Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Dr. Mary "Angie" McInnis, Interim DNP Director

Objectives

The DNP prepares nurse leaders as healthcare change agents to: 

1. Synthesize scientific evidence for the development of initiatives for best practice; 
2. Analyze policy, care delivery, and organizational systems for current and future health care needs of patients and populations; 
3. Integrate health care informatics and evidence-based approaches in scholarship to critically evaluate, design and implement quality health care services for individuals, populations, and systems; 
4. Translate scientific, theoretical, ethical, and cultural principles into health care for individuals, families, and populations;
5. Assume interdisciplinary leadership roles to advance health care delivery at the organizational and systems level and to improve health outcomes of individuals and populations, and 
6. Advocate for social justice, equity, and ethical policies in health care. 

Admission Requirements 

1. A master's degree from a college or university approved by a recognized regional accrediting body.
2. A current unencumbered license to practice professional nursing. 
3. International students must meet the standards for proficiency in English described in the International Graduate Student Admissions section of this catalog.
4. A one-page personal statement. 
5. A CV or resume is strongly encouraged.

Degree Requirements

This degree program is delivered online. Students may be required to be present for other activities throughout their program of study (e.g., clinical, on-campus intensives, DNP Project presentation).

1. Minimum Credit Hours (39 hrs.)
   1. Required Courses - 39 hrs.
2. Special degree requirements (for details on university doctoral requirements, see the general graduate section of this catalog).
   1. A minimum grade of “B” is necessary in all required courses for the DNP degree. Two course failures (i.e., grade < B) will result in dismissal from the program.
   2. Nursing courses within the DNP curriculum may be repeated only once.  A course withdrawal is counted as one course attempt.  Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances.
   3. A DNP Project related to implementation of evidence-based practice and contributing to nursing practice IS required. 
   4. The DNP Scholarly Project, embedded throughout the curriculum, is the culmination of all coursework. Students are not deemed complete in degree requirements until all requirements of the DNP Scholarly Project have been satisfactorily completed. 
   5. Students have a maximum of seven years to complete the program. Students unable to complete the program within the designated time limits must file for an extension.
3. Transfer work: Students may transfer up to nine hours of coursework with the approval of their advisor and the DNP Program Director. Students will be responsible for providing necessary documentation of course equivalency.

Below is a typical outline of program progression for a part-time student.

Year 1

NURS 6301	Introduction to DNP Role and Culture
NURS 6302	Foundations of Evidence-based Practice
NURS 6303	Healthcare Informatics
NURS 6314	Practice Change for DNP Leaders
NURS 6315	Evidence-based Practice I
NURS 6317	Evidence Based Practice II

Year 2

NURS 6343	Publishing Scholarly Papers
NURS 6358	Population Health for DNP Leaders
NURS 6371	Organizational & Systems Leadership
NURS 6373	Financial & Business Management for DNP Leaders
NURS 6331	Health Policy & Advocacy for DNP Leaders
NURS 6375	Healthcare Quality & Safety for DNP Leaders
NURS 6377	DNP Scholarly Synthesis