Oakland University School of Nursing offers a 38-credit post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. The DNP is the highest degree for clinical nursing practice. Students who had a clinical focus in their master’s degree program will take the required 38 credits of DNP coursework plus required courses to complete a post-master’s certificate in one of OU’s clinical nursing specialty areas. The program can be completed in two years of full-time study. In-state tuition rates apply to out-of-state students.
Registered Nurses who possess a DNP degree are prepared to assume clinical and leadership roles in both academic and practice settings. Knowledge acquisition in the DNP program includes the ability to analyze organizational and clinical systems, critique evidence to support clinical practice and improve patient outcomes, and develop practice guidelines to enhance patient safety.
Building on the foundation of the master’s program, the DNP program will prepare the student for the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The DNP graduate will:
- Integrate the science and theory of nursing practice with scientific and theoretical knowledge from other disciplines to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes.
- Integrate knowledge of effective communication and leadership skills based on professional standards to work as an effective member of an inter-professional team in the provision of safe, high quality, patient-centered care.
- Demonstrate the appropriate and ethical use of information technology and research methods to improve practice and the practice environment.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree requires Registered Nurses who graduated with an advanced practice focus in their master’s programs to complete a minimum of 38 credits, depending on prior course/clinical work taken at the master’s level. All DNP students must satisfy a minimum of 1,000 supervised clock hours of practicum experience to demonstrate attainment of the doctoral level competencies. Students may receive credit for up to 640 clock hours from their master’s educational program; each applicant’s supervised clock hours of practicum experiences from their master’s programs are assessed individually. Registered Nurses without an advanced practice clinical focus to their master’s degree must complete the necessary coursework to obtain a post-master’s certificate, and pass their respective certification exam, in addition to completing the 38 credits of DNP coursework.
Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the posted deadlines.
See the graduate catalog listing for general university requirements and
program-specific admissions requirements. Follow the steps on the
Graduate Admissions website to apply for admission.