Nursing, D.N.P.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing Practice is to prepare advanced practice nurses at the highest professional level of nursing practice and to advance the application of nursing knowledge to improve health care for diverse populations. This is a practice doctorate with a focus on the translation of research into practice as opposed to the generation of new research knowledge as is characteristic of the Ph.D. Graduates of the D.N.P. program will be prepared to meet state, regional, and national needs for doctorally prepared advanced practice nurses in leadership positions in health-related organizations.

The college is part of a collaborative, DNP consortium with Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Mississippi University for Women, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The collaborative will share state resources, such as faculty, and utilize classes taught via distance learning technology to each university in the consortium. Two schools in the consortium, The University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, will award the DNP degree.

Admission Criteria:

Admission to the DNP program depends upon sufficient enrollment, university resources, and qualifications of applicants. A select number of applicants will be admitted to the program based on the following criteria:

1. Completed application to The University of Southern Mississippi Graduate School and College of Nursing.
2. Graduate from a baccalaureate or master’s program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
3. Minimum 3.0 GPA on most recent nursing degree.
4. Submission of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.
5. An unencumbered registered nurse license (RN) to practice in state in which the student will perform clinical activities.
6. Curriculum vitae or professional resumé.
7. Submission of three (3) letters of reference from individuals (doctoral level nursing individuals preferred ) familiar with the applicant’s academic, professional background and experience in nursing practice, specifying in detail the applicant’s capability for doctoral study.
8. Cover letter of introduction and a personal statement of research or clinical research interests submitted with application.
9. An interview (face-to-face or telephone)
10. Proof of current CPR certification, criminal background check and/or affadavit, hepatitis immunization, TB test or titer, Tdap.
11. Completion of an approved graduate statistics course achieving a grade of B or higher within the past 5 years.
12. TOEFL or IELTS if International applicant.

Academic Progression

A sequence of courses, practicum experiences, exams and a capstone project mark the students’ progression in the DNP program.

1. Student files plan of study by end of first semester.
2. Faculty mentor guides student through capstone project identification, project planning, implementation and evaluation
3. Selection of capstone project committee in spring of Year One.
4. Selection of capstone project topic in spring of Year One.
5. Written proposal of capstone project submitted to the committee for proposal defense by fall of Year Two.
6. Fall of Year Two, completion of relevant Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements and commencement of Capstone Project.
7. Completion and successful presentation and defense of the Capstone Project and comprehensive exam.
8. Fulfillment of residency requirements that may be met by continuous enrollment of:
   • 6 semester hours for each of 4 consecutive semesters, or
   • 9 semester hours for each of 3 consecutive semesters, or
   • 12 semester hours for each of 2 consecutive semesters
9. A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.

Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study Form to the Graduate School by the end of the first semester they are enrolled.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement: Students must meet the requirement specified in the front section of this Bulletin.

Research and Scholarly Integrity Education

All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The Department will require subsequent CITI training in other areas such as Human Subjects at a time closer to their capstone project. The RSIE policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page –www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information. Further, all faculty supervising student research, including regular or associate graduate status faculty must complete the CITI training module required by the Graduate School and their departments.