Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice

Our program is designed to provide courses that prepare the graduate in areas of the scientific underpinnings for practice, organizational and systems leadership, clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence based practice, information systems/technology, health care policy for advocacy in rural health care, inter-professional collaboration, clinical prevention and population health for improving the nation’s health.

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. Incorporate advanced levels of clinical judgment and scholarship into nursing and leadership.
2. Appraise scientific knowledge, as well as new and current approaches in nursing practice and leadership to promote optimal outcomes.
3. Examine leadership in organizations and systems to assure quality care delivery models.
4. Design, deliver, direct and disseminate evidence-based practices.
5. Evaluate programs, health care delivery systems and outcomes using information systems.
6. Advocate for health care practice change through policy development and evaluation.
7. Assume appropriate leadership roles for effective interprofessional collaboration to achieve optimal outcomes.
8. Combine ethical principles with decision making processes in health care practices and systems.
9. Integrate advanced clinical reasoning and judgment in the management of complex clinical situations and 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).

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)