Nurse Practitioner, DNP

Program Details

The Nurse Practitioner Program, consists of three concentrations. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP), and Nurse Practitioner Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP) concentrations focus on the preparation of advanced practice registered nurses as nurse practitioners.

Nurse practitioners are in direct-care provider roles. They provide health care to clients of all ages and stages of development through the use of specialized skills and knowledge in primary care settings. The nurse practitioner curriculum prepares nurses to function in conjunction with other healthcare providers to provide primary care. They assess the physical, socio-emotional, and developmental states of individual clients and their families. Along with the ability to analyze health behavior, apply clinical judgment, and intervene in a manner to improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare delivery, nurse practitioners are prepared to provide patient care in a range of services. Nurse practitioners provide health promotion therapeutics, as well as early recognition and prompt treatment and management of illness, prevention of complications, and needed rehabilitation. Client and family education, guidance, and advocacy are vital characteristics of the nurse practitioner's role. Graduates of the nursing program will be eligible for certification as a nurse practitioner in their population focus area.

Program Outcomes

The DNP focuses on developing skills in evaluating evidence, utilizing appropriate research in decision-making, and developing and implementing clinical innovations to advance practice and improve patient care.

Career Outlook

The Nurse Practitioner program is designed to prepare nurses who have the leadership skills and clinical expertise necessary to deliver primary and acute care and improve health outcomes in community settings. Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)- Nurse Practitioner programs meet the requirements to sit for specialty certification examinations in their associated role.

Additionally, those who earn a DNP have completed the highest level of training in nursing practice. The DNP provides extends a practitioners education with a focus on safe, effective, evidence-based, and patient-centered care.

A Top-Ranked Education

29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025
#130 in Best Online Master's in Nursing Program — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
#61 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice — U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing and doctor of nursing practice program at Michigan State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Tuition & Fees per credit

In-State Tuition

Out-of-State Tuition

$978.25

$1,814.75

Cost of Attendance

The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.

The MSU Value Promise

You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will since 1855.

MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

MSU has been offering online degree programs since 1998. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.

MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.

Course Information

Core Courses

NUR 902 - Scientific Foundations for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 Credits)
NUR 903 - Healthcare Informatics (3 Credits)
NUR 904 - Health Policy and Advocacy (3 Credits)
NUR 905 - Patient Safety, Quality Improvement and Quality Management in Healthcare (3 Credits)
NUR 906 - Leadership in Complex Health Systems (3 Credits)
NUR 907 - Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 Credits)
NUR 908 - Advanced Physical Assessment for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 Credits)
NUR 909 - Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 Credits)
NUR 914 – Biostatistics for the APRN (3 Credits)

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

NUR 912 - Health Promotion - Family (3 Credits)
NUR 915 - Clinical Diagnosis & Management I - Family
NUR 916 - Clinical Diagnosis & Management II - Family (6 Credits)
NUR 917 - Clinical Diagnosis & Management III - Family (6 Credits)
NUR 918 - Clinical Diagnosis & Management IV - Family (6 Credits)
NUR 919 - Clinical Diagnosis & Management V - Family (6 Credits)

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

NUR 913 - Health Promotion – Adult-Gerontology (3 Credits)
NUR 925 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management I - Adult-Gerontology (6 Credits)
NUR 926 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management II - Adult-Gerontology (6 Credits)
NUR 927 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management III - Adult-Gerontology (6 Credits)
NUR 928 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV - Adult-Gerontology (6 Credits)
NUR 929 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management V - Adult-Gerontology (6 Credits)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

NUR 952 - Psychopharmacology and Neuropathological Basis of Mental Illness (3 Credits)
NUR 953 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management I - Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis (6 Credits)
NUR 954 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management II - Evidence Based Therapeutic Interventions (6 Credits)
NUR 955 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management III - Special Populations and Group (6 Credits)
NUR 956 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV - Complex and Collaborative Mental Health Care (6 Credits)
NUR 957 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management V - Psychiatric Mental Health (6 Credits)
NUR 995 - Doctor of Nursing Practice Project I (4 Credits)
NUR 996 - Doctor of Nursing Practice Project II (3 Credits)
NUR 997 - Doctor of Nursing Practice Project III (3 Credits)

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

Completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree from an accredited college or university.
3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale.
- A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for total credits completed during the second-half of the four-year baccalaureate nursing program. Completed a three (3) credit undergraduate or graduate statistics course with a grade of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or better within the last five years.
A license/certificate required
- Current unrestricted R.N. license without probationary status in the applicant’s state or country. For those applicants practicing in Michigan, a current Registered Nurse Michigan license is required. Applicants who hold Registered Nurse licensure from other states or countries and who are in the Nurse Practitioner concentration may be admitted provisionally with the requirement that a United States and Michigan Registered Nurse license must be obtained prior to progression to clinical courses.
Résumé/Curriculum Vita
Met the Graduate’s School Policy on English Language Competency
- Only required if English is not your native language
A written personal statement
- Submitted a written essay that addresses the applicant’s career goals and motivations for graduate study in the selected area of specialty nursing practice: nurse practitioner or adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist.
3 letters of recommendation
- The reference letters must be from a source that has direct knowledge of the applicant’s work and educational experience specifying the applicant’s ability to do graduate work. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
Submit required materials to the application portal.
Send all official transcripts to Michigan State University.
Completed an admission interview with the College of Nursing faculty. Recommendations for admission are made by the faculty committee to the Dean of the College based on the requirements for admission and the personal interview.
The DNP Nurse Practitioner concentration enrolls for a fall semester start each year.

Nurse Practitioner, DNP

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Hybrid

Course Delivery

70

Total Credit

$978.25

Credit Hour

3 years

Minimum Duration

Dr. Kristen Munyan

Assistant Professor and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Director

Dr. Kara Schrader

Assistant Professor and Primary Care NP Program Director