MSN-to-DNP Degree Requirements

The MSN-to-DNP program may be completed by finishing one of the following tracks:

  • 1 Year
  • 1 Year Plus
  • 2 Year (Fall Entry)
  • 2 Year (Spring Entry)

The MSN-to-DNP program is a lock-step program.  Students must complete the coursework as specified in the Plan of Study for the specific track under which they were admitted and as listed in the Academic Bulletin and the Student Handbook.  Students must also successfully complete the courses in each semester to progress to the next.  Questions related to degree requirements should be directed to the appropriate Associate Dean or Program Director, or staff member in the OSS.

To receive the MSN-to-DNP, students must:

  1. Complete all coursework as required with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better
  2. Complete all required clinical hours
  3. Successfully complete the DNP scholarly project

Curriculum Requirements

NUR 602Doctoral Level Orientation/Nur (*)0
NUR 654The Evolution of Nursing Practice and Application of Theory in Nursing Practice3
NUR 658Health Policy Development and Implementation3
NUR 663Research3
NUR 664Applied Biostatistics for Nursing Practice3
NUR 676Practice Immersion Experience I4-12
NUR 657Population Based Health and Health Care Disparities3
NUR 660Translational Science3
NUR 672DNP Scholarly Project Seminar I3
NUR 688Health Systems Development and Leadership Practice Immersion II2
NUR 655Health Care Management, Economics, Financing, and Ethics3
NUR 656Global Health3
NUR 659Technology in Health Care3
NUR 673DNP Scholarly Project Seminar II3
Total Credit Hours39

 *Note: This course is completed online via Blackboard prior to matriculation.  Students are registered for the course in their first semester.

MSN-to-DNP Plan of Study (listed by track)

The MSN-to-DNP program is a lock-step program.  Students must complete the coursework as specified in the Plan of Study below and in the Student Handbook for the specific track under which they were admitted.  Students must also successfully complete the courses in each semester to progress to the next.  Questions related to degree requirements should be directed to the appropriate Associate Dean or Program Director, or staff member in the OSS.

1 Year Plan of Study

Spring IHoursClass CreditsClinical CreditsClinical Hours
NUR 602 Doctoral Level Orientation/Nur (*) 0      
NUR 654 The Evolution of Nursing Practice and Application of Theory in Nursing Practice 3 3 0 0
NUR 658 Health Policy Development and Implementation 3 3 0 0
NUR 663 Research 3 3 0 0
NUR 664 Applied Biostatistics for Nursing Practice 3 3 0 0
NUR 676 Practice Immersion Experience I 4-12 1 3-11 168-608
 Total for Semester16133-11168-608
Summer I
NUR 657 Population Based Health and Health Care Disparities 3 3 0 0
NUR 660 Translational Science 3 3 0 0
NUR 672 DNP Scholarly Project Seminar I 3 1 2 112
NUR 688 Health Systems Development and Leadership Practice Immersion II 2 0 2 112
 Total for Semester1174224
Fall I
NUR 655 Health Care Management, Economics, Financing, and Ethics 3 3 0 0
NUR 656 Global Health 3 3 0 0
NUR 659 Technology in Health Care 3 2 1 56
NUR 673 DNP Scholarly Project Seminar II 3 1 2 112
 Total for Semester1293168
 Total Program392910-18560-1000

1 Year Plus Plan of Study

Fall IHoursClass CreditsClinical CreditsClinical Hours
NUR 602 Doctoral Level Orientation/Nur (*) 0      
NUR 655 Health Care Management, Economics, Financing, and Ethics 3 3 0 0
NUR 659 Technology in Health Care 3 2 1 56
 Total for Semester65156
Spring I
NUR 654 The Evolution of Nursing Practice and Application of Theory in Nursing Practice 3 3 0 0
NUR 658 Health Policy Development and Implementation 3 3 0 0
NUR 663 Research 3 3 0 0
NUR 664 Applied Biostatistics for Nursing Practice 3 3 0 0
NUR 676 Practice Immersion Experience I 4-12 1 3-11 168-608
 Total for Semester16133-11168-608
Summer I
NUR 657 Population Based Health and Health Care Disparities 3 3 0 0
NUR 660 Translational Science 3 3 0 0
NUR 672 DNP Scholarly Project Seminar I 3 1 2 112
NUR 688 Health Systems Development and Leadership Practice Immersion II 2 0 2 112
 Total for Semester1174224
Fall II
NUR 656 Global Health 3 3 0 0
NUR 673 DNP Scholarly Project Seminar II 3 1 2 112
 Total for Semester642112
 Total Program392910-18560-1000

2 Year (Fall Entry) Plan of Study

Fall IHoursClass CreditsClinical CreditsClinical Hours
NUR 602 Doctoral Level Orientation/Nur (*) 0      
NUR 664 Applied Biostatistics for Nursing Practice 3 3 0 0
NUR 659 Technology in Health Care 3 2 1 56
 Total for Semester65156
Spring I
NUR 654 The Evolution of Nursing Practice and Application of Theory in Nursing Practice 3 3 0 0
NUR 658 Health Policy Development and Implementation 3 3 0 0
NUR 663 Research 3 3 0 0
 Total for Semester99
Summer I
NUR 657 Population Based Health and Health Care Disparities 3 3 0 0
NUR 660 Translational Science 3 3 0 0
 Total for Semester66
Fall II
NUR 655 Health Care Management, Economics, Financing, and Ethics 3 3 0 0
NUR 656 Global Health 3 3 0 0
 Total for Semester66
Spring II
NUR 672 DNP Scholarly Project Seminar I 3 1 2 112
NUR 676 Practice Immersion Experience I 4-12 1 3-11 168-608
 Total for Semester725-13280-720
Summer II
NUR 673 DNP Scholarly Project Seminar II 3 1 2 112
NUR 688 Health Systems Development and Leadership Practice Immersion II 2 0 2 112
 Total for Semester514224
 Total Program392910-18560-1000

2 Year (Spring Entry) Plan of Study

Spring IHoursClass CreditsClinical CreditsClinical Hours
NUR 602 Doctoral Level Orientation/Nur (*) 0      
NUR 654 The Evolution of Nursing Practice and Application of Theory in Nursing Practice 3 3 0 0
NUR 663 Research 3 3 0 0
NUR 664 Applied Biostatistics for Nursing Practice 3 3 0 0
 Total for Semester99
Summer I
NUR 657 Population Based Health and Health Care Disparities 3 3 0 0
NUR 688 Health Systems Development and Leadership Practice Immersion II 2 0 2 112
 Total for Semester532112
Fall I
NUR 655 Health Care Management, Economics, Financing, and Ethics 3 3 0 0
NUR 656 Global Health 3 3 0 0
 Total for Semester66
Spring II
NUR 658 Health Policy Development and Implementation 3 3 0 0
NUR 676 Practice Immersion Experience I 4-12 1 3-11 168-608
 Total for Semester743-11168-608
Summer II
NUR 660 Translational Science 3 3 0 0
NUR 672 DNP Scholarly Project Seminar I 3 1 2 112
 Total for Semester642112
Fall II
NUR 659 Technology in Health Care 3 2 1 56
NUR 673 DNP Scholarly Project Seminar II 3 1 2 112
 Total for Semester633168
 Total Program392910-18560-1000

 *Note: This course is completed online via Blackboard prior to matriculation.  Students are registered for the course in their first semester.

Mission

The purpose of the DNP program is to prepare scholars and researchers to contribute to the growth of nursing practice and health care delivery through recognized methods of scholarly inquiry and dissemination of practice innovations. Additionally, graduates of this program will be prepared to collaborate with PhD colleagues to provide innovative leadership to the profession and make the practice of nursing more effective.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will integrate knowledge, theories, and concepts from the biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organization sciences to develop ethical health care systems and new frontiers for nursing practice which assist with the resolution of health care disparities.
  • Students will be able to evaluate research methods and findings to create an evidence base for nursing practice and health care delivery systems that reflect best practices and alleviate health care disparities.
  • Students will be able to make meaningful contributions in the area of developing quality, cost effective health care collaborations addressing health care disparities.