Dec 14, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Nursing Practice, D.N.P.


The D.N.P. program prepares students to lead healthcare innovation at the highest organizational level and influence policy while allowing students to focus on a particular specialty area. The D.N.P. prepared nurse impacts the practice of nursing, the healthcare delivery system and the shaping of health policy by providing the environment, resources and knowledge needed to provide high-quality patient and family-centered nursing care and to practice as a professional within an interprofessional team.

Applicants who have a Master’s of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) should apply to the Post-Masters D.N.P. program which requires 40 to 46 credit hours, including 1,000 course-related practice hours.

Applicants who have a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), should apply to the Advanced Practice Post-Bachelor’s D.N.P. program which requires 77 credit hours, including 1000 course-related practice hours, or the Healthcare Systems Leadership which requires 69 credit hours, including 1000 course-related hours. Within the Advanced Practice Post-BSN-DNP students will select an advanced practice concentration in either Family Nurse Practitioner  or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner   which will prepare them to be eligible for the certification exam in their chosen concentration. Students in the Healthcare Systems Leadership concentration will be prepared to lead innovation at the highest organization level and influence policy. The Post-BSN-DNP plan of study in the Advanced Practice or the Healthcare Systems Leadership concentrations does not award an M.S.N. Students who complete this program will receive a D.N.P. degree.

Admission Post-Masters to D.N.P.

To be considered for admission to the D.N.P. program, prospective students must:

Complete the online application for The Graduate School and for NURSINGCAS.

  • Applicant must hold a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited institution with a minimum 3.2 undergraduate studies GPA.
  • Submit an official transcript from each institution attended.
  • Hold an unencumbered Registered Nurse license
  • Statement of professional goals.
  • Letters of recommendation from at least two persons
  • Meet the school’s technical standards for admission.
  • Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Complete an interview upon request.
  • Complete health documentation and CPR certification.

For international applicants, also provide:

  • Passing grade on CGFNS exam (both parts)
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT total score of 80 or above (OR) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of 6.5 or above (OR) Duolingo total score of 105 or above.

Application Deadline for Post-Masters to D.N.P.

Application deadlines for the post Masters to DNP are due December 1st for spring admission and March 15 for fall admission.

Admission Post-Bachelors to D.N.P.

To be considered for admission to the D.N.P. program, prospective students must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited institution with a minimum 3.2 graduate studies GPA.
  • Submit an official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.
  • Hold an unencumbered Registered Nurse license.
  • Complete health documentation and CPR certification.
  • Submission of letters of recommendation from at least two persons
  • Statement of professional goals and its relationship to both the mission of the School of Nursing and the area of scholarly inquiry focus.
  • Interview may be required.

International applicants must also provide:

Application Deadline for Post-Bachelors to D.N.P.

Applications for the post-bachelor’s DNP are due October 1st for spring admission.

Total Credit Hours: 40-46


Footnotes


1 The D.N.P. degree requires up to 1000 course-related practice hours. Post-master’s students will have completed a variable number of M.S.N. contact hours. Upon admission, an analysis of previously-completed courses will be completed to determine the required practicum hours. If fewer than 9 credit hours are needed for practicum, cognate courses may replace additional practicum hours to satisfy the minimum of 40 credits. Cognate courses will be determined in consultation with the student’s advisor.
2 Cognate courses can be taken any semester, including summer.
Note: Up to nine credits may be transferred in; minimum of 40 credits must still be earned.

Recommended Schedule Full Time Post-M.S.N. to D.N.P Curriculum


Recommended Schedule for Part Time Post-M.S.N. to D.N.P. Curriculum


Spring Year 2: 9 Credit Hours


Fall Year 2: 4-8 Credit Hours


Spring Year 3: 4-8 Credit Hours


Total: 40-46 Credit Hours


Footnotes


1 The D.N.P. degree requires up to 1000 course-related practice hours. Post-master’s students will have completed a variable number of M.S.N. contact hours. Upon admission, an analysis of previously-completed courses will be completed to determine the required practicum hours. If fewer than 9 credit hours are needed for practicum, cognate courses may replace additional practicum hours to satisfy the minimum of 40 credits. Cognate courses will be determined in consultation with the student’s advisor.
2 Cognate courses can be taken any semester, including summer.
Note: Up to nine credits may be transferred in; minimum of 40 credits must still be earned.

Total: 65 Credit Hours


Must choose one concentration:


Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration: 12 Credit Hours


Students complete a total of 780 clinical practicum hours applying clinical skills, theories, and research findings to the primary care of children, adolescents, adults and older adults in a variety of health care settings.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration: 12 Credit Hours


Students complete a total of 650 clinical practicum hours in this program, where they apply clinical skills, theories, and research findings to provide primary care to individuals from adolescents to older adulthood in a variety of health care settings.

Footnote


Must complete at least 9 credits in D.N.P. practicum courses.

Total: 77 Credit Hours


Recommended Schedule Post-B.S.N. to D.N.P Curriculum


Year 2 Summer: 6-10 Credit Hours


Year 3 Spring: 6-10 Credit Hours


Year 3 Summer: 4-8 Credit Hours


Post B.S.N. D.N.P. Healthcare Systems Leadership Concentration


Total: 69 Credit Hours


Recommended Schedule Post B.S.N. D.N.P. Healthcare Systems Leadership Concentration


Year 2 Summer: 7 Credit Hours


Year 2 Fall: 8 Credit Hours


Year 3 Spring: 9 Credit Hours


Year 3 Summer: 1 Credit Hour


Year 3 Fall: 6 Credit Hours