Nursing Practice (DNP)
Description
Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) offers a graduate program for students interested in becoming a doctorally prepared family nurse practitioner and also offers a post-graduate program for advanced practice registered nurses interested in obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Students admitted into the BSN to DNP Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner program progress full-time through the curriculum and obtain the DNP degree in 3 years. The post-masters DNP program is part-time, fully online, and takes 2 years to complete. Applicants to the post-masters DNP program must be either a certified nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist. A post-masters FNP graduate certificate program is also available.
The Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program is designed to prepare professional nurses for advanced practice nursing. The FNP program builds upon and extends the body of knowledge and competencies of baccalaureate education in nursing. Graduate study in the School of Nursing educates nurses by creating an academic environment that fosters scholarship, critical thinking, and creativity. Graduate courses include theoretical and clinical experiences that provide the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills necessary to assume the role of an advanced practice nurse. Upon completion of this curriculum, graduates are eligible to take a national board exam for certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner and are then eligible to apply to the MN Board of Nursing for Advanced Practice Registered Nursing licensure. Graduates and certificate awardees are prepared to practice in primary care settings where they diagnose and treat individuals across the life span and their families.

Program Requirements
Common Core
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Capstone Course
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Degree Plan
The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Summer - 6 Credits
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Second Year
Fall - 10 Credits
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Spring - 9 Credits
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Summer - 8 Credits
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Third Year
Fall - 10 Credits
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Spring - 10 Credits
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Summer - 8 Credits
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Fourth Year
Fall - 10 Credits
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Spring - 9 Credits
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