Nov 05, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Nursing Leadership - Practice and Leadership Innovations (BPLI/DPLI) - DNP


Grad Nursing DPLI Image


This program is no longer accepting new students.

72 credits

3.0 GPA required.

C grade or better required.

A Plan of Study is available on the Doctor of Nursing Practice website.

There are two options to obtain a DNP:

  • BA/BS to DNP (BPLI): students with a bachelor’s who are pursuing a doctorate
  • Post-Master’s DNP (DPLI): students with a bachelor’s in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing, leadership, or other related degree (MBA, MPH, etc.), who are pursuing a doctorate

Description of Program (DNP)


Graduates of the DNP programs are prepared for a variety of advanced nursing roles such as nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. Graduates of the DNP program are prepared for the highest level of clinical nursing practice.

Nursing science core courses, taken by all graduate students, build on students’ baccalaureate nursing knowledge to integrate scientific underpinnings for practice, understand nursing information management and decision making, and advocate for health promotion. Students develop evidence-based knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care while demonstrating leadership and professionalism. Courses within the selected programs of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner ; Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist ; Family Nurse Practitioner ; Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner ; Nursing Leadership ; or Nursing Leadership: Practice and Leadership Innovations  provide specialized knowledge and practice opportunities in each advanced nursing role. A unique feature of this program is the targeted emphasis on the nurse’s use of advanced knowledge and skills of health promotion with individuals, families, and systems in diverse populations to address health care needs within complex environments.

Practice and Leadership Innovations (72 credits)


Students who elect the Practice and Leadership Innovations (PLI) emphasis are prepared to develop innovations in practice and leadership. In addition to core courses, content focuses on leadership in practice, organizational leadership, and the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovations. Students will be allowed to tailor their program with electives that advance their knowledge of practice, innovations, and/or leadership. Students will be prepared to lead innovations, advance practice, and improve healthcare outcomes. Clinical practicums in advanced nursing for the Practice and Leadership Innovations emphasis enable students to develop and lead a practice and/or leadership innovation project with attention to the impact on the organization and human/financial implications. The Doctor of Nursing Practice Project is completed with guidance of a clinical mentor by all DNP students and involves demonstration of knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care in a variety of settings and for a variety of populations. The Nursing Leadership Practicums offer students the opportunity to apply nursing practice, leadership, and innovation principles under the guidance of a qualified preceptor.

A total of 1,000 clinical/practicum hours are required for all graduates of a DNP program. This program provides 840 clinical hours. The remaining clinical/practicum hours may come from a previous master’s degree (appropriateness determined by faculty), or additional clinical/practicum courses may be necessary to achieve the 1,000 clinical hours requirement for DNP.

Traditional Track (BA/BS to DNP) (BPLI) (72 credits)


Students with a bachelor’s degree in nursing who are pursuing a doctorate.

1080 Clinical Hours (1 clinical credit = 60 hours of contact time)

(BA/BS to DNP) Electives (12 credits)


Choose any 12 credits at the 600/700-level. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor for direction on appropriate options.

Post-Master’s DNP Track (MA/MS to DNP) (DPLI) (31 credits)


A total of 72 credits are required for DNP. Students receive credit for completion of their master’s degree plus credit for experience.

(MA/MS to DNP) Electives (6 credits)


Choose any 6 credits at 600/700-level. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor for direction on appropriate options.