GRADUATE SCHOOL ADMISSION

All applicants must first apply online to the ASTATE Online.  Click here to access ASTATE Online

Program Admission

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program is offered as a post-master’s Nursing degree.

Applicants are required to have:

1. Master's Degree

A Master’s degree in nursing from a CCNE, COA, or NLNAC accredited program.

2. 3.0 GPA

A minimum graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).

3. Licensure

A current unencumbered APN license in the USA with national specialty certification as appropriate.

4. Statistics

Successfully completed a graduate-level statistics or biostatistics course with a grade of “B” or above.

5. Curriculum Vitae

Submit curriculum vitae/have at least one (1) year experience (2000 hours) as an APN prior to application to the DNP program verified by employer.

6. Essay

An essay of no more than 450 words, to discuss your DNP career goals.

7. Work References

Three work reference forms completed: one by an individual who has direct supervision over you and two professional colleagues who can provide a valid evaluation of your performance based on the behaviors identified in the reference form.   Click here for Reference Form.

8. Background Check

Satisfactory criminal background check through the School of Nursing.

9. English Proficiency

For primary language other than English TOEFL score of 83 on the preferred internet-based test, (IBT), 570 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test.

Note on Transfer Work

Applicants can transfer no more than 6 credit hours toward degree requirements. Transfer work is evaluated on an individual basis.

Applying to the DNP Program

ASTATE ONLINE Application

All applicants are required to first apply to Arkansas State University through ASTATE Admission.  On the ASTATE Admission page, select the application type from the drop down menu that reads A-State Online Doctoral. All applicants for the DNP program are required to pay an admission fee of $50.00.  You will need to create a login.  A prospective student's application will not be processed until the ASTATE Admissions  to Graduate School,  DNP Program application and supporting materials have been received.

DNP Application

The DNP online application may be completed on this website. Be sure to completely fill out the application.

Deadline

The deadline for application is December 1st of the year prior to starting in the Spring semester. Incomplete files will not be considered for admission; verification of the completeness of the file is the student applicant’s responsibility. As noted in the Graduate Information Guide, College of Nursing and Health Professions, admission decisions are non-grievable.

Supporting Documentation

In addition to the application, the following documentation must be submitted to the School of Nursing. Evidence of the following is required before registering for clinical practicums.

• Copy of License (RN, APN/APRN)
• Copy of Advanced Practice Certification (NP,CNS, NA)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• 3 Work References in Envelope with Signature on the Seal or Emailed Directly to Dr. Mark Foster at smfoster@astate.edu
• Copy of Current CPR (American Heart Association for Professionals) valid through the academic year
• Copy of TB skin tests valid through the academic year
• Evidence of Hepatitis B immunization or signed declination statement
• Copy of professional liability insurance
• Copy of valid health insurance
• Copy of TOEFL score if applicable

Mailing Address

Supporting documents listed above should be mailed to:

College of Nursing and Health Professions
ATTN: Dr. Mark Foster
PO Box 910
State University, AR 72467 

Selection Process Information

Admission to the DNP program is competitive. In addition to ranking based on MSN cumulative GPA and references, the applicant’s background and documentation of professional experience are present in the resume/vitae and will be considered in the application review process.

Applicant Interviews

Applicants will interview with a potential advisor and DNP admissions and progressions committee. Interviews of applicants will be considered in the selection process.  

Transforming Health Care Delivery

The DNP curricula builds on traditional master’s programs with education in evidenced based practice, advanced clinical, organizational, economic, and leadership skills to design and implement programs of care delivery which significantly impact health care outcomes and have the potential to transform health care delivery.

Graduates with this terminal practice degree will be prepared for roles in direct care or indirect, systems-focused care.

For the entire program:

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American psychological association (7^th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Semester I (Spring)

NURS 8113: Theoretical Foundations for DNP

Butts, J. and Rich, Karen. (2018) Philosophies and Theories for Advanced Nursing Practice, 3rd Edition.  Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

NURS 8133: Epidemiology for the DNP

Gordis, D. (2014). Epidemiology.  (5^th ed.) Elsevier:  Canada. ISBN:  978-1-4557-3733-8

Semester II (Fall)

NURS 8143: Healthcare Finance in Advanced Nursing

Waxman, K.T.  (2018). Financial and business management for the Doctor of Nursing Practice 2^nd Ed.  New York, New York:  Springer Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-8261-2206-3; E-Book ISBN:  978-0-2209-4

NURS 8153: Healthcare Informatics in Advanced Nursing

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2018). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). (4th ed.) Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning. ISBN#9781284043518 

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope & standards of practice (2^nd ed.). Silver Springs, MD: Author. ISBN#9781558105805

Semester III (Spring)

NURS 8123: Leadership, Policy, and Healthcare Systems

Ahmed, S., Andrist, L., Davis, S., & Fuller, V. (2018).  DNP education, practice, and policy: Mastering the dnp

essentials for advancing nursing practice (2nd Ed).  New York, NY:  Springer Publishing.

McLaughlin, C.P. and McLaughlin, C.D. (2019).  Health policy analysis: An interdisciplinary approach. 3rd ed.  Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Publishing.

NURS 8213: Translational Research for DNP I

Melnyk, MB and Fineout-Overholt, E.  Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare Ed.3 (2015) Philadelphia, PA. Wolters Kluwer ISBN 2014021179         

White, K., Dudley-Brown, S., and Terhaar, M.F. (2016). Translation of Evidence into Nursing and Health Care Practice. 2^nd Ed. New York, NY.: Springer Pub .ISBN:9780826117847

Semester IV (Summer)

NURS 8314 Introduction to Internship

Holly, C. (2014).  Scholarly Inquiry and the DNP Capstone.  Springer Publishing Company:  New York, NY. ISBN:  978-0-8261-9387-2

Moran, K., Burson, R., & Conrad, D. (2017).  The Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project:  A Framework for Success. (2^nd ed.). Jones and Bartlett Learning: Burlington, MA. ISBN:  978-1-2840-7968-5

NURS 8163: Principles of Healthcare Ethics and Genetics

Kasper, C., Schneidereith, T. and Lashley, F. (2016) Essentials of Clinical Genetics in Nursing Practice (2nd ed.). New York, N.Y.: Springer Publishing Co. LLC. ISBN: 978-0826129123 

Semester V (Fall)

NURS 8223: Translational Research for DNP II

Melnyk, B., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare (4^th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.White, K., Dudley-Brown, S., & Terhaar, M. (2021). Translation of evidence into nursing and health care 3^rd ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company.  

NURS 8323: DNP Clinical Internship I

Bloch, J.R., Courtney, M.R., & Clark, M. L. (2016). Practice-based clinical inquiry in nursing for DNP and PhD research: Looking beyond traditional methods. NY: Springer Publishing.978-0-8261-2694-8

Semester VI (Spring)

NURS 8235: DNP Evidence Based Project

Bloch, J.R., Courtney, M.R., & Clark, M. L. (2016). Practice-based clinical inquiry in nursing for DNP and PhD research: Looking beyond traditional methods. NY: Springer Publishing.978-0-8261-2694-8

NURS 8335: DNP Clinical Internship II

Bloch, J.R., Courtney, M.R., & Clark, M. L. (2016). Practice-based clinical inquiry in nursing for DNP and PhD research: Looking beyond traditional methods. NY: Springer Publishing.978-0-8261-2694-8

*Supplemental Textbooks (Optional) for NURS 8123:

Dichson, G.L. and Flynn, L. (2009).  Nursing policy research: Turning evidence based

research into health policy.  New York, NY: Springer Publishing.

O’Grady, T.P. and Malloch, K. (2015).  Quantum leadership 4^th ed.  Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Mason, D.J., Leavitt, J.K., and Chaffee, M.W. (2012).  Policy and politics in nursing and health care. 6^th ed. Elsevier Saunders.

Goudreau, K.A. and Smolenski, M.C.(2014).  Health policy and advanced practice nursing.  New York, NY: Springer Publishing.

Boykins, A., Schoenholer, S., Valentine, K. (2014).  Health care system transformation for nursing and health care leaders: Implementing a culture of change.  New York, NY: Springer Publishing. 

Marshall, E.S. (2011).  Transformational leadership in nursing.  New York, NY: Springer

*Supplemental Textbooks (Optional) for NURS 8143:

Ahmed, S., Andrist, L., Davis, S., & Fuller, V. (2018).  DNP education, practice, and policy: Mastering the dnp

essentials for advancing nursing practice (2nd Ed).  New York, NY:  Springer Publishing.