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Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, DNP

Seattle University’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares you to deliver compassionate, evidence-based primary care for individuals and families across the lifespan.

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About this Program

Empowering Leaders in Primary Care

Seattle University’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Doctor of Nursing Practice program equips you to provide primary care for individuals and families at every stage of life. You’ll be prepared to deliver high-quality care in diverse settings, from small clinics and rural communities to large hospitals and urban health centers.

Rooted in Seattle University’s Jesuit tradition, the FNP program emphasizes the preparation of compassionate, competent and ethical health care practitioners. Academic rigor is paired with extensive hands-on training, ensuring graduates are confident in both their advanced clinical skills and their ability to address the complexities of modern health care systems.

Our FNP program is designed for nurses ready to begin their path to advanced practice and lead in primary care by deepening their expertise in nursing. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in evidence-based care and health systems leadership. Our graduates have an overall board pass rate greater than 95% and benefit from high employment rates due to the strong demand for nurse practitioners across the Puget Sound region and the nation.

Transition to Semester Calendar

Beginning in summer 2027, Seattle University’s graduate programs will shift from a quarter system to a semester calendar. As the transition takes place, the university is committed to minimizing impact on your time to completion and program cost as you progress toward your degree. Learn more about the Graduate Programs Move to Semesters.

Applications Are Now Open

Take the next step toward advanced practice. Applications are now open for our Doctor of Nursing Practice and Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion programs for the 2027-2028 academic year. We encourage you to apply early for priority consideration.

Start Your Application
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No Application Fee

We are committed to removing barriers to graduate education by waiving the application fee for all applicants.

Family Nurse Practitioner Program at a Glance

Learn how the FNP DNP will contribute to your career goals, explore course requirements and more.

The FNP program prepares you for certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. This program provides you with the skillset to bring comprehensive primary care for all ages and populations to a variety of environments. The FNP program of study is for students entering the DNP program with an RN and Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) to DNP students who have successfully completed their prelicensure program of study.

DNP graduates will:

  1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing and other disciplines in the provision of evidence-based advanced practice nursing care.
  2. Utilize information systems technology to improve health care access, quality and outcomes.
  3. Demonstrate competence in an advanced nursing practice specialty.
  4. Exercise leadership through scholarship, advocacy and community engagement to achieve just and equitable health care systems that improve health potential and reduce health disparities of vulnerable populations.
  5. Evaluate and influence health care systems and health policy at local, state, federal and global levels.
  6. Demonstrate effective communication and interprofessional collaboration in the promotion of health care access, quality and outcomes.
  7. Evaluate beliefs, values and ways of knowing to foster lifelong personal and professional development.
  8. Apply ethical decision-making in complex clinical situations.

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

Course Catalog

Rankings and Recognition

#1

Nursing School in Washington

SU's College of Nursing and Health Sciences was recently ranked as the #1 Nursing School in Washington (College Factual, 2025).

#64

Nationally Ranked DNP Program

Recognized among the top half of DNP programs nationwide, our Doctor of Nursing Practice reflects a strong reputation for excellence in nursing education (U.S. News & World Report, 2026).

#2

Nurse Practitioner Programs in Washington

Our Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are recognized as the #2 Nurse Practitioner Programs in Washington (RegisteredNursing.org, 2025).

Virtual Information Sessions

Have questions about Seattle University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice programs? Attend a one-hour virtual information session to learn more about the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, meet a knowledgeable admissions representative, and get answers to your questions about our programs, the application process and more.

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A Nursing Education Built Around Experience and Excellence

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Build Confidence Through Immersive Clinical Experience

With 200+ clinical hours per semester in realistic, hands-on scenarios, you’ll develop the advanced assessment, diagnostic and treatment skills needed to provide compassionate, evidence-based care across the lifespan. Through immersive clinical experiences, you’ll build the confidence and clinical judgment to treat patients, promote wellness and manage complex health needs in a variety of primary care settings.

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Practice Advanced Skills in a State-of-the-Art Clinical Performance Lab

Prepare for the realities of advanced nursing practice through immersive, hands-on training in Seattle University’s 20,000-square-foot Clinical Performance Lab. Located just blocks from campus at Swedish Cherry Hill Medical Center, the lab features high-, mid- and low-fidelity manikins, three simulation suites and trained actors who help bring realistic patient scenarios to life.

Through immersive simulation experiences, you’ll develop clinical judgment, refine advanced assessment and treatment skills and build confidence caring for patients across the lifespan in a safe, supportive environment that mirrors real-world health care settings.

Explore the Clinical Performance Lab
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Features and Simulations

To provide safe, hands-on training, the CPL is equipped with several patient simulator models, three simulation suites and more.

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A Path for Career Changers: Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion to DNP

Seattle University’s Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) to DNP pathway is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field who are ready to pursue a career in nursing and advanced practice. This four-year pathway combines prelicensure nursing coursework, preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam and doctoral-level education, preparing you to become an advanced registered nurse practitioner in your chosen specialty.

Discover the APNI-DNP Pathway
Nursing student

Prepare for National FNP Certification

Gain the knowledge and clinical preparation needed to pursue Family Nurse Practitioner certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). Graduates of Seattle University’s Family Nurse Practitioner DNP program are eligible to sit for both certification exams.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) CCNE Accredited

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Seattle University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Featured Faculty

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Program Directory

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    Doctorate

    The Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) direct-entry option offers college graduates with a non-nursing degree the opportunity to begin their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

    • Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Diagnostic Ultrasound, BS

    Major

    In the diagnostic ultrasound program, you’ll gain the technical skills and clinical experience to earn national certification and begin a professional career in diagnostic sonography.

    • Bachelor of Science

  • Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, DNP

    Doctorate

    Prepare for advanced practice in acute care settings, including inpatient and critical care units. Build advanced clinical skills through immersive learning and 200+ clinical hours per semester.

    • Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Kinesiology, BS

    Major

    As a kinesiology major, you’ll help people improve their health through exercise. You’ll explore the theory and practice of exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control and exercise psychology.

    • Bachelor of Science

  • Kinesiology, MS

    Master's

    The MS in Kinesiology blends human performance and data science, offering flexible tracks in performance data analytics and research to prepare students for impactful, data-driven careers.

    • Master of Science

  • Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, DNP

    Doctorate

    The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares you to deliver compassionate, evidence-based primary care for individuals and families across the lifespan.

    • Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health, DNP

    Doctorate

    Prepare for advanced practice in mental health care. Build expertise in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment while caring for patients across the lifespan.

    • Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health, DNP

    Doctorate

    Our Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner DNP program prepares you for certification as a WHNP, enabling you to provide patient-centered primary and specialized care from puberty through the lifespan.

    • Doctor of Nursing

  • Nurse-Midwifery, DNP

    Doctorate

    Prepare for advanced practice as a certified nurse-midwife. Gain the knowledge and clinical experience to support patients through pregnancy, birth and postpartum care in diverse health care settings.

    • Doctor of Nursing

  • Nurse-Midwifery, Post-Doctoral Certificate

    Professional

    Learn from faculty committed to trusted midwifery traditions and the highest academic standards to prepare for the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) certification exam.

    • Certificate

  • Nursing, BS

    Major

    You’ll be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN licensing examination and lead as a nurse in health care. Your BSN education centers social justice as a way to care for people and populations holistically.

    • Bachelor of Science

Get in Touch

We’re here to help. For information about DNP degrees at Seattle University, contact:

Oz Sener, MEd

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