Dual FNP/MPH Program

Program Highlights

The University of San Francisco offers a dual degree program combining a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Students specialize in the Community and Public Health Practice (CPHP) concentration for their MPH, while the DNP can be focused on either Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). This integrated program is designed to equip students with skills in family-focused health care, community health assessment, addressing health disparities, and systems thinking for advanced nursing practice.

Students can earn both degrees in an accelerated timeframe of five years, as opposed to the typical six years if pursued separately. The MPH coursework emphasizes understanding population health and social justice, while the DNP curriculum focuses on leadership and systems thinking to advance in the nursing field.

The program draws upon public health faculty rooted in social justice, dedicated to improving health outcomes for underserved populations. Accreditation information for the MPH program is not specified on this page.

Delivery Modes

The Master of Public Health (MPH) courses are delivered online. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are taught in a hybrid format, combining online and in-person instruction. Consequently, the dual MPH/DNP degree program is experienced in a hybrid modality.

Curriculum Overview

The dual MPH/DNP degree requires a total of 97 units. The MPH component, with its Community and Public Health Practice concentration, covers core public health disciplines. Key MPH core areas include:

• Biostatistics in Public Health (MPH 612)

• Epidemiology (MPH 621)

• Health Behavior Theory and Communication (MPH 622)

• Environmental and Occupational Health Issues in Public Health (MPH 632)

• Public Health Program Management & Evaluation (MPH 636)

• Community Based Participatory Research & Practice (MPH 633)

• Health Policy and Ethics (MPH 635)

• Research Methods in Public Health (MPH 663)

The MPH curriculum includes an Applied Practice Experience (APE Prep - MPH 680; APE 1 - MPH 681; APE 2 - MPH 682) and an Integrated Learning Experience (ILE - MPH 683), providing students with hands-on public health practice.

Admissions Requirements

To apply for the MPH/DNP dual degree, candidates must submit a DNP application to either the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program. A supplemental application specifically for dual degree applicants is also required. Additionally, applicants must submit a brief essay of approximately 250 words detailing their interest in the dual degree program and how an MPH will enhance their ability to serve others.

Further details on admission criteria can be found on the DNP program's admission page.

Career & Practical Experience

This dual degree program prepares graduates for leadership roles where they can deliver family-focused health care, assess and address community health needs, tackle health disparities, and apply systems-level thinking in complex healthcare environments. The program emphasizes population health, social justice, and working to improve health outcomes for underserved and diverse populations.

Practical experience is a core component of the MPH, gained through the Applied Practice Experience (APE) and the Integrated Learning Experience (ILE), which allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world public health settings.