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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at NMU
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares graduates to provide the most advanced level of nursing care for individuals, families, groups and communities. This includes direct care of patients, management of care for individuals and populations, administration of nursing systems and development and implementation of health policy. The program consists of two tracks, a Post-Baccalaureate and a Post-Master’s. The patient population focus is families and individuals across the lifespan (Family Nurse Practitioner). Courses are delivered on a part-time basis, using a low-residency model, which includes online coursework with two on-campus visits. Clinical practicum hours may be completed in the student’s community with an approved preceptor. In addition to clinical practicum experiences, students may choose to take elective courses in nursing or other areas of graduate study that are not required for the major.
The DNP program received full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2021, meeting nationally mandated standards.
DNP Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation, post-baccalaureate DNP students will complete 78 credits and post-master’s DNP students will complete 33 credits of coursework. In accordance with guidelines established by our accreditors and regulatory bodies, post-baccalaureate DNP students are required to complete 1000 clinical practice hours with an approved preceptor. All programs are offered on a part-time basis and courses will be taught using a mixture of online and on-campus (hybrid/low-residency) methods. DNP students will be required to attend two on-campus sessions: (a) an orientation session prior to the start of classes and (b) DNP project oral presentation (takes place in the final semester just prior to graduation). Students will be invited to attend optional on-campus events and these will be ZOOMED and recorded for students who cannot attend. Some of these events include: (a) faculty-student meet and greet, (b) guest lecturers, and (c) simulation center events. The time to completion for the post-master’s DNP track takes one and a half (1.5) years and the post-baccalaureate DNP track will take four years to complete. Students are required to fulfill graduation requirements within seven years. Other graduation requirements include:
- Earn an 83% (B grade) or better in each course.
- Adherence to the university student code
- Demonstrate a pattern of safe clinical practice and professional behavior
- Maintain an unencumbered professional RN license
- Successful oral presentation (defense) and completion of DNP project
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree prepares graduates to provide high quality advanced nursing care to individuals, families, groups and communities. This includes direct care of patients, management of care for individuals and populations, and implementation of health policy. The program consists of a post-baccalaureate master’s degree with a patient population focus of families and individuals across the lifespan (family nurse practitioner). Courses are delivered on a part-time basis, using a low-residency model, which includes online coursework with occasional on-campus visits. Clinical practicum hours may be completed in the student’s community with an approved preceptor. In addition to clinical practicum experiences, students may choose to take elective courses in nursing or other areas of graduate study.
MSN Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation, students in the post-baccalaureate MSN program will be required to complete 45 credits of coursework. In accordance with guidelines established by our accreditors and regulatory bodies, students in the MSN program are required to complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours (720 clinical hours in our program). All programs are offered on a part-time basis and courses will be taught using a mixture of online and on-campus (hybrid/low-residency) methods. MSN students will be required to attend three on-campus events: (1) an orientation session prior to the start of classes; (2) clinical skills training sessions in the summer of the second year; and (3) end-of-program standardized comprehensive examination (takes place in the final semester just prior to graduation). Students will be invited to attend optional on-campus events and these will be ZOOMED and recorded for students who cannot attend. Some of these events include: (a) faculty-student meet and greet, (b) guest lecturers, and (c) simulation center events. The time to completion for the post-baccalaureate MSN track is two and a half (2.5) years. Students are required to fulfill graduation requirements within seven years. Other graduation requirements include:
- Completion of a standardized comprehensive exit examination
- Earn an 83% (B grade) or better in each course.
- Adherence to the university student code
- Demonstrate a pattern of safe clinical practice and professional behavior
- Maintain an unencumbered professional RN license
- Completion and submission of two file papers and submit to the AD/D of the SON
Admission Requirements
Applicants are required to comply with the regular admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Education. Visit https://nmu.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-admission.
In addition, applicants are required to submit additional program specific materials detailed at the following links:
Northern Michigan University is an accredited public institution that participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). This authorizes NMU to enroll online students from all states and territories in the United States. However, individual state licensing agencies (i.e. State Boards of Nursing) at times dictate additional requirements for students completing clinics in their territories. The School of Nursing Graduate Coordinator determines compliance for meeting criteria for the state students are located in on admission to the program. Students need to be aware that regulations in any state may change without notification. In addition, applicants and students need to contact the Graduate Coordinator prior to relocating to a different state in order to ensure that progression in the program will not be affected.
Other Desirable Qualifications
- Completion of an undergraduate or graduate level statistics course (preferred but not required).
- Completion of a health assessment course in graduate program with a B or better.
- Completion of courses in anatomy and pathophysiology in a graduate program with a B or better.
Computer Requirements
Students are encouraged to participate in NMU’s laptop program and must have access to a high-speed Internet connection. Student should be proficient in using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, e-mail and accessing the Internet.
Post Admission Requirements for the Clinical Practicum
Students must provide the School of Nursing with current evidence of the following prior to their clinical rotations:
- An unrestricted RN license
- Two-step TB skin test (annually), MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, and Tdap
- CPR certification
- Nurse practitioner student malpractice insurance
- Criminal background check
- Urine drug screen
Programs
Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Graduate Bulletin