Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Program Overview
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The DNP is a practice doctorate in nursing that prepares graduates to function at the highest level of nursing practice. Entry into the program is available in spring, summer, and fall. Graduates of the DNP program focus on providing care with an emphasis on improving quality and access to underserved and diverse populations. Graduates employ abilities and skills in these areas to:
- advocate for reasonable, rational, and data-driven health regulations, standards, and practices;
- sustain collaborative and strategic relationships;
- promote innovative, effective health care programs; and
- form partnerships with diverse groups to address health disparities.
Two pathways to the DNP degree are available, post-baccalaureate to DNP (BSN to DNP) and post-masters to DNP (MSN to DNP). The BSN to DNP pathway admits BSN-prepared nurses. The MSN degree will be awarded en route at the start of the DNP project courses. The following MSN concentrations are available:
- Nurse Executive
- Nurse Educator
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Dual Nurse Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner
The MSN to DNP pathway admits those with a minimum of a Bachelor's in Nursing and a Master's degree in Nursing or other relevant field. Those with a Master's in a field other than nursing may be required to complete additional courses. The program of study offers the opportunity for a focus in nurse education or executive administration through additional elective coursework if desired.
The DNP curriculum includes the development of a clinical practice DNP project. "The DNP project" is designed to synthesize scholarship in an advanced practice specialty or an area of health care leadership. Practice immersion experiences provide the context within which the project is completed. Students develop the project under the direction of a team, including program faculty, the student, the clinical advisor, and the faculty advisor. All courses are offered in a distance accessible format, with one on-campus intensive conference attended during the DNP project courses.
Admissions
Post-Baccalaureate to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP) Pathway
Applicants for the Post-Baccalaureate to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pathway will be considered on a competitive basis. In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing.
- Reside and hold a current unencumbered RN licensure in a state-approved for admission.
Final admission is contingent upon drug and background screen results that are deemed acceptable by appropriate University officials.
Post-Master's to Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN to DNP) Pathway
Applicants for the Post-Master's to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pathway will be considered on a competitive basis. In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an application must include:
- Master's degree in nursing from a CCNE or NLN accredited school of nursing or a Master's degree in another relevant field. Those with Master's in a field other than Nursing may be required to complete additional courses.
- Reside and hold a current unencumbered RN licensure in a state approved for admission.
Final admission is contingent upon drug and background screen results that are deemed acceptable by appropriate University officials.
Curricular Requirements
BSN to DNP Program Courses
The following courses are required for the BSN to DNP program:
- NUR 700: Clinical Data Mgt & Analysis (3 hours)
- NUR 701: Writing for Publication (3 hours)
- NUR 706: Introduction to Writing (1 hour)
- NUR 727: Foundations of Implementation (3 hours)
- NUR 728: EBP Methods and Evaluation (3 hours)
- NUR 733: Informatics APN (3 hours)
- NUR 735: Pop Health APN (3 hours)
- NUR 737: Interdisc Leader Role Dev (3 hours)
- NUR 740: Health Policy & Politics (3 hours)
Focused Areas of Study (Must choose 1 focused area):
- Dual Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Executive
- Nurse Educator
DNP Project courses:
- NUR 794: Intro to DNP Scholarly Project (1 hour)
- NUR 795: DNP Project Seminar (1 hour)
- NUR 796: DNP Project Immersion I (3 hours)
- NUR 797: DNP Project Immersion II (3 hours)
- NUR 798: DNP Project Immersion III (3 hours)
Post-Master's to Doctor of Nursing Practice Pathway (MSN to DNP)
The following courses are required for the MSN to DNP program:
- NUR 700: Clinical Data Mgt & Analysis (3 hours)
- NUR 701: Writing for Publication (3 hours)
- NUR 706: Introduction to Writing (1 hour)
- NUR 727: Foundations of Implementation (3 hours)
- NUR 728: EBP Methods and Evaluation (3 hours)
- NUR 733: Informatics APN (3 hours)
- NUR 735: Pop Health APN (3 hours)
- NUR 737: Interdisc Leader Role Dev (3 hours)
- NUR 740: Health Policy & Politics (3 hours)
DNP Project Courses:
- NUR 794: Intro to DNP Scholarly Project (1 hour)
- NUR 795: DNP Project Seminar (1 hour)
- NUR 796: DNP Project Immersion I (3 hours)
- NUR 797: DNP Project Immersion II (3 hours)
- NUR 798: DNP Project Immersion III (3 hours)
Transfer Credit
Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Admission to Candidacy Requirements
The Director of Graduate Student Services will initiate the Admission to Candidacy when core coursework is completed.
Comprehensive Exam
DNP students do not take comprehensive exams. Successfully securing a clinical site and completing all prerequisites is needed for enrollment into NUR 796-798 (DNP Immersion courses).
DNP Project
Immersion course series requirements
- NUR 796: Approved proposal, portfolio initiation, 180 clinical hours
- NUR 797: IRB approval and project implementation, continued portfolio, 180 clinical hours
- NUR 798: Project evaluation DNP part II approval, portfolio completion, dissemination, 180 clinical hours
The immersion course series cannot have a gap other than summer. NUR 717 (Independent Study) fills the gap for a student to stay in sequence. Any other gap requires the student to begin the series over. If the student will gap the summer but wishes to complete incomplete work from the spring, the student will need to take NUR 717 for 1 credit hour. Any failure during the sequence can allow for a repeat of the failed course IF the project and clinical site remain the same. If the clinical site or the project changes the student will be required to restart the sequence at NUR 796.
Extreme circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Student Progression Requirement
Student progression is monitored and evaluated each semester. Please contact the Director of Graduate Student Services for the Graduate Retention and Progression Policy.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Please contact the Coordinator of Graduate Student Services for assistance with the Leave of Absence process.
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation Information
Information on the Application for Graduation.