DON DNP-FNP Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission shall be granted on a competitive basis; meeting the following minimum requirements qualifies an individual for but does not guarantee admission to the program. In addition to the general university admission requirements, specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status include:

1. A baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing from a CCNE-accredited program, or a regionally-accredited baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing. The applicant has a completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the Department of Nursing (DON) Graduate Affairs including official transcripts.
2. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in an acceptable bachelor’s degree in nursing or master’s degree in nursing as determined by the appropriate campus authority.
3. Active registered nurse (RN) license, unencumbered, unrestricted, with no disciplinary action pending or imposed from the state in which the applicant will complete direct clinical hours.
4. Meet eligibility requirements for credentialing or certification as a family nurse practitioner upon graduation. These can be found at www.aanp.org or www.nursingworld.org.
5. Hold a current American Heart Association BLS Certification.
6. A minimum of 2,000 hours of documented work history as a registered nurse.
7. Two (2) satisfactory letters of professional recommendation. These must be dated and signed within the past six months. You should request recommendations from those who can speak to your professional and academic readiness to attend a rigorous graduate program. At least one letter must be from a direct supervisor.
8. A satisfactory written personal statement that describes what the applicant expects to accomplish in the DNP program and how the DNP program will advance the applicant’s nursing career and practice.
9. Successful completion of a personal interview.
10. Successful completion of a college-level statistics course equivalent to MATH 1201 – Introduction to Statistical Thinking.
11. Preference will be given to applicants who reside in the Inland Empire and Southern California service areas and those with military service.

How to Apply

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit a complete application with all required documentation during the application period. All eligible applications are reviewed by the graduate admission committee using a holistic and inclusive review process. 

Applications open October 1 of each year. The priority deadline for applications is February 1 of each year. All applications that are considered complete by the priority deadline will be reviewed and considered for admission.  Applications received after the priority deadline may not be reviewed, depending on availability.  

** DNP Application closer date may be earlier if slots are full. Student cohorts are filled primarily from applicants who apply by the priority deadline. Applications received after the priority deadline may not be reviewed, depending on availability. 

How to start an application

Applicants must apply both to the University and the Department of Nursing for consideration. Cal State Apply is the host for the University application and the Department of Nursing DNP Program application.  Applicants need to log in to review all DNP application materials.

Step 1

Begin application online at Cal State Apply.

Step 2

Add the DNP Application into your CSUSB University Application

• Select Campus: CSU San Bernardino
• Select Start Term: Select Fall 2026.
• Choose Program Choice: DNP Program

Step 3

Once CSUSB DNP application is added to applicant’s CSU Apply application, click on the Program Materials to follow additional application instructions as outlined in the Home Tab of Program Materials.

As part of the application, applicants will be required to request 2 references to submit an online Graduate Recommendations on their behalf. (Applicant will submit requests in the Recommendation Section of the DNP application).

•  Preferred/recommended references include an employer, volunteer supervisor, or instructors who are in a position to judge your potential for advanced nursing practice. It is best to request references from people who supervise and/or who evaluate applicant’s work, studies, commitment to the helping professions, professionalism, work ethic, etc., and not from co-workers, family, friends, etc.  References are confidential and must be submitted by individuals selected to be your reference.             

Access all required application materials and detailed instructions in Cal State Apply. If you have questions, please send an email to DNPinfo@csusb.edu .