Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Troy University at the Dothan, Montgomery, Phenix City, and Troy Campuses located in Dothan, Montgomery, Phenix City, and Troy, AL, is accredited by  the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA, 30326. (404) 975- 5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm.

Admission Requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice

Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) students will be admitted only under unconditional admission status. Conditional admission is not available for DNP applicants.

Admission to the program will be limited to the number of available spaces. To be considered for unconditional admission to the DNP program the applicant must:

1. Hold the required degree from a nationally-accredited program (ACEN, NLNAC, CCNE, CNEA). Applicants are admitted as:
   • Post BSN candidates
   • Post MSN candidates
2. Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) on all nursing coursework if post-baccalaureate applicant or on all graduate coursework if post-masters applicant.
3. Submit official transcripts for all post-secondary academic study.
4. Possess a current unencumbered license as a registered nurse in Alabama or in the state where clinical practice will occur.
5. Complete a successful interview by the Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee.
6. Submit a 800 to 1000 word essay describing professional goals and how completion of the DNP program will enhance future roles and practice.
7. Submit a Resume that includes education, work experience in nursing, research experiences, publications, presentations, community service, professional memberships and service.
8. Possess a valid certification in advanced practice nursing from a nationally recognized credentialing body or be eligible to take a nationally recognized certification exam.
   Note: This requirement applies only to post-MSN applicants.
9. Submit documentation of academic clinical hours. Note: This requirement applies only to post-MSN applicants.

Temporary Admission

Temporary admission is not applicable for Nursing Licensure Programs, this includes the MSN and DNP degrees.

Clinical Hour Requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice

DNP students must achieve a combined 1,000 clinical hours at the post-baccalaureate (MSN and DNP) level prior to graduating from the DNP program. If a student eligible for admission to the Post-Masters DNP program enters the program with fewer than 280 clinical hours, then the student is required to take the following course to achieve those hours:

• NSG 8880 - Directed Professional Practicum

Transfer Credit

For students completing the Doctor of Nursing Practice, all transfer credits used to satisfy degree requirements may not exceed five years at the time of degree completion. Courses exceeding five years may not be transferred unless approved by committee. A maximum of 12 credit hours of coursework may be accepted from only an existing Master of Science in Nursing towards DNP degree.

Curriculum

Requirements for Students in Clinical Courses

All students must maintain RN licensure, current CPR certification, professional liability insurance, proof of annual physical examination, negative drug screen and clear a background check when enrolled in clinical nursing courses. Professional liability insurance is available through the School of Nursing. Students are responsible for their own medical care if needed in the clinical setting. Students are also responsible for personal transportation costs incurred during the program.

Students must meet Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.

Progression

DNP students must achieve a grade of “B” or better in NSG 6691 - Research and Evidence for Advanced Nursing Practice  (if BSN-DNP) and NSG 8812 - Foundations of Evidence-based Practice  in order to meet Graduate School requirements.

Graduate students may earn no more than six semester hours of grades below “B.” Students who earn more than six semester hours of “C” grades or below are automatically academically suspended from the University for a period of one calendar year at which time the student may petition the Dean of the Graduate School for readmission.

Competency Evaluations

Prior to completing NSG 8820 - Synthesis of Evidence Based Practice II: Project Development , the student must complete the Initial Competency Evaluation by successfully presenting the DNP Synthesis Project Proposal. Prior to completing NSG 8840 - Synthesis of Evidence Based Practice IV: Project Evaluation , the student must complete the Final Competency Evaluation by successfully presenting the DNP Synthesis Project.

Degree Requirements

Graduation from the DNP program requires completion of a prescribed plan of study. Consistent with recommendations from the AACN, the DNP program requires three academic years for post-baccalaureate and two years for post-master’s options. Therefore, the number of credits required for graduation from the DNP program will depend upon prior degree. All credits used to satisfy the degree requirements for the DNP must not exceed eight years at the time of degree completion.

Graduation requirements include:

• Completion of all prescribed coursework with a 3.0 GPA or better
• Submission of an approved comprehensive e-Portfolio
• Completion of a minimum of 1000 hours of graduate level clinical practice as part of a supervised academic program
• Successful completion of the Synthesis Project

DNP Synthesis Project

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students will identify, develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate findings of a clinical project that has systems level impact for the improvement of healthcare outcomes for a population group within a specific nursing practice. Specific courses in the DNP curriculum guide the completion of this project.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of twelve semester hours taken at another regionally accredited institution of higher education with a “B” grade or better may be applied toward the degree. These courses must be comparable to Troy University courses and must be reviewed by the graduate nursing faculty who will make a recommendation to the Dean of Health and Human Services. For students completing the Doctorate of Nursing Practice, all transfer credits used to satisfy degree requirements may not exceed eight years at the time of the degree completion.

Degree Plans

• Doctor of Nursing Practice - Post Master’s Program Degree Plan/Progress Record 
• Doctor of Nursing Practice - Post Baccalaureate Program Family Nurse Practitioner (Non-Clinical MSN) Degree Plan/Progress Record  
• Doctor of Nursing Practice - Post-Baccalaureate Program Family Nurse Practitioner (w/o MSN) Degree Plan/Progress Record 
• Doctor of Nursing Practice - Post Baccalaureate Nursing Leadership (w/o MSN) Degree Plan/Progress Record 
• Doctor of Nursing Practice - Post Baccalaureate Program Nursing Leadership (non-clinical MSN) Degree Plan/Progress Record