DNP Program Graduation Requirements:
The DNP program is offered online. The DNP Degree program requires completion of a minimum of 76-78 post-baccalaureate credits. The post-baccalaureate credits will include clinical and practicum hours. A plan of study will be created for each individual student. The DNP program requires completion of a scholarly project under the advisement of a nursing faculty member. As is standard with other practice or professional doctorates, a dissertation is not required.
Post Masters Track: 48 credits must be completed at Ball State. Up to 28 credit master’s program course credits may be accepted related to the selected cognate. Each student’s master’s degree transcript will be reviewed and compared to required courses in the program
DNP Program Options: DNP Advanced Practice and DNP Leadership:
The DNP program offers two options for study: DNP Advanced Practice or DNP Leadership. The DNP Advanced Practice option includes the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Cognate. The DNP Leadership option allows the applicant to select a cognate of either Nurse Executive or Nurse Educator.
Course, Cognate, and Clinical/Practicum Requirements for DNP Degree:
- All DNP students complete the DNP Core Courses (24 credits) and the Scholarship/Research Courses (14 credits) for a total of 38 credits.
- DNP FNP and Nurse Educator Cognate students are required to have credit in the 3 P's Courses (NUR 632 Advanced Pathophysiology, NUR 638 Advanced Pharmacology, and NUR 634 Advanced Health Assessment). If not, these courses must be taken in the DNP Program.
- All DNP FNP Cognate students complete 40 credits within the DNP FNP Cognate Courses.
- All DNP Nurse Executive Cognate students complete 38 credits within the DNP Nurse Executive Cognate Courses.
- All DNP Nurse Educator Cognate students complete 38 credits within the DNP Nurse Educator Cognate Courses.
Post Baccalaureate:
- All DNP FNP Cognate students must complete a total of 1000 clinical and practicum hours in NUR 781, NUR 782, NUR 783, and NUR 785.
- All DNP Nurse Executive Cognate complete a total of 750 clinical and practicum hours in these courses: NUR 618, NUR 787, and NUR 788.
- All DNP Nurse Educator Cognate students complete a total of 810 clinical and practicum hours in these courses: NUR 618, NUR 634, NUR 787, and NUR 788.
Post Masters:
- All DNP FNP Cognate students must complete a total of 475 practicum hours in NUR 785. Students must have evidence that they have completed 525 clinical and practicum hours within their original master’s program that are equivalent to NUR 781, NUR 782, and NUR 783. A total of 1000 clinical and practicum hours must be completed between a student’s master’s program and the DNP Program.
- All DNP Nurse Executive and Nurse Educator Cognate students must complete a total of 600 clinical and practicum hours in these courses: NUR 787, and NUR 788.