Doctor of Nursing Practice

• MSN degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution and a nationally accredited school of nursing. (CCNE, CNEA or ACEN) OR BSN degree from a nationally accredited school of nursing and Master's degree in a related discipline from a regionally accredited higher education institution
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the Master’s program
• Names and contact information for two (2) academic and/or professional references
• Well-written statement of background and goals – (instructions)
• Well-written scholarly essay – (instructions)
• Relevant professional work experience recommended
• Current valid unencumbered registered nurse license in the United States
• Current résumé
• After you have completed your application, please upload your statement of background and goals, essay, and resume
• Interview with Admissions Committee

Application Deadlines:

• October Term: August 1
• January Term: November 1

• A maximum of 9 doctoral level credit hours may be transferred into the DNP program from another DNP program. The allowance of any credits will be based upon review of syllabi by the School of Nursing.
• A minimum of 27 DNP level credit hours must be completed at TESU in the DNP program to earn the DNP degree from TESU.
• Courses transferred into the DNP program must have been completed at a regionally accredited higher education institution and a nationally accredited school of nursing (CCNE, CNEA or ACEN).
• Courses transferred into the DNP program must have been completed at an equivalent accredited international institution of higher education and an equivalent accredited international school of nursing, if credits were earned outside the U.S.
• The student must have earned a grade of B or higher for a course to be accepted as a transfer course into the DNP program.
• Courses transferred into the DNP program must have been completed within five years of enrollment in the TESU program.

• A minimum of 1000 post baccalaureate supervised clinical hours must be completed for the DNP degree; a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours must be completed during the DNP program at TESU. Students may be required to complete more than 500 hours at TESU based on the number of hours completed in the MSN degree, Master’s degree or national advanced practice certification requirements.
• Many of our clinical partners have notified us that all students must be fully vaccinated, including full vaccination for COVID-19, to participate in any clinical or practicum experience in their facilities. If you cannot show proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 30 days prior to starting your clinical activities, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to find appropriate clinical placement and successfully complete your program of study.
• Students admitted to the DNP program progress through the DNP curriculum with the cohort to which they were admitted.
• A grade of B or better is required to receive credit for a DNP course.
• The program must be completed within five years of admission into the program.

1. Synthesize scholarly and evidence-based findings to transform nursing practice and organizational decision making.
2. Integrate ethical decision making in research, systems evaluation, advanced clinical practice, and organizational decision making.
3. Analyze, design, and integrate healthcare policies that influence organizational systems to meet the needs of diverse populations.
4. Apply organizational and systems thinking that advance the design, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare initiatives to promote safe and quality outcomes.
5. Communicate/collaborate with members of the interprofessional community to promote achievement of healthcare standards, advanced clinical practices, and quality healthcare for diverse populations.
6. Apply information systems/technology to improve health and systems-level outcomes.

Two 3-credit courses per term / 18 month option (sample course sequence)

Term I

• NUR-7630: Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3)
• NUR-8000: DNP Role Development (3)

Term II

• NUR-8050: Scholarly Inquiry: A Basis for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
• NUR-9020: Scholarly Immersion I: Project Identification and Mentored Practicum (3)

Term III

• NUR-8200: Integrating and Evaluating Population Health in Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
• NUR-8320: Organizational and Systems Leadership I (3)

Term IV

• NUR-8100: Health, Healthcare Policy and Politics (3)
• NUR-8420: Organizational and Systems Leadership II (3)

Term V

• NUR-8250: Health Economics and Finance (3)
• NUR-9120: Scholarly Immersion II: Project Management and Mentored Practicum (3)

Term VI

• NUR-8150: Information Systems and Technology Impacting Healthcare Delivery (3)
• NUR-9220: Scholarly Immersion III: Project Completion and Mentored Practicum (3)

Total Credits: 36

One 3-credit course per term / 36 month option (sample course sequence)

Term I

• NUR-8000: DNP Role Development (3)

Term II

• NUR-7630: Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3)

Term III

• NUR-8050: Scholarly Inquiry: A Basis for Evidence-Based Practice (3)

Term IV

• NUR-8100: Health, Healthcare Policy and Politics (3)

Term V

• NUR-8200: Integrating and Evaluating Population Health in Advanced Nursing Practice (3)

Term VI

• NUR-8320: Organizational and Systems Leadership I (3)

Term VII

• NUR-8420: Organizational and Systems Leadership II (3)

Term VIII

• NUR-9020: Scholarly Immersion I: Project Identification and Mentored Practicum (3)

Term IX

• NUR-8250: Health Economics and Finance (3)

Term X

• NUR-8150: Information Systems and Technology Impacting Healthcare Delivery (3)

Term XI

• NUR-9120: Scholarly Immersion II: Project Management and Mentored Practicum (3)

Term XII

• NUR-9220: Scholarly Immersion III: Project Completion and Mentored Practicum (3)

Total Credits: 36

• DNP students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good standing at TESU to be certified for graduation.
• All program requirements must be successfully completed, including the DNP project and all Scholarly Immersion Practicum Hours.