MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
Welcome to the Stanislaus State Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program website. Our program prepares experienced registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) to care for families and individuals across the lifespan, from pregnancy through older adulthood.
The program is delivered in an online/hybrid format, including:
- Didactic courses that are conducted in a hybrid format
- Clinical courses that include two components:
- Clinical practice experience: provision of direct patient care under the supervision of a clinical preceptor in local outpatient settings in California (750 hours)
- On-campus simulation meetings (between 3-4 each semester)
Program units: The program requires 56 semester units to be completed over 2 years, including one summer.
Applications for the FNP program are accepted for fall admission.
Fall: October 1 through April 1
Program Admission Requirements
Explore the essential criteria and guidelines for applying to our Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program.
- A minimum of one year of recent experience providing direct clinical care to patients as an RN.
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from an accredited institution. See FAQ’s if you hold an ADN and a Bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.
- Overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a four-point scale) or higher in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units of upper division course work attempted.
- Completion of the following prerequisites courses with a grade of "C" or better (or equivalent). There is no time limit for currency.
- Statistics: An undergraduate statistics course, must contain probability and inferential.
- California RN licensure is required and must be unencumbered, unrestricted, with no probation or disciplinary action pending or imposed at the time of application and throughout the program.
If the Baccalaureate degree was completed outside of the United States:
- Official academic records and diploma/certificate must be sent from the institution attended.
- If official records are not in English, certified English translations of all documents must also be submitted. Translations must be word-for-word (i.e. literal) translations
- TOEFL minimum scores: 550 paper, 80 internet, 213 computer
A waiver may be requested if 3 years full-time equivalent instruction at the secondary level or higher was received at a school where English was the principal language of instruction.
Application Information & Time Frame
Find crucial details about the application process and important deadlines to help you navigate your journey toward enrollment.
Applicants complete a graduate student online application on the Cal State Apply site. The application requires the upload of specific documents, recommendations, and the receipt of all requirements by the application deadline. We recommend beginning the application early to ensure all materials are received by the due date. Late applications are not accepted.
Attendance at an Online Information Session is highly recommended. Visit our information sessions webpage.
- Visit the Cal State website and begin the application process
- Complete all four quadrants of the application, including:
- Personal information
- Academic history
- Supporting Information
- Program Materials – all materials must be submitted for application to be complete, including recommendations, additional questions specific to the FNP program, and official transcripts, etc.
- Examples of Information to be included:
- Example of Statistical Data Form
- Example of Graduate Application Information
- Submit complete application and all required program materials by the deadline.
- Applicants are only considered for admission after all required documents have been received, including recommendations and official transcripts.
- Incomplete or late submissions, documents that that do not meet the criteria stated above, or those that are not readable, will not be considered for admission.
- Admission decisions are granted on rolling basis so the sooner your application is complete the better your chances.
- If accepted, applicants are required to accept or decline the offer of admission by the deadline stated on the offer letter.
- Applicants admitted in our program, will need to be computer literate and competent in word processing, on-line searches & email.
- If admitted into the FNP program, there will be a mandatory orientation meeting. Applicants who are accepted will be notified of this date.
Board of Nursing Approval and Accreditation
Graduates from our program qualify to apply for California and National Nurse Practitioner certification:
California BRN for nurse practitioner certification (NP) and furnishing number (NPF)
National certification examination as a Family Nurse Practitioner through:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
Our FNP program is an approved academic program by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). We are physically located in California and offer a graduate degree in nursing to qualified students.
Definitions of Terms - Calif. Board of Registered Nursing
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Nurse practitioner | An advanced practice registered nurse who meets board education and certification requirements and possesses additional advanced practice educational preparation and skills in physical diagnosis, psycho-social assessment, and management of health-illness needs in primary care, and/or acute care. |
| Primary care | Comprehensive and continuous care provided to patients, families, and the community. Primary care focuses on basic preventative care, health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, patient education and the diagnoses and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. |
| Clinically competent | Individual possesses and exercises the degree of learning, skill, care and experience ordinarily possessed and exercised by a certified nurse practitioner providing healthcare in the same nurse practitioner category. The clinical experience must be such that the nurse received intensive experience in performing the diagnostic and treatment procedures essential to the provision of primary care. |
| Clinical practice experience | Supervised direct patient care in the clinical setting that provides for the acquisition and application of advanced practice nursing knowledge, skills, and competencies. |
| Direct supervision of students | A clinical preceptor or a faculty member is physically present at the practice site. The clinical preceptor or faculty member retains the responsibility for patient care while overseeing the student. |
Contact Information
Mechelle Perea-Ryan Ph.D., FNP-BC, RN-PBC, PHN
Health Science Program Co-Director, SON
Graduate/FNP Program Director, SON
Stanislaus State
209-667-3491
mperearyan@csustan.edu
Updated: March 18, 2025