The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree coursework focuses on the translation of research into practice, transformational leadership, and advanced expert nursing practice. It will also include nursing/change theory, foundations of advanced nursing practice, health policy, informatics, and population-based health.
Based on your previous education and nursing experience, the DNP–Leadership degree has two entry pathways:
- post–Bachelor of Science in Nursing for nurse administrators
- post–Master of Science in Nursing for nurse administrators and advanced practice nurses
Total credits required will vary depending on your educational background and the number of practicum hours you need to meet the requirement.
- MSN to DNP entry pathway: 38–46 credits
- BSN to DNP entry pathway: 61 credits
As a student in the online DNP–Leadership program, you can expect to take at least two courses per semester in fall and spring, with additional courses offered during the summer semester. Students entering through the BSN to DNP pathway will be considered full-time students and can expect to take at least three courses per semester in fall and spring.
DNP–Leadership Entry Options
The online Doctor of Nursing Practice – Leadership (DNP–Leadership) program has two entry options:
- MSN to DNP — Curriculum will be composed of the listed components below, resulting in a total of 38–46 credits. (Your total number of credits will depend on the number of practicum hours you need to meet the 1,000-hour requirement.)
- DNP core courses: 15 credits
- Other required courses: 17 credits
- Advanced practice clinical: 0–8 credits (The number of required credits depends on the number of hours completed in your MSN program; if you have completed 550 hours, additional clinical practice hours are not required.)
- DNP project requirement: 6 credits (minimum)
- BSN to DNP — Curriculum will be composed of seven components for a total of 61 credits.
- Master’s core courses: 9 credits
- Nurse administrator option courses: 13 credits
- DNP core courses: 12 credits
- Other required courses: 14 credits
- Advanced practice clinical: 4 credits (needed to meet the 1,000-hour requirement)
- DNP project requirement: 6 credits (minimum)
- Electives: 3 credits
MSN to DNP Sample Plan of Study
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | NURS 590 Colloquium – 1 credit NURS 832 Doctor of Nursing Practice: Leadership I (75 DPH) – 3 credits Credit total – 4 | NURS 588 Healthcare Policy for Nurse and Healthcare Scholars – 3 credits NURS 833 Doctor of Nursing Practice: Leadership II (75 DPH) – 3 credits Credit total – 6 | NURS 834 Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Practicum (150 CPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 2 |
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 2 | NURS 813 Patho, Pharm and Assessment for leaders – 3 credits NURS 831 Evidence-Based Practice II (75 DPH) – 4 credits Credit total – 7 | NURS 587 Ethics in Health Research – 1 credit NURS 837 Evidence-Based Practice III: Project Development (75 DPH) – 3 credits NURS 845 Healthcare Economics and Policy for Nurse Administrators – 3 credits Credit total – 7 | NURS 835 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project (75 DPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 2 |
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May | |
| Year 3 | NURS 808 Population Health Perspectives – 3 credits NURS 835 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project (75 DPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 5 | NURS 835 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project (75 DPH) – 2 credits NURS 836 Healthcare Informatics – 3 credits Credit total – 5 | Commencement |
Learn more about the program’s courses by visiting the University Bulletin »
DNP–Leadership Practicum
A total of 1,000 hours of post–B.S. practicum are required in the DNP–Leadership program. You may transfer 550 hours of practicum (if applicable) from the master’s program. The remaining hours are accomplished through various courses in the DNP curriculum that include practicum hours as part of the coursework. Practicum hour plans will be developed in consultation with the course faculty member and with the approval of the DNP faculty adviser.
- Development of the plans for practicum experiences begins with your admission to the program.
- The practicum planning process involves establishing a site affiliation agreement with the practicum site and identifying a preceptor(s).
Our clinical placement team supports students in finding practicum sites and preceptors, but cannot guarantee top-choice placements. Students are responsible for starting this process early to maximize their chances of securing optimal placements. You will be responsible for working with the college’s Clinical Placement Coordinator to accomplish the affiliation agreement process. - Some students choose to complete practicum requirements at their place of employment and other students identify alternate practicum sites.
