Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
The accredited† Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program is designed for master’s-prepared nurses who want to move into administrative positions, nurse administrators who want to expand their leadership responsibilities, or nurse leaders who want to design and implement healthcare delivery programs. The curriculum emphasizes effective healthcare delivery; patient advocacy; and healthcare policy development, implementation, and reform.
Throughout the program, learners gain competency in assessing and applying theory, building professional relationships, implementing evidence-based interventions, and leading and managing in the healthcare environment. Upon successful completion of this degree program, learners are prepared to apply the knowledge and skills needed to meet diverse patient needs and improve healthcare delivery. Registered nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing or a field other than nursing may pursue Capella’s DNP. This degree program is not designed or intended to meet licensure requirements for any licensed profession.
Practicum Requirement(s)
Minimum of 1,000 supervised practicum hours. See the Practicum section, below, for more information.
Additional Program Requirements
| NHS8002 | Collaboration, Communication, and Case Analysis for Doctoral Learners | 4 |
| NURS8004 | Advanced Doctoral Writing for Nurses | 4 |
| NURS8006 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 4 |
| NURS8008 | Person-Centered Care in Doctoral Practice | 4 |
| NURS8020 | Doctoral Executive Leadership in Contemporary Nursing | 4 |
| NURS8022 | Nursing Technology and Advanced Healthcare Information Systems | 4 |
| NURS8024 | Advanced Global Population Health | 4 |
| NURS9000 | Doctor of Nursing Practice 1 | 4 |
| NURS9010 | Doctor of Nursing Practice 2 | 4 |
| NURS9020 | Doctor of Nursing Practice 3 | 4 |
| NURS9030 | Doctor of Nursing Practice 4 | 4 |
| NURS9040 | Doctor of Nursing Practice 5 | 4 |
| RSCH7864 | Quantitative Design and Analysis | 4 |
Total
At least 52 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† The BSN, MSN, and DNP degree programs at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 887-6791.
Learners enrolled in the DNP degree program are required to maintain a current, unrestricted RN license throughout their program.
GuidedPath courses and FlexPath courses fulfill the program requirements and prerequisites for each delivery model.
Practicum
The practicum experience requires learners to synthesize and expand the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program by applying evidence-based methods to practice. Learners are responsible for finding an appropriate preceptor to oversee the practicum experience. With their preceptors, learners then engage in in-depth work within a practice environment that is the focus of their final project. The environment for the practicum experience is a professional site at which learners, with the support of program faculty and their on-site preceptors, design and participate in a practice change initiative such as a pilot study, program evaluation, quality improvement project, evaluation of a new practice model, or consulting project. Learners use the practicum experience to help them achieve the DNP program outcomes and competencies and the learning objectives related to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. Practicum hours are considered complete once all program required practicum hours have been successfully achieved. Partial completion of practicum hours requirements cannot be verified for licensure or transfer of credits.