The post-master's DNP Program prepares advanced nurses to lead and transform health care within diverse populations and settings through translation of evidence into practice, integration of systems thinking as a foundation for change management, and participation in quality improvement initiatives to improve practice, patient-centered care outcomes, and health policy. 

General Information:

1.  The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Concordia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
2. This Post-master’s program is designed for certified advanced practice registered nurses or advanced nursing administrators.
3. The post-master’s DNP program is delivered in a cohort format. Eight-week online courses make this a manageable program for working professionals. 
4. There are two mandatory cohort meetings; an initial orientation via Zoom prior to the program start, and a final cohort meeting on-campus coinciding with graduation. Final DNP projects will be presented at the final cohort meeting. 
5. GRE is not required for admission. 
6. Courses are built on a Christian foundation integrating elements to meet the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. Students complete residency hours in areas of their choice to develop, enhance and support their DNP Project leadership skills.  (http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP/)

The Program has the Following Components:

1. Coursework providing the knowledge and skills needed to meet the DNP leadership competencies.     
2. Residency requirements providing experiential learning; students work with preceptors or mentors to develop leadership skills and also to support their DNP Project.    
3. The DNP Project consists of applying knowledge and skills to an integrative, transformational experience, under the guidance of  a faculty chairperson and agency mentor. 

Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program, the post-masters DNP graduate will be able to:

1. Synthesizes and translates evolving knowledge from the liberal arts and sciences, nursing and other disciplines to optimize clinical judgment and design innovation in advanced nursing practice and leadership.
2. Leads and designs holistic, compassionate, person-centered, evidence based, and developmentally appropriate care aligned with Christian values within complex contexts in advanced nursing specialty practice. 
3. Integrates principles of epidemiological sciences to lead disease prevention and management initiatives supported by health policy, through collaboration with traditional and non-traditional community partnerships, for the improvement of equitable population health outcomes.
4. Generates, synthesizes, translates, applies, and disseminates nursing knowledge to enhance health care delivery, improve outcomes, and lead the transformation of health care.
5. Leads initiatives supported by established and emerging principles of safety and improvement science to influence change in healthcare, enhance quality, and minimize risk to patients and providers through system effectiveness and individual performance.
6. Leads interprofessional teams in collaboration with care team members, patients, families, and communities to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and improve outcomes.
7. Analyzes processes and resources within complex systems of care to enhance safe, high-quality, and equitable care for diverse populations. 
8. Evaluates information and communication technologies and informatics processes to gather data, drive decision making, and support professionals in using these technologies to manage safe, high quality, efficient care in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards.
9. Models the professional identity of the advanced nursing specialist role through leadership and mentoring which reflects professional values of accountability, ethics, and a collaborative disposition within a Christ-centered perspective.
10. Models professional development and personal health, resilience, well-being and life-long learning and leads initiatives to support others in their personal, professional and leadership development.

Curriculum

The 30 hour curriculum is delivered online.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Initial Cohort Meeting via Zoom
NURS 8003	Biostatistics & Epidemiology	4
NURS 9040	DNP Project I	4
NURS 8015	Advanced Evidence-Based Practice	3
NURS 8010	Business Management for the Doctor of Nursing Practice	3
NURS 8021	Healthcare Informatics	3
BUS 5840	Economics and Public Policy of Health Care	3
BUS 5100	Ethical Leadership for Dynamic Organizations	3
BUS 5610	Managerial Communication	3
NURS 9041	DNP Project II	4
Final Cohort Meeting / Presentation of DNP Projects
Total Hours		30

Transfer of Credit

The Graduate Nursing Program will accept up to 6 transfer credits, of previous graduate level coursework, into the DNP program based on the following criteria:

1. Coursework must have been completed within five years prior to admission to the program (or be approved by the DNP faculty committee).
2. Courses transferred must be comparable in scope and subject matter to courses offered in the DNP Program. The student will need to provide a course description and the course syllabus for any course requested for transfer. A transfer credit form must be completed and submitted to the Graduate Nursing Office for approval upon admission.
3. All courses transferred in must be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
4. All transfer credits must be certified by the Registrar and approved for the degree by the Director of the Graduate Nursing program.
5. Transfer credits will not be applied to the cumulative grade point average the student earns while in Concordia's DNP program.

Entrance Requirements for the Graduate School of Nursing in Addition to Graduate School Requirements

Admission to the post-master's DNP Program is competitive. We admit a cohort class of students each spring for an August start.

1. MSN degree from an accredited school of nursing and currently employed as a certified nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife or registered nurse anesthetist.
2. Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the USA.
3. A cumulative 3.5 GPA from previous MSN coursework (those applicants with a 3.25-3.49 cumulative GPA from MSN coursework will be considered on a probationary status).
4. Graduate-level statistics course that includes descriptive and inferential statistics taken within the last five years (must have achieved a grade of B or higher).

Application/Admissions Process

Students must apply online through NursingCas. All students applying for admission must submit:

1. Professional resume or curriculum vitae describing nursing experience and education and the applicant's progression in advanced practice or leadership positions.   
2. Admission essay explaining reasons for enrolling in the DNP program at Concordia. Address future professional goals upon the completion of the coming degree.
3. Two recommendations from professional colleagues familiar with advanced practice nursing or leadership competence. References should address the applicant's potential for success in the DNP Program.
4. All official transcripts that led to undergraduate and graduate degrees.
5. Documentation of the number of faculty-supervised clinical hours completed in the MSN program.
6. Admission interview (may be conducted by phone or via Zoom).

Note: The program may allow up to 6 transfer credits, with approval by the program director.

The priority deadline is July 1st for the cohort beginning in August.

Plan

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
NURS 8003	Biostatistics & Epidemiology	4
NURS 9040	DNP Project I	4
	Hours	8
Semester 2
NURS 8015	Advanced Evidence-Based Practice	3
NURS 8010	Business Management for the Doctor of Nursing Practice	3
	Hours	6
Semester 3
NURS 8021	Healthcare Informatics	3
	Hours	3
Semester 4
BUS 5610	Managerial Communication	3
BUS 5100	Ethical Leadership for Dynamic Organizations	3
	Hours	6
Semester 5
BUS 5840	Economics and Public Policy of Health Care	3
NURS 9041	DNP Project II	4
	Hours	7
	Total Hours	30

Course options and schedule are subject to change.