Nov 23, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Bulletin

Nursing (Clinical) DNP


Overview


The School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (Clinical). The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing Practice is to prepare nurses at the highest professional level of nursing practice and to prepare nurses to synthesize and apply critical knowledge for improving health care to 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 DNP program will be prepared to meet state, regional, and national needs for doctorally prepared nurses in leadership positions in health-related organizations.

 

Campus: Hattiesburg

Admission Requirements


Admission to the DNP program depends upon sufficient enrollment, university resources, and qualifications of applicants. In addition to adhering to the Graduate School Admission Requirements and Procedures , applicants must also meet the following requirements of the School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice:

  1. Baccalaureate in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
  2. Must have earned a 3.0 or higher-grade point average (GPA) (based on a 4.0 system) in both undergraduate and graduate nursing courses. 
  3. Proof of a current and unencumbered/unrestricted registered nurse (RN) license to practice in Mississippi where the student will perform clinical activities. The ability to obtain an RN license for the State of Mississippi prior to starting the program.
  4. Proof of current CPR certification.
  5. Completed an approved advanced graduate-level statistics course, achieving a grade of B or higher within the past 5 years.
  6. Must submit a current curriculum vitae (CV) (professional resume).
  7. Submission of three (3) letters of reference from individuals (doctoral-level nursing preferred) familiar with the applicant’s academic/professional background and experience in nursing practice, specifying in detail the applicant’s capacity for doctoral study.
  8. Submit a cover letter of introduction and a personal statement of scholarly inquiry interests.
  9. Supplemental Nursing Application.
  10. An interview (virtual or in-person).
  11. Proof of recent health examination to include (a) proof of immunization against the Hepatitis B virus, (b) current tuberculosis (TB) skin test or quantiFERON G test, (c) current Tdap immunization, (d) Evidence of immunity to varicella, and (e) current MMR immunization.

Exceptions to the above criteria must be approved by the School Director, the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies


The program of study includes 34 hours of required coursework, including 12 DNP project semester hours. A doctoral project, and a 3.0 GPA are required to graduate.

Progression Policy

Progression in the program requires a minimum grade of C in all courses and an overall GPA of 3.0 each semester. Failure to achieve a minimum grade of C in all courses and an overall GPA of 3.0 will deem the student ineligible to progress in the program and the student will be required to withdraw or be dismissed from the program. Students cannot earn a grade of C in more than two courses regardless of the GPA. Receiving the third C will deem the student ineligible to progress in the program and the student will be required to withdraw or be dismissed from the program. Students cannot earn a grade of C in any course regardless of the GPA. Receiving a C- will deem the student ineligible to progress in the program and the student will be required to repeat the course if eligible. Students cannot earn a grade of D+, D, or F in any course regardless of the GPA. Receiving a grade of D+, D, or F will deem the student ineligible to progress in the program and the student will be required to withdraw or be dismissed from the program. Students who withdraw from the program may be eligible for readmission to the program. Students eligible for re-admission will be required to follow the current admission process as new applicants. Should an applicant be re-admitted they will be considered a new student and will be required to complete the entire curriculum.

If a student has a felony conviction, the student may not be able to complete the degree because the student may not be able to perform the required clinical experience.

Academic Progression:

A sequence of courses, practicum experiences, exams, and a DNP project mark the student’s full time progression in the DNP program.

  1. Faculty mentor guides the student through DNP project identification, project planning, implementation, and evaluation.
  2. Selection of DNP project committee in fall of Year One.
  3. Selection of DNP project topic in fall of Year One.
  4. A written proposal of DNP project submitted to the committee for proposal defense by spring of Year One.
  5. Spring of Year One, completion of relevant Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements and commencement of DNP Project.
  6. Completion and successful dissemination of the DNP Project fall of Year Two.
  7. 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

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information  for other requirements and policies.