• Earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice online without having to relocate
• Participate in cutting edge, web-based learning with clinical experiences close to home
• Access all coursework and resources anywhere, anytime and from any internet-connected electronic device
• Complete clinical hours in a variety of primary care sites across the United States, ranging from pediatrics to obstetrics/gynecology to adult/geriatrics
• Receive instruction from experienced nurse practitioners and physicians who are dedicated to excellent patient care and student education
• Receive close, personal attention from highly educated and experienced faculty who are readily available to you
• Experience a rich tradition of high academic standards and quality education practices
• Access to Samford’s beautiful campus and all the amenities that Samford has to offer

Family Nurse Practitioner Admission Dates

Summer D.N.P. Entry Month: May
Slate Application Deadline: November 1 

Admission Criteria

• Unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse
• Master's degree in nursing from a CCNE, CNEA or ACEN (formerly NLNAC) and institutionally accredited college or university
• Master's degree cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• A video interview submission
• American citizens or permanent residents who learned English as a second language must score at least 575 (paper) or 90 (internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• If accepted, a non-refundable fee of $750 is required to secure admission to the program. This fee is applied to the first semester's tuition.

• Transcripts can be sent electronically to gradnurse@samford.edu or by mail to:
  Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing
  Graduate Student Services
  800 Lakeshore Drive
  Birmingham, AL 35229
• Three letters of recommendation – two professional (at least one supervisor) and one academic
• Personal statement indicating career plans and likelihood of success in graduate study
• Professional resume

Out-of-State Applicants

Out-of-state applicants to any of our distance-accessible programs should become familiar with their state’s regulations governing distance accessible programs. Prospective students who plan to conduct Samford’s distance education/clinical in a state other than Alabama, should contact their state’s Board of Nursing and Department of Education for specific rules and regulations pertaining to students enrolled in out-of-state programs. Students residing in states with strict rules and regulations for distance education may not be eligible to receive an offer of admission.

We currently do not accept applications from graduate nursing applicants residing in:

• California
• Colorado
• Louisiana
• New York
• Oregon

Apply now

This program of study requires clinical hours with patients across the lifespan in primary care. The minimum number of clinical hours per course are noted in red on each plan of study below. Students should anticipate spending an average of 16 hours each week in clinical rotations (clinical courses only). 

Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing has affiliation agreements with several clinical agencies across numerous states, with the majority being in the southeast. Students may request additional affiliation agreements based on preceptor availability and proximity. Professional and personal connections are essential to help secure clinical placement opportunities close to home.

Clinical placements can be very competitive and similar to obtaining employment. Many facilities require an application, resume and/or interview with prospective clinical students. Professionalism and good communication skills are critical for successful placement. Traveling for clinical opportunities is sometimes needed to meet requirements and/or learning needs. The school does not arrange or provide reimbursement for travel.

Plans of study are based on a review of each applicant’s transcripts. A GAP analysis will be completed to determine the courses each student will need to obtain degree requirements and eligibility to sit for national FNP certification. 

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program is available for this degree option.

Periodic on-campus requirements

The majority of the program is accomplished through asynchronous learning modules provided on-line in Canvas. There are periodic synchronous sessions via Zoom (typically one-two per semester). Students are required to be on-campus in Birmingham, Alabama a total of two or three times depending on the plan of study selected. The campus visits are generally two-three days in length and students are notified of the dates at least three months in advance.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for in-state and out-of-state students can be found on our graduate tuition worksheet. Tuition may be paid online or at Samford One Stop, and must be paid by the first day of each semester/term. Policies and methods for tuition and fee payment can be found in the Samford University catalog and the Samford One Stop website.

Fees are automatically generated following registration. For a full list of university, school and course fees please view our graduate fees worksheet.

The following additional fees are applicable for the 2022-2023 academic year:

• Background check – cost varies by state

Financial Aid

A financial assistance program administered by Samford One Stop has been established to aid students in attending Samford University.

To learn more about financial aid options, please visit Samford One Stop or call 205-726-2905.

Scholarships

Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing is proud to offer a variety of scholarship opportunities.

View Scholarship Application

Through our Nurse Faculty Loan  Program, you could qualify for up to 85% loan forgiveness.

Learn More