BSN to DNP

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is a terminal practice-focused doctorate, in preparation for clinical, organizational, and systems-level leadership. The full time BSN to DNP program is designed for nurses with a baccalaureate degree to prepare for roles in advanced practice nursing as Family Nurse Practitioners, Adult Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners with a doctoral degree focusing on practice leadership. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and healthcare systems management. It prepares graduates to excel in advanced clinical roles and to lead initiatives that influence healthcare reform, improve patient outcomes, and drive meaningful organizational change.

Graduates complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours, culminating in a required scholarly DNP project that demonstrates mastery of the concepts outlined in the 2021 AACN Essentials for Nursing Education.

Admissions occur once a year and classes begin in the summer.
Neither GRE or GMAT are required.
A “Master’s Along the Way” is offered after completion of the MSN courses.
The program spans 11 semesters.
Classes are offered in various formats: live in-person on campus, synchronous online via Zoom, fully asynchronous online, or in a hybrid format.
Some DNP classes (7000 level) meet one weekend day per month, either in person at the Boca Raton campus or synchronously online via Zoom.
NP classes (6000 level) may meet fully online or in person on Thursdays. Students choose from three campuses for in-person classes and clinical placement: Boca Raton, Davie, and Harbor Branch.

Admission Criteria

BSN to DNP Program Admissions Criteria

Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from an accredited university or college nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Current licensure in the State of Florida as a registered nurse.
A cumulative 3.0 GPA in the baccalaureate program is required.
Curriculum vitae (Required Format for CV).
Two letters of recommendation from academic and professional references in which one of whom holds a doctorate.
Statement of the applicant's goals for the DNP degree of no more than 500 words.
An interview will be required.

*Annual state/federal criminal background checks are required for all admitted students. A drug screen may be required. All costs for these requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Application Process

We will begin accepting BSN-DNP applications for Summer 2026 admission on September 1, 2025, and the deadline is January 15, 2026.*

*This is a hard deadline, so we will not accept any late or incomplete applications.

How to apply to the BSN-DNP

Complete a Florida Atlantic University Graduate Application. Please make sure to select Summer as your entry date, as we do not admit in Fall or Spring. Students may apply for only one of three concentrations;

Family Nurse Practitioner
Adult / Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Please select the campus you would like to attend.

Boca Raton
Davie
Harbor Branch

** Please note students are not allowed to attend courses on other campuses. You will have to attend courses on the campus that you are admitted to. You will not be able to change campuses unless there is space available and it has been approved by the Admission, Progression and Retention Subcommittee (APR).

Complete your application

All final conferred transcripts from previous colleges and universities.
Statement of the applicant's goals for the DNP degree of no more than 500 words.
Two letters of recommendation from academic and professional references one of whom holds a doctorate.
Current licensure in the State of Florida as a registered nurse.
Curriculum vitae (Required Format for CV).

*You will request two letters of reference electronically via the application. Therefore, be prepared with reference names and current e-mail addresses. We cannot accept letters older than 6 months from the date of application.

Information sessions

Information Sessions

Please click the appropriate link to sign up for the DNP program information session that you would like to attend:

Click HERE to register for any of the dates below.

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 7:00PM - 8:00PM

Curriculum

View downloadable BSN to DNP curriculum plans for each of the concentrations below:

Estimated Cost Breakdown for BSN-DNP program

Instate (FL) tuition rate	$371.81 per credit hour
Out of State tuition rate	$1026.81 per credit hour
Credits needed to graduate	77 Credit hours for FNP and AGNP concentrations and 72 credit hours for PMHNP concentration
Tuition for FNP and AGNP	Instate (FL) $28,629.37 / Out of State $79,064.37
Tuition for PMHNP	Instate (FL) $26,770.32 / Out of State $73,930.32

*Cost per credit and total cost are calculated using tuition per credit and associated fees for the current academic year. It does not include course materials, textbook expenses, and other potential expenses related to individual courses.

FAQ

Does the DNP program require the GRE?
No, the DNP program does not require the GRE.

Is there an all on-line option for the DNP program?
No, the curriculum is hybrid, a mixture of on-line and in person courses.

Can students find their own clinical sites / preceptors?
No, we will find a clinical site and preceptor for you, however please note that all of our clinical sites are located in South Florida only (Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties). Due to all of the legalities involved we do not allow students to find their own clinical site.

Can DNP students work full time while enrolled in this program?
We strongly advise students NOT to attempt to work full time during the DNP program, and especially not once the clinical hours component begins in the 6th semester.

Can a student change their concentration choice?
No, once you have chosen a concentration you are not allowed to switch.

Joseph Lotito

Graduate Advisor II

Phone: 561-297-1109

Fax: 561-297-0088

lotitoj@health.fau.edu

Dr. Lynne Palma

Associate Professor

Director of DNP Program

Phone: 561-297-4958

lpalma@health.fau.edu

Additional Information

Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s academic programs are nationally ranked and grounded in a holistic, caring-based philosophy.

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Address

777 Glades Road

Boca Raton, FL 33431

(561) 297-6261