registered nurses who have completed either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nursing can join this program.
The DNP program at San Diego State University offers four distinct clinical specialization tracks:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
Each specialization delivers detailed training in evidence-based research, leadership growth, healthcare policy awareness, and advanced clinical skills needed for specialized practice. The Family Nurse Practitioner track requires 75 units and prepares students for certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
Students can complete the program based on their preferred study pace. Full-time students finish the DNP program in three years while part-time students take four years. Students must complete an evidence-based practice or translational research project that shows their expertise in advanced nursing concepts.
SDSU’s combined Master of Science program offers dual certification preparation. Students can complete this 50-unit Advanced Practice Nursing program in two or three years. The program combines traditional classroom instruction for clinical coursework with an executive model for core graduate nursing courses.
Faculty members help students secure clinical experiences in primary care settings, specialty practices, and acute/critical care environments. This practical training will give students hands-on skills under expert guidance.
The DNP program has received approval from the California Board of Registered Nursing. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education will review the program for pending accreditation in March 2026. This steadfast dedication to professional standards helps graduates receive education that meets rigorous quality standards.
Flexible Learning Formats
SDSU’s learning structure gives nurse practitioners multiple ways to balance their work and studies. The graduate nursing program at SDSU focuses on in-person teaching, though several core courses follow an executive/hybrid format that works well with professional schedules.
Post-Masters DNP students follow a unique executive/hybrid model with scheduled in-person classes. This setup meets practicing nurses’ needs while you retain control over educational quality through face-to-face learning. Students need to complete 36 units of coursework. They can finish the program in two or three years based on their schedule and work commitments.
SDSU takes a different approach from other California schools that run fully online programs. The school created a mixed learning style that keeps vital in-person clinical training while adding hybrid elements to help busy professionals.
The program’s flexible scheduling goes beyond just how courses are delivered. Students can choose their own path:
- Two-year accelerated track for full-time students
- Three-year extended track for those balancing work responsibilities
- Executive format core courses minimizing weekday commitments
This flexibility is different from other programs in San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University runs a fully online asynchronous DNP-FNP program. SDSU stays committed to substantial in-person training with added hybrid elements.
University of San Diego helps both BSN and MSN-prepared nurses through flexible programs that build clinical expertise and theoretical knowledge. SDSU’s approach stands out by mixing thorough in-person clinical training with smart hybrid elements. This combination helps working professionals manage their schedules without affecting their education quality.
Admissions & Prerequisites
The Nurse Practitioner program at San Diego State University requires a complete two-part application process through SDSU Graduate Admissions and the School of Nursing. Students must first submit their Cal State Apply application, pay the fee, and receive an SDSU RED ID number that tracks their application status.
The admissions committee reviews candidates based on several core requirements. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is mandatory. You’ll also need a current California registered nursing license without restrictions or pending disciplinary action.
Your professional experience plays one of the most important roles in the review process. The program requires at least two years of full-time RN work experience. Students interested in Advanced Practice Nursing of Adults and Elderly specialization should have three years of related experience.
Required documentation must meet these deadlines:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (due April 1, 2025)
- Two professional letters of recommendation from people who know your nursing practice and leadership potential
- Written statement of purpose that reflects your expectations and career advancement goals
- TOEFL scores if your postsecondary instruction wasn’t in English (due April 1, 2025)
Your School of Nursing program application needs submission through Interfolio by April 1, 2025. The admissions team might request a personal interview.
SDSU offers two advantages to applicants. The university has suspended the GRE/GMAT requirement for all graduate programs. International students can apply with an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or one approved by a Ministry of Education.
What Sets the NP Programs Apart at San Diego State University
San Diego State University’s Nurse Practitioner program stands out in today’s competitive healthcare education world. The program’s top-50 ranking among Best Nursing Schools for Master’s programs shows its steadfast dedication to excellence and high standards.
SDSU’s NP programs excel at balancing theory with hands-on practice. Students benefit from an impressive 2:1 student-to-faculty ratio that gives them customized attention and mentorship throughout their educational experience. This close guidance leads to high certification exam pass rates and strong graduate outcomes.
SDSU sets itself apart through partnerships with over 100 organizations across San Diego and Imperial Valley Counties. These mutually beneficial alliances create outstanding clinical placement opportunities that boost your practical skills beyond classroom learning.
Students can choose from four specialized tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health, and Adult Gerontology Acute Care. Each track lets you align your education with your career goals. The program’s specialized focus and supported preceptorship placements help you build expertise in your chosen field.
The program’s hybrid learning model offers significant advantages over fully online options. It preserves vital in-person clinical training while supporting working professionals through executive format elements. This balanced approach maintains quality education without disrupting your career – a key benefit for nurses seeking advancement.