Doctor of Nursing Practice

Program Overview

You entered the field of nursing to improve the lives of others and enjoy a fulfilling career. Maybe you even see your vocation as a spiritual calling. In Anderson University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, we want to help you apply your faith to your profession. As you earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in one of our four concentrations, you will learn a holistic approach to patient care that will equip you to meet your patient’s physical needs with a Christian worldview in mind.  Our concentrations include; Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Executive Leadership, and Advanced Practice.

Our instructors are all practicing nurses, who understand the healthcare climate and can share with you the latest developments in nursing practice. Whether you’ve recently completed a nursing degree or you’re returning to school after years of nursing, our Doctor of Nursing Practice program will prepare you for a rewarding career as an advanced practice nurse. You can change lives for the better.

Flexible Starting Points

At AU, we offer a flexible program catered to you, the working nurse. If you’re an RN with an associate’s degree, you can still apply directly to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. However, you’ll need to complete a few general education and science requirements, along with two bridge courses: Nursing Research and Professional Role Transition, each worth three credit hours. After taking the core courses and bridge courses, you will be ready to begin work on your doctoral degree.

If you are an RN with a bachelor’s degree, you can directly enter the program. Once you begin the program, you can complete your degree in nine semesters (about three years).

If you are already an advanced practice nurse with your Master of Science in Nursing degree you are eligible for our MSN to DNP track with a concentration in Advanced Practice.  This degree program is just 18 months in length.

Coursework and Training

All classes are offered online, so you can learn anywhere. You will still meet your cohort and professors in person during a three-day session, held once per semester.

In addition to coursework, you will complete a scholarly project and a clinical residency. The evidence-based project may include a quality improvement (QI) focus, a policy change, or perhaps a protocol development for your facility. Your advisor will guide you in this process. Throughout your time in the program, you will develop this project, from the conceptual stages to research and investigation to implementation and dissemination of the results.

Clinical residencies are required for all Doctor of Nursing Practice students. Unless you are already a practicing nurse practitioner, you must complete 1,000 hours spread across the entire program. While it is your responsibility to find a clinical preceptor, AU works hard to establish relationships with clinical partners, to aid you in your search. Your clinical and in-class experiences at AU will also prepare you for the national accreditation exam you must take to become certified to practice in your field. 

Admission Requirements

Minimum requirements:

• Associate degree in nursing or higher from a nationally accredited nursing program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 from the most recent nursing degree program
• Active and unencumbered RN license
• CPR certification
• Current immunization record by start of program
• General education and science/professional prerequisites (ADN applicants only)
• Advanced Practice Certification (MSN to DNP applicants only)

General Education Requirements (18 credits)

• ENG 101 - English Composition & Speech I (3 credits)
• ENG 102 - English Composition & Speech II (3 credits)
• MAT 108 - Probability & Stats (3 credits)
• PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 205 - Human Growth & Development (3 credits)
• Any 3 credit hours from Humanities or Fine Arts (3 credits)

Science and professional requirements (21 credits)

• BIO 201 - Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits)
• BIO 202 - Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits)
• BIO 215 - Microbiology (4 credits)
• CHE 107 - General, Organic & Biochemistry (3 credits)
• NUR 365 - Professional Role Transition (3 credits)*
• NUR 356 - Nursing Research in Practice (3 credits)*

*Student may be admitted under provisional acceptance (pre-MSN/DNP) as long as these classes are completed at AU with a grade of C or better prior to the start of the program.

Application Process

• Complete online application and pay 25 dollar application fee
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Official Transcripts from all former academic institutions

Advanced Practice Track

Students entering this track are already practicing as an Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, or Nurse Midwife) and desire to further their education to obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.  An additional 500 clinical hours are needed for the degree and focus on the development of a scholarly project and integration of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials.  The total program is 39 hours and can be completed in five semesters. Students are required to come to campus the first four semesters of their program to meet with faculty and fellow students while gaining assistance with their project.