Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Critique and synthesize scientific, ethical, philosophical, and historical frameworks and theories to develop and implement the role of the DNP.
  2. Integrate principles of systems theory to demonstrate the leadership role in development, evaluation, and management of health care systems, resulting in improved quality of care.
  3. Use analytical methods to critically appraise research findings to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based practices that result in safe and effective clinical outcomes for individuals and populations.
  4. Disseminate and apply relevant findings to develop culturally competent practice guidelines and improve the health care environment.
  5. Employ information systems/technology to monitor and improve patient outcomes and healthcare systems.
  6. Utilize leadership skills to consult and collaborate on intra-professional and inter-professional teams to foster effective communication and enhance patient outcomes.

The B.S.N.-to-D.N.P. Program

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the B.S.N.-D.N.P. program, an applicant must have:

  1. a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution
  2. evidence of a current, unencumbered R.N. license
  3. official transcripts from the B.S.N.-granting college/university and from any graduate coursework. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Transcripts must include certification that the applicant has received a bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution and state a calculated cumulative GPA.
  4. three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant's professional, intellectual, and academic abilities. If graduated within the last five years, one of the three letters must be from one of the applicant's professors.
  5. a current vitae or resume including education, work experience and professional development, professional and/or community activities, and research and publications
  6. a one- to two-page paper addressing career goals related to advanced practice nursing and the attainment of the D.N.P.
  7. a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a B.S.N. (or its equivalent) program
  8. for applicants whose native language is not English, official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum of 79 on the internet-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, or 550 on the paper-based test.

Requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree--
B.S.N.-D.N.P. Program with Family Nurse Practitioner Certification

Master's Core10
NURS 7100Advanced Pathophysiology3
NURS 7101Role Transition: Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice2
NURS 7110Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice2
NURS 7220Advanced Evidence-Based Practice3
FNP Core8
NURS 7200Advanced Health Assessment3
NURS 7200LAdvanced Health Assessment Practicum2
NURS 7230Advanced Pharmacology3
FNP Coursework28
NURS 7328Advanced Practice Nursing: Women's Health3
NURS 7328LAdvanced Practice Nursing: Women's Health Practicum2
NURS 7329Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics3
NURS 7329LAdvanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics Practicum2
NURS 7330Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health I3
NURS 7330LAdvanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health I: Practicum3
NURS 7350Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health II3
NURS 7350LAdvanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health II Practicum3
NURS 7590Advanced Practice Nursing: Capstone6
DNP Core16
NURS 8310Epidemiology and Biostatistics3
NURS 8312Health Care Informatics3
NURS 8313Leadership and Ethics4
NURS 8315Process Improvement and Evaluation3
NURS 8317Organizational Policy and Practice3
DNP Clinical Core6
NURS 8311Population Health3
NURS 8314Translating Research into Practice3
DNP Coursework10
NURS 8316DNP Project Seminar3
NURS 8318DNP Project7
Electives6
Area-focused electives may include 2 of the following courses or additional graduate-level courses approved by the DNP advisor. Prerequisites for the following electives include admission to the program or approval by the course faculty.
Organizational Theory and Behavior
Leadership for Community and Public Relations
Technology Leadership for School Improvement
Introduction to Healthcare Systems and Policies
MBA 7870
Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology Integration
Total Hours Required for the Degree84
Total Clinical Hours Required for the DegreeMSN 715; DNP 500

MSN Opt-Out Option

The MSN Opt-Out allows students to exit the curriculum at a specified point, obtaining an MSN degree with an FNP concentration and enabling exploration of the field before returning to complete the remaining 3 semesters of the DNP degree. Students who choose the MSN Opt-Out will have 3 years to re-enroll in DNP coursework. The BSN-DNP Program with MSN Opt-Out consists of 7 semesters, 52 credit hours, and 715 clinical hours. The graduate is prepared and equipped for advanced nursing practice in an increasingly complex health system. Students can apply to graduate with their MSN degree in Fall of Year 3 of the program and continue to earn their DNP degree. 

Requirements for the B.S.N.-D.N.P./M.S.N. Opt-Out

Master's Core10
NURS 7100Advanced Pathophysiology3
NURS 7101Role Transition: Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice2
NURS 7110Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice2
NURS 7220Advanced Evidence-Based Practice3
DNP Core6
NURS 8312Health Care Informatics3
NURS 8317Organizational Policy and Practice3
FNP Clinical Core8
NURS 7200Advanced Health Assessment3
NURS 7200LAdvanced Health Assessment Practicum2
NURS 7230Advanced Pharmacology3
FNP Coursework28
NURS 7328Advanced Practice Nursing: Women's Health3
NURS 7328LAdvanced Practice Nursing: Women's Health Practicum2
NURS 7329Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics3
NURS 7329LAdvanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics Practicum2
NURS 7330Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health I3
NURS 7330LAdvanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health I: Practicum3
NURS 7350Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health II3
NURS 7350LAdvanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health II Practicum3
NURS 7590Advanced Practice Nursing: Capstone6
Minimal Credit Hours Required52
Minimal Clinical Hours Required715

The M.S.N.-to-D.N.P. Program

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission into the M.S.N.-D.N.P. program, an applicant must:

  1. have current advanced practice nurse certification as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse midwife
  2. be actively practicing as an APRN with an unencumbered APRN license
  3. submit official transcripts from each graduate institution previously attended. Transcripts from undergraduate institutions are not required. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Transcripts must include certification that the applicant has received a bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution and state a calculated cumulative GPA.
  4. three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant's professional, intellectual, and academic abilities. If graduated within the last five years, one of the three letters must be from one of the applicant's professors.
  5. a current vitae or resume including education, work experience and professional development, professional and/or community activities, and research and publications
  6. a one- to two-page paper addressing career goals related to advanced practice nursing and the attainment of the D.N.P.
  7. a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a master's degree in nursing program
  8. a certified document from a master's program to include clinical hours completed (500 hours minimum required)
  9. for applicants whose native language is not English, official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum of 79 on the internet-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, or 550 on the paper-based test.

Requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree--
Post-Master's Program

DNP Core16
NURS 8310Epidemiology and Biostatistics3
NURS 8312Health Care Informatics3
NURS 8313Leadership and Ethics4
NURS 8315Process Improvement and Evaluation3
NURS 8317Organizational Policy and Practice3
DNP Clinical Core6
NURS 8311Population Health3
NURS 8314Translating Research into Practice3
DNP Coursework10
NURS 8316DNP Project Seminar3
NURS 8318DNP Project7
Electives6
Area-focused electives may include 2 of the following or additional graduate-level courses approved by the DNP advisor. Prerequisite for the following electives include admission to program or approval by course faculty.
PADM 7170Organizational Theory and Behavior3
LEAD 7130Technology Leadership for School Improvement3
LEAD 7310Leadership for Community and Public Relations3
LEAD 7420Ethical and Legal Issues for Leadership3
MBA 7800Introduction to Healthcare Systems and Policies3
MBA 78703
CIED 7060Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology Integration3
Total Hours Required for the Degree38
Total Clinical Hours Required for the Degree500

Requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree with Master of Business Administration--
Post-Master's Program

Fall Year One
NURS 8310Epidemiology and Biostatistics (*)3
NURS 8311Population Health (*)3
NURS 8312Health Care Informatics (*)3
Spring Year One
NURS 8313Leadership and Ethics (*)4
NURS 8315Process Improvement and Evaluation (*)3
Summer Year One
NURS 8314Translating Research into Practice3
NURS 8316DNP Project Seminar3
Fall Year Two
NURS 8317Organizational Policy and Practice3
NURS 8318DNP Project3
MBA 7030Managerial Accounting ((elective))3
Spring Year Two
NURS 8318DNP Project4
MBA 7050Marketing ((elective))3
Summer/Fall Year 2
MBA 7350Managerial Finance3
MBA 7900Strategic Management of Enterprise3
MBA Elective3
Total Hours Required for the Degree47

* Courses for the dual degree.