Nurse Practitioner at National University
Ready to become a Nurse Practitioner at University of Southern California? USC’s Master of Science in Nursing program has proven its excellence with a 92% ANCC board pass rate in 2023. This program prepares students exceptionally well for advanced practice nursing careers.
Students need 49-50 credit hours of coursework and 786 clinical hours to complete the USC nurse practitioner program. The program includes four placement rotations that add up to 680 placement hours, with each placement providing about 170 clinical hours. USC’s nursing program stands out because it’s part of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work’s Department of Nursing – the first MSN program housed within a social work school.
The USC School of Nursing lets students complete their degree at their own pace. Students can graduate in 21 to 33 months by choosing either full-time study over five semesters or part-time study across eight semesters. The program’s clinical placement team has achieved remarkable success. They’ve secured 282 clinical placements spanning 14 states and the Virgin Islands, with access to over 700 affiliated sites and more than 285 preceptors.
This guide covers what you need to know about becoming a nurse practitioner at USC. You’ll learn about program options at this school, learning formats, admissions requirements and the unique features that make this program special among nursing education choices.
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs Available
USC’s Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program combines academic excellence with hands-on experience. The program requires 49 units that include 31 units of theory, 12 units of clinical practicum, and 6 units of Social Work courses.
Students learn to provide primary care to patients of all ages—from infants to elderly adults. The curriculum focuses on healthcare delivery that considers both biomedical and social factors affecting patient well-being. Graduates become skilled at providing integrative care among physicians, pharmacists, social workers, and case managers.
USC’s nurse practitioner program gives you two flexible scheduling options:
- Full-time track: Complete the program in 21 months over five semesters
- Part-time track: Finish in 33 months over eight semesters
Learning happens through a hybrid approach. Students complete most coursework online through the Virtual Academic Center within the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. The program includes two on-campus intensives that provide significant opportunities to assess skills and participate in patient simulations.
Clinical practicum makes up much of your education. You can complete these practical experiences in healthcare settings of all types—from private practices to community-based facilities—near your location. This setup will give a chance to gain experience while you stay at your current residence.
After completing the program, you’ll be ready to take either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) FNP examination. USC’s results speak volumes, with an impressive 88% AANP board pass rate in 2023.
USC’s MSN-FNP program shines by bringing together nursing and social work principles. This combination helps you understand physical and behavioral health issues throughout life, especially when you have to work in primary care and urgent care outpatient settings. The program teaches you how social determinants—where people live, learn, work, and play—shape their health outcomes.
Flexible Learning Formats
USC’s nursing education takes a modern approach with online learning that fits your busy lifestyle. Students access their coursework through the Virtual Academic Center at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, which provides a detailed educational experience.
Your development as a nurse practitioner includes two vital on-campus intensives (OCI). These visits let you practice hands-on skills and work with simulated patients. The in-person sessions help you build practical abilities while learning the theory—something every future nurse practitioner needs.
You can pick from these schedule options:
- Full-time format: Complete your degree in 21 months over five semesters
- Part-time format: Finish in 33 months across eight semesters
Both options lead to the same degree, so you can choose the pace that works best with your professional and personal life.
USC shows its commitment to flexibility through clinical placements. Students don’t need to relocate because clinical experiences happen in or near their communities. You’ll get hands-on experience while staying where you are. The program combines private practices and community-based facilities to give you well-rounded clinical training.
USC designed this nurse practitioner program with working professionals like you in mind. Virtual learning mixed with targeted in-person sessions creates the perfect balance of convenience and quality education.
Many students keep working while they study, and this flexible format is a great way to get advanced training. USC’s investment in quality distance education will give you exceptional training whatever your location.
USC’s nursing program shows how advanced nursing education can work today. It fits with real life and other commitments. The program keeps high standards through well-laid-out online learning and key in-person sessions that really prepare you for certification and practice as a family nurse practitioner.
Admissions & Prerequisites
Getting into the USC nurse practitioner program needs thorough preparation and attention to detail. You should make sure you have the right educational background and professional experience to consider applying.
The MSN-FNP program at the University of Southern California requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an institution with CCNE or ACEN accreditation. Standard admission demands a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
The program requires you to complete a statistics course with a grade of C or higher before enrollment. This foundation will give a solid base in analytical skills needed for advanced nursing practice.
Professional qualifications include:
- At least one year’s registered nurse experience
- Active RN license in your state of residence
- Successful completion of a background check
Your application package must have several components: official transcripts, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a detailed resume. The university does not require GRE scores to enter the nurse practitioner program.
USC currently does not accept students from many states. The most recent information shows that residents from Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Washington DC, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and several other states cannot apply.
Keep in mind that some applicants might need to take the NURS 500 Bridge Course. This depends on their previous academic performance or if they’ve been away from academic studies for more than five years. The assessment happens during admissions. Students must complete this Bridge Course successfully to move into the full MSN-FNP program sequence.
This bridging option helps prospective students with strong clinical backgrounds who need academic refreshing. They can meet program standards without putting their professional advancement on hold.
What Sets the NP Programs Apart at University of Southern California
The University of Southern California’s nurse practitioner program stands apart. Its place within the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work makes it special. This rare combination creates an educational experience that connects biomedical knowledge with a deep grasp of health’s social factors.
The program’s mix of disciplines makes it unique in nursing education. Students learn more than just clinical skills. Their social work courses help them understand how environment, society, and behavior affect patient health. This blend helps graduates treat both body and mind, which makes them better healthcare providers.
USC’s primary care training gives students a detailed health assessment knowledge for patients of all ages. From kids to older adults, graduates can help everyone. This broad skill set lets them work anywhere, especially in underserved areas that need good healthcare providers.
The program’s faculty excellence adds another advantage. A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio means students get individual attention throughout their learning experience. Experienced practitioners mentor students closely to build both academic knowledge and clinical skills.
USC’s quality shows in its results. The program’s graduates do exceptionally well on national certification exams. Recent groups achieved:
- 92% pass rate on the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) examination
- 88% pass rate on the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) examination
These impressive results come from a well-laid-out curriculum that balances theory with hands-on experience. Students complete 786 clinical hours before graduation.
Los Angeles gives USC students exceptional clinical placement options in healthcare settings of all types. They work in big city hospitals and small community clinics. This variety helps them gain experience with different patients and healthcare systems, preparing them for any career path they choose.