Leadership Curriculum

The post-master's doctor of nursing practice (DNP) leadership program is designed for nurses on a leadership trajectory across all settings. The program builds on the student's previous MSN program outcomes. This program is designed to incorporate the ongoing changes in the health care system. The Essentials of the Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice, Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) and the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL) competencies are embedded in this program. Students completing this program are prepared to take the leadership certification exam offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or AONL. This program is a hybrid program (primarily online with one or two face-to-face classes per course). DNP Project experience hours are obtained through the development, implementation, and evaluation of the required DNP project.

Curriculum: The post-master's D.N.P. leadership program is 42 credits. Applications are accepted in both fall and spring semesters on a rolling basis.

The following are the required courses for this program:

D.N.P. Core Courses

NURS 6010 - Clinical Scholarship (2)
NURS 6060 - Clinical Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NURS 6930 - Information Technology for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NURS 6980 - Epidemiology and Population Health (3)
NURS 6020 - Management and Analysis of Health Data for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (3)
NURS 6940 - Evidence Translation and Implementation Science (3)
NURS 6030 - DNP Project Planning and Proposal Development (3)
NURS 6031 - DNP Project Implementation (2)
NURS 6032 - DNP Project Evaluation and Dissemination (2)

Supplemental Courses

CLDR 6510 - Managing Human Capital (3)
CLDR 6530 - Health Care Economics and Business Practices (3)
CLDR 6400 - Leadership Across the Continuum Theory (3) (35 project hours)
CLDR 6420 - Organizational Complexity Theory (3) (35 project hours)
CLDR 6440 - Quality and Safety in Health Care Theory (3) (35 project hours)
CLDR 6460 - Creating and Sustaining Quality Organizations Theory (3) (35 project hours)

In addition to the successful completion of the above course requirements, all DNP students must meet all the DNP project requirements set forth by the program.

A student who does not complete their DNP project during the project-related courses will be registered for a 1-credit project continuation course in subsequent semesters until the project is complete.

The minimum number of combined practicum and DNP project experience hours is 1000. A gap analysis will be completed by the specialty director upon admission to determine how many hours are required.