Courses
The core essentials of the online Doctor of Nursing Practice – Leadership (DNP–Leadership) program include translation of research into practice, transformational leadership, and advanced expert nursing practice. To support these essentials, other course work will include nursing/change theory, foundations of advanced nursing practice, health policy, informatics, and population-based health.
Depending on your educational background, the DNP–Leadership program has two entry pathways:
- Post–Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing for nurse administrators (61 total credits)
- Post–Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) entry for nurse administrators and advanced practice nurses (38–46 total credits)
The culmination of the program is an evidence-based practice project. The goal of your DNP project is to produce an actual, deliverable product that has originated from practice experience. You will identify a problem and use evidence-based research to develop a proposal to implement and evaluate a practice change initiative.
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 five components for 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)
- B.S. 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
Practicum Hours
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 course work. 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). You will be responsible for identifying potential practicum sites and preceptors and working with the Assistant Dean for Online Education and Outreach at the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing 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.
MSN to DNP Curriculum
DNP Core Courses (15 credits)
Other Required Courses (17 credits)
DNP Project (6 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 (3-4 credits)
DNP Project (6 credits)
Electives (3 credits)
Students can choose from a diverse list of online courses preselected by the program to satisfy this requirement.
DNP Project
The DNP project is an important aspect of the program. You and your advising team will meet prior to the beginning of the first semester to begin planning your DNP project. Project identification and development progress along with coursework will align with evidenced-based practice and quality improvement initiatives. You will present project related presentations at varying points during the program. Please see the Benchmarks section for more details. The culmination of the program is an evidence-based practice project. The goal of the DNP project is to produce an actual, deliverable product that has originated from practice experience. You will identify a problem and use evidence-based research to develop a proposal to implement and evaluate a practice change initiative.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
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