Nursing Practice
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The DNP program is offered as a post-master’s program, providing a pathway for master’s prepared nurses to achieve doctoral level competencies consistent with a clinical program of study. Coursework in the program emphasizes current topics in nursing, field experiences, and scholarship while offering program electives drawn from a broad range of interdisciplinary fields from the South University College of Business and College of Health Professions. Ultimately, the DNP degree is designed to provide practicing clinicians with the depth and breadth of clinical skill, leadership, and clinical inquiry competencies essential to achieving the highest level of clinical excellence.
Admission Requirements
Please see the South University academic catalog for program specific admissions requirements.Course Requirements
Program credits are determined based on evaluation of MSN program of study and clinical/practicum hour attainment.
*Students are required to complete 2 program elective courses (8 credits). Students may also elect to complete 4 courses (16 credits) across the different program elective areas to earn a General specialization or to complete 4 courses within a single program elective area to earn an Administration, Information Technology, Leadership, Project Management, or Public Health specialization. In all cases, students should work closely with their Academic Counselor and Faculty Mentor to select appropriate coursework that meets their career needs and course prerequisites.
**Students entering the DNP program with 500 or more hours of documented, post-baccalaureate clinical experience must take the DNP Clinical Field Experience coursework at 6 credits each. Students entering the DNP program with less than 500 hours of documented, post-baccalaureate clinical experience must take NSG 7220 prior to their enrollment in NSG7200 to reach the minimum 500 hours of documented, post-baccalaureate clinical experience. NSG7220 may be repeated up to three times. In all cases, students should work closely with their Academic Counselor and Faculty Mentor to schedule the appropriate clinical and field experience coursework needed to reach the total minimum required 1,000 documented hours of, post-baccalaureate clinical experience- required upon completion of the DNP program.
**South University, Online Program offerings may not be available to residents of all states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
Outcomes
The objectives of the South University College of Nursing DNP program are to prepare nurses who, using leadership and collaboration, will:
- Provide the highest level of nursing practice through integration of advanced competencies in leadership, ethics and the practice sciences, including biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, organizational, and public health sciences.
- Demonstrate organizational and care systems leadership for quality and safety.
- Use contemporary healthcare science to address and resolve complex healthcare problems and disparities.
- Evaluate scientific findings for clinical applicability and potential to affect transformative care.
- Integrate information technology and informatics to provide scalable solutions for real-world systems problems.
- Use strategies of risk reduction/illness prevention, health promotion, and health maintenance to improve the care of individuals, families, and populations.
- Partner in the generation of healthcare policy to shape financing, regulation, access, and delivery of health services.
Comments and Concerns
Please fill out this form and email to mhsmith@southuniversity.edu with any Comments, Concerns and Complaints.
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Outstanding Education for Remarkable Careers
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Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
