This 36-53 semester hour specialty track in the DNP Program prepares licensed registered nurses with a master's degree for advanced leadership roles in diverse settings. Role preparation is focused on improvement of healthcare outcomes of patients, populations, and systems. Students complete 300 hours of practicum with a practice mentor in the development and implementation of their DNP project. A minimum of 1,000 clinical hours is required to earn a DNP degree (AACN). Clinical hours that the student completed for completion of the master's degree are credited toward fulfillment of the 1,000 clinical hours DNP Leadership graduates are eligible to write the various nurse executive or leader certification examinations offered by the ANCC or the AONL.

Admissions

1. Applicants must have an MSN degree from a CNEA, ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing program. Those with a non-nursing master’s degree must possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CNEA, ACEN, or CCNE accredited nursing program.
2. Proof of a current unencumbered nursing license.
3. A nursing grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale
4. Professional Portfolio - The portfolio is to include a professional resume and documentation with description of supervised clinical clock hours in the master’s degree program.

*Applicants with deficiencies in the requirements will be evaluated on an individual basis.

DNP Leadership – 36-53 Hours

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
ECO 605	Health Care Economics & Finance	3.0
NUR 693	Advanced Health Assessment, Pharmacology & Pathophysiology	3.0
NUR 700	Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science	3.0
NUR 703	Health Promotion in Populations	3.0
NUR 705	Research Design and Statistical Methods	3.0
NUR 720	Methods in Evidence Based Practice	3.0
NUR 735	Leadership in Advance Nursing Practice	3.0
NUR 740	Healthcare Policy and Ethics in Advanced Practice Nursing	3.0
NUR 752	Advanced Health Informatics	3.0
NUR 840	DNP Clinical Practice (14 hours maximum) *	0.0-14.0
NUR 841	DNP Project I **	3.0
NUR 842	DNP Project II **	3.0
NUR 843	DNP Project III **	3.0
NUR 844	DNP Project IV **	3.0
Total Hours		39-53

*

NUR 840 course has variable credit hours and may not be taken by all students.

**

Clinical or practicum courses require a preceptor.

Note: Curriculum is subject to change.

Comprehensive Assessment

All students are required to take a comprehensive assessment prior to graduation.

DNP Project

All students in the DNP program are required to plan, implement, evaluate, and disseminate a DNP project. The DNP project is guided by evidence-based practice or quality improvement processes focused on system or population changes that positively influence healthcare outcomes through direct or indirect patient care.