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Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner Track

Why should I become a family nurse practitioner?

There has never been a better time to get started on your path to becoming a family nurse practitioner. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for nurse practitioners to grow 40 percent between 2021 and 2031. And with the shortage of primary care physicians on the horizon, FNPs are well-suited to help meet the healthcare needs of our communities.

FNPs provide high-quality, cost-effective care for individuals and families across generations. FNPs emphasize health promotion and disease prevention, assess patients, order and interpret tests, and diagnose and prescribe medications in managing acute and chronic illnesses.

As an independent provider or member of an interdisciplinary team, FNPs practice in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, schools, university medical centers, urgent care facilities, and private practices.

Family Nurse Practitioner Track

The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum totals 71 credit hours and prepares baccalaureate-degreed registered nurses to deliver acute and chronic healthcare to individuals and families in a variety of settings.

  • Administrators will assist students in securing clinical sites and student preceptors to ensure quality measures and meaningful experiential opportunities.
  • A transition-to-practice immersion experience provides clinical training with the depth, breadth, volume, and intensity necessary to deliver safe, quality patient-centered care as an entry-level FNP.

Sample Curriculum

Sample Curriculum DNP FNP Full-Time

Why should I choose Marian University?

  • Attend a "Best Regional University" in U.S. News & World Report's 2021 list of the top American colleges.
  • Prepare to be a FNP at the highest level of nursing education.
  • Practice in the state-of-the-art Hill-Rom Simulation Center.
  • Develop your nursing practice under the guidance of expert faculty practitioners.
  • Learn in the Franciscan and liberal arts tradition.

When Do Classes Start?

Semester Application Deadline File Completion Deadline Start Date
Spring 2025 (Part-time) December 1, 2024 December 10, 2024 January 6, 2025
Summer 2025 (Full-time) March 1, 2025 March 15, 2025 May 5, 2025
Fall 2025 (Part-time) July 15, 2025 August 1, 2025 August 18, 2025

DNP: FNP Admission Requirements

Early entry consideration may be available for those interested in a gradual transition into the summer cohort.

  • A BSN from an ACEN, CNEA, or CCNE-accredited program
  • Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00/4.00
  • Current, valid RN license
  • A 500-word essay addressing your career goals
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Interview with the Admission Committee
  • Completion of a graduate course in statistics

For tuition rates, please visit the Business Office "Tuition Rates" page.

Steps to Apply to our Family Nurse Practitioner Program

  1. Create your account through the application portal.
  2. Enter your contact information.
  3. Under "Enrollment information," choose the following:
    • Choose Doctorate: Students applying for an EdD or DNP in the “I intend to enroll as a ___ student” field.
    • Choose  Family Nursing Practitioner - DNP under the "My chosen area of study is" field.
    • Choose Spring, Summer, or Fall for the "I plan to start classes" field.
  4. Click “Proceed to step 2.”
  5. Verify the program selection and then click “Next” to access the application.
  6. Complete and submit the application.

Sending supporting documents: Go to the instructions tab located in the admissions portal.

Letters of recommendation and clinical observation forms must be submitted by the recommenders to GRadmissions@marian.edu.

Official transcripts:

To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from the college or university to Marian University.
  • Electronic (preferred) send to: GRadmissions@marian.edu
  • Mailed to:
    Marian University
    Office of Graduate Admission
    3200 Cold Spring Rd.
    Indianapolis, IN 46222

Prerequisite Requirement

A graduate-level statistics course is required prior to matriculation in the program. Marian University offers BMS 511 Biostatistics in a 5-week, online format once per semester. To register for this course, apply as a non-degree-seeking graduate student.

How to Register for BMS 511 Biostatistics

  1. Create your account through the application portal.
  2. Enter your contact information.
  3. Under "Enrollment information," choose the following:
    • Choose Doctorate – Biostatistics Course (for DNP students) in the “I intend to enroll as a ___ student” field.
    • Choose Spring, Summer, or Fall for the "I plan to start classes" field.
  4. Click “Proceed to step 2.”
  5. Verify the program selection and then click “Next” to access the application.
  6. Complete and submit the application.

Once you are accepted, you will receive an email that explains the enrollment process. If you have questions about applying, please contact Graduate Admissions at GRadmissions@marian.edu.

Tuition and Program Fees (2025-26 AY)

Find this year's tuition on the Business Office's "Tuition Rates" page.

Possible Fees Frequency
Application Fee Once

Year 1
Tuition $21,465
Housing $23,412
Personal/Misc. $7,159
Transportation $3,256
Books/Supplies $2,267
Total COA $57,559

 

Loan Type Year 1
Unsubsidized $20,500
Graduate PLUS $37,059

 

Important Documents

Graduate Nursing Student Handbook

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program of Marian University Leighton School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

(317) 955-6400 
GRadmissions@marian.edu

HEALTH PROFESSIONS FINANCIAL AID

hpfinaid@marian.edu

Contact Us

Marian University
3200 Cold Spring Road
Indianapolis, IN 46222-1997
(317) 955-6000

admissions@marian.edu
COMadmissions@marian.edu

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© 2025 Marian University
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Marian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age or disabilities in the selection of administrative personnel, faculty and staff, and students.
*Placement rates are gathered from data collected from graduates within six months of graduation.

Students may make a complaint to the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.

Marian University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.

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