Doctor of Nursing Practice

Program Highlights: 

  • Curriculum designed to develop leaders who are able to expand their impact on the health of society by improving quality of care, patient outcomes, and health policy.
  • Prepares graduates as holistic practitioners who understand different healing methodologies and practice collaboratively with those who seek care.
  • Courses are conducted using a blended format of in-person immersion weekend sessions and web-based learning modalities.
  • One program track: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Students admitted to the DNP-FNP program are registered nurses who hold a bachelor of science in nursing or a master's degree in nursing and become primary care practitioners and earn the DNP degree.
  • DNP-FNP students enroll in a full-time (3-year) 72 credit program of study.
  • Graduates of the DNP-FNP program are eligible to sit for the national FNP certification examination. 
  • Approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing for licensure.

For more program specific information, visit the School of Nursing and Health Innovations

 

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The DNP-FNP program prepares students to become FNPs at the doctoral level. These health care professionals work independently, and collaboratively with other health care professionals, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic health conditions, and promote health and wellness to families and individuals of all ages. 

The University of Portland’s DNP-FNP program meets the state educational requirements for FNP licensure in Oregon, Washington, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Vermont. The University of Portland has not determined whether the program meets the FNP licensure requirements for other states, but can do so on a case by case basis. Please contact Stacey Boatright at boatrigh@up.edu if you have questions about a state not listed above.

Graduate School Application

DNP-FNP Admission Requirements:

  • DNP Writing Sample
    • Essay prompts are provided within the application. 
  • Current Resume/CV
  • A bachelor's degree in nursing or a master's degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body
    • GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the most recently completed nursing program
  • Official Transcripts (from all previously attended academic institutions)
    • Must be submitted directly from the institution 
      • Electronically to gradschl@up.edu
      • By mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97203.
    • International Applicants: Transcripts from foreign universities must follow the above guideline as well as be in English or be accompanied by an English translation certified as authentic 
  • Current (or eligible to earn) unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license to practice in state of residence 
    • RN licensure in Oregon is recommended 
    • RN licensure in the state in which a student completes clinical hours is required
    • Additional cost may be incurred for clinical placements outside of Oregon
  • International Applicants: Official test score from TOEFL (minimum score of 100), IELTS (minimum score of 7.5), or Duolingo (minimum score of 120) is required. 
  • International Applicants: Proof of financial support will be required to attend the University of Portland, but is not required for application review
  • If applicant meets the minimum requirements, an admission interview will be offered. 

Application Timeline

  • Applications will open October 1st. 
  • Completed applications will be reviewed starting April 1st. 

Program Contact: 

International Applicants: 

  • Please note the additional application requirements listed above in the "Admission Requirements" section
  • For additional information, visit International Student Services