Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
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 34 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:
- Completed Marshall University Graduate Application
- Non-Refundable graduate application fee.
- Official transcript from all post-secondary education programs attended.
- 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:
- 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.
- Evidence of required cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the master’s degree.
- Evidence of a current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse.
- 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).
- Two Professional References.
- Current professional resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
a) Should include education, work and volunteer activities, licenses,
and other certifications, awards, professional organization, etc. - Statement of professional goals.
- 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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 701 | Scholarly Writing and EBP | 4 |
| NUR 702 | Hlth Prom and Pop Hlth | 3 |
| NUR 704 | Leadership Role | 3 |
| NUR 706 | Health Systems Policy | 3 |
| NUR 708 | Information Systems | 3 |
| NUR 710 | Quality Improvement | 3 |
| NUR 712 | Biostats and Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUR 801 | DNP Project I Course | 5 |
| NUR 808 & NUR 785 | DNP Project III and Independent Study (DNP Project III expanded) | 4 |
| NUR 812 | DNP Project IV | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 34 | |
Plan of Study
Note: The NUR 786 Independent Study course is optional and is 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
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| NUR 701 | Scholarly Writing and EBP | 4 |
| NUR 702 | Hlth Prom and Pop Hlth | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 712 | Biostats and Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUR 801 | DNP Project I Course | 5 |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NUR 708 | Information Systems | 3 |
| NUR 710 | Quality Improvement | 3 |
| NUR 808 & NUR 785 | DNP Project III and Independent Study (DNP Project III expanded) | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 704 | Leadership Role | 3 |
| NUR 706 | Health Systems Policy | 3 |
| NUR 812 | DNP Project IV | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 34 | |
Part-Time Plans of Study (2 Part-Time Options)
3-year plan of study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| NUR 701 | Scholarly Writing and EBP | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 704 | Leadership Role | 3 |
| NUR 706 | Health Systems Policy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NUR 702 | Hlth Prom and Pop Hlth | 3 |
| NUR 710 | Quality Improvement | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 712 | Biostats and Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUR 801 | DNP Project I Course | 5 |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NUR 708 | Information Systems | 3 |
| NUR 808 & NUR 785 | DNP Project III and Independent Study (DNP Project III expanded) | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 812 | DNP Project IV | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 34 | |
5-year plan of study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| NUR 701 | Scholarly Writing and EBP | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 704 | Leadership Role | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NUR 702 | Hlth Prom and Pop Hlth | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 706 | Health Systems Policy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NUR 710 | Quality Improvement | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 712 | Biostats and Epidemiology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NUR 708 | Information Systems | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 801 | DNP Project I Course | 5 |
| Credit Hours | 5 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NUR 808 & NUR 785 | DNP Project III and Independent Study (DNP Project III expanded) | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 812 | DNP Project IV | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 34 | |