MSN to DNP Degree Admission Requirements and Curriculum

Admission Requirements for MSN to DNP Applicants

• Graduate from an accredited MSN program.
• Curriculum vitae or resume.
• Current unencumbered RN licensure. *Students who reside outside the state of Michigan will be considered on a state-by-state basis.
• Two (2) graduate recommendation forms from previous faculty member, employer, and/or professional colleague. One must be from a doctorally prepared academician and one from clinical practice.
• Grade point average (GPA) in graduate course work: minimum required is 3.0 on 4.0 scale with all official transcripts.
• DNP Essay Goal Statement with literature support - 1000 to 1250 words in length following APA format including four scholarly references from the literature.
  • Provide your reason(s) for pursuing a DNP practice degree.
  • Identify your professional career plans and goals.
  • Include potential interest areas for the doctoral project.
  • Explain your understanding of the DNP degree and the purpose of a practice doctorate degree.
• Discussion with the Graduate Nursing Coordinator.
• Additional international student admission requirements:
  • Completed international application for graduate admission.
  • An academic report by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
  • A score of 92 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), 580 Paper-based TOEFL (PBT), or an IELTS band score of 7.0 in each skill area.
  • Evidence of financial support.

MSN to DNP Plans of Study

MSN to DNP Program Core Curriculum (32 cr, including 1,000 clinical hours)

» View the complete list of courses and descriptions

A minimum 32 credits required which includes a minimum total of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical and/or DNP practice hours. A gap analysis will be completed on admission.

• NURS 630 - Policy & Leadership in ANP 2 cr
• NURS 772 - Epidemiology & Population Hlth in ANP 3 cr
• NURS 774 - Informatics for ANP 3 cr
• NURS 776 - QI/Patient Safety for ANP 3 cr
• NURS 778 - Interprofessional & Organiz Leadership 3 cr
• NURS 805 - Communication for Advanced Nursing Prac 1 cr
• NURS 810 - Scholarship for ANP 4 cr
• NURS 814 - Translational Scholarship for ANP 2 cr
• NURS 824 - Analytic Methods of Quality Improvement 3 cr
• NURS 830 - Financial Data for Practice Change 3 cr
• NURS 837 - DNP Practice 1-6 cr (1 cr. = 60 DNP hours) Credits / Units: 1-6
• NURS 850A - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850B - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850C - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850D - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850E - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr
• NURS 850F - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 cr

All DNP students must complete a minimum of 3 credits of DNP Project/Immersion in 3 semesters.
These courses may be taken more than once for credit in order to fulfill program requirements.

• 1 cr. = 60 DNP hours
• Credits will vary by Program Plan - Credits / Units: 1-3