Practicum experiences are required in leadership and/or DNP project courses, depending on the student’s specialization. The program also includes one on-campus immersion day each semester during the DNP project courses.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) is a doctoral degree that prepares nurses to practice in an advanced nursing role and to lead innovative, evidence-based practice initiatives that positively impact quality improvements and outcomes in healthcare systems.
There are 3 specializations for the post-master’s DNP: MS-DNP without Specialization, Educational Leadership and Healthcare Leadership.
The MS-DNP without Specialization track prepares DNP graduates to be leaders in primary care by developing clinical expertise in managing health and illness across the lifespan within diverse settings. This track allows graduates to address healthcare issues affecting individuals and communities by implementing evidence-based interventions to create healthier individuals and communities.
The Educational Leadership track prepares DNP graduates to be educational leaders in healthcare facilities, community organizations or academic institutions. The focus is on the continuum of education in nursing beginning with educating nursing students in academic settings to professional development of nurses in a healthcare setting to health promotion and disease prevention activities for patients and communities.
The Healthcare Leadership track prepares DNP graduates to lead complex healthcare systems in multiple settings, including primary care, acute care, academic, professional, governmental, accrediting agencies, and nonprofits. Nurses in administrative roles and those seeking administrative roles would benefit from a DNP with a track in healthcare leadership.
The program of study requires a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureatehours of supervised clinical practice in an advanced nursing role and in the leadership component of the D.N.P. program.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Northern Illinois University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http: //www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Admission
Admission to the D.N.P. is limited and competitive. To apply to the D.N.P. program, prospective students must submit completed application materials to the Graduate School no later than the application deadline as posted on the D.N.P. program website.
Study in the post-master’s degree D.N.P program will be part time for 6 semesters and will focus on education to lead innovative practice initiatives in healthcare systems (i.e., the D.N.P. leadership component).
Students are admitted to the nursing program provisionally until they have provided proof of meeting the clinical requirements outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook. Full admission to the nursing program is required to enroll in nursing courses.
Post-Master’s Degree D.N.P.:
Eligibility to Apply
Current licensure with no encumbrances as a professional Registered Nurse (RN) in the U. S.
Master’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by an accrediting agency officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or from a program seeking initial accreditation. If the applicant is a graduate of a non-graded baccalaureate program in nursing, CCNE accreditation is required. The applicant must provide documentation of course work which is essentially equivalent to that required in the master’s degree in nursing at NIU.
Cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher in a master’s degree program in nursing.
Transcript Evaluation: Applicants who completed their nursing education at a non-U.S. school are required to submit non-U.S. transcripts to the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE; www.ece.org) or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS; http://www.cgfns.org/) or World Education Services (WES; www.wes.org) for evaluation of credentials. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree in nursing to be considered for admission.
Application Components
Online completion of the application to the NIU Graduate School.
Submission of the applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
Official transcripts and transcript evaluation, as needed.
Current U.S. RN and APRN license, if applicable.
A two-page, double-spaced Goal Statement to address:
Professional goals and how the NIU post-master’s degree D.N.P. program will promote goal achievement
Identification of an issue (i.e., topic or problem) that requires a system-wide change in healthcare services or policies and a general plan for remediating this issue. The topic will provide the basis for the applicant’s D.N.P. Scholarly Project. The statement must include a description of potential sponsors and location for the Scholarly Project implementation.
Three professional letters of reference to provide evidence of the applicant’s professional qualifications. At least one reference should be from a professor or nursing colleague who can address the applicant’s potential for academic success in the D.N.P. program. At least one reference must be from a current, professional nurse colleague who can address the applicant’s qualifications as a licensed professional registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse. One professional recommendation of the applicant’s choosing (e.g., the sponsor from a potential clinical site for the DNP Project). Family members and personal friends are not considered professional references.
Qualified applicants may be contacted by faculty to schedule a pre-admission interview. Not all applicants will be chosen to interview.
Verification of post-baccalaureate supervised clinical hours is required.
A graduate-level statistics course within 7 years of starting the post-master’s DNP program is required. Students may take this as part of their program of study.
Approval will be determined by the nursing program Graduate Admissions Committee upon review of the aforementioned criteria.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission to NIU graduate nursing programs.
NURS 743 - DNP Project Practicum Credits: 1-3 credit hours per semester. Students must complete minimum of 6 credit hours over minimum of 3 semesters prior to graduation. May be repeated as needed to meet needs of project and minimum clinical hours required by AACN.
Students must complete minimum of 6 credit hours over minimum of 3 semesters prior to graduation. May be repeated as needed to meet needs of project and minimum clinical hours required by AACN.
MS-DNP with Educational Leadership Specialization (47-50)
2 cognate electives. 1 cognate elective must be a graduate level statistics course (if a graduate level statistics course has not been taken or it has been greater than 7 years)
NURS 743 - DNP Project Practicum Credits: 1-3 credit hours per semester. Students must complete minimum of 6 credit hours over minimum of 3 semesters prior to graduation. May be repeated as needed to meet needs of project and minimum clinical hours required by AACN.
Students must complete minimum of 6 credit hours over minimum of 3 semesters prior to graduation. May be repeated as needed to meet needs of project and minimum clinical hours required by AACN.
MS-DNP with Healthcare Leadership Specialization (39-42)
2 cognate electives. 1 cognate elective must be a graduate level statistics course (if a graduate level statistics course has not been taken or it has been greater than 7 years)
NURS 743 - DNP Project Practicum Credits: 1-3 credit hours per semester. Students must complete minimum of 6 credit hours over minimum of 3 semesters prior to graduation. May be repeated as needed to meet needs of project and minimum clinical hours required by AACN.
Students must complete minimum of 6 credit hours over minimum of 3 semesters prior to graduation. May be repeated as needed to meet needs of project and minimum clinical hours required by AACN.
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