Advanced Practice Registered Nurse DNP (Distance Education)

Interactive Online Programs

This is a fully interactive online program only (see School of Distance Education and International Partnerships   Definitions).  The courses follow fixed enrollment with semester start and end dates.  Participants interact with each other and with instructor throughout all courses.  Most of the degree is done through online methods, but students should refer to the DNP Student Handbook for any expected on-campus time, especially in regards to comprehensive exams.

Information/Application Process

Students must apply first to the University’s School of Graduate Studies and Research at:  andrews.edu/apply.  Then they must complete criminal background checks, health forms, and drug screen information to be sent to the Department of Nursing at:  Marsh Hall, Room 200, 8475 University Boulevard, Berrien Springs, MI  49104 or e-mail to gradnursing@andrews.edu.  For questions regarding the DNP Program, please call 269-471-3312.

Degree Core

All three options take the following core classes:  26 Credits

• NRSG 616 - Biostatistics for Clinical Data Management Credits: 3
• NRSG 644 - Research Methods for Evaluation and Outcomes of Advanced Clinical Practice Credits: 3
• NRSG 685 - DNP Advanced Practice Role Credits: 2
• NRSG 700 - Theoretical Foundations for Scholarship in Advanced Practice Nursing Credits: 2
• NRSG 705 - Christian Ethics and Advanced Practice Nursing Credits: 2
• NRSG 710 - Principles of Epidemiology Credits: 3
• NRSG 715 - Organizational Leadership in Health Care Systems Credits: 2
• NRSG 720 - Information Systems and Patient Care Technology for Health Care Credits: 2
• NRSG 730 - Health Care Policy for Advanced Practice Nursing Credits: 2
• NRSG 801 - Scholarly Project I Credits: 2
• NRSG 802 - Scholarly Project II Credits: 3

Admission Requirements

• Must meet standard admission requirements for graduate admission at Andrews University.
• No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Required: Students who are applying for admission to the DNP program are not required to take the GRE.
• GPA: 3.25 at admission; with matriculation to 3.5 GPA at graduation.
• Experience:
  • Students with no clinical experience must work while in school to gain clinical experience in their first year of school
• Letters of Recommendation (Three required):
  1. Supervisor from current employment setting, who can address clinical competence;
  2. Doctorally prepared faculty member, who can address academic competence and scholarly potential;
  3. Professional colleague who holds at least a masters degree in nursing
• Resume/CV
• Three-page essay—on how they have promoted or advanced the profession of nursing in the past, and goals and objectives for the future, utilizing their advanced education
• A statement—regarding the type of Capstone scholarly project they would be interested in conducting
• Language: Must be able to speak English and present work in English.
• Nursing Degrees: Must have degrees that are from schools accredited by ACEN or CCNE in the U.S. or whatever accrediting organization that exists within their country
• Pre-requisites for BSN to DNP: Must have undergraduate statistics, research, health assessment and pathophysiology
• Pre-requisites for MS to DNP: Must have graduate level statistics and research
• Credentials: Must have RN License and APRN-DNP applicants must have Certifications of Advanced Practice (if applicable)
• Criminal background check: Must have national background check.
• Health Status: Immunization and physical exam health records required.
• Drug Screen: Must submit drug screen for admission, and repeat before beginning clinical practicum.
• CPR Certification: Required
• Faculty reserve the right to require an interview of applicants based on reasons they identify.

Graduation Requirements

Number of Credits

The total number of credits required for the degree of BSN-DNP is 65.

Twenty-six (26) credits are DNP Nursing Core courses and 35 credits are DNP/FNP degree specific. Of those 35, 11 credits are practicum or internship courses. Five credits are a special focus in education. There is no dissertation, but there is a scholarly project that students will complete. 

For those students who are not already FNPs and will be completing the MS to DNP curriculum, the total number of credits required for the degree is 56. Twenty-six (26) credits are DNP core courses and 30 credits are DNP/FNP-specific. Of those 30, 11 credits are practicum or internship courses. There is no dissertation, but there is a scholarly project that students will complete.

For those students who are already FNPs and wish to complete their DNP degree, the total number of credits required for the degree is 40. Twenty-six (26) credits are DNP core courses and 14 credits are DNP education specialty courses. Of those 14, four credits are for practicum. There is no dissertation, but there is a scholarly project that students will complete.

Grade Point Average: In order to graduate, students must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) not lower than 3.5. During the program, students are allowed to receive a B- in one course only, but the GPA must be at least 3.0 when this occurs. Two courses below 3.0 will cause termination of the degree process

Progress towards Degree: Students will be enrolled in a cohort as part-time students per semester taking 5–10 credits per semester for a total of seven to ten semesters, depending on the degree option and course they are enrolled in. Cohorts with differing degree options have anticipated completion at differing times within three to five years. Any student dropping out of a cohort may resume with a subsequent cohort but must complete the degree in no more than seven years.

Program Completion Events

• Successful completion of Comprehensive Exam
• Satisfactory completion of the Capstone Scholarly Project
• Satisfactory completion of supervised Clinical/Practicums
• Satisfactory completion of Certification Preparation/Review course