The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is an 18-month, practice-focused doctoral program that combines a structured didactic curriculum delivered in an online format with immersive practicum experiences. The curriculum culminates in a clinical quality improvement experience, with applied learning integrated throughout the program.
Admission requires completion of an accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program from a regionally accredited institution. Consistent with national expectations, students complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours, including at least 600 indirect care hours completed within the DNP program at Midwestern University. Graduates are expected to demonstrate attainment of foundational and specialty competencies aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials.
Students engage in planned, supervised, and evaluated practicum experiences within the states in which they are licensed. These applied practicum experiences emphasize systems-level practice, leadership, and quality improvement, and are designed to align with the core competencies of doctoral-prepared nurses.
A central requirement of the program is the completion of a scholarly DNP Project. Students design and implement translational, evidence-based quality improvement initiatives that address identified practice gaps and aim to improve health outcomes for defined populations. Each project is conducted under the guidance of a faculty-led project committee and includes evaluation of outcomes and dissemination of findings.
Catalog Note (Program Structure Update):
This degree program is designed with a defined first- and second-year progression. For the current academic cycle only, select components have been temporarily adjusted to the second year to accommodate program length modifications. Beginning in Fall 2027, with implementation of a shortened program structure, the curriculum will return to its intended sequencing within the first year. This does not impact program learning outcomes.