Program Overview
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The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is an online doctoral degree program with a specialty area in Systems-Level Leadership that can be completed in 18 months. To complete the program in 18 months, students enroll in two 3-credit courses each term for six consecutive terms. A second option allows students to enroll in one 3-credit course each term and complete the program in 36 months. The program prepares students to lead healthcare organizations.
Program Highlights:
- All courses are offered online
- Access to courses 24/7
- Four terms per year
- No physical campus visits required
- Full-time program - 18 months
- Part-time program - 36 months
- Up to 9 doctoral level credits may be transferred toward the DNP
- High-quality, affordable DNP program
The 36-credit program focuses on the improvement of evidence-based outcomes using theoretical knowledge and systems-level initiatives to advance nurses to the highest level of nursing practice. The program prepares nurse leaders with competencies in advanced nursing practice, organizational leadership, economics and finance, healthcare policy and technology.
Learn how Dr. Susan Utterback went from our DNP program to her dream job.
View our DNP Handbook
Download our Degree Program Profile Sheet for an overview of our DNP Program.
Admission Requirements
- MSN degree from an institutionally accredited higher education institution recognized under the TESU Transfer Credit Policy and Guidelines and a nationally accredited school of nursing. (CCNE, CNEA or ACEN) or BSN degree from a nationally accredited school of nursing and master's degree in a related discipline from an institutionally accredited higher education institution recognized under the TESU Transfer Credit Policy and Guidelines.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the master’s program
- Names and contact information for two (2) academic and/or professional references
- Well-written statement of background and goals (instructions)
- Well-written scholarly essay (instructions)
- Relevant professional work experience recommended
- Current valid unencumbered registered nurse license in the United States
- Current résumé
After students have completed the application, it should be uploaded with all supporting documents.
Application Deadlines:
- October Term: Aug. 1
- January Term: Nov. 15
Credit Transfer
- A maximum of 9 doctoral level credit hours may be transferred into the DNP program from another DNP program. The allowance of any credits will be based upon review of syllabi by the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professionals.
- A minimum of 27 DNP level credit hours must be completed at TESU in the DNP program to earn the DNP degree from TESU.
- Courses transferred into the DNP program must have been completed at an institutionally accredited higher education institution recognized under the TESU Transfer Credit Policy and Guidelines and a nationally accredited school of nursing (CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN).
- Courses transferred into the DNP program must have been completed at an equivalent accredited international institution of higher education and an equivalent accredited international school of nursing, if credits were earned outside the U.S.
- The student must have earned a grade of B or higher for a course to be accepted as a transfer course into the DNP program.
- Courses transferred into the DNP program must have been completed within five years of enrollment in the TESU program.
Program Progression
- A minimum of 1,000 post baccalaureate supervised clinical hours must be completed for the DNP degree; a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours must be completed during the DNP program at TESU. Students may be required to complete more than 500 hours at TESU based on the number of hours completed in the MSN degree, master's degree, or national advanced practice certification requirements.
- Students admitted to the DNP program progress through the DNP curriculum with the cohort to which they were admitted.
- DNP students who earn a grade lower than B in a DNP course, withdraw from a DNP course, or who fail to enroll during a term will be assessed on an individual basis for their ability to remain in the DNP program.
- The program must be completed within five years of admission into the program.
- The School reserves the right to remove any student from the DNP program who exhibits unprofessional behavior or violates the academic code of conduct.
Graduation Requirements
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and doctor of nursing practice program at Thomas Edison State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.