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Objectives

The D.N.P. is a practice degree designed to prepare nurses as clinical practitioners/scholars to assume advanced practice clinical and leadership roles. The D.N.P. program has two entry points, depending upon prior educational experience. The curricular plan is designed for the student who has a B.S.N. or a master’s degree in nursing. The curriculum consists of course work equivalent to that of a master’s degree in nursing plus additional course work (beyond the master’s degree requirements) that extends the leadership skills and provides preparation for a variety of leadership roles in the health care arena.

Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates may be eligible to apply to take national certification examinations in at least one area of advanced practice or leadership areas based on major concentration.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the program, the DNP’s graduate will be able to:

• Identify direct and indirect clinical problems in complex health settings
• Differentiate theoretical knowledge as it applies to direct or indirect clinical care.
• Translate evidence to address population health problems.
• Execute evidence-based interventions to improve health care outcomes.
• Integrate data bases and information literacy in designing interventions for advanced practice.

Entry Options

The DNP program offers two entry points for students:

• B.S.N. entry-a bachelor of science in nursing degree from a program that is nationally accredited;
• M.S.N. entry-an associate nursing degree or a bachelor of science in nursing degree and a master’s in nursing degree from nationally accredited programs (for the post masters DNP with an NEL concentration only - students holding a non-nursing master’s degree will be accepted).

Requirements for earning the D.N.P. degree include:

1. Doctoral residency of at least 18 graduate credit hours for three consecutive major semesters. Enrollment in a summer term is not required to maintain continuity, but credits earned during summer terms (including May session) will count toward the 18 hours required for Residency. The residency requirement may be met only after admission to the D.N.P. program;

2. Completion of an approved program of study;

3. Comprehensive assessment through defense of project proposal;

4. Completion of a research utilization / evidence-based practice project and oral defense.

Course Requirements

All DNP students will take the following courses and one of the following concentration areas (Total DNP Core 27 credits hours):