Boise State University offers 2 Acute Nurse Practitioner Tracks:
- BS-DNP – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Post-Master’s DNP (no additional NP clinical coursework required for APRNs)
The program is delivered primarily online with required annual summer intensives held in Boise, Idaho, blending flexibility with in-person skill development.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP AGACNP | $36K–$39K | Approximately 3 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s DNP | $25K–$33K | Approximately 2 years (full-time) |
A dedicated clinical placement team with a 100% placement success rate and a 99% first-time NP board pass rate distinguish the program nationally. Students benefit from a cohort model, supportive advising, and a single tuition rate regardless of state residency.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (BS-DNP) – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care
The estimated cost for the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Emphasis program is approximately $35,260–$38,485 in tuition (based on 43 credits at $820–$895 per credit) and would take about 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP Curriculum
The curriculum integrates advanced clinical practice, leadership, informatics, and health policy. Coursework progresses from foundational doctoral content to advanced acute care management and a clinical practicum.
Core DNP Courses include:
- NURS-DNP522 – Concepts of Population Health
- NURS-DNP630 – Biostatistics
- NURS-DNP632 – Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice
- NURS-DNP634 – Evidence-Based Methods
- NURS-DNP636 – Information Systems and Technology Improvement
- NURS-DNP638 – Quality and Safety in Healthcare
- NURS-DNP640 – Policy, Economics and Financial Planning
- NURS-DNP671/673/675 – DNP Seminars I–III
Acute Care Emphasis Courses include:
NURS-DNP510 – Advanced Physiology and Pathology Across the Lifespan (3)
Explores advanced physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms influencing health and disease across all age groups, emphasizing the underlying processes of altered health states relevant to advanced practice nursing.
NURS-DNP516 – Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan (3)
Examines advanced pharmacologic principles, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, with application to the treatment of acute and chronic conditions across diverse patient populations.
NURS-DNP518 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (2)
Develops comprehensive, advanced assessment skills using holistic approaches and differential diagnosis techniques to guide clinical reasoning across the lifespan.
NURS-DNP519 – Advanced Health Assessment Lab (2)
Provides hands-on practice in advanced physical assessment techniques within simulated and clinical lab environments to strengthen diagnostic proficiency.
NURS-DNP534 – Diagnosis and Management of Health and Illness Across the Lifespan (3)
Focuses on the integration of advanced practice principles to assess, diagnose, and manage common health conditions across varied populations.
NURS-DNP535 – Diagnosis and Management Clinical (3)
Applies evidence-based strategies in supervised clinical settings to evaluate and manage acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan.
NURS-DNP536 – Acute Care Management of Adult/Geriatric Health and Illness I (4)
Introduces advanced clinical decision-making and management strategies for adults and older adults with complex and high-acuity conditions in acute care environments.
NURS-DNP537 – Acute Care Management Clinical I (3)
Builds practical experience in managing critically ill adult and geriatric patients through direct patient care in acute care settings.
NURS-DNP538 – Acute Care Management of Adult/Geriatric Health and Illness II (4)
Advances clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating complex acute and chronic conditions in adult and geriatric populations.
NURS-DNP539 – Acute Care Management Clinical II (3)
Expands hands-on clinical proficiency in delivering comprehensive acute care to high-acuity adult and geriatric patients.
NURS-DNP541 – Acute Care Clinical Practicum (4)
Integrates doctoral-level knowledge into advanced acute care practice, emphasizing comprehensive evaluation and management of medically complex patients.
NURS-DNP549 – Acute Care Procedures and Diagnostics (3)
Develops competency in advanced diagnostic interpretation and performance of specialized procedures within acute care settings.
NURS-DNP550 – Specialized Pharmacotherapeutics II (3)
Examines complex pharmacologic management strategies for high-risk and multifaceted health conditions across patient populations.
NURS-DNP642 – Leadership, Role and Collaboration for the APRN (3)
Prepares advanced practice nurses to lead organizational change, advocate within healthcare systems, and navigate ethical and professional challenges in advanced clinical roles.
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
Students complete four direct-care rotations totaling approximately 780 clinical hours. Rotations occur primarily in hospital and acute care settings and typically follow a 2–3 consecutive day schedule for immersive learning.
Clinical structure includes:
- Three 180-hour clinical rotations
- One 240-hour clinical practicum
- Dedicated placement coordination
- 100% historical placement success rate
Full-time students beginning in fall typically start clinicals in the fourth semester.
DNP Admissions Requirements
Admission is competitive and holistic. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (provisional review possible below 3.0)
- Valid, unencumbered RN license
- $65 Graduate College application fee + $20 Nursing application fee
- Personal statement (500 words max)
- Current résumé or CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- Video interview (for selected candidates)
- English proficiency scores (if international)
Application deadlines:
- Fall Start: July 1 (priority), August 1 (final)
- Spring Start: September 1 (priority), November 1 (final)
Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s DNP track is approximately $24,600–$32,220 (based on 30–36 credits at $820–$895 per credit) and would take about 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum
This pathway focuses on doctoral leadership, evidence-based practice, healthcare systems improvement, and policy. Clinical NP coursework is not required for APRNs already certified as NPs, CRNAs, or CNMs.
Students complete:
- Population health and policy coursework
- Biostatistics and evidence-based methods
- Informatics and quality improvement
- DNP seminar sequence
- Leadership and systems-level practice courses
The program culminates in a scholarly DNP project.
Post-Master’s Clinicals
No additional NP clinical rotations are required for advanced practice nurses. Clinical or practicum requirements are determined based on transcript review and prior certification.
Post-Master’s Admissions Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a master’s degree in nursing or advanced practice specialty
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Provide proof of active RN and, if applicable, APRN licensure
- Submit résumé/CV, personal statement, and recommendations
- Complete a video interview if selected
Tuition
Graduate tuition ranges from $820–$895 per credit for distance programs. Additional fees may include:
- $65 Graduate College application fee
- $20 Nursing application fee
- $230 New Student Curriculum Fee
- $38 Bronco Card Fee
- $0–$1,100 per clinical course
- Graduation fee: $20
See official tuition page for more details.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Priority: July 1
- Fall Final: August 1
- Spring Priority: September 1
- Spring Final: November 1
Admissions decisions are typically made within one week of completed application submission.
Accreditation
Boise State University School of Nursing operates within the College of Health Sciences and maintains regional accreditation through the university. The DNP program aligns with national nurse practitioner education standards and prepares graduates for national certification and licensure as Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners.