School of Nursing

APU’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) Certificate program prepares registered nurses with master’s degrees in nursing to be nurse practitioners for adults in primary healthcare settings.

School of Nursing Mission Statement

To serve God through excellence in professional nursing education, scholarship, and practice.

Degrees, Certifications, and Credentials Offered

The School of Nursing offers traditional undergraduate and professional programs, as well as various pathways to the Master of Science in Nursing, post-master’s certificates, a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Traditional BSN

The Traditional BSN program is a prelicensure program that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Students completing the BSN are eligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse in California and for certification as a public health nurse.

RN to BSN

The RN to BSN degree completion program offers the registered nurse an alternative to the traditional method of pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN).

Upper-Division BSN Transfer Program

The Upper-Division BSN program is designed for transfer students with at least 48 units of transferable prerequisite nursing coursework who are interested in pursuing a BSN.

LVN to BSN and LVN to RN

Two programs are offered for the licensed vocational nurse (LVN)—the LVN to BSN Option and LVN to RN 30-Unit Option.

Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELM)

For those who have completed a BA or BS in another field.

Total prelicensure units is 69. Specific courses required.
Postlicensure units to complete the MSN depend on the specialty chosen by the student.

Master of Science in Nursing

The master of science in nursing program is designed for working nurses and can be completed in six to nine semesters, depending on the specialty chosen. It prepares the nurse for advanced nursing practice as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse educators, and healthcare administrators.

MSN in Nursing Education

The MSN in Nursing Education prepares nurses for teaching roles in a variety of healthcare settings and prepares students to complete the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination.

MSN in Healthcare Administration and Leadership

The MSN in Healthcare Administration and Leadership is designed for BSN-prepared registered nurses who are looking to advance their careers and move into early- to midlevel management and leadership roles in a variety of healthcare settings.

Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration is designed for those with bachelor’s degrees in nonclinical fields who are working professionals who want to advance and are interested in management and leadership positions in healthcare settings.

Post-Master’s Nursing Certificates

Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Nursing Education
Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care (PNP-PC)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

The PhD in Nursing, with emphasis in either health of the family and the community or international health, is a research-based program designed to prepare graduates for a life of scholarship and teaching. The coursework for the PhD in Nursing consists of 46 units beyond the master’s degree, with an additional 9 units for dissertation research.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Based on a strong scientific foundation, evidence-based practice, leadership, and organizational analysis, the DNP program prepares nurses at the highest level of practice for the current, complex healthcare environment. An evidence-based clinical approach emphasizes the prevention, assessment, and treatment of complex health issues. Students may apply for admission to the BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP. This program is available online.

Graduate Status

In the School of Nursing, graduate full-time status is considered to be 6 units per semester or 12 units per 12-month academic year. A student has a maximum of eight years to complete a graduate program, beginning from the date of initial enrollment in the specific degree program.

Accreditation

All Azusa Pacific University programs are accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
All nursing programs at Azusa Pacific University (APU) are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.
School of Nursing prelicensure and advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) programs are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). Graduates of prelicensure programs are qualified to apply for registered nursing licensure and public health nursing (PHN) certification. APRN graduates are qualified to apply for nurse practitioner (NP) certification and clinical nurse specialist (CNS) certification depending on the program completed.
Graduates of the APRN programs are qualified to apply for the appropriate national nurse practitioner (NP) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) specialization certification.
APU cannot confirm whether specific programs meet out-of-state requirements for professional licensure or certification. Information about out-of-state requirements and authorizations is provided on the Office of the Provost website and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.