Master's of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner

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• About the FNP Program
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The San José State FNP program has outstanding leadership in Dr. Goyal and Dr. Spilker. The professors in the program are both passionate and approachable. I am thankful for the exceptional clinical rotations I was able to experience during my time in the program. I am proud to say I earned my advanced practice degree through SJSU Valley School of Nursing graduate FNP program.

— Emily Lynch, MS, APRN, NP-C

The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San José State University offers a Master of Science Degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration.

The program prepares nurses to assume the highest levels of professional nursing practice in the advanced practice roles via courses which cover advanced theoretical knowledge, leadership development, assessment skills, and advanced clinical practice. You will have an opportunity to critically evaluate and apply nursing theory and research as a scientific base for nursing practice. Our position in the heart of the Silicon Valley provides a unique opportunity to serve a diverse population. Many of our students go on to work for one of our local healthcare agencies.

Upon completion of the Master's of Science in Nursing FNP program, graduates will be eligible to apply for certification.

Valley Foundation School of Nursing offers a Master of Science degree in two Nursing specialty areas; Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner.

Looking for the NE program? Visit the Nurse Educator page for more information about the NE program.

• Program Accreditation

  • The Master's of Science in Nursing programs at San José State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Additionally, San José State University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Masters Essentials is the Foundation for the graduate curriculum. Our Tenured and Tenure Track faculty, educated at the doctoral level, are dedicated to providing the very finest nursing education.

• Admissions Overview

  • We accept applicants to the Family Nurse Practitioner program in the Fall Semester.

    Fall admission

    Small cohort size

    Hybrid class format (online and in person)

    Didactic and clinical courses in concentration

    Advanced Practice courses

    The program follows a full time cohort model over 5 semesters. Courses are offered in hybrid format, which includes online and in-person meetings. In person, on-campus class attendance is required every Tuesday evening, 4PM-9PM (1600-2100), with additional days for clinical practicum courses.

    The MS FNP Program accepts students who have completed a baccalaureate in nursing and have an unrestricted California RN license.

    An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (B) is required and potential applicants need to demonstrate knowledge and skills in physical and psychosocial assessment developed to the level that the applicant can perform and complete a full history and physical exam. Two years of acute care nursing experience is preferred. 

• Core Courses

  • NURS 200 Population Based Health Care 3 units

    NURS 202 Theoretical Foundations 2 units

    NURS 248 Advanced Health Assessment 3 units

    NURS 258 Professional Issues for Nurse Practitioners 2 units

    NURS 259 Advanced Pharmacology 3 units

    NURS 260 Advanced Pathophysiology 3 units

    NURS 295A Research Methods 3 units

    See FNP Curriculum Roadmap [pdf].

    See SJSU Catalog for further details.

• Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  • The goal of the MS FNP program is to provide educational excellence in the science and art of professional nursing to empower our graduates to be responsible and knowledgeable clinicians, leaders, and scholars who strive to meet changing global healthcare needs. The Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) were developed based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's The Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing (2011) [pdf] [pdf]. PLOs have been identified as preparing the graduate to:

    Apply critical thinking and ethical decision-making including the use of the nursing and research processes

    Provide theory and research-based culturally competent, safe therapeutic nursing interventions for clients in advanced nursing practice

    Employ advanced interpersonal skills in professional relationships with clients, families/caregivers, and multidisciplinary health care team members

    Support health promotion and disease prevention activities in developing and monitoring holistic plans of care for well and at-risk clients, considering access, quality and cost

    Demonstrate the collaborative and leadership skills required in advanced nursing practice within a multidisciplinary and multicultural (community) health care context

    Plan, implement, and evaluate advanced nursing practice that promotes and preserves health and healthy lifestyles of individual clients and aggregates

    Plan, implement, and evaluate advanced therapeutic nursing practice in a rapidly changing, multicultural health care environment

    Implement care management, including but not limited to case management, resource management, advocacy, and outcome evaluation

    Employ information technology in advanced nursing practice to evaluate and improve health care delivery and outcomes

    Actualize the advanced nursing practice role by incorporating professional standards, ethical guidelines, legal mandates, and professional activities

Please attend our information sessions before applying. Detailed information can be found in the advising slides.

Advising session details are listed on the Future Student Advising page.

Current students should contact their program advisor for academic advising.

• SJSU FNP Advising Slides 2022
• SJSU Graduate/Master's Future Students
• SJSU Graduate/Master's Admissions
• SJSU Graduate/Master's Current Students
• Financial Aid
• Canvas, online learning platform
• Library Guide for Nursing Students
• SJSU Writing Center
• Zoom Meetings Download

DEADLINE EXTENSION
Fall 2023 applications are now open through March 15, 2023. For additional questions, please send an email to nursing-graduate@sjsu.edu.

I believe education starts with a strong foundation, especially in advanced practice nursing. The passion the professors have for nursing is exceptional. The guidance from my advisor and mentors gave me a space conducive to learning and to begin to explore research. The opportunities presented for clinical gave me the experience to feel confident in transitioning from RN to NP. I am proud to say I graduated from SJSU’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

— Michelle Salameh, MS, APRN, NP-C