Frequently Asked Questions

This program is a streamlined pathway for advanced practice education and is tailored to you. Enter the program with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and graduate with your doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree.

Upon graduating, you will be fully prepared to take your nurse practitioner (NP) licensing exam.  Boise State alumni currently boast a 99% pass rate on their first attempt, scoring over 100 points higher than the national average.

For nurses who already hold an advanced practice degree – like nurse practitioners, anesthetists or midwives – the post-master’s track won’t include any nurse practitioner coursework.

• DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
• MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

Our program is keeping pace with industry changes prompted by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). In 2022, the professional organization announced all entry-level nurse practitioner programs will be required to offer doctoral-level education by 2025. Earning your DNP as a nurse practitioner will ensure you remain competitive in the job market and prepared to meet the health needs of your patients.

Click here to view the list of approved states

If you have questions about any state not currently listed, please contact nursingdnp@boisestate.edu

No, there is a single tuition rate for all students regardless of residency. 

BS-DNP tracks

These tracks bridge bachelor’s-level education to doctoral, saving students time and money. Typical doctoral programs take 3-5 years to complete after first spending 2-3 years earning a master’s degree. As a full-time student, you can earn your degree in as few as 3 years.

Post-Master’s track

This track takes about 2 years to complete. Note that master’s-prepared applicants undergo a transcript review and may have redundant coursework eliminated from their requirements based on their master’s-level education. Contact nursingdnp@boisestate.edu to learn more.

Applicants must have a minimum of a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree and a valid, unencumbered nursing license.

Students may have the opportunity to transfer in credits on a case by case basis. For more info, please contact nursingdnp@boisestate.edu.

Students currently enrolled in a nurse practitioner program, must submit a letter in good standing from their current program director at the time of application.

No. Applicants are not required to have prior credits in statistics or research.

• Three clinical rotations, 180 hours each, usually in the foci of the track the student is registered in
• One clinical practicum rotation of 240 hours.

• Yes, Boise State boasts a dedicated clinical placement team, collaborating with the student for placement and affiliation agreements.
• To date, Boise State has had a 100% clinical placement success rate

• If you are a full time enrolled student and start in the fall you will begin clinicals in your 4th semester. 
• If you are a part time student who starts in the spring, you will begin clinicals in your 6th semester

Courses are conducted in fall, spring, and summer.

Select your degree path to view examples of BS-DNP course progression.

Decisions are usually made within one week of all application materials being submitted to the admission committee.