Nursing & Health Sciences

Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Bridging Your Practice for the Future

2008 APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 1, 2008 - Classes begin June 2008

Background Check Policy

The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) represents the highest level of preparation in nursing practice based on nursing science and prepares leaders for nursing practice. This program builds upon the base of a Master’s Degree in Nursing Preparation in Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Clinical Nurse Specialty (CNS) programs and excellence of practice based on validations by standard sets of competencies in national certification processes and specialty credentials.

The Beth-El College at UCCS program is based upon the essential concepts of the DNP curriculum as approved by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in September 2005, and the accrediting body for DNP programs, the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The DNP program is initially offered as a post master’s degree option that builds upon and expands the competencies of the master’s prepared Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist providing an extended transition period during which nurses with master’s degree would be recognized to be fully credentialed for current advanced practice roles (start date May 2007). This transition period is necessary to ensure multiple entry points into practice-focused doctoral programs and allows advanced practice nurses (APNs) currently practicing as NPs or CNSs an opportunity to earn a practice doctorate.

The program will also provide a post Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) entry point (projected start date May 2010).

Post-Master of Science in Nursing Level Admission Requirements:    

• Active RN license in State of Practice
• Master of Science Degree in Nursing from an accredited (CCNE/NLN) program
• Undergraduate Cumulative; GPA: 3.0; Graduate Cumulative GPA 3.3
• National Certification as NP or CNS, or CNS portfolio reflecting expertise
• Two copies of official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• Submission of three letters of reference (professionals or nursing educators)
• Curriculum vitae and completion of application essay
• Interview in either person or by phone
• Completion of the UCCS Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences application, Part I and II, and application fees

In addition to MSN and National Certification as APN, applicants must have the following courses or equivalents for full admission.  Courses may be taken prior to admission via extended studies offerings if not previously awarded. Provisional admission status is in effect until courses are successfully completed.

• NURS 610 Nursing Theory and Philosophical Foundations
• NURS 611 Health Care Policy and Advanced Practice Nursing
• NURS 612 Advanced Nursing Research
• Graduate Level Statistics (pre or co-requisite)

The DNP admissions standards differ from the UCCS Graduate School admissions in that NP/CNS National Certification and RN license are required as well. Prerequisite graduate courses in nursing theory, research and policy are indicated only if MSN programs were in deficit of this core courses.

Post-Masters DNP Curriculum

Prerequisites: 

• NP or CNS Certification
• NURS 611
• NURS 612 and pre or co-requisite Graduate Level Inferential Statistics 3)

Clinical Specialty Courses (students must take a minimum of three from one category)

DNP students wishing to teach in an academic setting also have the opportunity to enhance their teaching skills with an education certificate offered in addition to a clinical cognate.