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Doctor of Nursing Practice, Post-Master's (DNP)

College of Nursing and Health Sciences / Nursing
Graduate degree / Doctor of Nursing Practice

About The Program

The Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program is designed for nurses who have a Master’s degree from a fully accredited institution in one of the following areas: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, nursing informatics, nursing leadership, or public health nursing.

The Post-Master’s DNP track is 33–34 credits, and two years long at a full-time progression. A part-time study option is not available. Students will need to have a total of at least 1,000 hours of clinical practicum and scholarship work which does include clinical hours completed at the Master’s level.

Metro State’s Post-master’s program reviews completed applications on rolling basis, so it is best to apply as soon as possible.

Apply now!

The Post-Master’s DNP curriculum is structured around the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) 2022. Didactic and scholarship course works culminates in the completion of an evidence-based scholarship project during the DNP scholarship course sequences.

All faculty members at the doctoral level are:

  • Doctoral prepared in their fields
  • Experienced in implementation science
  • Prepared to advise DNP scholarship projects
  • Experienced in their field of practice

Program Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Metro State is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The DNP program is approved as an APRN preparation program by the:

Minnesota Board of Nursing
1210 Northland Drive #120
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Phone: 612.317.3000
Fax: 651.688.1841
Toll Free: 888.234.2690 FREE (MN, IA, ND, SD, WI) TTY: 800.627.3529
Nursing Board - email

DNP student outcomes

DNP program graduates train for a variety of career options, and gain skills, which include:

  • Translating scientific knowledge into nursing practice
  • Leading practice initiatives that influence population health care outcomes with a focus on underserved individuals, families and communities
  • Utilizing information systems technology to improve patient care and health care systems
  • Facilitating inter-professional collaboration to ensure safe and effective health care
  • Practicing holistic, evidence-based advanced nursing care with a focus on underserved individuals, families, and communities
  • Advocating for public policy to prevent illness and promote population health

Advance Your Career and Education

How to enroll

Enrollment Deposit following Application Fee

Once accepted to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, applicants must submit a $200 non-refundable enrollment deposit within 30 days, which guarantees a spot in the entering cohort. This deposit is applied towards your tuition in your first semester. Metro State’s DNP FNP and Post-master’s programs reviews completed applications on rolling basis, so it is best to apply as soon as possible. Metro State reserves the right to close the application earlier than posted final deadline if enrollment goals are met before that date.

Program eligibility requirements

Students who meet the following admission criteria are encouraged to apply:

  • Earned a Master’s degree from a fully accredited institution in one of the following areas: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, nursing informatics, nursing leadership, or public health nursing
  • Evidence of current unencumbered RN licensure in one state with eligibility for licensure in Minnesota
  • Evidence of advanced practice licensure if applicable
  • Submitted clinical hours validation form (after admission)
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA across all previous post-secondary and degrees, including any courses completed that did not lead directly to a completed degree

Must complete college level statistics, lower or upper division with a B or higher, to prepare for STATS 621. For more information about statistics, contact Nina Exley at nina.exley@metrostate.edu.

Application instructions

Metro State University is participating in the common application for graduate programs (NursingCAS). Applications are only accepted via the CAS website.

CAS steps

  1. Select the term for which you are seeking admission (below), and navigate to the CAS website. Open applications include:
  2. Create or log in to your account and select the Doctor of Nursing Practice, Post-Master's (DNP) program.
  3. Carefully review all instructions and complete all four sections of the application.

Specific application requirements for individual programs can be found on each program page in CAS. Carefully read the instructions that appear throughout the application pages. You can only submit your application once. If you need to update information you have submitted, please notify graduate.studies@metrostate.edu

Application fee

A nonrefundable $80 fee is required for each application.
Applications will not be processed until this fee is received.

Active-duty military, veterans, and Metro State alumni can receive an application fee waiver. Contact graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Course sequencing and time to completion

  • All courses must be completed in sequence.
  • Students must achieve a minimum of a B- in each course in order to progress.
  • Degree requirements must be completed within four years of beginning DNP coursework.

REQUIREMENTS (33-34 credits)

This course focuses on the application of evidence based practice and the synthesis of evidence. Quantitative, qualitative research approaches, methodologies and data analysis techniques are addressed. Client concerns, clinical expertise, and clinical judgement are integrated while critically appraising scientific literature in the understanding of evidence based nursing practice.

Full course description for Research Methodology and Advanced Evidence-Based Practice

This course focuses on analyzing epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental, and other appropriate scientific data related to population health. The student applies this knowledge to develop a plan to improve population health status. The intervention plan addresses health promotion and disease prevention efforts related to health inequity for diverse populations. A global perspective of population health is incorporated into advanced nursing practice roles. This course includes 50 practicum hours in population health assessment and intervention planning. Competence Statement: Knows the concepts and principles of epidemiology, prevention, and population health well enough to develop a evidence based intervention for a vulnerable population related health issue.

Full course description for Epidemiology and Population Health

This course focuses on building the structure of the student¿s DNP project. Students begin the DNP project-focused literature review and critique. Students also establish a community site that serves as the location for the DNP scholarship project. This course applies prior program content in application to a DNP scholarship project. Students may accrue up to 10 scholarship hours. Competence Statement: Know concepts from previous DNP program courses well enough to initiate a DNP scholarship project.

Full course description for Pre-Scholarship

This course focuses on conducting a needs assessment and defining the scope of a problem at a community site that will serve as the location for the DNP scholarship project. Students accrue 40 - 50 required hours for their scholarship projects. Competence Statement: Know concepts of needs assessment well enough to identify a practice problem and the scope of a scholarship project.

Full course description for DNP Scholarship Project Assessment

This course focuses on developing and leading people toward the accomplishment of organizational goals and managing project resources within health systems. Process improvement methodologies and implementation science frameworks are applied to strengthen students' ability to design and manage projects. Application of concepts related to project planning, resource management, and project oversight within the health care environment are applied to a quality improvement project.

Full course description for Resource Management and Finance for Health Care

This course focuses on developing a proposal for a scholarship project designed to positively influence processes, systems, communities, or policies impacting health. Students will identify theoretical underpinnings, analyze scientific evidence, and evaluate the literature applicable to the scholarship project. Students must successfully present the scholarship proposal. Students accrue 75 clinical hours related to the scholarship project. Competence Statement: Knows concepts of project design well enough to develop and successfully present a scholarship project proposal.

Full course description for DNP Scholarship I

This course focuses on the analysis of regulations and policies that impact health and health care. Students analyze health issues and the social, economic, and political implications of current and proposed policies. Students compare health policies and health outcomes to evaluate alternative approaches to advancing health equity. Students learn to develop and pursue appropriate strategies to influence policymakers and educate others. Competence Statement: Knows the principles and concepts of health policy well enough to provide leadership to design, implement, and advocate for policies that advance health.

Full course description for Health Policy and Advocacy

This course focuses on implementing a scholarship project designed to positively influence processes, systems, communities, or policies impacting health. Students will guide the scholarship project while collaborating with stakeholders, the scholarship project mentor, and the scholarship project faculty adviser. Students accrue 75 clinical hours related to the scholarship project. Competence Statement: Knows concepts of project management well enough to implement the scholarship project.

Full course description for DNP Scholarship II

This course focuses on the evaluation of a scholarship project designed to positively influence processes, systems, communities, or policies impacting health and the dissemination of the results. Students will evaluate the entire project process, present a plan for sustainability, reflect on his/her role leading the project, and demonstrate accomplishment of program objectives. Students must successfully present the final scholarship project. Students will accrue 75 clinical hours related to the scholarship project. Competence Statement: Knows concepts of project management well enough to evaluate the scholarship project and disseminate the results.

Full course description for DNP Scholarship III

This course is the application of statistical knowledge in reading, evaluating, and utilizing research findings. Students will know and understand the advanced statistical methods applied in the health sciences, and the students will develop the skills required to critique research, especially nursing research, and to have an understanding of the fundamental requirements of conducting their own research studies.

Full course description for Advanced Biostatistics in Health Research

+ Curriculum in development:

NURS 684 Interprofessional course options in partnership with University of Minnesota (2cr)

NURS 730 Information Systems Technology for Improving Health (2cr)

NURS 731 Scholarly Teaching and Learning in Nursing (3cr)

NURS 757 Innovations in Practice and Leadership (3cr)

NURS 757P Innovations in Practice and Leadership Practicum (1cr)-Optional

Optional Elective/s to meet practicum hours required (1-2 cr)