Advanced Standing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

General Information and Requirements

Applicants to the Advanced Standing DNP program must be master's prepared nurse practitioners (NP) or clinical nurse specialists (CNS)*. The Advanced Standing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the Decker School of Nursing:

• Prepares nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in healthcare delivery and emerging healthcare needs 
• Incorporates the advanced practice content and competencies included in the school's master's degree program
• Provides graduates with knowledge and competence in health systems leadership, policy development and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve healthcare outcomes and increase healthcare access for all populations
• Prepares clinicians to design, evaluate and continuously improve the context within which healthcare is delivered
• Teaches students the clinical, organizational, economic and leadership skills necessary to significantly impact healthcare outcomes
• Focuses on providing leadership for innovative and evidence-based nursing practice, which requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research and decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations

Students holding a master's degree in nursing who are seeking the DNP may apply for admission for fall semester and will be required to complete 35–38 credits.

*If you're not a master's prepared NP or CNS and you wish to pursue a DNP, apply to the Post-Graduate Nurse Practitioner Certificate program and upon successful completion of that program (obtaining APRN licensure and certification) you may then proceed to the Advanced Standing DNP program.

Functional Role and Specialization Options

Students may choose to pursue a DNP in one of two functional roles:

• Nurse practitioner
• Clinical nurse specialist

In addition, students will select an area of specialization (see chart for availability in conjunction with functional roles):

Specialization area options	Nurse practitioner role	Clinical nurse specialist role
Family health primary care	available	not available
Family health primary care with community health emphasis	available	not available
Adult-gerontological primary care	available	available
Family psychiatric mental health	available	not available

Curricula

DNP program requirements can be found below. In addition, visit our Google drive for curriculum plans and worksheets specific to each specialization and functional area, including full-time and part-time options.

• Full-time, post-master's DNP curriculum plan

  Year 1
  FALL SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 540: Elements of Epidemiology and Biostatistics				1 or 4
  NURS 601: Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations of Nursing				3
  NURS 610: Evidence-Based Practice				3
  Elective (for students who have completed NURS 540 or equivalent)				3
  Fall semester total			0	7–10
  SPRING SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 579: Advanced Diagnostics and Clinical Reasoning				3
  NURS 634: Health Policy Formulation				3
  NURS 651: DNP Scholarly Project I			120	3
  Spring semester total			120	9
  Year 2
  FALL SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 548: DNP Organizational Behavior				4
  NURS 652: DNP Scholarly Project II			120	3
  Elective				3
  Semester total			120	10
  SPRING SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 615: Information Systems and Technology in Healthcare				3
  NURS 650/NURS 655: DNP Practicum Experience			180	3
  NURS 653: DNP Scholarly Project III			120	3
  Spring semester total			300	9
  TOTAL REQUIRED FOR DEGREE COMPLETION			540	35–38

• Part-time, post-master's DNP curriculum plan

  Year 1
  FALL SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 540: Elements of Epidemiology and Biostatistics				1 or 4
  NURS 601: Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations of Nursing				3
  Elective (for students who have completed NURS 540 or equivalent)				3
  Fall semester total			0	4–7
  SPRING SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 615: Information Systems and Technology in Healthcare				3
  NURS 634: Health Policy Formulation				3
  Spring semester total			0	6
  Year 2
  FALL SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 548: DNP Organizational Behavior				4
  NURS 610: Evidence-Based Practice				3
  Semester total			0	7
  SPRING SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 579: Advanced Diagnostics for Clinical Reasoning				3
  NURS 651: DNP Scholarly Project I			120	3
  Spring semester total			120	6
  Year 3
  FALL SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 652: DNP Scholarly Project II			120	3
  Elective				3
  Fall semester total			120	6
  SPRING SEMESTER			Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 650/NURS 655: DNP Practicum Experience			180	3
  NURS 653: DNP Scholarly Project III			120	3
  Spring semester total			300	6
  TOTAL REQUIRED FOR DEGREE COMPLETION			540	35-38

Application Criteria

Students wishing to pursue a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree at the Decker School of Nursing must satisfy the general conditions and procedures for admission to Binghamton University's Graduate School. Further, they must adhere to all policies outlined in the Graduate School Manual.

In addition, the following are required and will be evaluated for admission:

• A master's degree in nursing from an ACEN-, CCNE- or CNEA-accredited program
• A bachelor's degree in nursing from an ACEN-, CCNE- or CNEA-accredited program
• Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• A current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the U.S.
• Students must pass the NCLEX-RN examination prior to enrollment
• Prior to beginning clinical experiences in a New York clinical facility, students must submit a copy of their current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in New York; this is required by the New York State Department of Education Office of the Professions
• A current, unencumbered license to practice as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in the U.S.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Proof of current, national certification as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist
• Successful completion of a graduate-level statistics course within the past five years
• Students must submit a 500-word personal statement that identifies their particular area of clinical interest as well as whether they are most interested in completing a DNP project that addresses: A) development of a process/plan that improves patient outcomes, B) program evaluation that improves patient outcomes OR C) a process that influences health policy that may improve patient outcomes; students must address their reasons and/or career goals for obtaining a DNP and note any unique aspects of their background that will contribute to the DSON graduate community
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• NOTE: For complete information about application criteria and other requirements, applicants should review the University Bulletin (select "Nursing-Graduate" under "Graduate Fields of Study by Department"). The rules and regulations posted in the University Bulletin at the time of a student's matriculation into the University are the ones to which that student is held.

Additional criteria for international students

• In addition to having a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the U.S., international students must also provide proof of a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in their home country
• Proof of English proficiency (such as official TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores), International Student Financial Statement Form and supporting financial documentation (such as official bank statements or official scholarship or sponsorship letters) are required; details are on the Graduate Admissions International Students Requirements webpage

Application Procedures

Complete instructions for applying to Binghamton University are available on the Graduate School's how to apply webpage. If you have questions regarding application submission, contact the Graduate School at 607–777–2151 or gradadmission@binghamton.edu.

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If you have a felony or child abuse conviction
Students who have a felony or child abuse conviction are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of the Decker School of Nursing and/or to meet licensure requirements for nursing or advanced practice licensure. If you have concerns about this, you are advised to contact the Decker Division of Advising and Academic Excellence, the graduate nursing program director or the Decker College Dean's Office. You are required to report felony convictions while enrolled in the Decker School of Nursing as it may change your progression and ability to be placed in a clinical agency. To learn if felony/child abuse convictions will negatively impact your ability for licensure, check with the State Board of Nursing in the state in which you plan to practice.