Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is geared toward nurses seeking the highest credential or terminal degree in nursing practice.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is for nurses seeking the highest credential
or terminal degree in nursing practice. The DNP will prepare nurses with the ability
to balance proficiencies, practice, theory, and scientific inquiry in the advanced
nursing role. ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç’s DNP program is designed for working nurses and can be completed
on a part-time basis.
DNP CCNE On-Site Evaluation
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) will conduct an on-site evaluation of the ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç program leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree on November 6 to 8, 2024. The CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, which ensures the quality and integrity of professional nursing programs. Prior to the accreditation visit and in compliance with the accreditation process, programs are required to provide an opportunity for constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, comments concerning a program’s qualifications for accreditation.
This letter serves as notification that an accreditation review is scheduled and that third-party comments will be received by CCNE until 21 days before the scheduled on-site evaluation. Any written third-party comments must be received by CCNE by October 16, 2024. Only signed comments are accepted by CCNE. CCNE shares third-party comments with members of the evaluation team prior to the visit, but at no time during the review process are these comments shared with the program. During its review of the program, the evaluation team considers third-party comments that relate to the accreditation standards. All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE's policy on Conduct of Business in English.
If you would like to submit a third-party comment for the DNP program currently under review, please submit to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org.
Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third-Party Comments
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
The DNP program provides education in organizational and systems leadership knowledge. Students develop the skills necessary to critically develop and evaluate new models of care delivery and to create and sustain change in all levels of healthcare. Principles of advanced nursing and nursing scholarship are linked to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s DNP Essentials (2008)and Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Practice (2021) to improve health outcomes for clients, families, and diverse communities. The practitioner-scholar role of the DNP prepared nurse develops new knowledge in the practice environment that impacts health outcomes and quality of care.
Accreditation Statement
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç's nursing programs are accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Board of Nursing, 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101, (973) 504-6430.
Certification Exam
Post-BSN-DNP students that complete the family nurse practitioner track, are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board's Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
Post-BSN-DNP students that complete the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care curriculum are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
Complaint Process
Applicants for admission and current students can submit program complaints to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Complaints may reach the Board of Nursing by writing to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Consumer Affairs New Jersey Board of Nursing 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101.
The DNP program offers two tracks:
- The Post-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to DNP
- The Post-Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing to DNP with two APRN concentrations
For the Post-MSN Student:
The Post-MSN DNP track enrolls non advanced practice registered nurses or (APRNs) such as Nurse Educators and Clinical Nurse Leaders as well as APRNs (nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists) seeking to advance their education to the practice doctorate level. Post-MSN students complete a total of 27 credits to obtain the DNP degree. See the Post MSN Curriculum Map below for more details
For the Post BSN-DNP Student:
Students may choose to pursue the post BSN-DNP degree in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nursing Practice (AGPCNP) or the post BSN-DNP degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The post BSN-DNP student has the option to obtain the MSN degree and seek certification as an APN while completing the DNP degree. See the Post BSN-DNP AGPCNP or Post BSN-DNP FNP curriculum map for more information.
Program Delivery Format:
All MSN and DNP courses will be offered in the online synchronous format for accessibility.Intensives require on-campus attendance once per semester. All clinical/practicum courses require active real-time student presence in clinical sites with preceptor guidance and faculty oversight. Full-time and part-time options are available.
Clinical Requirement:
A total of 1000 clinical hours are required to complete the DNP degree. Five hundred of those hours are achieved through completion of the 27 credit DNP curriculum. Post BSN-DNP and post MSN APN students may apply 500 additional hours from APRN practicum courses. All other post MSN students may request a gap analysis of prior graduate level clinical hours and may expect to complete additional clinical hours beyond the 500 hours included in the DNP curriculum to achieve the required 1000 hours.
Fall - Year 1
- MHAL 5000 - Management & Leadership Development in Healthcare - 3 credits
- NURS 5326 - Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Population Health - 3 credits
- NURS 6105 Theory and Scholarship for Practice - 3 credits
Spring - Year 1
- MHAL 5035 - Healthcare Informatics - 3 credits
- NURS 6205 Advanced Research and Evidence for Practice - 3 credits
Summer - Year 1
- NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits
Fall - Year 2
- NURS 5332 Advanced Pharmacology - 3 credits
- NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
- NURS 6106 Healthcare Economics Policy and Management - 3 credits
Spring - Year 2
- NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 credits
- NURS 5922 Adult Practicum I - 3 credits
- NURS 6301 Leadership, Quality, and Safety to Improve Outcomes - 3 credits
Summer - Year 2
- NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
- NURS 5923 Adult Practicum II - 3 credits
- NURS 6901 DNP Project I: Proposal - 5 credits
Fall - Year 3
- NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
- NURS 5924 Adult Practicum III - 3 credits
- NURS 6902 DNP Project II: Implementation - 5 credits
Spring - Year 3
- NURS 5932 - Immersion in AGNP Practice - 3 credits
- NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
- NURS 6905 DNP Project III: Dissemination - 5 credits
Total Credits 67
Total Clinical Hours 1250
Fall - Year 1
- MHAL 5000 - Management & Leadership Development in Healthcare - 3 credits
- NURS 5326 - Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Population Health - 3 credits
- NURS 6105 Theory and Scholarship for Practice - 3 credits
Spring - Year 1
- MHAL 5035 - Healthcare Informatics - 3 credits
- NURS 6205 Advanced Research and Evidence for Practice - 3 credits
Summer - Year 1
- NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits
Fall - Year 2
- NURS 5332 Advanced Pharmacology - 3 credits
- NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
- NURS 6106 Healthcare Economics Policy and Management - 3 credits
Spring - Year 2
- NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 credits
- NURS 5922 Adult Practicum I - 3 credits
- NURS 6301 Leadership, Quality, and Safety to Improve Outcomes - 3 credits
Summer - Year 2
- NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
- NURS 5923 Adult Practicum II - 3 credits
- NURS 6901 DNP Project I: Proposal - 5 credits
Fall - Year 3
- NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
- NURS 5924 Adult Practicum III - 3 credits
- NURS 6902 DNP Project II: Implementation - 5 credits
Spring - Year 3
- NURS 5541 Assessment and Care of the Family with Young Children - 3 credits
- NURS 5941 Pediatric Practicum - 4 credits
- NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
- NURS 6905 DNP Project III: Dissemination - 5 credits
Total Credits 71
Total Clinical Hours 1270
Fall 1
- NURS 6105 Theory & Scholarship for Practice – 50 Clinical Hours - 3 credits
- NURS 6106 HC Economics, Policy & Management - 50 Clinical Hours - 3 credits
Spring 1
- NURS 6205 Advanced Research Methods & Evidence for Practice - 50 Clinical Hours - 3 credits
- NURS 6301 Leadership, Quality, & Safety to Improve Outcomes - 50 Clinical Hours - 3 credits
Summer 1
- NURS 6901 DNP Project I: Proposal – 75 Clinical Hours - 5 credits
Fall 2
- NURS 6902 DNP Project II: Implementation - 150 Clinical Hours - 5 credits
Spring 2
- NURS 6905 DNP Project III: Dissemination - 75 Clinical Hours - 5 credits
Total Credits 27
Total Clinical Hours 500
Students enrolling prior to summer 2024 will consult the Nursing Student Handbook for the appropriate curriculum guide.
Admissions Criteria
Application Deadline
While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.
Priority Deadlines
Post BSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Summer: April 1
Post MSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Spring: December 1
Prerequisite Requirements
Prospective applicants must meet the following criteria, though meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission:
- Possess a nursing degree from an NLN or CCNE-accredited school
- Post-BSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be a BSN.
- Post-MSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be an MSN
- Meet one of the two requirements:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a scale of 4.0) with a minimum grade of "B" in all nursing courses.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.3 in at least two graduate nursing courses if the BSN GPA is less than or equal to 3.19.
- For Post-BSN DNP program only, the completion of BSN prerequisite courses:
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Research (or in the health discipline)
- Statistics
- Proof of current RN license in the State of NJ, American Heart Association CPR certification, and post-MSN DNP NP applicants must provide proof of APN certification.
- Students must meet the "Technical Standards and Essential Functions" requirements as specified by the Nursing Program (Policy #M-1).
Admissions Requirements
- Click here to start your application.
- Application fee: $50 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application
- Graduate application essay
- Proof of license to practice as a registered professional nurse in New Jersey
- Three letters of recommendation; one academic and two professional, sent electronically via the online application
- Resume
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç) should be emailed, mailed or dropped off directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
By mail:
Office of Graduate Admissions, N-Wing 007a
101 Vera King Farris Drive
Galloway, NJ 08205-9441
Electronically:
gradschool@stockton.edu - Qualified candidates may be invited for an interview with the Admissions Committee
Learn more about our Health Care Partner Discount Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
The program's length varies depending on the program and whether a student is attending full-time or part-time. Please review the curriculum guide for a breakdown of the curriculum schedules.
Yes, applicants must possess a nursing degree from a NLN or CCNE-accredited school:
- Post-BSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be a BSN.
- Post-MSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be an MSN.
No, GRE scores are not required.
Students are admitted in the Fall and Summer semesters.
While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.
Priority Deadlines
Post BSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Summer: April 1
Post MSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Spring: December 1
Yes. There are three graduate level nursing courses in the DNP program available for non-matriculated students:
- NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology
- NURS 5326 Biostatistics, Epidemiology, & Population Health
- NURS 6106 Healthcare Economics Policy and Management
To register, students must complete the online Graduate Non-Matriculated Student form.
ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç may accept up to 9 credits that sufficiently match corresponding ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç courses, provided that the grade earned is a 3.0 (B) or better. Clinical/practicum courses are exempt from transfer.
A Graduate Transfer Equivalency Form must be submitted at the time of application when requesting transfer credits. Any other transfer requests should be submitted to the student's advisor for prior approval, but in all cases no later than the first semester following admission to the program.
The Mission (DNP Program)
The mission of the Graduate Nursing Program is to develop advanced-level nurses to practice in a culturally diverse and rapidly evolving world. The University and the graduate nursing programs remain responsive to community needs. Independent, experiential learning fosters students to choose their education and future professional endeavors. We embrace the University’s guiding principles, vision, values, and the strategic plan.
GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
- Develop graduates that demonstrate professional, ethical, skilled, and evidence-based practice competencies in their roles.
- Prepare graduates that influence health and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through the application of evidence, clinical analysis, and discovery.
- Prepare graduates to represent the nursing profession in health organizations and health policy at the local, state, national, and international levels.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Student learning outcomes are in accordance with those of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Practice (2021).The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed to produce an advanced nurse with the ability to do the following.
- Analyze, translate, and integrate theories and models from Nursing and other disciplines for clinical decision making in professional nursing practice.
- Employ and integrate context driven, advanced reasoning to the diagnostic and decision-making process in the delivery of individualized and developmentally appropriate care that is holistic, just, respectful, evidence based, equitable, and compassionate for diverse populations.
- Advocate and provide collaborative care from public health prevention to disease management by challenging biases and barriers and allocating resources that impact local, regional, national, and global populations to improve equitable health outcomes.
- Lead the integration and dissemination of the best evidence to ethically inform practice, influence policy, and transform healthcare.
- Design individual and systems-based interventions that embody ethical decision making to mitigate risk and foster a culture of safety, transparency, civility, and respect in improving health outcomes.
- Role model the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion into collaborative practice with the healthcare team, patients, families, and other community stakeholders to optimize healthcare delivery.
- Lead systems change through interaction with consumers and providers to address quality, safety, racism, and advocate for coordinated fiscally responsible, equitable resources for diverse populations.
- Evaluate and implement information technologies for use in data driven and evidence-based healthcare decision making in accordance with ethical, quality, safety, regulatory, and professional standards.
- Promote, model, practice, articulate, and advocate for the values of the profession in manners that are ethically, culturally, and linguistically appropriate through accountability and collaboration to address inequities, social injustice, and human rights issues.
- Embody the values of the profession by promoting, mentoring, and participating in activities that foster accountability, self-care, resilience, lifelong learning, nursing expertise, advocacy, and leadership acumen.
Larider Ruffin, DNP, APN, ANP-BC, AGNP-C, CTTS, FAANP, FAAN
DNP Program Chair
Associate Professor of Nursing
DNP, Wilmington University
Areas of expertise: Diabetes, Smoking and Vaping prevention and education
Phone: 609-626-3563
Email: Larider.Ruffin@stockton.edu
Apply today. If you have further questions you can or call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (609) 626-3640 or E-mail gradschool@stockton.edu.