Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) Requirements
DNP Program Requirements
Graduation from the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program includes completion of seven core courses, five DNP project development seminars, and a two-course sequence, culminating in DNP project implementation/evaluation and evidence translation.
Students may need to complete additional practice hours to fulfill the 1000 semester hour DNP requirement, mandated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), through enrollment in an independent study option. Students are expected to move through the program as a cohort. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above is required for graduation.
Course requirements
Core Courses
| NURS 6010 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| NURS 6015 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS 6030 | Heath Care Leadership in Organizations and Systems | 3 |
| NURS 6031 | Heath Care Financial and Business Concepts | 3 |
| NURS 6035 | Health Care Accountability, Policy Development/ Implementation, and Ethics | 3 |
| NURS 6040 | Heath Care Information Systems, Data and Decision-Making | 3 |
| NURS 6050 | Writing for Publication | 2 |
Project Development Seminars
Project Implementation
| NURS 6210 | DNP Project Evaluation and Evidence Translation | 1 |
| NURS 6910 | Advance Nursing Practice: Practicum | 1-4 |
NURS 6010 Biostatistics (3 sh)
This course provides an overview of basic concepts in biostatistics with application to healthcare. Various research methodologies and data collection procedures are analyzed. The meaning of specific biostatistical tests, how to detect patterns in data, and how to judge the validity and reliability of data are explored. Specific clinical applications of biostatistics related to advanced nursing practice is examined.
NURS 6015 Epidemiology (3 sh)
This course examines the distribution and the determinants of health and illness in human populations. Epidemiological approaches for estimating the burden of disease, and evaluating primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are analyzed. Statistical concepts related to epidemiological research are applied.
NURS 6030 Health Care Leadership in Organizations and Systems (3 sh)
In this course the student develops advanced leadership skills as described in the American Organization for Nursing Leadership Executive Nurse Competencies.; with a concentration on the executive nurse role development, advanced skills in communication and relationship management and leading interprofessional teams. Students complete an assessment and analysis of their leadership style. Leadership trends, styles and competencies are applied to during the DNP practicum experience.
NURS 6031 Health Care Financial and Business Concepts (3 sh)
This course will enable students to understand, apply and communicate the concepts required for effective financial planning, decision making and management in health care programs and organizations. The long-term financial impact of practice changes will be assessed at the organizational level. In addition, this course focuses on the structure and function of organizations. The elements of organizational features, culture and human talent and the influence on outcomes are explored.
NURS 6035 Health Care Accountability, Policy Development/ Implementation, and Ethics (3 sh)
The primary focus of this course is to explore the leadership role of DNP nurses in health policy development and implementation. Overview of issues in health policy, including the socio- political and economic context of health and health-seeking behaviors, are explored. Health care policy development and implementation at the local, state, national, and global levels are examined. Ethical dimensions of public policy formulations and implementation are highlighted.
NURS 6040 Health Care Information Systems, Data and Decision Making (3 sh)
An overview of the foundational concepts of Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) is provided. The stages of implementing a new HMIS, from planning to evaluation, are examined. The standards, governance, policy, globalization, and future of HMIS are discussed. Data analysis and presentation techniques are explored and used to trend organizational findings. Students will apply decision-making skills to effectively use data to formulate an outcomes management plan and evaluate the outcomes management process.
NURS 6050 Writing for Publication (3 sh)
This course prepares students to develop a publishable manuscript based on their DNP project. It addresses the key elements of scholarly writing including crafting a query letter, development and submission of a scholarly paper for publication, determination of authorship, and identification of ethical/legal considerations. Considerations for engaging in peer review and effective strategies for oral and poster presentations are addressed..
NURS 6110 DNP Project Development Seminar I (2 sh)
This is the first in a series of seminars to facilitate the development of the DNP project and the DNP role. Students gain expertise in planning for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a DNP project and engage in mentored practicum experiences. In this first seminar, emphasis is placed on characterization of a clinical problem and identification of key stakeholders with potential to offer input into the nature of the problem. The role of the DNP in providing leadership for clinical scholarship is explored. Prerequisite: NURS 6015; Corequisite: NURS 6010.
NURS 6120 DNP Project Development Seminar II (2 sh)
This is the second in a series of seminars to facilitate the development of the DNP project and the DNP role. Students gain expertise in planning for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a DNP project and engage in mentored practicum experiences. In this second seminar, emphasis is placed on gaining a complete understanding of the full scope of the clinical problem, and on the gathering, appraising, and synthesizing evidence to identify best practices to address the problem. The role of the evidence-based framework for the project is addressed.
NURS 6130 DNP Project Development Seminar III (2 sh)
This is the third in a series of seminars to facilitate the development of the DNP project and the DNP role. Students gain expertise in planning for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a DNP project and engage in mentored practicum experiences. In this third seminar, emphasis is placed on developing a comprehensive program description incorporating a logic model to support the project planning process. Stakeholder input is elicited.
NURS 6140 DNP Project Development Seminar IV (2 sh)
This is the fourth in a series of seminars to facilitate the development of the DNP project and the DNP role. Students gain expertise in planning for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a DNP project and engage in mentored practicum experiences. In this fourth seminar, emphasis is placed on designing an evaluation plan addressing logic model elements, indicators, data sources, methods, timing and data analysis. Stakeholder input is elicited.
NURS 6150 DNP Project Development Seminar V (2 sh)
This is the last in a series of five seminars to facilitate the development of the DNP project and the DNP role. Students gain expertise in planning for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a DNP project and engage in mentored practicum experiences. In this last seminar, emphasis is placed on identifying ethical issues associated with project implementation and evaluation and in pulling together a quality proposal for IRB review and faculty approval.
NURS 6205 DNP Project Implementation (2 sh)
The focus of this course is to facilitate DNP project implementation. It builds on the knowledge and skills gained in the DNP project development seminars. This course includes practicum hours.
NURS 6210 DNP Project Evaluation and Evidence Translation (1 sh)
The focus of this course is to complete a DNP project evaluation. Emphasis also is placed on the dissemination of project findings for translating evidence.
NURS 6910 Advance Nursing Practice: Practicum (1-4 sh)
DNP students enroll in mentored practicum hours to gain expertise in building and assimilating knowledge in advanced nurse practice. This course may be repeated for a total of 10 SH, or at the discretion of the faculty advisor.