Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

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Students are required to complete 560 clinical hours beyond the Master of Science in Nursing program. 

Students can enroll in the DNP program at either our Main Campus in Chester or at our Harrisburg Campus.

Our flexible course delivery system offers full- and part-time options designed for working practitioners to ensure that you can meet the program requirements on a timeframe that fits into your schedule.

Part-time students can progress at their own pace within the established seven-year time limit for degree completion for doctoral students.

All DNP classes are offered online through a web-enhanced delivery system. 

A post-baccalaureate RN-to-DNP option is available. Students must complete 74 credits in the approved post-baccalaureate RN-to-DNP family (individual across the lifespan) CRNP option or 66 credits in the approved post-baccalaureate RN-to-DNP adult-gerontology CNS option.

Graduates of accredited master’s programs are invited to apply for admission by submitting evidence of:

• Completed online application.
• Transcripts from all previously attended higher education institutions.
• Minimum of a 3.2 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in the MSN program.
• Graduate statistics course with a grade of at least C (2.0).
• Two references—one from an educator or an advanced practice nurse and one from an employer with a graduate degree.
• Goal statement that highlights the applicant’s interests with emphasis on health care practice improvement.
• Current national APRN certification in an advanced practice nursing role and population as appropriate.
• Valid RN and APRN licenses.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Graduate level epidemiology course pre-/corequisite.

GRE scores are not required. International applicants and applicants whose native language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores with a minimum score of 213 for the computer-based test or 550 for the paper test.

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Students interested in an accelerated track can enroll in Post Baccalaureate RN-to-DNP Individual /Family Across the Lifespan CRNP program or the Post Baculaueate RN-toDNP Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program.

Graduates of nationally accredited baccalaureate programs are eligible to apply for admission by submitted evidence of:

• Completed online application.
• Transcripts from all previously attended higher education institutions.
• Minimum of a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).
• Undergraduate statistics course with a grade of at least C (2.0).
• Two references—one from an educator or advanced practice nurse and one from an employer with a graduate degree.
• Goal statement that highlights the applicant’s interests with emphasis on health care practice improvement.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Valid RN license.
• Interview with a nursing faculty member (arranged after a preliminary review of application materials.)

• 07/15 - for matriculation in the fall semester
• 11/15 - for matriculation in the spring semester
• 04/01 - for matriculation in the summer semester