The Complete Guide to the Charles Drew University Nurse Practitioner Program (2025 Edition)

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.

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🎓 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.

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🧠 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

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📚 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.

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💰 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

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🩺 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.

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✅ 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.

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⭐ 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.

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🆚 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.

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📆 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.

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🌍 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.

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🔍 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.

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🧭 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.