Charles R. Drew University Nurse Practitioner Programs
The Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing at Charles R. Drew University shines as a gateway to healthcare education. Students learn to tackle ground healthcare challenges through hands-on experiences. The nursing school’s unique focus helps prepare healthcare professionals for underserved communities.
CDU’s nursing education stands out with its community-based approach to learning. Students benefit from small class sizes that allow individual attention. They develop clinical skills in a variety of healthcare settings—from acute care facilities to community health centers. The training combines theory with practical skills through shared activities.
Students at Charles R. Drew University learn through simulations with peers from other healthcare fields. These shared experiences help build team communication and patient care skills. The deep clinical immersion helps graduates succeed in many healthcare settings.
The nursing school creates multiple paths for career growth. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program helps students become registered nurses who can take the NCLEX-RN examination and get Public Health Nurse certification. Students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields can choose the Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing Track. This track leads to NCLEX-RN eligibility and Clinical Nurse Leader certification.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Master of Science in Nursing Track helps registered nurses with BSN degrees advance their careers. Graduates can take national certification examinations through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
CDU’s nursing programs focus on all-encompassing care principles that promote health and prevent disease. Experienced faculty members guide students throughout their educational trip. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and California Board of Nursing have accredited all nursing programs at Charles R. Drew University.
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs Available
Charles R. Drew University provides multiple pathways for nurses who want to become nurse practitioners. Each program helps students achieve their specific career goals in advanced practice nursing.
The Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program equips you with skills to manage healthcare throughout a patient’s life. The program combines diversity and inclusivity with preparation for real-life challenges. You become eligible to take national certification examinations through the American Nurses Credentialing Center after completing the program. Many MSN-FNP graduates work as university administrators, hospital administrators, and midlevel providers. Students gain clinical experience at various locations, including Los Angeles Downtown Medical Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Outpatient Center.
The Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP) program is tailored for nurses who want to specialize in mental health care. Students learn to address healthcare needs in underserved communities effectively. The program combines thorough theoretical content with practical clinical experience through focused weekend sessions and mixed in-person and digital instruction. Graduates can work in several settings such as:
- Crisis stabilization units
- Inpatient and partial hospitalization facilities
- Ambulatory care
- Telepsychiatry
- Correctional facilities
Nurses with a Master’s degree can advance to leadership roles through the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. This program caters to those who have a Master’s in Nursing with a Nurse Practitioner specialty. DNP graduates often move into nursing administration and management, healthcare leadership, and academia.
Charles R. Drew University’s nursing programs have accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approval from the California Board of Nursing. This accreditation confirms that programs meet national quality standards while supporting CDU’s mission to serve underrepresented populations through advanced nursing practice.
Flexible Learning Formats
Charles R. Drew University’s nurse practitioner programs offer innovative learning formats that work well for busy healthcare professionals. These programs use an executive-education model as their core to balance academic rigor with accessibility.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Master of Science in Nursing Track uses a well-laid-out yet flexible approach. This 51-credit program delivers theory through focused monthly weekend sessions. Students continue learning through a hybrid model that combines face-to-face sessions with web-enhanced technologies during the semester. This setup encourages meaningful collaboration between students and faculty, detailed presentations, and clear explanations of complex concepts.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track uses a similar format with a larger 59-credit curriculum. Monthly weekend sessions run for four days to cover specialized content. Students get focused learning periods that fit well with their work schedules.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program gives students even more flexibility. Students can blend online classes, both live and recorded, with strategic on-campus Immersion Weekends. This balanced approach works great for practitioners who need to keep their clinical jobs while pursuing higher education.
These formats work because they focus on real-life application. Students practice in clinical settings where they turn theory into hands-on expertise. Web-enhanced components help students learn between intensive sessions, so geography doesn’t limit their education.
The Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing values strong connections between faculty and students. The PMHNP program combines solid theoretical foundations with digital teaching methods that create shared learning spaces.
Charles Drew University’s flexible formats understand what healthcare professionals need when seeking advanced degrees. These programs pack in-person requirements into manageable chunks and use educational technology effectively. This approach removes traditional barriers to advanced nursing education while maintaining high academic and clinical standards.
Admissions & Prerequisites
The nurse practitioner programs at Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing have specific academic and professional standards. The MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program just needs a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution with an absolute cumulative GPA of 3.0. You must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended.
Professional credentials are vital to the application process. A current, unrestricted California registered nurse license remains mandatory. Students must complete a statistics course with a grade of “C” or better before starting the program.
Your application package should include:
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation (academic/professional)
- Two recommendations from current/past nursing supervisors
- Personal goal statement (2-3 pages) explaining career plans
Students with international coursework completed outside the U.S. must have their credits evaluated for equivalency. They should get a course-by-course evaluation from approved services like World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates. Non-native speakers must demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL score of 84, including at least 24 in both speaking and writing sections.
The admissions team reviews applications below eligibility requirements case-by-case and may request additional supplemental items.
What Sets the NP Programs Apart at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing
Charles R. Drew University’s Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing has made its mark with a distinctive approach to healthcare education. The nurse practitioner programs demonstrate the university’s steadfast dedication to health equity, which aligns perfectly with their mission to reduce healthcare disparities in underserved communities.
Students benefit from a well-balanced curriculum that combines intensive clinical training with cultural competence development. Charles Drew University stands apart by weaving social determinants of health into every course. This approach helps graduates identify and tackle systemic barriers that affect patient outcomes.
The university’s location in South Los Angeles gives students exceptional opportunities to gain clinical experience in various urban settings. Students get direct exposure to community health challenges they wouldn’t typically see in standard training programs.
The program’s strength comes from its faculty members who bring rich experience from underserved healthcare settings. Their practical knowledge enhances academic theory in a learning environment where ground application matters most.
The College of Nursing promotes teamwork by having nurse practitioner students work with medical, public health, and allied health students. This collaborative approach reflects real healthcare systems and produces graduates who excel in clinical practice, advocacy, leadership, and community work.
CDU’s advanced nursing education creates exceptional career opportunities in various healthcare settings. Students who graduate from the Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing show they’re ready to handle complex clinical challenges through their comprehensive preparation.
A nurse practitioner degree from Charles Drew University leads to more than just credentials—it prepares you to lead in healthcare delivery. The program’s focus on health inequities throughout the curriculum will help you make meaningful contributions to underserved communities.
CDU nurse practitioner graduates gain access to an extensive professional network of healthcare institutions throughout Southern California. These connections often create valuable clinical collaborations and job opportunities after graduation.
Employers actively seek professionals who can work with diverse patient populations, and CDU’s reputation for producing culturally responsive healthcare providers stands out. Many CDU alumni move into positions where they shape healthcare policies and practices.
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science offers nurse practitioner education that builds a strong foundation for long-term career success in clinical practice, healthcare administration, or academic leadership. Students become unique nurse practitioners who excel in today’s complex healthcare environment through rigorous academic preparation and community-centered values.