Doctor of Nursing Practice (Online)

Admission Requirements

General Requirements for the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing

• Each student will be required to submit a completed health and immunization form provided by the School of Nursing, evidence of personal health insurance, and current Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare provider certification after being accepted for admission.
• Students must comply with Mississippi legislative statues and regulations regarding criminal background checks by having fingerprints taken and a criminal background check completed. Any cost of this requirement will be the student’s responsibility.
• Students who want to receive credit for prior nursing course(s) taken at another institution must submit a written request with supporting documentation and credit be negotiated before admission to the School of Nursing and not after the student is enrolled.
• Proof of total clinical hours completed while enrolled in an FNP program [Post Master’s FNP students ONLY].

BSN to DNP Admission Requirements

1. Apply to Delta State University Graduate School and meet admission requirements as outlined in the Delta State University Graduate Catalog.
2. Meet admission requirements to the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing Graduate Program as follows by February 15:

• • Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • A grade of “C” or better on an introductory course in statistics.
  • Completion of a Robert E. Smith School of Nursing Graduate Program Application.
  • A copy of a current unencumbered registered nurse license to practice in the state in which the student will perform clinical.
  • At least one year of continuous clinical nursing experience with patient contact as an RN within the past three years.
  • Submission of a resume.
  • Completion of an interview with the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing faculty.
  • A grade of “C” or better on a graduate level pathophysiology course (prerequisite).

Post-Master’s (Non-FNP and FNP) to DNP Admission Requirements

1. Apply to Delta State University Graduate School and meet admission requirements as outlined in the Delta State University Graduate Catalog.
2. Meet admission requirements to the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing Graduate Program as follows by February 15:

• • Master of Science degree in Nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • A grade of “C” or better on an introductory course in statistics.
  • Completion of a Robert E. Smith School of Nursing Graduate Program Application.
  • A copy of a current unencumbered registered nurse license to practice in the state in which the student will perform clinical.
  • A copy of current national family practitioner certification (ANCC & AANP) [FNP only].
  • At least one year of continuous clinical nursing experience with patient contact as an RN or advanced practice nurse within the past three years.
  • Submission of a resume.
  • Completion of an interview with the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing faculty.
  • A grade of “C” or better on a graduate level pathophysiology course (prerequisite) [Non-FNP].

Curriculum

Post-Master’s FNP-DNP, Plan of Study: Full-time

Post-Master’s FNP-DNP, Plan of Study: Part-time

BSN/Post-Master’s (non-FNP) to DNP, Plan of Study: Full-time

BSN – 65/Post Master’s (non-FNP) – 56 – 65 credit hours

BSN/Post-Master’s (non-FNP) to DNP, Plan of Study: Part-time

BSN – 65/Post Master’s (non-FNP) – 56 – 65 credit hours
Prerequisite: *NUR 603 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credit hours)

Licensure Requirements

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum meets state educational requirements for professional certification and licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). To determine the state requirements for professional nursing licensure as an APRN, please visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)’s Nurse Licensure Guidance webpage, then select the state where you want to know the professional licensure requirements.

Degree Requirements

A candidate for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is required to meet the following:

1. Take all core and role specific courses, and the scholarly project to total specific semester hours for program of study.
2. The student must complete one of the following: a HESI APRN FNP Exam with a score of 800 or better; an APEA Post Predictor University Exam with a score of 70% during the last semester of the student’s plan of study. To take the comprehensive exam, the candidate must be enrolled in, or have completed, the final coursework and have a GPA of 3.0 or better (required only for post BSN and post MSN [non-FNP]).
3. A grade point average of at least 3.0 in the major field and overall.
4. Successfully present the project proposal, implement the project, and complete a successful final paper and oral presentation of the project. Professional dissemination of the project requires successful completion of:
   a.) An oral defense of both the proposal and final project to the DNP Project Advisory Committee members for approval before it is implemented.
   b.) Submission of an abstract to a professional organization for poster or podium presentation at a state, regional, national, or international level.
   OR
   Submission of a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
   c.) Submission of an electronic DNP Portfolio.

For more information on degree requirements, specifics on courses needed to complete the degree, and policies, consult the Graduate Academic Catalog.

Fees

Tuition at DSU covers the cost of classes.

DNP – BSN/Post-Master’s (Non-FNP)-DNP Course/Lab Fees (2024-2025)

Course/Lab fees for the BSN program are $2855.00. See below the specific courses/lab fee breakdown by semester.

*Instructors may require exam proctoring services to verify student identity to minimize the risk of academic dishonesty. When required, these services may include an additional cost to the student.

Post-Master’s FNP-DNP Course/Lab Fees (2024-2025)

Course/Lab fees for the BSN program are $220.00. See below the specific courses/lab fee breakdown by semester.