Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program is designed as the highest possible degree for nurses committed to clinical work. The DNP is an outgrowth of increasingly complex healthcare system that requires advanced practice nurses to understand leadership, policy, economics, quality and safety issues, apply and translate research into practice, and to be leaders of multidisciplinary practice initiatives. The program is for students who already hold a master's degree in nursing. Three leadership tracks are available: Advanced Practice Leadership, Executive Administrative Management, Public Health Nurse Leader. The Post-MSN pathway ranges between 41-48 semester credit hours depending on the track chosen. Part-time and full-time study options are available.

The DNP requires that all students must have 1,000 clinical/practicum hours post bachelors to DNP. Clinical/practicum hour requirements for nurses in the HSC Post-Master´s DNP program are: Advanced Practice Leadership: 480 hours, Executive Administrative Management: 480 hours and Public Health Nurse Leader: 480 hours. More hours may be required to complete the total 1,000 hour requirement depending on review of hours completed at the Masters level. 

Admissions Requirements

Degree: DNP

Specialization, Program of Study: Nursing Practice Doctorate including tracks in Advanced Practice Leadership, Executive Administrative Management, and Public Health

Program Length: 2 – 3 Years

General Admissions Requirements:

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program the following factors are required:

• Online application submitted via NursingCAS. View a video overview on completing NursingCAS application.
• NursingCAS application fee
• Master's in Nursing from a nationally accredited school of nursing (NLNAC, CCNE)
• It is recommended that students applying to the Executive Administrative Management track have a master’s degree in administrative management or a master’s degree in nursing with equivalent experience in a healthcare leadership position and seek preparation as an executive level nurse leader.
• Applicants to the Post-Masters Advanced Practice Leadership track must hold national certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or eligibility to sit for certification.
• Submit official transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended, even if no degree awarded, to NursingCAS. International transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited foreign credential service. *For more information regarding international applicant requirements, click here.
• Grade Point Average of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher is required
• Basic statistics course
• Official copy of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score, if international applicant. TOEFL and IELTS scores can be no more than two (2) years old. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required on the paper examination; minimum 250 on the computer-based examination; or, minimum 68 on the internet based examination.  A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for graduate admission is required.  TOEFL school code: 3383
• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in Texas or compact state with multistate privileges
• Current BLS for Healthcare Providers Certification through the American Heart Association.
• Current Required Immunizations
• Proof of Current Health Insurance Coverage
• Clear Criminal Background Check
• Basic Computer Skills
• Three Professional References (Submit via NursingCAS Application)
• Current resume or curriculum vita
• School of Nursing application fee
• Interview and Admission Essay

Application Deadline:  Deadline for fall entrance is April 1 (DNP applications are accepted only once each year)

Start Term:  Fall

Contact:

Office of Admissions

School of Nursing

UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MSC 7945
San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900
Phone: 210-567-5805
Toll Free: 877-235-0341

FAX 210-567-6189
http://nursing.uthscsa.edu/

Degree Requirements and Graduation

Clinical/Practicum Hours

The Doctor of Nursing Practice requires that all students must have 1,000 clinical/practicum hours post bachelors to DNP. Clinical/practicum hour requirements for nurses in the Post-Master´s DNP program for the Advanced Practice Leadership track, Public Health track, and the Executive Administrative Management track are 480 hours. More hours may be required to complete the total 1,000 hour requirement depending on review of hours completed at the Masters level.

DNP Project

A hallmark of the practice doctorate is the DNP project demonstrating the student’s in-depth knowledge of one's area of specialty practice and the synthesis of the student’s coursework and practice application.  The project is guided and evaluated by a faculty advisor and inquiry project committee.  The project results in a scholarly paper and presentation.

The focus of all DNP projects is on knowledge translation at multiple system levels. During the first semester, students work with faculty to begin exploring concepts related to their area of interest while evaluating sources of evidence related to the problem/need. The project will be further defined throughout the program and the proposal written during the DNP Advanced Nursing Seminar course. Based upon an assessment and evaluation of the evidence, the plan and design will be developed for a DNP project initiative.

Curriculum and Plans of Study

Curriculum

Currently, the DNP program has three post master’s tracks in Advanced Practice Leadership, Executive Administrative Management  and Public Health Nurse Leader.  The DNP program is designed to prepare nursing leaders for the highest level of professional nursing practice beyond the initial preparation in the discipline.  The curriculum is based on the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice developed by the American Association Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2006).  

Advanced Practice Leadership

The Advanced Practice Leadership¹ track is for nurses who are nationally certified nurse practitioners and hold Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) licensure with the Board of Nursing (41 credit hours).  The DNP can be earned in 5 semesters as a full time student and in 7 semesters as a part time student.

		Theory	Clinical	Lab	Cont	SCH
Leadership Courses
NURS 7311	Nursing Practice: Theories And Research In Leadership, Quality, Safety, And Evidence Base					3
NURS 7322	Healthcare Policy Analysis and Advocacy					3
NURS 7222	Leadership In Complex Healthcare Systems					2
NURS 7324	Healthcare Economics And Policy					3
Evidence Based Courses
NURS 6315	Informatics & Health Care Technologies					3
NURS 6380	Fundamentals of Epidemiology					3
NURS 7321	Statistical Analysis for Quality Improvement and Health Delivery Systems					3
NURS 7301	Methods For Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Translational Science 1					3
NURS 7323	Design And Analysis For Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Translational Science 2					3
DNP Major Courses
NURS 7111	Advanced Nursing Seminar					1
NURS 7511	Advanced Nursing: Clinical Application		300			5
NURS 7312	DNP Practice Inquiry Seminar					3
NURS 7313	DNP Practice Inquiry: Clinical Application		180			3
Cognate						3
	Total Credit Hours:	0.0	480.0	0.0	0.0	41.0

Executive Administrative Management

The Executive Administrative Management¹ track is for students with a master’s degree in nursing in administrative management or an equivalent degree in nursing who seek preparation as an executive level nurse leader (48 credit hours).  The DNP can be earned in 6 semesters as a full time student and 8 semesters as a part time student.

		Theory	Clinical	Lab	Cont	SCH
Leadership Courses
NURS 7311	Nursing Practice: Theories And Research In Leadership, Quality, Safety, And Evidence Base					3
NURS 7322	Healthcare Policy Analysis and Advocacy					3
NURS 7222	Leadership In Complex Healthcare Systems					2
NURS 7324	Healthcare Economics And Policy					3
Evidence Based Courses
NURS 6315	Informatics & Health Care Technologies					3
NURS 6380	Fundamentals of Epidemiology					3
NURS 7321	Statistical Analysis for Quality Improvement and Health Delivery Systems					3
NURS 7301	Methods For Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Translational Science 1					3
NURS 7323	Design And Analysis For Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Translational Science 2					3
Executive Administrative Management Courses
NURS 7314	Nursing and Health Systems Administration					3
DNP Major Courses
NURS 7111	Advanced Nursing Seminar					1
NURS 7511	Advanced Nursing: Clinical Application		300			5
NURS 7312	DNP Practice Inquiry Seminar					3
NURS 7313	DNP Practice Inquiry: Clinical Application		180			3
	Total Credit Hours:	0.0	480.0	0.0	0.0	41.0

Public Health Nurse Leader

The Public Health Nurse Leader¹ track is for students with a master’s degree in nursing who desire leadership preparation in population-based public health nursing. Nurses in this track receive a Public Health Certificate from the University of Texas Houston School of Public Health concurrent with the SON DNP degree (48 Credits). The DNP can be earned in 7 semesters as a full time student and 9 semesters as a part time student.

		Theory	Clinical	Lab	Cont	SCH
Leadership Courses
NURS 7311	Nursing Practice: Theories And Research In Leadership, Quality, Safety, And Evidence Base					3
NURS 7322	Healthcare Policy Analysis and Advocacy					3
NURS 7222	Leadership In Complex Healthcare Systems					2
NURS 7324	Healthcare Economics And Policy					3
Evidence Based Courses
NURS 6315	Informatics & Health Care Technologies					3
PH 2610						3
NURS 7301	Methods For Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Translational Science 1					3
NURS 7323	Design And Analysis For Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Translational Science 2					3
Public Health Courses
PH 1690						4
PHM 3715						3
PHM 1110						3
PHWM 2120						3
DNP Major Courses
NURS 7111	Advanced Nursing Seminar					1
NURS 7511	Advanced Nursing: Clinical Application		300			5
NURS 7312	DNP Practice Inquiry Seminar					3
NURS 7313	DNP Practice Inquiry: Clinical Application		180			3
	Total Credit Hours:	0.0	480.0	0.0	0.0	48.0

1

Please view individual course descriptions for information on required prerequisites or co-requisites. Also, the Doctor of Nursing Practice requires that all students must have 1,000 clinical/practicum hours post bachelors to DNP. Clinical/practicum hour requirements for nurses in the UTHSCSA Post-Master´s DNP program are 480 hours for all tracks. More hours may be required to complete the total 1,000 hour requirement depending on review of hours completed at the Masters level.

Courses in these tracks are not listed in sequence. 

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program students will:

1. Integrate nursing science, ethics, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sources to provide the highest level of specialty nursing practices.
2. Develop, implement, and evaluate healthcare practices in healthcare systems that ensure quality improvement and patient safety.
3. Use analytic methods and evidence based practices to improve practice outcomes and the practice environment.
4. Implement and evaluate ethical healthcare information systems and patient care technology to improve the quality of patient health outcomes and care systems.
5. Advocate for healthcare practices that advance social justice, equity, and ethical policies within all healthcare arenas.
6. Employ interprofessional collaborative teams to improve patient and population health outcomes and healthcare delivery systems.
7. Lead the integration and institutionalization of (evidence based) clinical prevention and population based health guidelines.
8. Use clinical judgment, systems thinking, accountability, and specialized knowledge to design, deliver, and evaluate evidence based, culturally proficient care to improve patient, population, and health systems outcomes.

Graduate Program Policies

General Information

Information about academic progression, policies, or procedures, as well as curriculum information, may be obtained from the Office for Academic Affairs.

Current Licensure as a Registered Nurse

Each graduate nursing student is required to maintain current licensure in good standing as a registered nurse in Texas, or a Compact State with multistate privileges, throughout the graduate program.  Students must provide a copy of the license verification to the Office for Academic Affairs. Failure to maintain a current license in good standing or to produce proof of current licensure in good standing is grounds for dismissal from the program. International students in the Ph.D. program should contact the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies regarding applicable licensure requirements.

Advisement

Each student enrolled in the graduate program is assigned  an advisor in the Office for Academic Affairs. 

Independent Study

Guidelines for design and approval of Independent Studies are available from the Office for Academic Affairs. COGS must approve the Independent Study before the student may register for the course. Courses for summer and fall must be approved in the spring; courses for spring must be approved during the fall semester.

Transfer of Credit

Students may, with the approval of the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS), transfer from another accredited institution a maximum of six semester credit hours (9 quarter hours) of graduate credit applicable to their course of study leading toward the Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice or Ph.D. in Nursing degrees. Students in the DNP Public Health Nurse Leader track may transfer any eligible University of Texas School of Public Health (UTSPH) course.  Only one eligible UTSPH course with a grade of ‘C’ will be accepted provided that the student has not earned a C in another required course in the DNP program.  Transfer of all other eligible UTSPH credits must show a grade of ‘A’ or ‘B’.

The student may obtain additional information about materials that must be submitted with the petition from the Office for Academic Affairs. Approval of any course for transfer, prior to registration for the course, is strongly recommended. Ph.D. students must consult with their advisor prior to registering for cognate courses taken outside the School of Nursing.

Approval of transfer credit requires that the student be enrolled in the graduate program. The student must complete a Request for Transfer of Credit form and submit it to the Office for Academic Affairs with an official course description from the Catalog and must make certain that an official transcript, sent directly from the college or university attended, is in her/his file or request that a transcript be sent as soon as the course is completed. All courses must have been completed not more than five years before the degree is awarded. Courses in which a grade of C or less has been earned will not be accepted for transfer (see exception for students enrolled in the DNP Public Health Nurse Leader).

Teaching Assistants

Opportunities are available for graduate nursing students enrolled part-time to work as teaching assistants in the School of Nursing. Interested applicants should contact the Office of Faculty Affairs and Diversity in the School of Nursing for additional information.
 

Honors

A graduate nursing student whose grade point average is 4.0 is awarded her/his degree with High Honors.

Grades and Grade Point Average

The standing of students in their work is expressed by five grades: A (above average graduate work), B (average graduate work), C (below average graduate work), D (failing graduate work), and F (failing graduate work). D and F grades are not acceptable for graduate credit. Students may also register in certain courses on a pass/fail basis, in which case the grade is recorded as either Pass (P) or Fail (F) and no letter grade is assigned. 

Other symbols used in reporting the standing of students in their classes are: W=withdrawal from course; I=incomplete; IP=in progress (for selected courses); S=satisfactory; U=unsatisfactory; AU records an audited course.

Courses in which a student receives a D or F will not be counted toward the total number of courses and/or hours required for a graduate degree in the School of Nursing or the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. However, all grades (A to F) are included in the computation of the grade point average. In computing the grade point average, the following scale of points per semester credit hour is used:

A = 4 points (90-100)

B = 3 points (80-89)

C = 2 points (70-79)

D = 1 point (60-69)

F = 0 points (Below 60)

Progression in the Graduate Program

To continue in the graduate program, a student must:

• absolve any contingencies related to admission to the program within the time period stated in the letter of admission, or within the first semester if not stated;
• maintain satisfactory progress (B average in first 9 hours) if conditionally admitted;
• receive no more than one C in any course;
• maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of B (3.0) for all courses taken while enrolled in the graduate program.

Should a student fail to meet the criteria for continuance in the program, her/his progress will be reviewed by the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) which may:

• impose conditions as requirements for continuation in the program, or

• terminate the student’s enrollment in the program, with the consent of the Dean of the School of Nursing or the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Scholastic Probation

A student whose cumulative grade point average or nursing grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on probation and warned that continuation in the graduate program is in jeopardy.

The probation period shall extend no longer than two consecutive semesters of enrollment. No more than one probationary period shall be permitted. NURE (elective) courses may not be taken during the probationary period, and the student may not drop any course after the first class day.

To be removed from probation, the student must achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average by the completion of the probationary period. Failure to accomplish the required average will result in the student’s dismissal from the program.

The progress of students on probation will be reviewed by the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) each semester. A student on probation will not be admitted to candidacy nor awarded a degree. Satisfactory progress toward the degree is required throughout the student’s enrollment. The Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) may terminate a student’s enrollment at any time if the student does not meet the criteria for continuance in the program.

Probation Policy and Procedure

1. Definition: Probation is the status of the student whose progression in the program may be delayed, interrupted or conditional due to the criteria listed below.
2. Criteria for Probation in the Nursing Program includes any one of the following:

a. Earning a grade of “C” in a graduate course

b. Earning a grade in a graduate course that drops the GPA below 3.0

c. Failure to meet any of the School of Nursing Policies related to academic or professional conduct

d. Failure to meet the terms of professional integrity standards defined in the current University Catalog, the Texas State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act, the Texas State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics.

                  3. Probation Procedure

a. Initial Review of Recommendation for Probation

i. The faculty member of record for each course will notify, in writing, a student who meets the criteria set forth in provision 2 and refer the student to the Assiociate Dean for Graduate Studies  within 2 business days of the occurrence of the criteria set forth in provision 2.

ii. The student may present his/her case to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, if requested in writing, within 3 business days of notification of the probation recommendation.  If the student wishes to bring a person outside of the School of Nursing to the meeting, he/she must indicate this in the request to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. If the person attending the meeting with the student is an attorney, the meeting will be held with the University attorney present. 

b. If the review results in validation of  the criteria set forth in provision 2, the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies will recommend in writing one or more of the following actions to the Dean of the School of Nursing:

           i. Earning a Grade of C or a grade that drops the GPA below 3.0

                i. A written “Probation Letter of Expectation” that determines the length and conditions of the  probation period which may include, but are not limited, any one of the following:

• Referral of the student to resources and support services for academic success
• Referral of the student to the faculty to devise a written plan for academic success.
• Referral of the student to the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Services for non-academic support

ii. Failure to meet School of Nursing Policies or failure to meet the terms of professional integrity standards defined in the current University Catalog, the Texas State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act, the Texas State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics

   i. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies will present a recommendation for the “Probation Letter of Expectation” that determines the length and conditions of the probation to the Committee on Graduate Studies.

                ii. The Committee on Graduate Studies will act on the recommendation for the “Probation Letter of Expectation”.

            iii. The final decision for probation and the terms of the probation will be made by the Committee on Graduate Studies and will be delivered to the student in writing by certified letter to the student’s address of record and copied to the Dean of the School of Nursing.

           iv. When indicated, the incident will be reported to the local law enforcement agency and/or other appropriate agencies, institutions, and/or regulatory bodies by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

           v. If the review of the recommendation for probation results in a recommendation for dismissal, the policy and procedure for dismissal will supersede the policy and procedure for probation.

Dismissal Policy and Procedure

1. Definition:  Dismissal is the removal of a student from the School of Nursing Graduate Program.  A student who is dismissed from the graduate program may not continue in the graduate nursing program and is not eligible for readmission.
2. Criteria for Dismissal from the Graduate Nursing Program includes any one of the following:

a. Earning a grade of “D”, “F”, or “Fail” in any  graduate course

b. Earning a grade of “C” in 6 or more credit hours of graduate coursework  regardless of cumulative GPA or in two required graduate courses regardless of  the number of credit hours and cumulative GPA

c. Failure to meet the conditions of the School of Nursing “Probation Letter of Expectation”

d. Failure to meet the terms of professional integrity and ethical standards defined in the current University Catalog, the Texas State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act, the Texas State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. When indicated, the incident will be reported to the local law enforcement agency and/or other appropriate agencies, institutions, and/or regulatory bodies.

e. Failure to notify the school of non-matriculation for two consecutive semesters (excluding summers). 

    3. Dismissal Procedure

a. The faculty member of record for each course will notify, in writing, a student who meets the criteria set forth in provision 2 and refer the student to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies within 2 business days of the occurrence of the criteria set forth in provision 2.

b. When a student meets criteria in provision 2 above, he or she will be dismissed from his or her program.  The student will receive notification of dismissal via a certified letter from the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies also sent to the Dean of the School of Nursing, the student's file in the Graduate Office and to the Registrar for the student’s permanent record. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies has full authority to proceed autonomously according to policy, but may choose to seek input from the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS).

 A student who is dismissed from his or her program is not eligible to register for additional courses. If the student has already registered for subsequent courses, the student will be required to unenroll.

    4. Student Appeal of Dismissal

a. In the event of extenuating circumstances, a student may choose to appeal dismissal from his or her program. All appeals are presented to and reviewed by the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS).

    A request for appeal of dismissal and presentation to COGS must be sent by the student in writing to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies within 3 business days of receiving the certified letter of dismissal. The   student must indicate in the request if he or she wishes to bring a person outside of the School of Nursing to the meeting. If the person attending the meeting with the student is an attorney, the meeting will be held with the University attorney present.  The student may also request to bring other appropriate faculty to the meeting with COGS. The Committee on Graduate Studies may request University employees or supervising clinical agency personnel attend the appeal or meet with them prior to deliberating. A review of the student’s records may also be conducted.

   The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies will notify the student, in writing via email, that his or her case will be presented to the Committee on Graduate Studies. The written communication will include the date and     time of the presentation.  Student presentations are limited to a maximum of 15 minutes.
         
  b. After the student presentation is concluded, and any additional information deemed appropriate to the situation is obtained, the Committee on Graduate Studies will review all information related to the criteria set forth in provision 2 for adherence to process and outcome actions. The faculty voting members of the Committee on Graduate Studies, in closed deliberation with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies can recommend one or more of the following actions:
            i. Uphold the decision to dismiss the student from the School of Nursing Graduate Program
            ii. Amend the dismissal decision to probation in the Graduate Nursing Program per explicit terms and expectations deemed appropriate by COGS and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
            iii. Reconsideration of dismissal due to adherence concerns with process; including next steps

  c.  A written recommendation from the Chairperson of the Committee on Graduate Studies will be made to the Dean of the School of Nursing.

  d. The final decision will be made by the Dean and will be delivered to the student in writing by certified letter to the student’s address of record.  A student who receives probation in the Graduate Nursing Program is not eligible to re-enroll in courses the semester immediately following the semester in which the student originally met criteria for dismissal.  A student who is dismissed from the School of Nursing may not continue in the Graduate Nursing Program and is not eligible for readmission.

Petition

Students may petition the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) for the consideration of relevant issues influencing program progression and/or completion. Students who wish to petition COGS should consult with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, and then complete the Student Petition Form that is available from the Office for Academic Affairs. Decisions regarding the petition will be communicated in writing to the students.

Petitions for reconsideration of the decision of COGS are reviewed by the Dean of the School of Nursing. The Dean’s decisions are final.

Repetition of a Course

Credit for courses in which a D or F is received may not be repeated  and is grounds for dismissal as indicated in the dismissal policy.

The Semester Credit Hour

The unit of measure for credit purposes is the semester credit hour. One semester credit hour is given for each one clock hour of class or one clock hour of seminar for didactic courses.   Four clock hours per one semester credit hour of laboratory/practicum/computer lab experience per week, per semester is given in the Nurse Practitioner majors, Nursing Education major, Administrative Management and Clinical Nurse Leader majors and all tracks in the DNP Program.  For selected sessions and summer sessions during which the class, seminar, and practicum hours are concentrated, equivalent clock hours are provided.

Dissertation Course Report

Dissertation courses may be reported as In Progress (IP) until the work is completed. Dissertation courses are not counted in the grade point average.

Examinations

Examinations must be taken on the date and time scheduled. If extenuating circumstances prevent the student from taking an examination, prior approval must be granted by the course instructor to postpone the examination. If a student misses an examination without prior approval by the instructor, a grade of F will be recorded for the examination.

Readmission

Individuals who have previously been enrolled in graduate nursing courses should complete an Application for Readmission. Transcripts from any colleges or universities attended since the time of the previous enrollment in the graduate programs must be submitted. Applicants may be requested to provide recent professional references. Proof of current licensure as a registered nurse in Texas is also required.

Individuals who have not registered in three consecutive terms, excluding summers, must apply for readmission unless they were previously granted official permission for leave of absence.

Those seeking readmission are subject to all requirements, procedures, and acceptance considerations outlined in this Catalog.