Post Master’s DNP

The Post Master’s (MSN to DNP) pathway provides additional education to those already prepared as Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, Nurse Administrators or other Health Care Systems Specialists. Students admitted with a master’s degree and national certification as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) only need the DNP content not included in their prior program of graduate study. MSN to DNP students will be required to complete 33 credit hours, a total of 1,000 practice hours, and completion of an evidence-based final DNP Scholarly Project. Students will be assessed upon entry to determine the number of clinical hours completed at the graduate level. Students admitted with master’s degrees who are not APRN prepared will work closely with the Program Director and their advisor to develop a program of study that credits prior graduate clinical work. The course of study will enable them to meet the DNP program objectives and allow completion of the total 1,000 clinical hours required for the DNP degree. Students will need additional courses to complete their 1,000 clinical hours and those courses may consist of one to three supplemental applied practice courses based upon individual assessment (DNP 671 , DNP 681  and DNP 691 ).

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission to the Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program must meet the following criteria:

1. Possess an earned master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited program (ACEN or CCNE);
2. Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended demonstrating an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a nursing GPA of 3.0 from all nursing schools attended (ADN, BSN, and MSN);
3. Submit evidence of no grade lower than a B on a master’s level nursing research/evidence-based practice course;
4. Currently employed as a Registered Nurse with an unrestricted nursing license (provide license number and state in which the license is current);
5. Write a philosophy statement reflecting personal and professional goals, including the reason you would like to obtain a DNP degree; describe a clinical issue that you would like to pursue for a potential DNP project, and how implementing this project may address a need for a change in practice. All references should be cited using APA format;
6. Submit a curriculum vitae or resume;
7. Submit three professional recommendations (done via email through the application system). The recommendations may include academic or nursing faculty, supervisor, former or current employer, or manager. At least one reference must be from clinical practice;
8. Interviews may be required.

Upon admission, the following items for enrollment must be submitted:

1. The number of clinical hours completed during the master’s program must be verified;
2. Criminal background check and a 12-panel drug screen through a vetted LRU School of Nursing provider (student is responsible for the expense);
3. Health and immunization forms.