Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), located in Los Angeles, California, is a mission-driven, community-focused institution that offers an NP program unlike any other. For students committed to underserved populations and social justice in healthcare, the Charles Drew University Nurse Practitioner program delivers academic rigor, clinical intensity, and a powerful alumni network.
Let’s break down everything you need to know: costs, clinical hours, how CDU compares to other schools, what to expect as a student, and how to secure your clinical rotations.
🎓 About the Program
CDU’s Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) track prepares RNs to deliver advanced primary care with a focus on health equity and underserved communities.
- Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Track: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Location: Los Angeles, California (hybrid model)
- Accreditation: CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)
CDU is one of the only HBCU medical institutions on the West Coast, and the university’s values are deeply rooted in addressing healthcare disparities through education, research, and clinical practice.
🧠 What Makes CDU Unique?
- ✅ Social mission-driven: strong focus on health equity, cultural competence, and community health
- ✅ HBCU legacy: powerful peer and alumni networks
- ✅ Hybrid format: a combination of online coursework and in-person intensives
- ✅ Clinical rotations in underserved areas: perfect for those planning to work in FQHCs, public clinics, or inner-city/low-resource settings
📚 Program Format and Curriculum
The CDU FNP program is hybrid. Most didactic courses are delivered online, with in-person intensives at key points in the curriculum (including physical assessment labs and simulation-based evaluations).
Core Structure:
- Credits: ~60 units
- Duration: 2.5–3 years (part-time track available)
- Clinical Hours: 720 hours (minimum)
Sample Courses:
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Primary Care of Women and Children
- FNP Clinical Practicum I–IV
Students must pass multiple OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Exams) and complete diversity and cultural competence training aligned with CDU’s mission.
💰 Cost Breakdown (2025)
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition per unit | ~$1,045 |
| Total credit hours | ~60 |
| Estimated tuition total | $62,000+ |
| Student fees | ~$3,000 total |
| Books & materials | $1,200–$2,000 |
| Travel for intensives | Varies (if commuting) |
| Clinical placement support | Optional/outsourced |
Total estimated program cost: $65,000–$70,000 depending on pace and materials
🩺 Clinical Rotations & Preceptors
CDU provides some guidance for clinical placement, particularly for students who intend to serve in medically underserved areas. However, students are responsible for securing their own preceptors.
Clinical hours must be completed in:
- Primary care settings
- Women’s health
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Family practice/internal medicine
To avoid graduation delays, many CDU students now use Preceptor Tree to secure guaranteed preceptors in the Greater Los Angeles area, Inland Empire, and surrounding regions.
✅ Admission Requirements
To apply to the Charles Drew University Nurse Practitioner program, applicants must:
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution
- Have an active RN license (California)
- Submit official transcripts
- Provide two letters of recommendation
- Submit a personal statement
- Interview (if selected)
- Meet minimum GPA requirement (typically 3.0+)
No GRE is required.
⭐ Alumni Outcomes and Reputation
CDU graduates are known for their community-centered approach, often working in:
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
- Urban safety-net hospitals
- School-based health centers
- Mobile clinics
- VA and county systems
Employers in California respect CDU’s clinical rigor and social justice focus. And as an HBCU-affiliated program, CDU’s commitment to diversity and cultural competence helps graduates stand out in a crowded field.
🆚 How CDU Compares with Other NP Programs
| School | Location | Format | Focus | Cost Est. | Preceptor Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Drew University | California | Hybrid | Underserved care, equity | $65–70K | Limited (outside help used) |
| Walden University | National (Online) | 100% Online | Flexibility, adult learners | $33–38K | Student secures or add-on |
| West Coast University | California | In-person + online | Clinical rigor, local CA care | $45–50K | Some in-house support |
| Chamberlain University | National (Online) | Online + clinicals | National brand, flexible | $32–35K | You find, or use services |
CDU is not the cheapest, but it’s one of the most mission-driven—designed for future NPs who want to make a difference, not just get a degree.
📆 Application Timeline
- Fall start: Applications typically due April–June
- Spring start: Applications due September–October
Check CDU’s official MSN-FNP admissions page for updated deadlines.
🌍 Is CDU Right for You?
CDU is ideal for students who:
✅ Want to serve in diverse, urban, or medically underserved communities
✅ Value equity, inclusion, and social impact
✅ Are based in or near Southern California (or can travel for intensives)
✅ Want the credibility of an HBCU with a California presence
✅ Need hybrid flexibility without sacrificing clinical quality
If you’re looking for a transformational—not transactional—NP program, CDU belongs on your shortlist.
🔍 Preceptor Tree and CDU: How We Help
We’ve helped many Charles Drew NP students navigate clinical rotations and secure placements across:
- Los Angeles County
- Long Beach & Orange County
- Riverside & San Bernardino
- Telehealth-based psych rotations statewide
Our guarantee: If we can’t match you in time, you get your money back. No hidden fees, no bait-and-switch.
🧭 Final Takeaway
The Charles Drew University Nurse Practitioner program offers something few others do: a commitment to healing that goes beyond the exam room. If you’re passionate about justice, access, and the future of healthcare, this program could be your perfect next step.
And if you’re worried about preceptors?
You don’t have to be.
Preceptor Tree has your back.
