Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership (DNP)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree emphasizes the highest level of education in order to prepare experts in specialized advanced nursing roles. The DNP offered by Edgewood College is in indirect care (Leadership). Graduates of this program bring the best practices to managing health services, having competence in care systems management, and providing evidence-based care and translational research methods.
A rounded curriculum will include preparation in:
- epidemiology, biostatistics, healthcare finance, informatics, and quality management
- a capstone project
- a customized practicum experience (500-1000 hours based on previous practicum experience in a master’s program)
Edgewood College's DNP in Leadership is a 30 credit program. BSN-prepared candidates with a master's degree in fields other than nursing may be considered for admission. Transcripts of students whose master’s degrees are from disciplines other than nursing are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to assure attainment of prerequisite knowledge and leadership experience. Additional course work beyond the 30 credit requirement may be necessary to meet all of the essentials of doctoral education for advanced practice in leadership.
BSN-prepared candidates may be considered for the DNP program by first successfully completing the MSN degree in either track (administration or education).
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- I have a BSN and a Master's Degree (30 Credits for DNP)
Edgewood College's post-master’s DNP in Leadership is a 30 credit program. Transcripts of students whose master’s degrees are from disciplines other than nursing are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to assure attainment of prerequisite knowledge and leadership experience. Additional course work beyond the 30 credit requirement may be necessary to meet all of the essentials of doctoral education for advanced practice in leadership.
Program Highlights:
- Complete your post-master's degree in just 2 years
- Degree can be completed fully online, or participate in blended online courses which meet face to face 2-3 times each semester with all other coursework done online. Learn more about Blended Online Learning.
- Degree can be done part-time or full-time
- Enroll each fall, spring, and summer semester
- The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Edgewood College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
- Edgewood College is a member of the Online Learning Consortium, a national organization dedicated to quality online teaching and learning. The College is also a member of Quality Matters TM, a nationally recognized, professional course review process to certify the quality of online courses. Edgewood College has been approved by Wisconsin to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.
- I have a BSN and no Master's degree (66 Credits for DNP)
BSN-prepared candidates may apply for admission into the BSN to DNP track. Candidates must meet all of Edgewood College’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program admission requirements. Upon admission into the MSN program, candidates will meet with an advisor to develop a course plan for the 36 credits required of the MSN degree. In the student’s final year of the MSN program, he/she must interview with the Graduate Admission and Progression committee to be considered for the DNP program. Upon the committee’s recommendation for admittance and the dean’s approval, the student may continue with the 30 remaining credits required for the DNP program.
It is important to note that admission into the BSN to DNP track results in a conferred MSN degree when the first 36 credits required of the program are successfully completed. It does not, however, guarantee the student admittance into the DNP curriculum.Program Highlights:
- Complete your MSN degree in 2-3 years and your post-master's DNP degree in just 2 additional years
- MSN courses meet face-to-face one evening per week, every other week. DNP courses can be done fully online or meet face-to-face in the evenings 2-3 times during the semester; all other coursework is done online.
- Degrees can be done part-time or full-time
- Enroll each fall, spring, and summer semester
- The MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Edgewood College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Edgewood College is a member of the Online Learning Consortium, a national organization dedicated to quality online teaching and learning. The College is also a member of Quality Matters TM, a nationally recognized, professional course review process to certify the quality of online courses. Edgewood College has been approved by Wisconsin to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.
- Course Descriptions and Program Calendar
Each course will consist of two to three face-to-face evening meetings each 16 week semester. Classes will meet weekday evenings (between 5:45 pm - 9:15 pm) at the Deming Way Campus. All other work in the course will be completed online through Blackboard modules consisting of discussions, readings, videos, and other activities. New students may begin the program in either the fall, spring or summer semesters. The course sequence depends on which semester you begin the program. All courses are 3 credits each with the exception of NRS 801 A, B, and C which are 1 credit each. The degree can be completed between 2-3 years while taking 1-2 courses per semester (including summers). View DNP Course Sequences options.
NRS 800 Applied Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice A variety of research methodologies are presented in conjunction with qualitative and advanced quantitative data analysis, statistical interpretation, and evaluation. Course work prepares students for their capstone project. Prerequisite: admission to the DNP program.
NRS 801A, B, C Capstone Writing 1, 2, 3 This course aims to further cultivate DNP candidates’ skillset in critiquing scholarly writing, conducting a comprehensive literature review, analyzing and synthesizing research, and producing scholarly writing themselves. Intertwined with DNP candidates’ first year of courses, this three course sequence is specifically designed to assist each candidate in the production of their Leadership Capstone Project (LCP). At the conclusion of the course sequence, the DNP candidate will begin their first Leadership Capstone Course with their Capstone topic, outline for their project, and a “working” draft of their first three chapters. Prerequisite: admission to the DNP program.
NRS 805 Healthcare Finance and Regulatory Environments Study of the financing, accounting, and management of the U.S. health care system. Regulations and reimbursements, accounting principles, analysis of financial statements, cost analysis, pricing, staffing, and budgeting are examined. Forecasting, depreciation, inventory management, ratio, and investment analysis applied in project work. Prerequisite: admission to the DNP program.
NRS 810 Population Health and Health Policy Population health is explored through epidemiologic research to critically examine the determinants of health, health promotion, and risk reduction strategies. Bio-statistical approaches are used to analyze population data. Prerequisite: admission to the DNP program.
NRS 820 Health Care Service and Clinical Quality Human resource management in healthcare, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and principles of risk management; ethics, patient safety, claims management, and proactive loss control are examined. Strategies for interprofessional team effectiveness in quality processes, patient outcomes, and patient satisfaction are evaluated; benchmarking metrics are outlined. Prerequisite: admission to the DNP program.
NRS 830 Health Systems Informatics Examining the optimization of information management and communication to improve the health of populations, communities, families, and individuals. Frameworks include regulatory, legislative, workflow, electronic health record, billing, and telehealth. Application in professional development, translational research, and bioinformatics (genomics) are explored. Prerequisite: admission to the DNP program.
NRS 835 Leadership Residency 1 This is the first of two semesters of clinical practica in combination with seminar discussion designed to provide advanced leadership skills focusing on indirect care. Students will work with course professors to identify preceptors to design their residency experience. Developing expertise in collaboration within interprofessional teams will be a foundation in addressing individual, group, community, or population needs in the context of a systems network in a U.S. healthcare organization. Prerequisite: Completion of NRS 800, 805, 810, 820, and 830.
NRS 840 Leadership Residency 2 This is the second of two advanced practice seminars and practica. Executive leadership and management experiences in upper level management to achieve preparation to lead, manage, and influence healthcare for positive outcomes (CGEAN). Prerequisite: NRS 835.
NRS 845 Leadership Capstone 1 The capstone project is designed to equip advance practice nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance the application of translational research in a clinical practice setting. In Capstone I students complete the theoretical work necessary to design a clinical research project and write the first 3 sections of their project. Prerequisite: NRS 801A, B, C, and NRS 835.
NRS 850 Leadership Capstone 2 The capstone project is designed to equip advance practice nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance the application of translational research in a clinical practice setting. In Capstone II students complete the data collection necessary to analyze a clinical research project and write the remaining sections of their project. Prerequisite: NRS 845.
NRS 855 Leadership Capstone 3 (if needed) Capstone 3 is available if student projects require an additional semester to complete.
NRS 860 Leadership Residency 3 (if needed) Residency 3 is available for students who still need to meet the required total of 1000 residency hours.
- Admissions
Eligibility Requirements
Admission
New students may begin the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Leadership program in the fall, spring or summer semesters. Candidates seeking admission to Edgewood College’s DNP program must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Graduated with a baccalaureate degree from a nursing program accredited by a national nursing accreditation body and received at least a 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale from an accredited master's degree program.*
- A graduate statistics course completed in the last three years is strongly recommended before admission, but is absolutely required by the end of the first semester in the DNP program (unless a graduate statistics course was successfully completed as part of a master's degree conferred within the last three years)
- Hold a current registered nursing license; must obtain a WI registered nursing license before NRS 845
- Practiced for a minimum of one year as a Registered Nurse in the United States (preferred)
*BSN-prepared candidates with a master’s degree in a discipline other than nursing may also be considered for admission. If a candidate’s master’s degree is not an MSN, his/her program of study will be evaluated for coursework that prepares him/her for DNP study. Non-MSN candidates may be asked to submit a portfolio of professional practice that highlights their knowledge, skills, and application of the MSN Essentials (i.e., research, health care policy, ethics, role development, foundations of nursing, human diversity and social issues, and health promotion). These students are often required to enroll in additional coursework prior to beginning the DNP program.
Application Process
Candidates for the DNP program apply using this application. Only completed applications will be reviewed by the School of Nursing for admission consideration. A completed application includes the following items:
- Complete DNP application
- Official post-secondary transcripts from all institutions attended
- Reason for Study Essay
- Express your professional objectives and how Edgewood College’s DNP program will contribute toward your role as a nursing leader
- Describe an issue related to quality of practice or healthcare system improvement you are considering for your DNP project (preliminary ideas)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Two letters must come from nursing colleagues (at least one from a supervisor) that can address potential competency in graduate level studies
- One letter should come from a former faculty member from your MSN program who is qualified to evaluate academic competence for doctoral study
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- A scholarly writing sample that best exemplifies your writing and composition skills (this can be a sample from your master's program)
- Proof of licensure (required) and certification (optional)
- International students must submit TOEFL scores. Learn more.
Once applicants successfully complete the online application, they will receive an email request to submit additional materials (transcripts, essay, letters of recommendation, resume, and licenses) directly to Edgewood College. After all application materials have been received and reviewed by the School of Nursing, qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview with the Graduate Admissions and Progression committee. The decision of the Committee will be communicated within one week of the interview date.
**Note application process exception for candidates who already have an MSN: Those who have earned an MSN from Edgewood College within the past 5 years need only apply, provide transcripts from any post-secondary courses completed after attending the College, and meet for an interview to be considered for admittance.
Prior to beginning the DNP program’s Residency requirements, students will be required to complete a health form, criminal background check, and proof of a current RN license from the state/country in which they plan to complete their residency.
Application Deadlines:
August 1st for fall January 1st for spring May 1st for summer
Request Information
If you have questions regarding admission, please contact: Jenna Alsteen at 608-663-4255 or Jalsteen@edgewood.edu
- Tuition and Financial Aid
Attending graduate school is one of the best investments you will ever make in yourself and your future. While the benefits related to personal development and growth are priceless, you can also expect your DNP degree to expand your career options and enhance your earning power in the marketplace. Remember, completing your Doctorate is an investment in yourself and your career. Be sure to consider not only the total cost of your education, but also how that total breaks down in terms of monthly costs, which can make your investment feel more manageable and affordable.
Financing your Edgewood College DNP degree -
Graduate tuition for the 2017-18 school year is $930 per credit. You can expect that cost to rise by approximately 3.5% per year in the future.
Most graduate students are working professionals who take courses part-time. The DNP degree requires completion of a total of 30 credits. Typically, a part-time student completes their DNP in 2-3 years.
Based on the current rate of tuition, the estimated total tuition cost of your Edgewood College DNP degree would be approximately $27,900.
Financial Aid
Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of Federal Stafford Loans. Learn more about Stafford Loans, including eligibility requirements and application instructions.
Graduate Student Financial Aid
Our admissions and financial aid counselors have worked with thousands of students who have questioned how they could afford to complete their graduate education. They will use their experience to suggest creative solutions for financing your education. We work with students and organizations to manage tuition reimbursement plans, extend tuition discounts to various corporate partners in the region, offer third party billing and monthly payment plans, and work with veterans to maximize their available aid.
Don’t think you can do it? Edgewood College thinks you can!
