Students develop skills to effectively translate evidence into innovative practice improvements and expertly lead care delivery across healthcare systems.
Nursing Practice
Program Overview
The D.N.P. is a flexible online program where students will complete core courses in leadership and advocacy in health policy, financial stewardship, quality improvement, interprofessional collaboration, and organizational change. The core curriculum is focused on applying research to develop evidence-based, innovative improvements in complex healthcare environments. Through the electives, students can choose between two tracks. All students are required to complete D.N.P. scholarly project.
Course Work
Elective courses are divided into two tracks. The executive practice track prepares advanced practice registered nurses to lead clinicians in complex healthcare environments, including disaster and emergency management, and to develop practice management skills. The executive leadership track prepares nurse leaders to influence health policy, apply business and financial principles to manage hospitals or other organizations, and develop innovative entrepreneurial skills. All students complete a D.N.P. scholarly project (with 520 hours of practicum) that generates evidence through their nursing practice to guide improvement in practice, care outcomes, and changes at healthcare systems delivery levels.
| DEGREE | TRACK | TOTAL HOURS | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|
DEGREE D.N.P. | TRACK Executive Practice | TOTAL HOURS 36 hours | LOCATION Online |
DEGREE D.N.P. | TRACK Executive Leadership | TOTAL HOURS 36 hours | LOCATION Online |
For more information on online programs, certifications, and international restrictions, visit our Application Policy Information page.
Program Details
The D.N.P. program allows students to develop advanced training and knowledge in areas including leadership, clinical practice, and evidence-based quality improvement in health care in a flexible online format.
Program Mission
The educational objectives of the D.N.P. program include preparing students to:
- apply nursing science and evidence to improve care delivery
- lead interprofessional teams and drive systems-level change
- translate research into practice to improve health outcomes
- reduce health disparities through data-driven interventions
- lead quality improvement efforts using healthcare technology
- advocate for policy change, social justice, and ethical care
- demonstrate advanced clinical judgment to improve population outcomes
- model professionalism, accountability, and ethics
Career Options
A D.N.P. is a highly advanced nursing degree focusing on leadership and nursing practice. Graduates of the D.N.P. program are well-prepared for leadership positions in clinical practice, hospital systems, organizations, or foundations, disaster management, education, health policy, and public health.
Program Faculty
The D.N.P. faculty practice and scholarship areas include:
- Hospital and organization leadership
- Health policy
- Legal nurse consulting
- Education
- Global and public health
- Entrepreneurship
- Quality improvement
- Advanced practice nursing in acute care, family practice, pediatrics, and psychiatric mental health nursing
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
| Term | Part of Term | Deadline | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
Term Summer | Part of Term First 8 Weeks | Deadline May 3 | Start Date June 1 |
Term Fall | Part of Term First 8 Weeks | Deadline July 22 | Start Date August 19 |
Term Spring | Part of Term First 8 Weeks | Deadline December 17 | Start Date January 19 |
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international webpages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- Master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) degree (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree. Master’s degrees following a three-year bachelor’s degrees may not be equivalent; please contact Graduate Admissions if you are unsure.)
- The MSN major must be in administration/leadership or in one of the four APRN roles (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife).
- Other MSN majors will be considered but may require additional coursework.
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale for the M.S.N. degree
- If a student completed an associate degree in nursing to master of science in nursing (A.D.N.-M.S.N.), minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale in last 60 hours of upper division nursing undergraduate nursing courses is required.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
- Master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) degree (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree. Master’s degrees following a three-year bachelor’s degrees may not be equivalent; please contact Graduate Admissions if you are unsure.)
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores. -
Documents & Other Requirements
- current CV or resume showing minimum equivalent of one-year full-time experience in a managerial or leadership role, or A.P.R.N. position prior to the application deadline for the program
- written professional essay and goals statement using guidelines provided by the program
- three (3) professional letters of recommendation from persons competent to assess the applicant's academic capability, clinical expertise, and interest in pursuing doctoral nursing education
- an interview with D.N.P. Admissions Committee
- current, valid, unencumbered Registered Nurse licensure in Texas with date issued from the Board of Nursing and NURSYS report uploaded into the application system
- For those applying to the A.P.R.N. track, a current, valid, unencumbered Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license in the state in which they practice, along with current national board certification as a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse anesthetist.
- Additional requirements, including but not limited to a background check, immunization record, and drug screening, must be completed and accepted before the start of the D.N.P. program.
- Admitted students who do not have a minimum of 480 eligible post-baccalaureate clinical practicum hours from their M.S.N. program will be required to complete additional clinical practicum hours to meet the 520 practicum hours requirement for the D.N.P.
Review important information about documents.