DNP in Nursing
About
The DNP program at Mizzou prepares leaders in the advanced nursing practice roles of Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Leadership and Innovation in Health Care. Our program strengths include a strong clinical focus and a well-developed trajectory for the development of clinical scholarship. Unique aspects of our program are a focus on rural and underserved populations and the opportunity for students to select electives in family dynamics, financial management, nursing education, or symptom management. Successful completion of the program prepares nurses for advanced clinical practice in primary care, hospital, and community settings as well as leadership roles in practice settings and clinical faculty positions.
Upon admittance to the program, the following must be completed by the student, and documentation of these items must be submitted before registering for coursework:
- Current required immunizations
- Satisfactory criminal background check
- Satisfactory drug screen
- Current CPR certification
- Proof of undisciplined nursing licensure
Degree Requirements
DNP Program Requirements include completion of required coursework, clinical hours, and the DNP Scholarly Project. The DNP in nursing requires a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. Of the 72 hours, 36.5 credits must be completed at the University of Missouri. In addition, a minimum of 1000 faculty/preceptor supervised academic clinical hours must be completed. Post-master’s students may transfer in clinical hours completed in their previous master’s degree pending approval of their academic advisor. Total number of clinical hours may vary depending upon the student’s emphasis area, proof of national certification in an advanced practice role, and previous graduate clinical coursework completed.
Ultimately, the student, in collaboration with their academic advisor determines the student’s plan of study, total credit hours, and clinical hours necessary to adequately prepare the student for the DNP degree.
DNP students are required to spend one week on campus the first summer of enrollment and during their last semester of enrollment. Specific On-campus competency days are also required during the course of the program. For specific dates click on On Campus dates. Further explanation of program requirements can be found on the DNP Program Requirements web page.
DNP Curriculum
All students pursuing the DNP degree must complete a minimum of 72-74.5 credit hours of graduate coursework. Credit hours required vary depending upon the students’ emphasis area. Up to 38 credit hours of previous graduate level credit hours from another institution may be accepted toward the total hours required for the DNP degree depending upon transcript review and applicability to the specific area of study. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 in order to graduate.
DNP Clinical Hours
All DNP students must complete a minimum of 1000 faculty/preceptor supervised academic clinical hours. Post-master’s students may transfer in clinical hours completed in their previous master’s degree pending approval of their academic advisor. Total number of clinical hours may vary depending upon the student’s emphasis area, proof of national certification in an advanced practice role, and previous graduate clinical coursework completed.
DNP Scholarly Project
The DNP Residency project is a faculty-guided scholarly experience that provides evidence of the student’s critical thinking and ability to apply research principles through identification of a significant practice problem, systematic appraisal of relevant scientific literature and outcome data; design of cost-effective, evidence-based, therapeutic interventions or programs; successful implementation of the selected interventions or program, and comprehensive evaluation of specific, measurable, and appropriate outcomes. The project will reflect the culmination of knowledge and skills developed during the DNP program. DNP students must complete a DNP Residency Project, write a scholarly paper or executive summary, present an electronic poster to peers, committee members, and stakeholders, and defend the project results with their DNP Project Committee.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans of study can be found for each of the emphasis areas on the Sinclair School of Nursing DNP webpage.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Residency Project Requirements
The DNP Residency Project is an in-depth, evidence-based practice change project that will focus on a theoretically and clinically relevant problem impacting a rural or other underserved population or critical healthcare system need. Specifics of the DNP Residency Project can be found in the Sinclair School of Nursing DNP Student Handbook.
Admissions
Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum qualifications for admission: the requirements of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and the minimum requirements of the Graduate School. Because requirements vary, you must refer to a degree program's graduate admission page to learn about specific admission criteria, application deadlines, eligibility, and application process. Your application materials will be reviewed by both the Graduate School and the degree program to which you have applied before official admission to the University of Missouri.
Application Deadlines: After the application deadline, submitted materials will be reviewed. Applicants will receive notification of their acceptance decision within four weeks. Program application timelines vary by emphasis area. Refer to DNP How to Apply for specific deadlines.
Admission Contact Information
School of Nursing
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-0200
E-mail: Nursing@missouri.edu
https://nursing.missouri.edu