DNP- Lifestyle Medicine
Overview
A DNP in Lifestyle Medicine focuses on expanding the knowledge base of advanced practice nurses, specifically in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention.
This online doctorate degree program is a post-masters degree program available to Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners nationally certified in any specialty (including family, adult, psychiatric mental health, pediatric and women’s health) who would like to gain additional knowledge and competency in providing lifestyle-focused interventions in the care of patients with chronic illnesses.
Why Choose Lifestyle Medicine?
More than 86% of the nation’s health care costs are related to the treatment of preventable chronic diseases, with risk factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity and alcohol abuse playing a huge role in the deterioration of health. Health care providers considered the most trusted and credible sources of health care information, are in a unique position to change these statistics by educating and inspiring their patients to change their unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.
Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based, interdisciplinary approach that examines the biological, psychosocial and environmental influences of a person's chronic physical and mental illness across the lifespan. This approach focuses on the importance of a whole food, plant-predominant diet, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connection in the treatment and reversal of chronic disease.
Graduates of the DNP in Lifestyle Medicine will be well-positioned to promote healthy behaviors as foundational to medical care and will have the knowledge and confidence to counsel their patients in nutrition, exercise and other lifestyle interventions and to empower them to take an active role in their care.
Available Pathways
Post Master's APRN to DNP in Lifestyle Medicine
Post Master's APRN to DNP in Lifestyle Medicine
*Each student’s plan of study may vary based on the evaluation of transfer credits upon admission
| Plan of Study | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester 2024 9 Credit Hours |
Spring Semester 2025 8 Credit Hours |
Summer Semester 2025 8 Credit Hours |
|
| NGR 6591 Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine: The Six Pillars of Health (3) NGR 7769 DNP Roles & Leadership within Complex HC Environments (3) NGR 6246 Empowering Behavioral Change: The Provider as Expert and Coach (3) |
NGR 5846 Biostatistics (3) NGR 6811 Methods of Program Evaluation & Quality Improvement (2) NGR 6167 Food as Medicine: The Nutrition Health Connection (3) |
NGR 6811 Theoretical Constructs and Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (3) NGR 6593L Lifestyle Medicine Practicum (1) (60 CH) NGR 6592 The Exercise Prescription: Improving Physical and Mental Health through Movement (2) Optional Elective-NGR 6590: The Role of Lifestyle Medicine in Improving Mental Health (3) |
|
| Fall Semester 2025 11 Credit Hours |
Spring Semester 2026 8 Credit Hours |
Summer Semester 2026 5 Credit Hours |
|
| NGR 6853 Appraisal & Translation of Evidence for Practice (3) NGR 6662 Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health (2) NGR 6674 Population Health and Applied Epidemiology (3) NGR 6593L Lifestyle Medicine Practicum (3) (150 CH) |
NGR 6893 Healthcare Finance, Economics, and Entrepreneurship (3) NGR 5887 Policy & Legal and Ethical Complexities in Healthcare (3) NGR 6931C DNP Project Planning & Application for LM APN (2) (75 indirect clinical hours) |
NGR 6935C DNP Project Implementation, Evaluation & Dissemination for LM APN (2) (75 indirect clinical hours) Optional Elective-NGR 6590: The Role of Lifestyle Medicine in Improving Mental Health (3) |
|
| Program of Study for Post Master's APRN to DNP in Lifestyle Medicine | |||
| Applicants must hold an MSN in a Nurse Practitioner track, be a nationally certified APRN, and have 3 discrete courses in Advanced Patho, Advanced Health Assessment & Pharmacology across the lifespan before starting the program. Minimum graduate school GPA of 3.0. Up to 47 credit hours and up to 510 clinical hours (required credit hours and clinical hours will be based on formal gap analysis from the master’s program). | |||
Overview of Lifestyle Medicine Courses
NGR 6591: Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine: The Six Pillars of Health
This course examines evidence-based lifestyle medicine strategies to improve chronic health disorders, and includes non-pharmacologic approaches such as exercise, vitamins, nutrients and botanicals as well as mind-body approaches. This course also appraises seminal research and builds on more current evidence regarding the importance of lifestyle choices and physical and mental health.
NGR 6246: Empowering Behavioral Change: The Provider as Expert and Coach
This course explores the fundamentals of health behavior change, including the concepts of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral techniques, and positive psychology techniques. Healthcare providers will explore and develop the collaborative coaching style used in healthcare, which encourages patients and clients to take a more active role in decisions regarding their own care.
NGR 6167 Food as Medicine: The Nutrition Health Connection
This course will examine evidence-based dietary patterns shown to prevent, treat, and reverse diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, and will prepare students to implement food, as medicine, in various healthcare settings. The course will also include nutritional considerations for various lifecycle stages and special populations.
NGR 6592 The Exercise Prescription: Improving Physical and Mental Health through Movement
This course will explore the significant health benefits of physical activity to the body and the brain and will examine evidence-based guidelines for physical activity levels to promote optimal health across the lifespan.
NGR 6593L (Lifestyle Medicine Practicum: Applying Lifestyle Medicine in Clinical Practice
The practicum courses will synthesize the Lifestyle Medicine advanced practice knowledge, skills, abilities, and application into the health care practice setting. Students are expected to complete their clinical hours with a master’s prepared (or above) healthcare professional who practices in a lifestyle/health promotion setting. The student in collaboration with faculty will select a practice setting that reflects the core competencies of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Depending on the number of clinical hours completed in the Master’s Program prior to entering the FSU DNP program, student will complete this course up to 3 semesters, depending on the clinical hours required to meet the DNP Degree.
NGR 6950: The Role of Lifestyle Medicine in Improving Mental Health
This course will examine the evidence-based lifestyle medicine strategies to improve mental health disorders, including non-pharmacologic approaches such as exercise, vitamins, nutrients and botanicals as well as mind-body approaches. This course will also explore some of the latest research that is shedding light on the vital link between the health of our gut and the health of our central nervous system as it relates to stress-related psychiatric disorders.
Expected Costs
| All DNP Program Costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| COMPLIO | $154 | |
| Typhon | $90 | |
| Books | $750 | |
| Lifestyle Med Track | In-State | Out of State |
| Tuition for Lifestyle Med Track | $22,235 | $53,775 |
How to Apply
The Lifestyle Medicine DNP program welcomes applicants from all 50 states.
Complete the Florida State University Graduate application. Upload all required admissions documents and video interviews to the application.
Fall Admission Applications Open January 2025
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Application list for MS-DNP:
- BSN and Master's degree (such as an MSN, MBA, or MHS) from a nationally accredited program with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Master’s degrees will be evaluated on an individual basis for relevancy and accreditation.
- Applicants with an MSN must submit proof of clinical hours completed for the MSN program (Send summary of clinical hours from Typhon or contact the institution that awarded the MSN and have them email a letter to the College of Nursing stating the total of clinical hours completed for the program)
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).*
- Unencumbered and unrestricted RN license.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation.
- Current CV or resume.
Application list for BSN-DNP:
- BSN degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).*
- Unencumbered and unrestricted RN license valid when courses begin.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation.
- Current CV or resume.
GRE/MAT WAIVER CRITERIA
The GRE requirement will be waived for outstanding applicants meeting ONE of the following criteria:
- A completed master’s degree with a 3.0 or better GPA from an accredited institution.
- A completed BSN (60 hours of nursing or RN to BSN courses) with a 3.5 GPA from an accredited institution.
Applicants must provide evidence to satisfy the criteria being applied.
Applicants with a competitive GRE or MAT score will still be able to apply to the program and will not be held to these additional criteria.
For those accredited institutions that are competency-based (no GPA assigned), the applicant must submit a GRE/MAT score.
For more information on the graduate application process, contact us at grad-info@nursing.fsu.edu
For information regarding Tuition and Fees, visit https://studentbusiness.fsu.edu/tuition-fees
National Certifications
After completing the Lifestyle Medicine DNP track, students will be eligible to sit for the National Lifestyle Medicine Certification exam through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
