Post-Master's DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

Post-Master's DNP Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal degree in nursing that prepares Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to practice at the highest level of the profession. The Post-Master's DNP track is for nurse professionals who already have an MSN degree with approximately 500 clinical practice hours in the completed master’s program, which can be validated in writing by that program administrator. These students may or may not be nurse practitioners, but they must have completed a master’s degree with a clinical focus. The Post-Master’s DNP track is a leadership track with focus on advanced clinical practice, leadership, informatics and technology, quality indicators and outcomes improvement, and translation of evidence to practice in healthcare delivery.

Application Deadlines

Applicants for the Doctor of Nursing Practice are considered for admission for the fall semester only, and all required application materials must be received in Graduate Studies by May 1 or until all seats are filled.

Date Event
May 1 or until all seats are filled Fall Admission

Applications completed after May 1 will be considered for admission if seats remain available. If no seats are available, the application will be considered for admission in the fall semester of the following year.

Admission Requirements and Application Materials required for the Post-Master’s DNP Program

Graduate Admissions
Jacksonville State University
700 Pelham Road North
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265-1602

The DNP nursing admissions subcommittee shall review and evaluate each candidate for admission to the DNP nursing program. Applications are processed through JSU’s graduate studies office. Guidelines for evaluating applicants for the DNP program assure consistency in the process. Admission to the DNP program is competitive and admission requirements may exceed graduate studies minimum requirements. A maximum number of admissions will be determined annually by the graduate council.

Admission to the Post-Master’s Nursing Program:

To be considered for unconditional admission to the Post-Master’s track, the following is required:

  1. Each applicant must satisfy minimum requirements for admission to graduate studies.
  2. A completed graduate studies application.
  3. Official transcript with cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  4. Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the student’s current state of clinical practice.
  5. Current resume or curriculum vitae.
  6. Three recommendation letters (from individuals such as work supervisors, professional colleagues, and former faculty members who hold a minimum of a Master’s level degree).
  7. Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a regionally accredited institution certified by a National Accreditation Agency.
  8. Documentation of an MSN degree, with a clinical focus validating 500 clinical practicum hours.
  9. Applicants with a master’s degree in nursing with less than 500 clinical practicum hours will be conditionally admitted to the Post-Master’s track and referred to take the Advanced Experiential Clinical Course (AECC) for unconditional admission to the Post-Master’s graduate nursing track.
    1. The DNP nursing admission committee will conduct a gap analysis to determine the number of AECC course hours (1-5) the student must take to meet the required 500 hours for progression to the residency courses (DNP 796-799).
      1. Refer to graduate nursing policy I.28.00 Post-Master’s Applicants Requirements NU 531 Advanced Experiential Clinical Course (AECC) for the gap analysis formula.
  10. Optional requirements of the Admissions Committee may contain the following for further evaluation.
    1. A typed statement of purpose written by the applicant
    2. Professional interview with the admission committee member(s).
  11. Favorable recommendation from the DNP admissions committee.

The DNP program does not accept transfer credits from other institutions; accordingly, 100% of the credits for the DNP degree will be earned at JSU.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Completion of courses required for the selected pathway: 36 credit hours must be completed for the Post-Master’s DNP.
  2. Completion of supervised academic program practice hours: 630 hours must be completed for the Post-Master’s DNP.
  3. Satisfactory completion of DNP project and paper.
  4. Satisfactory completion of professional electronic portfolio.

Progression and Retention

In accordance with the University policy, graduate students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate courses attempted. A student whose GPA falls below the required minimum of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and will receive notification from Graduate Studies of the requirements to reestablish good standing. Any student who does not attain good standing, as specified in their notification letter, will be dropped from graduate studies. A grade of “C” or below will not be permitted to count toward the graduate or doctoral level degree or certificate programs. All grades of “C” or below are factored into a student’s GPA. Only one “C” grade or lower is permitted to be re-taken in the graduate or doctoral level degree or certificate program. A grade of “C” or below in any graduate nursing programs must be repeated. A student must achieve an “A” or “B” in the repeated course. The course may only be repeated once. A student’s progression in the program will be impacted. If the student is unsuccessful after the re-take, the student will be dismissed from the program. If a student earns a grade of “C” or below in any coursework in any graduate nursing program, the student should consult their academic advisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies for advisement. Should a student earn more than 3 semester hours of a C grade, the student will be ineligible to continue in the graduate nursing program and should consult the graduate catalog for guidance. Failure to resolve an incomplete within the established time frame will result in an inability to progress in the program. Registration for the upcoming semester will not be allowed until the incomplete is resolved. Review the graduate catalog for processing instructions and deadlines. DNP: All graduate coursework and degree requirements toward a doctoral degree (including credit transferred from another university) must be completed within a period of seven calendar years, which would include the summer term. Any exceptions will be made by the Dean of Graduate Studies, upon written request of the student.

Minimum Requirements for the Post-Master's DNP Program

An individual plan of study is provided from the Director of Online and Graduate Academic Services at time of admission.

Course Title Credits
Required Courses
NU 701Post-Master's DNP Online Orientation0
NU 707Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice3
NU 708Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare3
NU 710Health Care Policy and Finance3
NU 711Biostatistics and Translating Evidence3
NU 712Clinical Prevention and Population Health3
NU 713Organizational and Systems Leadership for the Advanced Practice Nurse3
NU 715Innovative Leadership and Collaboration in Healthcare3
NU 716Interprofessional Health Care and Informatics3
DNP 796DNP Project Planning and Development3
DNP 797DNP Residency I (210 Clinical Residency Hours) (210 Practicum Hours )3
DNP 798DNP Residency II (210 Clinical Residency Hours) (210 Practicum Hours )3
DNP 799DNP Residency III (210 Clinical Residency Hours) (210 Practicum Hours )3
Total Hours36

36 Doctoral Semester Hours Required for this Degree

Graduation

All students must apply for graduation by the given deadline of the semester in which they plan to graduate. Please see the Graduation and Comprehensive Exam section of this catalog for more information.