Doctor of Nursing Practice

Students are admitted as a cohort into the post-master’s DNP program during the fall semester. Didactic courses in the program are offered online. However, students will be required to participate in on-campus activities immediately prior to the start of the program and at the conclusion of the program when presenting synthesis projects. In addition, there are several courses in the curriculum (residency courses) with practicum requirements. Prior to enrolling in NURS 801 Biostatistics, students must provide evidence of completion of a graduate level statistics course. A graduate level statistics course must be approved by the DNP Program Coordinator. Students must meet all criteria for admission to graduate studies at Southeastern Louisiana University.

 ****The GRE is no longer required for admission into the Graduate Nursing Program.****

 

Post-MSN DNP Program Admission Requirements

BSN to DNP Program Admission Requirements

Admission Status

• A completed university graduate application form and payment of the application fee submitted on or prior to the application date.
• Receipt of official transcripts from each degree-granting college and university previously attended.
• Must verify post-baccalaureate practicum hours. May use this form or institution specific form. 
• An earned master’s degree in one of the following areas of advanced nursing practice:
  •  Advanced Nurse Practitioner (Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Mid-Wife or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
  • Nursing Administration/Leadership
• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 on Master’s level coursework on a 4.0 scale.
• Evidence of current, unencumbered U.S. nursing licensure (no restrictions):
  • RN license
  • APRN license If applicable
• Three statements of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s capacity for doctoral study.
  • One form must be completed by a former faculty member in a nursing program, a current or former nursing supervisor or nursing leader.
  • One form must be completed by someone who can attest to the competencies and expertise of the applicant at the Advanced Practice or Leadership level.
  • The third form may be from an individual of the applicant’s choice; however, the form should address the applicant’s ability to successfully complete a doctoral education program.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.
• A Statement of Purpose, prepared by the applicant which addresses the following:
  • Applicant’s goals for doctoral study which are congruent with DNP Program goals (See The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice which can be accessed at www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/position/DNPEssentials.pdf)
  • Focused area of interest for synthesis project.
  • How acquiring the DNP degree is important to fulfillment of the applicant’s career goals.  The document must be typewritten, double-spaced, in 12-point, Times New Roman font and should be no longer than three pages in length.
• Completion of a scheduled telephone interview with the DNP Program coordinator.
• Prior to enrollment, students will be required to submit to background checks, drug and alcohol screening, and must meet program health requirements. Currently Southeastern Louisiana University utilizes Certified Background to complete these requirements at the student’s expense. Details are sent to students once officially admitted into the DNP Program.
• Students should be proficient with methodologies utilized in Online Learning and must possess computer equipment and technology which is compatible with the university learning management systems (Ex. Moodle, Leonet).
• Attend onsite DNP Program Orientation. 

A.  Regular Admission:

All Materials must be submitted, for review, by the deadline posted on the Graduate Nursing Programs‘ website for consideration to begin coursework.

• Submit evidence of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited undergraduate nursing program.
• Submit all transcripts from undergraduate school and any work attempted at the graduate level.  Submit documentation of satisfactory standing in graduate nursing program at last institution attended, (if applicable).
• Submit a curriculum vita (resume) including the applicant’s full name, address, telephone number(s), email address(s), academic preparations, degrees held, honors, awards, special interest, work history, and other relevant information.
• Provide evidence of at least one year of clinical experience as a registered nurse.
• Obtain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 on 4.0 scale for all undergraduate work including courses repeated as indicated by a transcript.
• Complete and submit all application materials to the Graduate Nursing Program for review.  All documentation needed to support application to the graduate nursing program must be submitted prior to the deadline for application to the University for the following semester.
• Submit evidence of a valid, unencumbered Louisiana Registered Nurse license.
• Competed a course in introductory statistics with a minimum grade of “C” or equivalent.
• Documentation of Physical Assessment skills is required for the Nurse Practitioner concentration.
• Submit Letters of Recommendation using the online Recommendation Form.
• Submit a Statement of Purpose prepared by the applicant which addresses the following:
  • applicant’s goals for doctoral student which are congruent with DNP Program goals
  • rationale for pursing Family Nurse Practitioner concentration
  • how acquiring the DNP degree is important to fulfilling the applicant’s career goals.

     

During the first semester of enrollment of regular admission, the student must:

1. File a degree plan with the departmental Graduate Coordinator in accordance with the General Requirements for the Master’s Degree in the Graduate School section of the General Catalog.
2. Submit a complete history and physical examinations
3. Submit current certification in CPR (every 2 years), submit annual TB results, and obtain immunizations determined appropriate by the Graduate Nursing Program.
4. Submit a negative drug screen.
5. Submit an acceptable background check.

A.  Regular Admission

B.  Provisional Admission

An applicant who meets all requirements for admission to the master’s degree program except the formula score of 1200 may seek provisional admission status.  For acceptance to provisional status, the student must have a minimum of at least 1100 on the formula score, with a minimum of 2.7 cumulative GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work attempted.  To be removed from provisional status, the student must achieve a “B” or better in each graduate-level course in the first nine (9) hours.  A grade of C, D, or F in any course attempted during the 9 hours in provisional status will result in dismissal from the program and the Graduate School.  A request to repeat a course will be taken under advisement and considered on a case by case basis.  An applicant not having a minimum of 2.7 cumulative GPA on upper division baccalaureate work may consider additional undergraduate nursing courses as an unclassified student to raise GPA in the last 60 hours.

C.  Contingent Admission

• A graduating senior in an accredited BSN nursing program may be admitted in contingent status and may register for graduate credit if he/she meets the criteria of the Graduate School.
• A student may be admitted in contingent status when lacking the final transcript showing completion of a degree.  Failure to qualify for regular admission status before the second semester of course work will prevent the student from registering for the next semester.      

 

Submit Documents to:

EMAIL: From an institutional or corporate email address, your references can email the form to:

[email protected]     OR

 

MAIL:

Attn: Graduate Admissions Office North Campus Main Building SLU Box 10752 Hammond, LA 70402

 

For More Information Contact: 

Dr. Susan Prude, DNP Program Coordinator
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
SLU 10448
Kinesiology and Health Studies, Room 1010
Hammond, LA 70402
Office: (985) 549-5045
Fax: (985) 549-5087
Email: [email protected]