San Diego State University (SDSU) offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice – (BSN-DNP AGPCNP)
- Post-Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP (MSN-to-DNP)
SDSU’s DNP programs are among the few in California that lead directly from a BSN to a clinical doctorate in one continuous program of study.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-to-DNP – AGPCNP | ~$59,670–$79,560* | 3 years (FT) / 4 years (PT) |
| Post-Masters DNP | ~$39,780* | 4–5 semesters |
Graduate-level courses are primarily held in-person at the San Diego campus; the Post-Masters DNP uses an executive/hybrid format with pre-scheduled in-person class dates.
Both tracks culminate in a rigorous evidence-based practice or translational research project and require 1,000 total supervised clinical hours
Program Tracks Overview
BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP program is approximately $59,670–$79,560 based on the Nursing Doctoral full-time semester rate of $9,945, and is designed to be completed in 3 years full-time or 4 years part-time.
DNP Curriculum
The program totals 70 semester units and is divided into core doctoral coursework (27 units), clinical specialty courses (37 units), and a DNP Project/Clinical Practice requirement (6 units). A maximum of 12 units may be transferred in.
Three-year and four-year curriculum plans are available.
Core Courses (27 units)
- NURS 604 – Theoretical and Research Basis of Advanced Nursing Practice (3 units)
- NURS 608 – Issues and Policies in Healthcare (3 units)
- NURS 620 – Foundations of Nursing Leadership (3 units)
- NURS 684 – Clinical Information Systems for Healthcare Practice (3 units)
- NURS 725 – Healthcare Finance (3 units)
- NURS 800 – Implementation Science (3 units)
- NURS 802 – Healthcare Quality and Program Evaluation (3 units)
- NURS 803 – Nursing Curriculum Development in Academia and Practice (3 units)
- NURS 816 – Epidemiology, Population, and Global Health (3 units)
Clinical Specialty Courses (37 units)
NURS 501 Advanced Health Assessment – 3 Units
This course develops advanced skills in physical and psychosocial health assessment. Students learn to identify normal and abnormal findings while evaluating adult and geriatric patients. The course also emphasizes health promotion and clinical decision making in advanced nursing practice.
NURS 501L Advanced Health Assessment Laboratory – 1–2 Units
This laboratory course provides hands-on training in advanced health assessment techniques. Students practice systematic physical exams and assessment procedures during weekly lab sessions. The course strengthens diagnostic observation and clinical assessment skills.
NURS 610 Advanced Pathophysiology in Adult and Geriatric Populations – 3 Units
This course examines physiologic changes linked to acute and chronic disease in adult and older adult populations. Students analyze disease processes and their effects on body systems. The course also connects pathophysiology concepts with prevention and disease management.
NURS 658 Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing – 3 Units
This course prepares advanced practice nurses to manage medication therapy in clinical settings. Students study drug classifications, therapeutic actions, and patient responses to medications. The course also reviews medication monitoring and adjustments to ensure safe and effective treatment.
NURS 817 Advanced Practice Nursing for Adult and Geriatric Populations: Primary Care I – 3 Units
This course introduces primary care management for adult and geriatric patients. Students study prevention, health promotion, and treatment of common acute and chronic conditions. The course also examines the nurse practitioner’s role in primary and specialty care settings.
NURS 818 Primary Care Practicum I – 6 Units
This practicum provides supervised clinical experience in primary and specialty care environments. Students work with interdisciplinary teams to assess and manage adult and geriatric patients. The course focuses on applying nurse practitioner skills in real clinical settings.
NURS 819 Primary Care II – 3 Units
This course expands the nurse practitioner’s role in managing complex health needs in adult and older populations. Students strengthen diagnostic reasoning and treatment planning skills. The course also emphasizes integrated care for chronic and acute conditions.
NURS 820 Primary Care Practicum II – 5 Units
This practicum offers continued supervised clinical training in diverse healthcare settings. Students provide primary care services to adult and geriatric patients under professional guidance. The experience supports development of advanced clinical judgment and patient management skills.
NURS 821 Primary Care Practicum III – 6 Units
This advanced practicum builds clinical expertise in the nurse practitioner role. Students manage patient care across varied practice settings and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. The course emphasizes comprehensive care for adult and geriatric populations.
NURS 858 Primary Care III – 3 Units
This course focuses on advanced nurse practitioner responsibilities in managing complex patient conditions. Students integrate clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and professional role development. The course prepares nurses for doctoral-level practice across the healthcare continuum.
DNP Project / Clinical Practice
- NURS 895 – Doctor of Nursing Practice Project/Clinical Practice (6 units total; taken across multiple semesters)
Electives (if additional units are needed to meet the 70-unit minimum)
- NURS 624 – Healthcare Systems and Personnel Management (3 units)
- P H 550 – Applied International Public Health (3 units)
See the course catalog for more curriculum details.
DNP Clinicals
Students must complete a minimum of 1,000 supervised clinical hours across three practicum courses embedded in the clinical specialty sequence. Notably, the School of Nursing is responsible for securing all clinical placements — students are not required to find their own preceptors.
- NURS 818 – Primary Care Practicum I (6 units)
- NURS 820 – Primary Care Practicum II (5 units)
- NURS 821 – Primary Care Practicum III (6 units)
- 1,000 total clinical hours required for graduation and AGPCNP certification eligibility
- SDSU School of Nursing secures all clinical placements on behalf of students
DNP Admissions Requirements
- BSN from a regionally and professionally accredited institution (CCNE, NLN, or ACEN)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Current, unencumbered California RN license (no disciplinary action pending)
- Minimum two years of full-time RN experience; two or more years of adult/gerontology experience strongly recommended
- Completed statistics course (STAT 250 or equivalent, grade of C or better)
- Two professional letters of recommendation from supervisors or faculty knowledgeable about nursing practice and leadership potential
- Written statement of purpose (typed, double-spaced, maximum 2 pages)
- GRE is not required
- Personal interview may be required at program’s discretion
- Applications accepted October 1 – April 1 for Fall admission
- Two-part application process: Cal State Apply + SDSU School of Nursing program application via Slate
Post-Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-to-DNP)
The estimated cost for the Post-Masters DNP program is approximately $39,780 based on the Nursing Doctoral full-time semester rate of $9,945, and can be completed in 4 to 5 semesters.
Post-Masters DNP Curriculum
The Post-Masters DNP is 36 units, delivered in an executive/hybrid format with pre-scheduled in-person attendance dates.
Students who did not complete Advanced Physiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment in their MSN program must also complete NURS 727 – Integrated Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Clinical Assessment for Nursing Leadership (3 units) as an additional requirement.
Clinical hours from a prior MSN are transferable toward the 1,000-hour total.
Four-Semester Plan – Year One
- NURS 620 – Foundations of Nursing Leadership (3 units) — Fall
- NURS 800 – Implementation Science (3 units) — Fall
- NURS 895 – DNP Project Seminar (3 units) — Fall
- NURS 608 – Issues and Policies in Healthcare (3 units) — Spring
- NURS 816 – Epidemiology, Population, and Global Health (3 units) — Spring
- NURS 895 – DNP Project Seminar (3 units) — Spring
- NURS 802 – Healthcare Quality and Program Evaluation (3 units) — Summer
- NURS 803 – Nursing Curriculum Development in Academia and Practice (3 units) — Summer
- NURS 895 – DNP Project Seminar (3 units) — Summer
Four-Semester Plan – Year Two
- NURS 725 – Healthcare Finance (3 units) — Fall
- NURS 826 – Clinical Instruction Strategies in Nursing (3 units) — Fall
- NURS 895 – DNP Project Seminar (3 units) — Fall
Post-Masters DNP Clinicals
The Post-Masters DNP requires completion of 1,000 total clinical hours; hours earned in a prior MSN program are transferable and count toward this requirement. Advanced Practice Nurses entering the program must hold active national board certification in their specialty.
- 1,000 total clinical hours required (prior MSN clinical hours are transferable)
- NPs and CNSs must hold current national board certification in their specialty at time of admission
- Students missing Advanced Physiology, Pharmacology, or Health Assessment from their MSN must complete NURS 727 (3 units) before beginning the program
Post-Masters DNP Admissions Requirements
- BSN or MSN from a regionally and professionally accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Current, unencumbered California RN license
- Minimum two years of full-time RN experience
- Active national board certification in nursing specialty (required for NPs and CNSs)
- Completed statistics course (STAT 250 or equivalent, grade of C or better)
- Three letters of recommendation (academic faculty or supervisors preferred) submitted via Interfolio
- Personal statement (typed, double-spaced, maximum 2 pages)
- GRE is not required
- Personal interview may be required
- Transfer credit: up to 12 semester units accepted; courses must have been completed within 7 years of expected graduation
- Two-part application: Cal State Apply + School of Nursing program application via Interfolio; transcript deadline April 1
Tuition
SDSU charges a flat semester tuition rate rather than a per-credit rate. For Nursing Doctoral programs, the full-time basic tuition is $8,580 per semester, plus approximately $1,365 in mandatory fees, for a combined full-time total of $9,945 per semester.
Mandatory per-semester fees included in all estimates:
- Student Body Association Fee: $35
- Student Body Center Fee: $488
- Health Facility Fee: $25
- Health & Wellness Fee: $243
- Library Services Fee: $25
- Instructionally Related Activities Fee: $290
- Student Success Fee: $259
More tuition details are available here.
Accreditation
The SDSU Doctor of Nursing Practice program has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and is pending accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), with a formal review scheduled for March 2026.
Graduates of the AGPCNP concentration are eligible to sit for the AGPCNP-BC certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or the AGNP-C exam through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).