Delaware State University (DSU) Online NP Programs

What to Expect from the Delaware State University (DSU) Online NP Programs

Admission Requirements: Delaware State University’s MSN programs require applicants to apply through the School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies, submit the online application form, pay the application fee, provide official transcripts, and hold a current, unencumbered U.S. RN license. 

For the MSN options, applicants must have a BSN from a nationally accredited program such as ACEN or CCNE, a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and submit a current resume and one professional reference letter from a faculty member, professional colleague, or work supervisor.

The MSN program is online only, and graduate nursing students who participate in clinical experiences must hold and maintain a valid nursing license in the state or jurisdiction where those experiences take place. Delaware State University also notes that the MSN program is designed to meet the educational requirements for APRN licensure, and both options are built around APRN preparation in the United States.

Applicants to the RN-to-MSN pathway must have an associate degree or diploma in nursing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. After enrollment, they must maintain a 2.5 GPA to enter the MSN portion of the program. They must also submit an online application form, pay the application fee, provide official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities, and hold a current, unencumbered RN license in the United States.

Students may transfer up to nine graduate credit hours from another accredited institution. For international applicants, DSU requires an RN license for the state where the student plans to practice, an F-1 visa, financial documentation, transcript evaluation by a recognized agency, and acceptable test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT, or ELI. Delaware State University also notes that there is no GRE or GMAT requirement and that an application fee waiver is available.

State Restrictions:  Delaware State University’s nurse practitioner program does not accept students from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, California, Louisiana, New Mexico, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. Some states, including Alabama, Oregon, Minnesota, Alaska, and Wyoming, have specific requirements for nurse practitioner students, and students must contact their home State Board of Nursing in advance to discuss those requirements.

For the MSN programs, graduate nursing students participating in clinical experiences must hold and maintain a valid nursing license in the state or jurisdiction where the clinical experiences take place. For international students, DSU requires an RN license in the state where they plan to practice, and they must apply at least 90 days before classes start.

Study Plan: Delaware State University’s MSN FNP and MSN PMHNP programs each require 47 credits, 16 courses, and 765 field or practicum hours. These programs use eight-week online courses and 16-week practicum terms, and students can finish in as few as two years and eight months.

The RN-to-MSN FNP and RN-to-MSN PMHNP pathways are longer and more flexible in structure. These pathways include 19 to 24 courses, 60 to 74 credits, 90 to 765 practicum hours, and 15-week and 16-week terms, with completion possible in three to four years.

Curriculum: The MSN FNP curriculum includes courses such as ethical and legal perspectives for advanced practice; comprehensive advanced health assessment for the APRN; research and applied statistics in nursing; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; health promotion of the infant, child, and adolescent client; epidemiology for the healthcare provider; health promotion of the young and middle aged adult client; health promotion of the gerontological client; examining the leadership role of the APRN; special populations for the family nurse practitioner; capstone for the family nurse practitioner; and four practicum courses.

The PMHNP curriculum includes courses such as ethical and legal perspectives; comprehensive advanced health assessment for the APRN; research and applied statistics in nursing; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; psychiatric-mental health disorders and therapeutic modalities; advanced psychopharmacology for the PMHNP; examining the leadership role of the APRN; special populations for the PMHNP; capstone for the PMHNP; and four practicums.

The RN-to-MSN pathway follows a broader structure that begins with general education and bridge courses before moving into the master’s-level concentration courses. The general education courses are statistics, arts/humanities+, arts/humanities+, and African American studies+. The bridge courses are population-focused care; seminar in professional nursing; theory and evidence-based practice; and health policy. Both RN-to-MSN pathways include the same advanced APRN courses as the MSN options.

Online Experience: Delaware State University’s MSN programs and RN-to-MSN pathway are 100 percent online, and students have 24/7 access to their courses with easy access to faculty. This format is designed to support working professionals while still giving them personalized mentorship, an inclusive learning environment, and a strong sense of community.

On-Site Requirements: The MSN programs include practicum terms and field experience hours, while the RN-to-MSN pathway includes practicum experiences as well. For the MSN options, students complete 16-week practicum terms and 765 field experience hours, and the RN-to-MSN options also include practicum hours tied to the chosen concentration.