Doctor of Nursing Practice
Programs
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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Curriculum
Courses
DRNP 1500: Quality Improvement Initiatives and Evidence-Based Practice
Credits 4The objective of this course is to critically appraise evidence-based literature in order to efficiently plan, implement, and evaluate cost-containment initiatives and evidence-based outcomes in healthcare systems.
DRNP 1500: Quality Improvement Initiatives and Evidence-Based Practice
Credits 4The objective of this course is to critically appraise evidence-based literature in order to efficiently plan, implement, and evaluate cost-containment initiatives and evidence-based outcomes in healthcare systems.
DRNP 1501: Organizational Leadership
Credits 4The objective of this course is to examine the principles of systems theory, organizational structure, change management, and the role of the advanced practice nurse as a clinical leader in healthcare systems.
DRNP 1501: Organizational Leadership
Credits 4The objective of this course is to examine the principles of systems theory, organizational structure, change management, and the role of the advanced practice nurse as a clinical leader in global health care systems.
DRNP 1501: Organizational Leadership
Credits 4The objective of this course is to examine the principles of systems theory, organizational structure, change management, and the role of the advanced practice nurse as a clinical leader in global health care systems.
DRNP 1506: Project Planning and Development
Credits 4The objective of this course is to facilitate the development of an evidence-based DNP scholarly project. This course focuses on project planning, mapping, and proposal development. Students will create a well-constructed PICOT question, generate quality improvement (QI) strategies and subsequent outcomes, determine required project resources, and construct a plan to evaluate and disseminate findings. Before completing this course, students must obtain Institutional Review Board approval for their QI projects.
DRNP 1507: Preventative Care Initiatives and Interprofessional Collaboration
Credits 4The objective of this course is to address fundamental concepts of interprofessional collaborative practice, contemporary issues, and strategies to facilitate interprofessional collaboration in global healthcare settings. This course places an emphasis on health promotion, disease and accident prevention, strategies to eliminate health disparities, social determinants of health in underserved populations, and the use of health surveillance measures.
DRNP 1508: Quality Improvement in Interdisciplinary Healthcare Practicum (200 hours)
Credits 5This is the first of three practicum courses. The objective of this course is to empower students to generate, appraise, and implement practices based on their IRB-approved topic. An emphasis is placed on data collection and analytical measures in consultation with respective faculty advisors. Students are empowered to expand upon their scope of practice to effectively master the DNP competencies.
DRNP 1520: Foundations of Doctoral Nursing Practice
Credits 3This course introduces the foundational concepts of doctoral nursing practice, emphasizing the role of the DNP-prepared nurse as a systems-level leader, scholar, and change agent. Students examine the AACN Essentials aligned to their practice improvement project, ethical practice, professional identity, and the integration of evidence into advanced nursing practice.
DRNP 1521: Evidence-Based Practice & Translational Science
Credits 3This course focuses on the appraisal, synthesis, and translation of evidence to improve healthcare outcomes. Students develop skills in systematic inquiry, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based decision-making.
DRNP 1522: DNP Project I: Planning (Practice Problem Identification & Evidence Review) (120 hours)
Credits 3This course provides an overview of the DNP scholarly project and its expectations. Students identify a practice problem, develop a PICOT question, and conduct stakeholder, gap, and feasibility analyses. Emphasis is placed on evidence search and appraisal methods, problem statement development, and readiness for project implementation. (120 hours)
DRNP 1523: Leadership & Organizational Systems
Credits 3This course examines leadership theories and organizational structures within complex healthcare systems. Students explore systems leadership, change management, strategic planning, decision-making, and conflict resolution, with attention to workforce leadership and organizational ethics. Emphasis is placed on integrating leadership principles to effectively lead change and improve organizational performance.
DRNP 1523: Leadership & Organizational Systems
Credits 3This course examines leadership theories and organizational structures within complex healthcare systems. Students explore systems leadership, change management, strategic planning, decision-making, and conflict resolution, with attention to workforce leadership and organizational ethics. Emphasis is placed on integrating leadership principles to effectively lead change and improve organizational performance.
DRNP 1524: Research Methods and Biostatistics
Credits 3This course introduces research paradigms and methods relevant to advanced nursing practice and DNP scholarship. Students examine quantitative and qualitative designs, sampling and measurement, descriptive and inferential statistics, and principles of validity and reliability. Emphasis is placed on ethical research conduct, data interpretation, and application of research findings to inform and support DNP projects.
DRNP 1525: DNP Project II: Design and Proposal (120 hrs)
Credits 3This course focuses on the design and development of a DNP scholarly project proposal. Students apply project design models to select evidence-based interventions, define outcome measures, and develop data collection and evaluation plans. Emphasis is placed on ethical and IRB considerations, resource and budget planning, sustainability, stakeholder approval, and formal proposal writing and defense.
DRNP 1526: Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Credits 3This course introduces core quality improvement principles used to enhance patient safety, care reliability, and healthcare system performance. Students examine safety culture, human factors, error prevention, measurement, and root cause analysis, along with other methodologies.
DRNP 1527: Population Health & Health Equity
Credits 3This course introduces core population health concepts with an emphasis on epidemiology, social determinants of health, and health disparities. Students explore community assessment, cultural humility, global health, and the role of policy in shaping population outcomes. The course focuses on equity-centered strategies and interventions to improve health across diverse populations and settings.
DRNP 1528: DNP Project III: Implementation (120 hrs)
Credits 3This course applies implementation science principles to the execution of the DNP scholarly project. Students assess site readiness, integrate interventions into clinical workflows, engage staff, and collect data to monitor fidelity and progress. Emphasis is placed on midpoint evaluation, problem-solving, preliminary outcome analysis, and systematic review of implementation effectiveness.
DRNP 1529: Healthcare Informatics &Digital Health
Credits 3This course introduces foundational concepts in healthcare informatics and their application to advanced nursing practice. Students examine electronic health record systems, clinical decision support, data analytics, telehealth, interoperability, and privacy and security. Emerging topics such as artificial intelligence and informatics leadership are explored, with emphasis on applying informatics solutions to improve clinical practice and health outcomes.
DRNP 1530: Communication & Interprofessional Collaboration
Credits 3This course focuses on team science and effective communication within interprofessional healthcare teams. Students develop skills in professional, ethical, and patient-centered communication, conflict management, negotiation, and cultural competence. Through interprofessional case studies, learners integrate collaboration and leadership communication strategies to enhance teamwork and improve care outcomes across diverse practice settings.
DRNP 1531: DNP Project IV: Evaluation & Sustainability (120 hours)
Credits 3This course focuses on evaluating DNP scholarly projects using established evaluation frameworks. Students analyze and interpret outcomes, assess cost-effectiveness, and apply sustainability and scalability models. Emphasis is placed on policy implications, dissemination planning, final data review, and development of a comprehensive evaluation report to support translation of outcomes into practice.
DRNP 1600: Data Synthesis and Decision Making
Credits 4The objective of this course is to support the proficiency of students in the employment of information systems to evaluate healthcare initiatives and disseminate findings for the purpose of clinical and administrative decision making. Students utilize statistical software to conduct statistical analyses, employ statistical methods to complement research designs, and report subsequent findings.
DRNP 1601: Quality Improvement Outcomes and Program Evaluation
Credits 4The objective of this course is to examine systematic approaches to design, implementation, and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives while reviewing national benchmarks to consider variances in population trends and practice outcomes. Students critically appraise current publications, the latest evidence-based practices, and the application of qualitative, quantitative, and process improvement initiatives to promote safe and efficacious outcomes within healthcare systems.
DRNP 1602: Specialty Focus Residency and Inquiry I (200 hours)
Credits 5This is the second of three practicum courses. This course aims to encourage students to generate, appraise, and implement an evidence-based project on their Institutional Review Board-approved quality improvement topic. An emphasis is placed on data collection and analytical measures in consultation with respective faculty advisors. Students are empowered to expand their practice scope to master the DNP competencies effectively.
DRNP 1603: Specialty Focus Residency and Inquiry II (200 hours)
Credits 5This is the third and final of three practicum courses. This course aims to encourage students to generate, appraise, and implement an evidence-based project on their Institutional Review Board-approved quality improvement topic. An emphasis is placed on data collection and analytical measures in consultation with respective faculty advisors. Students are empowered to expand their practice scope to master the DNP competencies effectively.
DRNP 1604: Doctor of Nursing Practice Quality Improvement Final Project
Credits 2The objective of this course is for DNP students to distribute the results of their project findings through the completion of a robust scholarly project. The emphasis will be placed on the “three Ps of dissemination”: a written manuscript (Paper), a Poster presentation, and a PowerPoint® presentation with voice-over. Reviews are conducted by the DNP Project Committee, respective faculty advisors and peers.
DRNP 1620: Healthcare Economics & Finance
Credits 3This course examines economic and financial principles that influence healthcare delivery and organizational decision-making. Students analyze financial statements, budgeting, reimbursement models, cost–benefit analysis, and value-based care. Emphasis is placed on resource allocation, financial leadership, economic evaluation, and application of financial concepts to improve practice efficiency and outcomes.
DRNP 1621: Health Policy & Ethics
Credits 3This course examines policy frameworks that shape healthcare delivery and population outcomes. Students explore legislative and regulatory processes, health law, ethics in policy, and issues of equity and justice. Emphasis is placed on policy analysis, advocacy, global health policy, and development of leadership skills to influence health policy and advance professional and societal change.
DRNP 1622: DNP Project V: Defense & Dissemination (120 hrs)
Credits 3This course prepares students to disseminate DNP scholarly work and transition into doctoral-level professional roles. Students develop manuscripts, posters, and oral presentations; engage in peer review; and articulate practice impact. Emphasis is placed on final scholarly writing, defense preparation and completion, and professional role transition following the DNP project.
DRNPG 1500: Quality Improvement Initiatives and Evidence-Based Practice
Credits 4The objective of this course is to critically appraise evidence-based literature in order to efficiently plan, implement, and evaluate cost-containment initiatives and evidence-based outcomes in healthcare systems.