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Doctor of Nursing Practice, Post-Master's (DNP)

College of Nursing and Health Sciences / Nursing
Graduate degree / Doctor of Nursing Practice

About The Program

The Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program is designed for nurses who have a Master’s degree from a fully accredited institution in one of the following areas: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, nursing informatics, nursing leadership, or public health nursing.

The Post-Master’s DNP track is 33–34 credits, and two years long at a full-time progression. A part-time study option is not available. Students will need to have a total of at least 1,000 hours of clinical practicum and scholarship work which does include clinical hours completed at the Master’s level.

The priority application for a spot in the Post-Master’s DNP program is November 1.
The final application deadline is July 15.

Apply now!

The Post-Master’s DNP curriculum is structured around the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) 2022. Didactic and scholarship course works culminates in the completion of an evidence-based scholarship project during the DNP scholarship course sequences.

All faculty members at the doctoral level are:

  • Doctoral prepared in their fields
  • Experienced in implementation science
  • Prepared to advise DNP scholarship projects
  • Experienced in their field of practice

Program Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Metro State is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The DNP program is approved as an APRN preparation program by the:

Minnesota Board of Nursing
1210 Northland Drive #120
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Phone: 612.317.3000
Fax: 651.688.1841
Toll Free: 888.234.2690 FREE (MN, IA, ND, SD, WI) TTY: 800.627.3529
Nursing Board - email

DNP student outcomes

DNP program graduates train for a variety of career options, and gain skills, which include:

  • Translating scientific knowledge into nursing practice
  • Leading practice initiatives that influence population health care outcomes with a focus on underserved individuals, families and communities
  • Utilizing information systems technology to improve patient care and health care systems
  • Facilitating inter-professional collaboration to ensure safe and effective health care
  • Practicing holistic, evidence-based advanced nursing care with a focus on underserved individuals, families, and communities
  • Advocating for public policy to prevent illness and promote population health

Advance Your Career and Education

How to enroll

Program eligibility requirements

Students who meet the following admission criteria are encouraged to apply:

  • Earned a Master’s degree from a fully accredited institution in one of the following areas: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, nursing informatics, nursing leadership, or public health nursing
  • Evidence of current unencumbered RN licensure in one state with eligibility for licensure in Minnesota
  • Evidence of advanced practice licensure if applicable
  • Submitted clinical hours validation form
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA across all previous post-secondary and degrees, including any courses completed that did not lead directly to a completed degree

An approved graduate level statistics course with a grade of B or better is required. For more information about statistics, contact Nina Exley at nina.exley@metrostate.edu.

Application instructions

The Post-Master’s DNP is using NursingCAS for processing applications. To begin the application process go to https://nursingcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/. Select the term you are seeking admission for and click apply. Create or log into your account, then select the Metropolitan State University DNP-Post Master’s. Carefully review all instructions and complete the four sections of the application.

Deadlines

Applications must be verified by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline date. Applications received by November 1 will received priority admission. Application deadline date is July 15.

Applications can only be verified once all payments, transcripts, and letters of evaluation have been received. To ensure your application is verified on time, try to complete your application at least four weeks before the deadline.

Application Process

  • Complete the NursingCAS Application
  • Request that official transcripts from all US institutions attended be sent to NursingCAS
  • Upload a personal essay statement in the Documents section of NursingCAS (see details in this section for essay questions)
  • Request 1 letter of recommendation be sent through the NursingCAS recommender portal
  • Upload RN License Verification
  • Answer Supplemental Questions

Questions about application requirements, or the Post-Master's DNP program in general, can be sent to Nina Exley at nina.exley@metrostate.edu.

Application instructions

Metro State University is participating in the common application for graduate programs (NursingCAS). Applications are only accepted via the CAS website.

CAS steps

  1. Select the term for which you are seeking admission (below), and navigate to the CAS website. Open applications include:
  2. Create or log in to your account and select the Doctor of Nursing Practice, Post-Master's (DNP) program.
  3. Carefully review all instructions and complete all four sections of the application.

Specific application requirements for individual programs can be found on each program page in CAS. Carefully read the instructions that appear throughout the application pages. You can only submit your application once. If you need to update information you have submitted, please notify graduate.studies@metrostate.edu

Application fee

A nonrefundable $80 fee is required for each application.
Applications will not be processed until this fee is received.

Active-duty military, veterans, and Metro State alumni can receive an application fee waiver. Contact graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Course sequencing and time to completion

  • All courses must be completed in sequence.
  • Students must achieve a minimum of a B- in each course in order to progress.
  • Degree requirements must be completed within four years of beginning DNP coursework.
  • Graduate-level statistics course completed with a grade of B or better.

REQUIREMENTS (33-34 credits)

This course focuses on the theoretical foundation needed to provide leadership in the management of health care systems and personnel in various settings including in-patient facilities, clinics, long-term care facilities and community health settings. Contemporary and emerging approaches to leadership and management are critiqued. Selected leadership approaches are applied to organizational development and design, planning and marketing, changing roles of workers in organizations, and population health improvement.

Full course description for Leadership in Health Care Systems

This course focuses on the philosophy of science in nursing and its application to practice inquiry and practice knowledge development. Theories, models, and concepts that inform advanced nursing practice are systematically examined and evaluated. Students analyze the foundations of middle-range theories and explore application of theory to doctoral advanced nursing practice.

Full course description for Advanced Nursing Science

This course focuses on the EBP process, synthesis of evidence while integrating patient concerns, clinical expertise, and judgement into clinical decisions, critically appraising evidence appropriate to clinical management of patient conditions and issues. Emphasis is placed on the application of analytic methods to critically appraise scientific literature in the delivery of evidence-based nursing practice. Competence Statement: Knows research methodology and evidence-based practice principles well enough to formulate an evidence-based practice plan specific to the patient diagnosis and management.

Full course description for Research Methodology and Advanced Evidence-Based Practice

This course focuses on analyzing epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental, and other appropriate scientific data related to population health. The student applies this knowledge to develop a plan to improve population health status. The intervention plan addresses health promotion and disease prevention efforts related to health inequity for diverse populations. A global perspective of population health is incorporated into advanced nursing practice roles. This course includes 50 practicum hours in population health assessment and intervention planning. Competence Statement: Knows the concepts and principles of epidemiology, prevention, and population health well enough to develop a evidence based intervention for a vulnerable population related health issue.

Full course description for Epidemiology and Population Health

This course focuses on building the structure of the student¿s DNP project. Students begin the DNP project-focused literature review and critique. Students also establish a community site that serves as the location for the DNP scholarship project. This course applies prior program content in application to a DNP scholarship project. Students may accrue up to 10 scholarship hours. Competence Statement: Know concepts from previous DNP program courses well enough to initiate a DNP scholarship project.

Full course description for Pre-Scholarship

This course focuses on conducting a needs assessment and defining the scope of a problem at a community site that will serve as the location for the DNP scholarship project. Students accrue 40 - 50 required hours for their scholarship projects. Competence Statement: Know concepts of needs assessment well enough to identify a practice problem and the scope of a scholarship project.

Full course description for DNP Scholarship Project Assessment

This course focuses on mastering the knowledge and strategies essential for financial and human resource development and oversight within the health care delivery environment. The relationships between health care economics, human resource management, and health policy within organizations are analyzed. Strategic and business planning principles and approaches are presented and applied. Competence Statement: Knows the principles of financial management and human resource development well enough to critically appraise a health care issue and analyze the personnel impacts, costs and benefits, and cost effectiveness of a proposed solution.

Full course description for Resource Management and Finance for Health Care

This course focuses on developing a proposal for a scholarship project designed to positively influence processes, systems, communities, or policies impacting health. Students will identify theoretical underpinnings, analyze scientific evidence, and evaluate the literature applicable to the scholarship project. Students must successfully present the scholarship proposal. Students accrue 75 clinical hours related to the scholarship project. Competence Statement: Knows concepts of project design well enough to develop and successfully present a scholarship project proposal.

Full course description for DNP Scholarship I

This course focuses on the analysis of regulations and policies that impact health and health care. Students analyze health issues and the social, economic, and political implications of current and proposed policies. Students compare health policies and health outcomes to evaluate alternative approaches to advancing health equity. Students learn to develop and pursue appropriate strategies to influence policymakers and educate others. Competence Statement: Knows the principles and concepts of health policy well enough to provide leadership to design, implement, and advocate for policies that advance health.

Full course description for Health Policy and Advocacy

This course focuses on implementing a scholarship project designed to positively influence processes, systems, communities, or policies impacting health. Students will guide the scholarship project while collaborating with stakeholders, the scholarship project mentor, and the scholarship project faculty adviser. Students accrue 75 clinical hours related to the scholarship project. Competence Statement: Knows concepts of project management well enough to implement the scholarship project.

Full course description for DNP Scholarship II

This course focuses on the evaluation of a scholarship project designed to positively influence processes, systems, communities, or policies impacting health and the dissemination of the results. Students will evaluate the entire project process, present a plan for sustainability, reflect on his/her role leading the project, and demonstrate accomplishment of program objectives. Students must successfully present the final scholarship project. Students will accrue 75 clinical hours related to the scholarship project. Competence Statement: Knows concepts of project management well enough to evaluate the scholarship project and disseminate the results.

Full course description for DNP Scholarship III

Information Systems Technology for Improving Health course (2 cr) in development; Scholarly Teaching and Learning in Nursing course (3cr) in development