For information regarding Conditional Acceptance, click here.
Procedure for Admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
The criteria used to determine admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program include:
- Completion of an application for admission.
- Completion of a master's degree in nursing (MSN) from an accredited institution.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Completion of graduate-level courses with a grade of "B" or better in Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pathophysiology.
- A single comprehensive course that integrates all three core components may be substituted if it demonstrates equivalent depth and breadth of content. If students who do not meet this admissions requirement, NSG6104 Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, & Physical Assessment for the Nurse Educator fulfills this requirement.
- Submission of official documentation of the actual number of verified clinical hours completed during the post-baccalaureate program of study within 5 weeks after the initial start date. This requirement may come in the form of the credentialing documents used to verify the hours for certification examination or a statement from the graduate degree-granting institution verifying the actual number of hours completed during the master's program.
- Submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance).
- A valid unencumbered single-state and/or a valid unencumbered Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) multistate license as a registered nurse in all U.S. states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments for the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet this state requirement for nursing licensure). An unencumbered license(s) must be maintained throughout the program.
- All applicants must meet English Language Proficiency as stated in the academic catalog.
Once all required admissions documents and information are submitted, the application will be reviewed and evaluated for an admission decision.
For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.
Offered at Savannah, Tampa, and Online Programs.
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in the College of Nursing and Public Health provides a foundation for nursing leadership, DNP-prepared nurses play a crucial role in quality improvement by leading and implementing evidence-based practices, analyzing data to assess patient care, and driving innovation in healthcare delivery. The DNP program provides options for current nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses to incorporate progressive and thoughtful quality improvement and leadership competencies into their clinical practice repertoire.
The DNP program is offered as a post-master's program, providing a pathway for master's prepared nurses to achieve doctoral level competencies. Coursework in the program emphasizes current topics in nursing leadership, experiences, and scholarship. The program is offered in an online format that supports ongoing education for working nurses. Courses are provided online or in a blended format with the practice component (i.e., advanced nursing field experiences which are guided by agency mentors) provided located in the students' geographical regions.
In 2004 the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed the DNP degree and proposed that the DNP is the terminal degree for nursing practice. The Essentials Core Competencies for Nursing Education (2021) outline the 10 Domains, 9 Concepts and 45 sub-competencies essential throughout all levels of nursing education. The South University College of Nursing is uniquely qualified to provide the framework for this practice doctorate degree. As an integrated, national system of higher education, the exposure to outstanding faculty, and industry-standard practice opportunities in the student's geographical area provides a dynamic environment for DNP students to grow into new leadership roles and clinical arenas.
For more information about the Doctor of Nursing Practice within the nursing profession, please visit the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/index.htm.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
Students will model the knowledge and skills required to deliver quality nursing care given the student's scope of practice.
Students will integrate leadership skills into all aspects of advanced practice nursing.
Students will incorporate contemporary healthcare science and emerging research into practice to improve outcomes across the healthcare continuum.
Students will propose forward thinking quality improvement methods through health promotion to positively impact patient outcomes.
Students will integrate information technology and informatics in healthcare delivery to provide scalable solutions for real-world systems problems.
Doctor of Nursing Practice: 67 credits
(51 credit hours for students who have a Nurse Practitioner degree)
Program credits are determined based on evaluation of MSN program of study and clinical/practicum hour attainment.
Foundation: 28 Credits
In this course students gain leadership skills for success in complex organizations and systems through a process of self-inquiry. The content emphasizes leadership development, core business skills, ethical comportment, and social responsibility. The outcome of the course is a deeper knowledge of leadership, greater confidence, and a keen awareness of the values that guide executive decisions. A minimum grade of B or better is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
In this course, DNP students master the fundamental concepts of scholarly writing. Students will focus on synthesizing evidence to create clear and concise written communication with an emphasis on correct grammar, organization, and references. Students will develop an understanding of correct use of scholarly voice, tone, original thought, and the importance of objectivity in scholarly writing. A grade of B or better is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
In this course students work with conceptual frameworks for advanced nursing practice, as well as explore the contributions of population science to the health of the public. Nursing models, theories, and evidence for critiquing and designing population-focused interventions form the basis for this course. A grade of B or better is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
In this course students analyze the politics, institutions, norms, and key stakeholders involved in agenda-setting, legitimating, and decision-making of health policy in the United States. Students learn to utilize analytical frameworks to explain how the policymaking process works, relates to the substance of policy, and applies to contemporary healthcare and nursing issues. A minimum grade of B or better is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
In this course students focus on complex variables that influence financial management and resource utilization in nursing and healthcare. The conceptual basis and methods of financial analysis and decision making pertinent to healthcare delivery systems are examined. Healthcare economics, marketing principles, human resource management, and the influence of health policy on healthcare environments are explored. A minimum grade of B is expected for successful completion of this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
In this course students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume a role in transforming care in complex organizations and environments. This course provides the metrics for assessment, use, and evaluation of scientific data for use in evidence-based nursing practice. The steps in translating evidence into practice are explored. Knowledge assessment, clinical effectiveness, and tools for applying evidence to practice are emphasized. Strategies for creating a culture of evidence-based practice are embedded in course requirements. Barriers to evidence-based practice are identified. A grade of B or better is needed in order to successfully pass this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
In this course, students receive an advanced overview of the standards and applications used to analyze and interpret statistics reported in research and evidence-based practice that are related to clinical practice. Students will examine the principles of statistical interpretation of research studies to include data management, interpretation, and descriptive statistics. Students will understand basic epidemiological terms and how to apply epidemiological principles to the DNP scholarly project. A minimum grade of B or better is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
Clinical Field Experience: up to 32 Credits*
In this course students focus on the systematic translation of nursing science into practice, which provides the basis for the DNP project. Students investigate clinical problems and refine their clinical translational capabilities within the context of the broader health care system. Clinical learning is directed toward systematic application of knowledge and scientific discovery in resolving new or persistent problems affecting the safety and quality of patient care. Mentored clinical application of evidence-based knowledge and skills, as well as independent investigation and evaluation of outcomes, supports knowledge acquisition and integration of the DNP role into the complex circumstances of contemporary nursing practice. Leadership, consultation, advocacy, fiscal accountability, and interdisciplinary collaboration serve as core competencies to effect organizational change. Requires 180 clinical hours with a minimum of 90 hours of direct care. A grade of B or better is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 6
In this second field experience course, students continue to focus on the systematic translation of nursing science into practice to provide the basis for the DNP project. Students investigate clinical problems and refine their clinical translational capabilities within the context of the broader health care system. Clinical learning is directed toward systematic application of knowledge and scientific discovery in resolving new or persistent problems affecting the safety and quality of patient care. Mentored clinical application of evidence-based knowledge and skills, as well as independent investigation and evaluation of outcomes, support knowledge acquisition and integration of the DNP role into the complex circumstances of contemporary nursing practice. Leadership, consultation, advocacy, fiscal accountability, and interdisciplinary collaboration serve as core competencies to effect organizational change. Requires 180 clinical hours with a minimum of 90 hours of direct care. A grade of B or better is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 6
In this third field experience course, students continue to focus on the systematic translation of nursing science into practice, which provides the basis for the DNP project. Students investigate clinical problems and refine clinical translational capabilities within the context of the broader health care system. Clinical learning is directed toward systematic application of knowledge and scientific discovery in resolving new or persistent problems affecting the safety and quality of patient care. Mentored clinical application of evidence-based knowledge and skills, as well as independent investigation and evaluation of outcomes, support knowledge acquisition and, integration of the DNP role into the complex circumstances of contemporary nursing practice. Leadership, consultation, advocacy, fiscal accountability, and interdisciplinary collaboration serve as core competencies to effect organizational change. Requires 120 Clinical hours with a minimum of 60 hours of direct care. A minimum grade of B or better is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
Required for students who have less than 460 post baccalaureate clinical hours. Students who have earned an MSN as a nurse practitioner do not have to take these courses:
This course is for students who need 180 post-baccalaureate practice hours toward the required 1000 hours for completion of a Doctoral Nursing Program. Students complete post-baccalaureate practice experiences to enhance their skills as practitioners of nursing. Students work with an approved mentor to gather the experience required for a terminal degree in nursing. The course provides opportunities to help students assimilate knowledge for advanced specialty practice in 180 direct care clinical hours. A minimum grade of B is required to pass this course.
Quarter Credits : 6
This course is for students who need 180 additional practice hours toward the required 1000 post-baccalaureate hours for completion of a Doctoral Nursing Program. Students complete post-baccalaureate practice experiences to enhance their skills as practitioners of nursing. Students work with an approved mentor to gather the experience required for a terminal degree in nursing. The course provides opportunities to help students assimilate knowledge for advanced specialty practice in 180 direct care clinical hours. A minimum grade of B is required to successfully pass this course.
Quarter Credits : 6
In this course students have the opportunity to complete 120 practice hours of the required 1000 post-baccalaureate hours toward completion of a Doctoral Nursing Program. Students complete practice post-baccalaureate experiences to enhance their skills as practitioners of nursing. Students work with an approved mentor to gather the experience required for a terminal degree in nursing. The course provides opportunities to help students assimilate knowledge for advanced specialty practice in 120 direct care clinical hours. A minimum grade of B is required to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
*Practice Immersion Experience courses are eligible for PLA (Prior Learning Assessment) based on post-baccalaureate clinical experiences. Students are required to have a minimum of 1000 documented hours of post baccalaureate clinical experience to earn the DNP degree.
Capstone in Applied Practice: 7 Credits
In this course, DNP students explore a critical clinical question leading to the development of their scholarly project. This scholarly project focuses on problems of practice within a defined organization or within specific populations. This course builds upon the existing knowledge and practice expertise of the DNP student within the broader context of translating science into clinical practice or solving for clinical problems in which outcomes management, including quality and safety, are essential. The range of projects varies according to the interest of the individual DNP student. This course is comprised of 2 didactic and 2 clinical credits. This course requires 60 clinical practice hours to include a minimum of 30 hours of direct care. A minimum grade of B or better is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
In this course, the DNP student works with a project chair to refine the project design and apply contemporary investigative methods to structure data collection. Additionally, the DNP student will submit an IRB application and must receive approval prior to beginning data collection for this scholarly project. The student will be evaluated according to the requirements of the course and will work closely with the committee members during this project formation and implementation phase. A minimum grade of B or better is necessary to successfully pass this course.
Quarter Credits : 1
In this course, the DNP student implements the evidence-based scholarly project specific to a population of interest within an identified clinical setting. Continued and ongoing interaction with the approved mentor is expected, and modifications of protocols are completed, where indicated. A minimum grade of B or better is needed to successfully pass this course.
Quarter Credits : 1
In this course, the DNP student conducts data analysis and completes the analysis and conclusion sections of the scholarly project. The analysis section focuses on evaluation of the evidence generated in the scholarly project and the actual or potential impact of the project on identified health care outcomes. Students disseminate their findings through a final oral presentation (defense) and preparation of a final deliverable manuscript. The student will continue to work with the committee including the preceptor/mentor and assigned project Chair as well as any other assigned committee members. Students must pass the final presentation (defense) to pass the course. A minimum grade of B or better is needed to successfully pass this course.
Quarter Credits : 1
Capstone Extension: 0 Credits
In this course, DNP students work with assigned faculty to meet the requirements for the capstone course that the student did not previously complete. Students will meet regularly with committee members, complete all required assignments, and achieve required course objectives prior to completion of this extension course.
Quarter Credits : 0