Executive Leadership & Practice DNP (MSN to DNP)

TCU Nursing Executive Nurse Leadership & Practice (ENLP) DNP is an online practice doctorate that prepares nurses with a Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or related field (e.g., MBA, MHA, MPH, Leadership, etc.) for this terminal degree who are actively engaged in nursing practice to be exceptional health care leaders and experts in advanced nursing practice.

The ENLP DNP degree may be completed in two years of full-time study or three years part-time study. The degree is composed of didactic, practicum, and four courses focused on fulfilling the DNP Scholarly Project requirements.

Requirements for Master’s preparation are as follows:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

A Master's degree from an accredited program and current recognition as an advanced practice registered nurse by appropriate certification and licensing boards are required for admission to the advanced practice track. TCU’s program is open to all advanced practice roles: Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Certified Nurse Midwives. All students are required to maintain their advance practice recognition through practice requirements defined by appropriate certification and licensing boards during the program.

Nurse Administrators/Executives

For direct matriculation into the DNP nursing administration track, a Master's degree in nursing administration and current registered nurse licensure. Employment in an administrative role or prior experience in this role is preferred. A Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), healthcare administration (HCA), or other leadership Master’s will be considered on an individual basis. If accepted to the program, a leveling course in nursing research and theory (1 credit hour) for those whose Master’s degree is not in nursing will be required prior to beginning the DNP courses.

Other Master’s-Prepared Nurses

Nurses with an MSN with a focus other than advanced practice or administration are eligible and welcome to apply. All applicants with an MSN other than in advanced practice and administration will be reviewed on an individual basis and a gap analysis will be performed to determine if additional course work is required prior to admission to the DNP program.

Admission Requirements

Students will be selected based on the evaluation of a portfolio of evidence to include the following:

•  Completed online application that includes:

•  One official transcript from all colleges or universities attended with a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from the baccalaureate nursing program. (International transcripts         should be sent with an evaluation from a transcript credentialing service.)

•   Resume or curriculum vita.

•   Personal statement-should demonstrate written communication skills, not be more than 2 pages double spaced and should address 1) specific personal, academic and/or professional strengths  and/or accomplishments and how these qualify you as a strong candidate for the DNP program, 2) why you are interested in a clinical doctorate from TCU, 3) an overview of your proposed area of interest for your final DNP scholarly project.

•  Three professional references (should be from a supervisor, previous faculty, or other professional reference).

•   Master's degree in nursing or related field from an accredited school or university and a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All applicants must hold a BSN in addition to a Master’s degree.

•   Current unencumbered license to practice in the state of Texas or the state in which practicum coursework will occur.

•   Current CPR certification of American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider and immunization history that meets DFW Hospital Council requirements.

•   Satisfactory completion of an interview.

•   For applicants whose Master’s is NOT in nursing administration or advanced practice, additional course work may be required based on a gap analysis of previous educational preparation.) 

•  Applicants for whom English is a second language: a score of at least 600 on the Test of Spoken English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and/or a score of 6 on the institutional version of the Test of Spoken English (TSE) within the last 2 years.

Upon admission, students must present satisfactory evidence of the following:

1.    Immunizations:

•     Tetanus/diphtheria (TD): Must have DTaP if the immunization is more than two years old.

•     Measles: Those born since Jan. 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The doses must be at least 30 days apart.

•     Mumps: Those born since Jan. 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The doses must be at least 30 days apart.

•     Rubella:  Those born since Jan. 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The doses must be at least 30 days apart.

•     Hepatitis B: The completed three-dose series must be received before contact with clients in practica.

•     Varicella (chickenpox): All practicum students must document evidence of immunity to varicella. This requirement may be met by either: 1) documentation of varicella immunization (immunization for adolescents and adults is a series of two doses 4-8 weeks apart); or 2) positive varicella titer.

•     Annual seasonal and other recommended influenza vaccination or declination forms on file.

2.    Current health insurance coverage.

3.    Current certification of American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider.

4.    Negative TB skin test (two-step method), Quanti-FERON-TB Gold Plus, or negative chest x-ray within the last 12 months (provided annually).

CPR and TB cannot expire at any point during the semester.

Acceptable results from a drug screening test and a criminal background check within the 30 days prior to beginning DNP project coursework. Screening tests and background checks must be completed by TCU Nursing approved vendors.

All submitted materials become the property of TCU.

If accepted, a $250 non-refundable deposit is due with a completed Intent to Enroll form to hold your position. The $250 deposit will be applied to your student account upon beginning the program.

Information about distance learning and state authorization reciprocity agreements (SARA) for your graduate nursing program can be found at cte.tcu.edu/distance-learning/resources-for-distance-learning-students. 

Pass/No-Credit

Pass/no-credit courses are disregarded in the calculation of the student's GPA.

Requirements

The ENLP DNP degree requires a minimum of 34 semester hours of coursework for completion. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program. Minimum coursework requirements are:

Courses

A student must complete the ENLP DNP degree within five academic years from the semester they first began coursework. Extension of time must be applied for in writing to the Director of Graduate Nursing, who will then make a recommendation to the Associate Dean for Nursing & Nurse Anesthesia. The letter should explain why the degree was not completed within the time limit and should present a schedule for completing the program. Additional courses may be assigned to students who do not complete the degree within the time limit.

Academic Standards

Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in accordance with provisions described under "Academic Warning." All grades are included in the computation of the GPA, but no more than one grade of "C" or lower may be utilized in satisfying degree requirements. Students who achieve a GPA of less than 3.0 in any semester or term will be placed on academic warning. Students can be removed from that status by achieving a 3.0 cumulative average by the end of the next six hours of enrollment. If a student should fail to do so, further enrollment will be granted only by the special recommendation of the Division Director of Graduate Nursing and with permission of the Associate Dean for Nursing and Nurse Anesthesia Dean of the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

An "I" (incomplete) grade is recorded when the student and instructor have determined that the work required for a course cannot be completed within the term of enrollment due to circumstances beyond the student's control. Under no circumstances will a grade of "I" be given to avoid earning an "F" for the course.

The "I" grade must be removed within the first 60 days of the regular semester immediately following or it is changed to an "F." Any extension of this time must have written approval of the instructor and the Associate Dean for Nursing & Nurse Anesthesia Associate.

Until the "I" grade is removed, progression in the program will be at the discretion of the Division Director of Graduate Nursing.

The practicum and project must be completed within two academic years.

Grade Point Average

Two GPAs are maintained by TCU:

A semester average based on courses taken at TCU during a particular term; and a cumulative average based on all work attempted at TCU.

A student's GPA is computed by dividing the number of grade points (grade points earned per semester hour for the successful completion of academic work) by the number of hours (total credit hours attempted at TCU, excluding those attempted on a pass/no- credit basis).