Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The current application cycle is closed. The next application cycle will open in Fall 2023 for admissions in Fall 2024.
Overview
The Northeastern University post-master’s DNP program includes advanced course work in leadership, practice inquiry, population health, informatics, and health policy. Our goal is to prepare the next generation of nurse leaders with a greater breadth of expertise, so they can collaborate more effectively with interprofessional partners and provide leadership to enhance quality and safety. The DNP program curriculum is delivered online in an executive model hybrid format.
If you are a registered nurse with at least two years of active advanced nursing experience, you may enter the DNP program after completing a master’s degree in nursing or, in some cases, a related health field. A DNP Scholarly Project and 1,000 scholarly practice hours are required for program completion. A gap analysis upon admission will determine how many, if any, practice hours from a previously completed Master of Science in Nursing practicum qualify toward this practice hour requirement.
The Baccalaureate, Master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Northeastern University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791
CONTACT INFORMATION
Amanda Choflet, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
617-373-3488
[email protected]
Graduate Admissions
617-373-2708
NEWSLETTERS
Admission Requirements
- Minimum GPA in master’s program of 3.5
- Official transcripts for all previous college work
- Up-to-date resume
- Personal statement indicating applicant’s personal goals for obtaining a DNP and expectations of the program
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Interview
- Master’s degree in nursing is required. In some cases registered nurses holding a master’s degree in a related health field may be acceptable.
- Current U.S. RN Licensure
- Current Certification in Advanced Practice Role if appropriate
- 2 years of current experience in the nursing field required, advanced nursing is preferred.
Please note that all letters of recommendations and official transcripts must be submitted via NursingCAS.
Curriculum
Post-master’s students will build on their prior coursework and clinical foundations by completing 30 semester hours, including DNP Scholarly Project courses. On a full-time basis, students entering with a master’s degree can expected to commit a minimum of 5 semesters (16 months) to complete the program. Part-time options are available to all students.
Sample Schedule
Full-time
Year 1
Fall Semester
- NRSG 7100 Leadership in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 Credits)
- NRSG 6306 Health Informatics (3 Credits)
- NRSG 7924 Applied Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing (3 Credits)
9 Credits
Spring Semester
- NRSG 6300 Health Care Finance & Marketing (3 Credits)
- NRSG 7920 The Steps to Practice Inquiry: Analyze, Evaluate, Synthesize and Apply the Evidence (3 Credits)
- NRSG 7925 Health Policy and Advocacy (3 Credits)
9 Credits
Summer Semester
- NRSG 7921 DNP Scholarly Project 1: Design and Ethical Consideration of Practice Application (3 Credits)
- Elective (3 Credits)
6 Credits
Year 2
Fall Semester
- NRSG 7922 DNP Scholarly Project 2: Applying Practice Knowledge: Implementation/Outcomes (3 Credits)
3 Credits
Spring Semester
- NRSG 7923 DNP Scholarly Project 3: Dissemination of Practice Inquiry (3 Credits)
3 Credits
Total Credits 30
Part-time
Year 1
Fall Semester
- NRSG 7100 Leadership in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 Credits)
- NRSG 6306 Health Informatics (3 Credits)
6 Credits
Spring Semester
- NRSG 6300 Health Care Finance & Marketing (3 Credits)
- NRSG 7925 Health Policy and Advocacy (3 Credits)
6 Credits
Summer Semester
Elective (3 credits)
3 Credits
Year 2
Fall Semester
- NRSG 7924 Applied Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing (3 Credits)
- Elective (3 Credits)
6 Credits
Spring Semester
- NRSG 7920 The Steps to Practice Inquiry: Analyze, Evaluate, Synthesize, and Apply the Evidence (3 Credits)
3 Credits
Summer Semester
- NRSG 7921 DNP Scholarly Project 1: Design and Ethical Consideration of Practice Application (3 Credits)
3 Credits
Year 3
Fall Semester
- NRSG 7922 DNP Scholarly Project 2: Applying Practice Knowledge: Implementation/Outcomes(3 Credits)
3 Credits
Spring Semester
- NRSG 7923 DNP Scholarly Project 3: Dissemination of Practice Inquiry (3 Credits)
3 Credits
Total Credits 30
Scholarly Project
The DNP program culminates in the successful completion of a scholarly project that demonstrates mastery of expert practice knowledge.
- The project is completed over a minimum of 4 semesters (12 semester hours)
- Must be suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal or a book
- Examples of and settings for DNP scholarly projects can be found in the DNP Tool Kit
- Project is approved by the student’s DNP Scholarly Project Advisor (who is assigned after having identified a topical area), the Seminar Instructor, and Program Director
- 500 post master’s clinical scholarly hours will complement the 500 pre-DNP clinical hours to meet the DNP competencies
Students will apply knowledge, skills and attitudes obtained in the DNP courses in order to address the ethical, legal, financial and organizational aspects of the scholarly project. The DNP student will discuss his/her topic of interest, the development of the project and how it addressed the needs of a selected population; and evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the Scholarly Project.
You will have the opportunity to study with faculty from other Northeastern departments and centers, and with others in Boston’s nursing community whose work addresses healthcare. Our close ties with the University’s Institute on Urban Health Research and School of Social Science, Urban Affairs and Public Policy, as well as with the Center for Community Health Education, Research and Service and other organizations provide opportunities to work across disciplines and sites for the scholarly project.
DNP Scholarly Project Abstracts
Class of 2019 Class of 2018 Class of 2017 Class of 2016 Class of 2015
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application timeline?
Applications Open: January 1
Application Decisions: Determined on a rolling basis
Application Deadline: Early August (determined annually)
Is a master’s degree in nursing required for admission to the doctor of nursing practice program?
A master’s degree in nursing is preferred. In some cases, registered nurses (with a BS or BSN) holding a master’s degree in a related health field may be acceptable.
What is advanced standing and what is the maximum number of advanced standing credits that I can be awarded?
If you received your master’s degree from Northeastern University (NU) and took any of the following courses that are required for the DNP program (NRSG 6300, 6306) in the allowed 5-year time frame, then you may be eligible for advanced standing (meaning that you do not need to repeat the course). Each transcript will be reviewed individually. Be advised the DNP sections include activities for scholarly hours and any other additional work must be made up.
NOTE: This is subject to change according to the University and Bouvé College of Health Sciences requirements as indicated in the Northeastern University Catalog.
How many credits can I transfer in from another program?
You may be able to transfer in credits from another graduate nursing program if the credits were not previously applied toward another degree or certification. However, the courses must be equivalent to our required courses and each transcript will be reviewed individually. The number of credits that can be transferred into the program is determined by the University and Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Please see Northeastern University Catalog.
Can I attend the program on a part-time basis?
Full-time or part-time enrollment is available. Students who attend full-time complete the degree in five continuous semesters (21 months). Students who attend part-time usually complete the degree in three years. Students must consult financial aid office to assure PT status is acceptable for loan eligibility. All students (full-time or part-time) must take the NRSG7100 Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice course as the first course which is offered in the Fall.
Where can I go to find more information about the DNP nationally?
We suggest you visit the AACN’s website.
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To the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program