Doctor of Nursing Practice, D.N.P.
School of Nursing
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program offered by the WVU 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.
Cost:
$797 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
11 Courses / 32 Credits
Duration:
Three to four years
Dates:
Next Start: August 20, 2025 Admission Term: Fall
Learning Format:
Online asynchronous and synchronous
Program Overview
Ensure Quality Patient Outcomes
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Curriculum
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:
- Integrate theories from nursing and other disciplinary knowledge to enrich clinical
judgment and innovate advanced nursing practice.
- Design initiatives that promote individualized, compassionate, equitable and evidence-based
quality healthcare for individuals, families and communities.
- Lead inter-professional teams to translate evidence and communicate nursing science
and expertise to collaboratively optimize care, strategically address SDOH, and
advocate for equitable health outcomes for populations.
- Disseminate scholarly work of evidenced-based practice or quality improvement initiatives
designed to improve health and transform health care.
- Evaluate policy, practice, and complex care systems to promote quality, safety,
and inclusivity, reduce risk, and improve outcomes for diverse populations.
- Analyze information from communication technologies and informatic processes to
drive decision making, support professionals in the delivery of cost-effective
care and QI or EBP initiatives.
- Model behaviors that reflect accountability, integrity, and characteristics that
align with professional and ethical nursing standards.
- Engage in activities and self-reflection that foster compassionate self-care, resilience,
well-being, lifelong learning, awareness of biases, and support the acquisition
of nursing expertise and assertion of leadership.
Meet the Faculty
- NSG 702: Population Health Promotion, 3 credit hours
- NSG 704: Foundations of Leadership for the Advanced Practice Nurse, 3 credit hours
- NSG 707: Evidence Based Practice Methods, 3 credit hours
- NSG 710: Advanced Nursing Practice Issues, Policy, and Ethics, 3 credit hours
- NSG 829: Clinical Data Analysis and Visualization, 3 credit hours
- NSG 739: Scientific Underpinnings for the DNP-Prepared Advanced Nursing Practice Role, 3 credit hours
- NSG 745: Clinical Immersion*, 5 credit hours
- NSG 754: Advanced Informatics & Healthcare Technologies, 3 credit hours
- NSG 830: Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Development, 2 credit hours
- NSG 831: Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Implementation, 2 credit hours
- NSG 832: Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Presentation, 2 credit hours
**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.
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
Applicants for the DNP Program must have:
- A Master of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited nursing program
and regionally accredited college or university.
- An overall GPA on all college work attempted of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Provisional admission may be considered if the overall GPA is 2.75-2.99 depending upon space available and other qualifications.
- A minimum overall nursing GPA or a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Submit a personal essay
- APA format
- No more than 3 pages
- Please see the Guidelines for Writing the Personal Statement (DNP).
- Transfer students must provide a letter of good standing from the Nursing program
in which currently enrolled or left incomplete.
- An active, unrestricted RN license in at least one state at the time of application
(and licensure in the state in which they plan to complete clinical immersion).
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Research Process/statistics
- Quality & Safety
- Informatics
- Nursing Theory
For applicants who are pursuing a DNP with a leadership focus, requirements include: Completion of a nationally accredited Master of Science in Nursing and graduate transcripts evaluated for equivalence to WVU School of Nursing courses in:
- Research Process/Statistics
- Quality & Safety
- Informatics
- Nursing Theory
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.
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.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
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.
- Click on the Apply Now button below.
- Please select the following options on the New Application screen:
- Type of Student: Professional
- Which Program: Nursing DNP
- On the Supplemental Materials screen, you will upload the following:
- Current curriculum vitae or resume
- Professional goals statement. View the guidelines on writing the statement.
- It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment to graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu.
- Aternatively, sealed, untampered, physical official transcripts can be sent directly to: WVU Graduate Admissions, P.O. Box 6510, Morgantown, WV 26506-6510.
- Applicants who completed prior education outside of the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Please request a "course-by-course" International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP).
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:
- Nursing GPA
- Work Experience
- Professional Writing Statement Score
- Overall GPA
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.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with an Admissions Coach
Jessica Carr Online Admissions Coach
(304) 293-6841 jessica.carr1@mail.wvu.edu
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Careers and Employment
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.
Career Paths
- Advanced Practice Nurse
- Nurse Entrepreneur
- Nurse Administrator
- Health Care Advocate