Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice

The College of Nursing is nationally recognized as one of the 25 Top Online DNP Programs.

Online Classes

The DNP Program is an online program.

The Learning Management System allows students to view course materials, check course calendars, and participate in synchronous and asynchronous discussions.

You will interact and collaborate with course faculty and classmates and do coursework from the convenience of your own setting.

Students do not need to come to campus.

Program Outcomes

The graduate of the doctorate degree program is able to:

1. Incorporates effective communication and informatics to effectively participate in transforming health care delivery systems.
2. Synthesizes theories and knowledge to address fundamental questions and issues in primary area of practice.
3. Synthesizes information systems to evaluate programs, health care delivery systems and outcomes.
4. Designs system changes in health care to align with culturally appropriate care.
5. Evaluates leadership, organizational and decision-making skills necessary to initiate change and improve nursing practice.
6. Translates caring theories and behaviors to create an environment that promotes authentic caring.
7. Synthesizes evidence in clinical scholarship for improvement in quality care in the health care arena.
8. Demonstrates accountability across health care systems.

Distance Education Student Eligibility by State:

All applicants are welcome to apply. However, due to restrictions on distance education imposed by individual states, the College cannot accept students that are residents of the following states (11-25-20).

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas - curriculum may not prepare you for licensure in AK
• Arizona - preceptor must be licensed in AZ
• California - curriculum may not prepare you for licensure in CA
• Colorado
• District of Columbia
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Kansas - curriculum may not prepare you for licensure in KS
• Louisiana
• Minnesota
• Missouri - faculty must be licensed in MO
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• New York
• Oklahoma - faculty must be licensed in OK
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

The College has met state specific distance education requirements and has been given permission by the Board of Higher Education to provide this Post Masters DNP education to students in all states except the ones in the table above. Students can contact the State Board of Nursing for further information. See below for addresses.

Your state not listed or other questions? If you are a potential out of state applicant and you do not see your state listed above or if you have other questions, please contact the Graduate Dean at (309) 655-2230 to determine the College’s authorization to offer distance education in your home state.

Admission Criteria

1. Please send the following to the Admissions Office:
   1. Complete Application for Admission
      Priority Date - Priority acceptance is given to completed application materials received by April 1st for fall semester and Oct. 1st for spring semester, although applications are accepted all year round.
   2. Pay nonrefundable $50.00 application fee.
   3. Request that the registration office of all post high school institutions previously attended send an official transcript directly to the Admissions Office. Please note that we must receive an official transcript from every institution, even if transfer credit from that institution appears on the transcript of another institution.
   4. The DNP-Clinical must show evidence of an earned Master’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by ACEN, CNEA, or CCNE, and regionally accredited.
   5. The DNP-Clinical must show evidence of 500 practice hours. A form for verification will be sent following admission to the College.
   6. The DNP-Leadership applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by ACEN, CNEA, or CCNE, and regionally accredited as well as a master’s degree in health administration, leadership, or other master’s degree approved by the Dean of the Graduate Program or the Graduate Committee. The Master’s degree must also be from a regionally accredited program.
   7. The DNP-Leadership applicant must show evidence of practicum hours completed for the master’s degree. If fewer than 500 hours were completed, then the student is required to add practicum hours during the doctoral program to complete the required 1000 practicum hours or show evidence of current management/leadership certification from American Organization for Nursing Leadership (formerly AONE) or ANCC.
   8. Grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
   9. Copy of current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse (for DNP-Clinical option) in state where currently practicing.
   10. The DNP-Clinical applicant must provide evidence of certification in an advanced specialty.
   11. Evidence of one year of professional nursing experience preferred.
   12. An interview may be requested by the College.
2. When all the above documentation has been received in the Admissions Office and evaluated, you will receive a letter from the College of Nursing confirming your admission status.
3. Checklist:
   1. Application
   2. $50.00 application fee
   3. Transcripts
   4. Copy of RN license and APN license, if applicable
   5. Copy of certification (if applicable)