2012-2013

Nursing Practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice

Nursing

College of Health and Human Services

This terminal degree is a pinnacle for nurses who have earned a master's degree and the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse designation. This clinically focused plan helps students further develop their leadership and policy-making skills and provides experience in the interpretation of and practical adaptation of research and best practices.

  • To receive a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree (DNP) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, consisting of at least 71 - 76 units of graduate-level courses and one thousand hours (1,000) of clinical practice.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 66 units of graduate nursing courses
  • At least 5 units of scholarly inquiry

Minimum Units for Completion 71 - 76
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Oral Defense Oral Defense is required.
Research Individualized research is required.
Additional Fees/Program Fees Required

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • Master's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited University and a nationally accredited nursing program. If the institution and the program are outside of the US, equivalent accreditation standards must be met.
    • Current national certification as a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist or Clinical Nurse Specialist
    • Current Registered Nurse License in good standing
    • Completed courses in the following areas:
      • Graduate descriptive and inferential statistics course from a college or university with a grade of "B" or better
      • Graduate pathophysiology course from a college or university with a grade of "B" or better
      • Graduate pharmacology course from a college or university with a grade of “B” or better
      • Graduate physical assessment course from a college or university with a grade of "B" or better
    • Recommendation from three professional persons knowledgeable about the applicant's potential to work effectively in advanced professional and scholarly roles
    • A comprehensive statement about your experiences, interests and goals
    • Structured interview with faculty may be required
    • GPA. Minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.0=A)
    • English Proficiency Requirement for International Applicants. If applicable list any English proficiency requirements that are higher than and/or in addition to the Graduate College requirement.
Doctoral Requirements
  • Please Note:
    • This degree is a clinical doctorate with emphasis on expert clinical practice. One thousand hours (1,000) of clinical practice with a minimum of 240 hours completed at NAU is required. The summative outcome is a scholarly project that demonstrates the integration and translation of research evidence to enhance clinical practice, which includes an oral defense.
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • PROGRAM FEE INFORMATION
  • Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $40 per credit hour has been approved for this program.