Nursing Practice, D.N.P.

Program Description

The Marshall University Post Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (PM-DNP) Program prepares advance practice nurses to practice at the highest level of professional nursing. Students will experience customized learning during online asynchronous courses. Additionally, students will complete a Evidence Based Practice (EBP) project in a professional site of their choosing in a face-to-face environment.This expert level of practice builds on past advanced practice education, experience, and certification. The Evidence Based Practice project provides the basis for developing competence in the translation of evidence into practice and better healthcare. 

Marshall University offers a PM-DNP option that is 36 credit hours. Applicants to the program must be graduates of a nationally accredited Master of Science in Nursing. Completion of a evidence-based practice (EBP) project is required for program completion. 

Application Deadlines

Applicants for the Doctor of Nursing Practice are considered for admission for fall semesters only, and all required application materials must be received in the Graduate Admissions office and the PM-DNP program prior to application review. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible with applications being reviewed on a rolling basis until August 1. Applications may be reviewed after August 1 if capacity remains. 

Admission Requirements for the Post-Master's DNP Program

All applications are holistically reviewed based on the completed application package.

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

The PM-DNP program is available to a limited number of qualified applicants. Admission is determined on a competitive basis. To be eligible for initial consideration for admission to the program, applicants must submit a completed application with all the following elements directly to Graduate Admissions: 

  1. Completed Marshall University Graduate Application
  2. Non-Refundable graduate application fee.
  3. Official transcript from all post-secondary education programs attended.
  4. Official transcripts with degree posted, documenting a master’s degree in nursing from an accepted, accredited institution with a professionally accredited nursing program.

The following materials should be submitted directly to the PM-DNP program:

  1. Verification of a master’s degree in nursing program with certification as Nurse Practitioner. Verification of a Master’s degree in nursing with focus in nursing education or nursing administration/leadership programs are also eligible for admission.
  2. Evidence of required cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the master’s degree.
  3. Evidence of a current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse.
  4. Evidence of both RN and APRN licensure if applicable in the jurisdiction where the applicant plans to complete the PM-DNP clinical hours (EBP Project).
  5. Two Professional References.
  6. Current professional resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
    a) Should include education, work and volunteer activities, licenses,
         and other certifications, awards, professional organization, etc.
  7. Statement of professional goals.
    1. Describe reasons for applying to the PM-DNP program, speak to the specific areas of interest and potential ideas for EBP project. 

Successful applicants are not fully admitted to the PM-DNP program until they provide the following:

a. Successful completion of background check from agency approved by the program.

b. Successful completion of drug screen from agency approved by the program.

c. Documentation of immunizations required by the program including hepatitis panel, influenza vaccine, covid vaccine, and TB. A CPR (both didactic and hands-on skill performance) care is required.

Application Materials Required for the PM-DNP Program 

Applicants for the PM-DNP program must submit the documentation to Graduate Admissions office and to the PM-DNP program, as outlined above, to be considered for admission. 

Program Requirements

The student and advisor will develop a Plan of Study (POS) or blueprint for graduation requirements. The Plan of Study must be on file in the Graduate Studies office before the student registers for the 12th credit hour. 

  • A student must obtain a ''B" or above In all PM-DNP courses to successfully pass the course.
  • A student is permitted to repeat one nursing course in which a "C" is obtained, and the student may repeat the course once and must earn at least a "B". If the student earns another "C" in another nursing course, the student will be dismissed from the PM-DNP program.
  • If a student needs to withdraw from any or all courses in a semester, the student must meet with their faculty advisor, course faculty and program director.
  • All students must have a 3.00 GPA in their major to graduate and receive PM-DNP degree.
  • Any student dismissed from the program will not be re-admitted.
  • All students must complete a minimum of 540 clinical hours (EBP project) to graduate.
  • All students have 7 years to complete the PM-DNP program starting with the first PM-DNP nursing course.
  • Students must comply with all agency requirements in completion of course/clinical/PM-DNP EBP project hours.

Course Requirements

Required courses for completion of the PM-DNP Program:
NUR 700Scholarly Writing3
NUR 702Hlth Prom and Pop Hlth3
NUR 704Leadership Role3
NUR 706Health Systems Policy3
NUR 708Information Systems3
NUR 710Quality Improvement3
NUR 712Biostats and Epidemiology3
NUR 714Evidence Based Practice3
NUR 800DNP Project I3
NUR 804DNP Project II3
NUR 808DNP Project III3
NUR 812DNP Project IV3

Plan of Study

Note: NUR 785 and/or NUR 786 Independent Study courses are optional and are designed to provide the scope and structure for clinical activities for those students who need additional clinical hours for PM-DNP Program requirements, for projects a student may be completing during the PM DNP program, or for Evidence Based Practice project completion.  

Full-Time

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
NUR 700 Scholarly Writing 3
NUR 702 Hlth Prom and Pop Hlth 3
NUR 710 Quality Improvement 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
NUR 704 Leadership Role 3
NUR 706 Health Systems Policy 3
NUR 800 DNP Project I 3
 Credit Hours9
Summer
NUR 708 Information Systems 3
NUR 804 DNP Project II 3
NUR 785 Independent Study 1 3
 Credit Hours9
Second Year
Fall
NUR 712 Biostats and Epidemiology 3
NUR 808 DNP Project III 3
NUR 786 Independent Study (Can be taken in Spring instead) 1 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
NUR 714 Evidence Based Practice 3
NUR 812 DNP Project IV 3
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours42

Part-Time Three-Year Plan

(Four-year or five-year part-time options are available)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
NUR 700 Scholarly Writing 3
NUR 702 Hlth Prom and Pop Hlth 3
 Credit Hours6
Spring
NUR 704 Leadership Role 3
NUR 706 Health Systems Policy 3
 Credit Hours6
Summer
NUR 708 Information Systems 3
NUR 785 Independent Study 1 3
 Credit Hours6
Second Year
Fall
NUR 710 Quality Improvement 3
NUR 712 Biostats and Epidemiology 3
NUR 786 Independent Study (Can be taken in Spring instead) 1 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
NUR 714 Evidence Based Practice 3
NUR 800 DNP Project I 3
 Credit Hours6
Summer
NUR 804 DNP Project II 3
 Credit Hours3
Third Year
Fall
NUR 808 DNP Project III 3
 Credit Hours3
Spring
NUR 812 DNP Project IV 3
 Credit Hours3
 Total Credit Hours42