Aug. 21, 2024
Next Start Date
11
Courses Required
$764
Cost Per Credit Hour
32
Total Credit Hours
Online Courses
Learning Formats
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program offered by the School of Nursing prepares you to practice at the highest level of professional nursing and to advance the application of nursing knowledge for the purpose of improving health care for diverse populations. DNP nurses possess a blend of clinical, leadership, economic, and organizational skills that puts you in a unique position to deftly critique nursing practice and design programs of care delivery that are economically feasible, locally acceptable, and that significantly impact healthcare outcomes.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program prepares advanced practice nurses to practice at the highest level of professional nursing and to advance the application of nursing knowledge for the purpose of improving healthcare for diverse populations. This post-graduate program can be completed in as few as 32 credit hours (seven to 10 semesters depending on the progression plan).
Additional clinical and capstone credits may be required to meet program objectives. Enrollment in nursing courses is based upon readiness, availability of space and an adequate cohort of students. At the completion of the program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate will be able to practice at the highest level of professional practice to:
"As a graduate of WVU, I look forward to helping future students begin their own journeys to becoming a Mountaineer. At WVU Online, we are eager to guide you through the enrollment process with ease and want to provide you with the information and resources you need to be successful. Online degrees give everyone an opportunity to further their education and I can’t wait to help you do just that."
Qualifications
Applicants for the DNP Program must have:
For advanced practice nurse applicants, requirements also include:
Completion of a nationally accredited Master of Science in Nursing Program meeting the AANC 2011 Master’s Essentials, national advanced practice certification, and graduate transcripts evaluated for equivalence to WVU School of Nursing courses in:
For applicants who are pursuing a DNP with a leadership focus, requirements include: Completion of a nationally accredited Master of Science in Nursing Program meeting the AANC 2011 Master’s Essentials, and graduate transcripts evaluated for equivalence to WVU School of Nursing courses in:
Students who are completing certain prerequisite courses may be offered admission; however, the offer will be rescinded if the courses are not completed prior to the first day of classes.
To be considered, applicants will be required to meet all WVU admission requirements in addition to program specific admission criteria.
Competitive applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview. Applicants will not be admitted without an interview.
Students must satisfactorily complete background checks and drug screens upon admission.
New program applicants with a positive drug screen will be ineligible for admission to the program and will forfeit their admission "seat." Please see the WVU SON Drug and Alcohol Screening Policy and the Health Information and Credential Documentation Policy.
Note: Any student who has been dismissed from the West Virginia University School of Nursing or any other nursing program may be considered for readmission if the dismissal was academic and was followed by successful completion of an additional degree. Any student who has withdrawn from the WVU School of Nursing program may be considered for readmission. Students may apply for readmission in accordance with the following guidelines and criteria but must follow the standard admission procedures. Students must meet all original admission requirements.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until July 1 for a Fall term start date. Acceptance is dependent upon space available in the program.
Request an official transcript of records from each college or university attended.
Candidates for admission are evaluated on the entire admission packet. The WVU School of Nursing accepts new DNP students on a rolling admission basis and will review all qualified applications based on admission criteria. Acceptance is dependent upon space available in the program with the most qualified applicants being accepted at the time of review. Decisions will be emailed to students. Accepted students will receive information regarding orientation and course registration.
Students will be evaluated based on the following:
Clinical rotations with approved preceptors in the final year of your program must be arranged with course faculty. Due to potential preceptor limitations, students may have to travel out of their local areas to their clinical sites and are required to provide their own reliable transportation.
In programs with limited capacity and competitive admissions, the most qualified students are selected among those that meet the minimum requirements. Students who want to appeal the Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions Committee decision as unfair, arbitrary, or capricious may contact the director of Admissions and Enrollment for the School of Nursing. The request will be forwarded to the program director for consideration, and the student will receive detailed information regarding the formal appeal process.
WVU provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more by visiting the Student Financial Services website.
Students are encouraged to:
Doctor of Nursing Practice, D.N.P. total degree cost: $24,448 – Residents and Non-Residents
Credits | Cost |
---|---|
1 | $764 |
3 | $2,292 |
6 | $4,584 |
9 | $6,876 |
Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
NSG 702 | Population Health Promotion | 3 |
NSG 704 | Health Care Leadership | 3 |
NSG 707 | Evidence Based Practice Methods | 3 |
NSG 710 | Health Care Issues, Policy, and Ethics | 3 |
NSG 724 | Health Research Statistics 1 | 3 |
NSG 739 | Scientific Underpinnings of the DNP Role | 3 |
NSG 745 | Clinical Immersion * | 5 |
NSG 754 | Transforming Health Care Through Information Technology | 3 |
DNP Project **
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
NSG 830 | Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Development | 2 |
NSG 831 | Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Implementation | 2 |
NSG 832 | Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Presentation | 2 |
Total Hours: 32
* A minimum of 5 credits of Clinical Immersion is required prior to graduation.
A total of 1000 hours post baccalaureate supervised clinical practice is
required prior to graduation and therefore students may be required to
take additional credits to meet this total. Spread over multiple semesters.
** Total DNP Project hours - at least 6 credits. Spread over multiple semesters.
*** Individual progression plans to be developed based on previous course
work. Total credit hours will vary according to previous course work provided
credit for, including number of post-baccalaureate clinical experience
hours gained prior to admission to the program.
The West Virginia University School of Nursing offers a post-master's program of study leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Graduates of the DNP program advance the application of nursing knowledge through the translation and implementation of evidence for practice to improve health outcomes for diverse populations. This expert level practice builds on the past advanced practice education, experience, and certification.
There are several reasons why a student might choose the West Virginia University (WVU) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program:
Quality Education: WVU is a well-respected institution with a strong reputation for providing high-quality education. The DNP program at WVU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring that students receive a rigorous and comprehensive education that meets national standards.
Career Advancement: A DNP degree can open many career opportunities for nurses, including positions in advanced practice, leadership, education, and research. The WVU DNP program is designed to prepare nurses for these advanced roles, with a curriculum that focuses on leadership, innovation, and evidence-based practice.
Flexibility: The WVU DNP program offers both full-time and part-time options, as well as online and hybrid delivery formats, allowing students to customize their education to fit their busy schedules and personal preferences.
Supportive Environment: WVU has a strong commitment to supporting its students, with a range of resources available to help them succeed. This includes dedicated faculty and staff, clinical placement assistance, and academic support services.
Community Engagement: WVU is deeply committed to serving the needs of the community, and the DNP program reflects this commitment. Students have opportunities to engage in service learning and community-based research projects, gaining hands-on experience and making a positive impact in the community.
Overall, the WVU DNP program offers a comprehensive and high-quality education that prepares nurses for advanced practice, leadership, education, and research roles, with the flexibility and support needed to succeed in today's fast-paced healthcare environment.
The DNP-prepared nurse is prepared to participate in healthcare in numerous roles including:
This post-graduate DNP program can be completed in as few as 32 credit hours. The plan of study for the DNP degree requires 1,000 post-baccalaureate hours of clinical immersion and completion of a DNP project. Students must complete a minimum of 5 credits of clinical immersion and 6 credits in DNP project courses (additional clinical immersion and DNP project credits may be required to meet program outcomes).
The DNP Project demonstrates mastery of the DNP curriculum and is a requirement for doctoral education. It involves identifying and addressing practice-related problems through evidence-based change, with guidance from faculty and experts. The project documents the student's growth in knowledge and expertise, serving as a foundation for leadership in future scholarly practice within clinical settings.
The programs are offered by faculty on the Morgantown and Charleston campuses. Courses are offered via web-based modalities, with both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Enrollment in nursing courses is based upon readiness, availability of space, and an adequate cohort of students. The DNP project proposal and final presentation take place on either campus depending on the preference of the committee chair.
It is a strong recommendation by the University and the School of Nursing that graduate students limit their credit load if they are also involved in full-time work. Full-time work and studies may negatively affect the student’s ability to succeed academically.