Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, D.N.P. Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. - Leadership Track


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Advisement for the program is available from the School of Nursing.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Leadership Program prepares graduates in advanced nursing practice to manage and lead the delivery of safe, high-quality care to populations with increasingly complex health care needs. In addition, graduates will be able to develop and implement new policies designed to improve the health outcomes of individuals, groups and communities. The D.N.P.-prepared leader will be adept at working with other disciplines, implementing evidence-based practice and quality improvement, and leading change to improve health care system processes. D.N.P. graduates will also be able to fill the gap in advanced nursing practice in management and leadership positions for health care organizations and agencies.

The Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Program allows students with a bachelor’s degree to enter directly into doctoral study.

Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Admission Requirements

Admission to the Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Program requires acceptance to the University for graduate study, as well as acceptance into the Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Program. Admission to the Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Program is a competitive process, and the following required items will be considered individually as the final applicant selections are made.

  • B.S.N. or B. S. in nursing from nationally accredited program.
  • Applicants with cumulative undergraduate GPA≥3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) are given first priority.
  • Applicants with cumulative undergraduate GPA 3.0-3.49 may be considered on an individual basis.
  • Proof of successful completion of basic undergraduate statistics and undergraduate research (minimum grade of C required).
  • Current and active U.S. Registered Nursing (RN) license.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Three academic or professional references/letters of recommendation.
  • A 500- to 1,000-word essay outlining the difference between the D.N.P. and other doctoral degrees and how the D.N.P. aligns with the applicant’s professional goals.
  • Residency/Domicile Information form (for those applying for in-state tuition).
  • Fulfillment of University requirements for international students as outlined in the catalog.
  • Interview by the graduate program director or designee.
  • Clinical experience is not required for admission, but students are encouraged to work in professional nursing roles during summers and semester breaks.

Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Enrollment Requirements

After acceptance into the nursing program and prior to beginning any courses, students must:

  • Meet all School of Nursing health requirements.
  • Provide evidence of current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the American Heart Association for health care providers.
  • Provide evidence of current RN licensure in the state of Maryland, a compact state or the state in which the student is currently practicing.

Program Policies

  • Complete 69-credit curriculum.
  • Students must maintain a valid license as a registered nurse in the State of Maryland or a compact state. If a clinical site is in a non-compact state, additional R.N. licensure for that state is necessary.
  • Students must maintain current clinical and health requirements.
  • Complete a D.N.P. project and 1,000 clinical hours, including 400 hours in SU’s D.N.P. Practicum, reflecting at least two different areas of focus and with advisor’s approval.
  • Graduates are eligible to take the certification exams offered by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
  • Students can transfer no more than one-third of the total number of program credits. All transferred credits must have a grade of B or better.
  • Graduate Nursing Program Grading Policy: A grade of B is required in courses for the program not listed here. The program allows one C/C+ if it is earned from one these courses: NURS 515NURS 525NURS 526NURS 542NURS 544NURS 560NURS 561NURS 571NURS 580NURS 742NURS 744NURS 755NURS 815 or NURS 858. Only one course may be repeated during the program to earn a higher grade. The exception are the following courses, which result in dismissal from the graduate program without possibility of repeating if a grade of C/C+ or lower is earned: NURS 880NURS 881NURS 882NURS 883 and NURS 884.

Checklist

This checklist is an unofficial tool for planning. Matriculated students and advisors should consult the Academic Requirements Report in GullNet before and after registering for classes each semester to track academic progress.

Nursing D.N.P. Core Requirements


Practicum Requirement


A minimum of 4 credits of Practicum are required, with 400 hours. This course can be taken for variable 1-3 credits (100-400 hours) in at least 2 different areas of focus and with advisor’s approval.

Doctoral Practice Experience Requirement


A minimum of 7 credits is required to ensure a minimum of 1,000 hours and 60 credits are completed for the core - program plans will be individually determined between the student and the director of the graduate program.

Track Requirements


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