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 clinical doctorate level. Post-MSN students complete a total of 25 credits to obtain the DNP degree. See the Post MSN Curriculum Map below for more details 

For the Post BSN-DNP Student:

The post BSN-DNP student will complete all 5000 level courses in the MSN Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) curriculum. 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). Upon successful completion of all 5000 level courses in the MSN APN curriculum, the student may be directly admitted in the DNP degree program. In this revised curriculum, 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 Stockton University MSN Curriculum at https://stockton.edu/graduate/nursing.html and the post MSN Curriculum Map below for the DNP curriculum.

Program Delivery Format:

All MSN and DNP courses will be offered in the online synchronous format for accessibility for all students with some on campus intensive clinical experiences at the MSN level for the Post BSN-DNP student. All clinical/practicum courses require active real time student presence in clinical sites with preceptor guidance and faculty oversight and this may also include DNP project courses. Full 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.

Links to Curriculum Maps:

Post MSN Curriculum Map

Principles of APRN practice and nursing scholarship are linked to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s DNP Essentials (2008) to improve health outcomes for clients, families, and diverse communities.  The practitioner-scholar role of the DNP prepared APRN develops new knowledge in the practice environment that makes an impact on health outcomes and quality of care.

Program Delivery Format:

All MSN and DNP courses will be offered in the online synchronous format for accessibility for all students with some on campus intensive clinical experiences at the MSN level for the Post BSN-DNP student. All clinical/practicum courses require active real time student presence in clinical sites with preceptor guidance and faculty oversight and this may also include DNP project courses. Full 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 37 credit DNP curriculum. Post BSN-DNP and post MSN APRN 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.

The DNP program offers two tracks:

• The Post-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to DNP (37 doctoral credits)
• The Post-Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing to DNP (74 -77 graduate/doctoral credits)

Stockton’s DNP program is designed for working nurses with a curriculum using an online synchronous format for didactic courses and can be completed on a part-time basis.

The Post-BSN DNP Track consists of two concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). These two concentrations are similar to Stockton’s current MSN and Post-Master’s certificate programs.  The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP track consists of 74 credits and the Family NP track consists of 77 credits. Both Post – BSN DNP tracks include 1000 clinical hours as required by the certification bodies for entry level into practice as a DNP prepared NP. 

For course description, please visit the University's Course Catalog.

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 Stockton 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

Fall: July 1
Spring: December 1

Prerequisite Requirements

Admission to the Post-BSN DNP program is open to RNs with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Admission to the Post – MSN DNP is open to nurses with a Master of Science degree in nursing. 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 with completion of a Master’s level Statistics course.
• 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, CPR certification.
• Students must meet the "Technical Standards and Essential Functions" requirements as specified by the Nursing Program (Policy #M-1).

Admissions Requirements

1. Click here to start your application. 
2. Application fee: $50 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application
3. Graduate application essay
4. Proof of license to practice as a registered professional nurse in New Jersey
5. Three letters of recommendation; one academic and two professional, sent electronically via the online application
6. Resume
7. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including Stockton) should be emailed, mailed or dropped off directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
   
   By mail:
   Office of Graduate Admissions, Campus Center Suite 101
   101 Vera King Farris Drive
   Galloway, NJ 08205-9441
   
   Electronically:
   gradschool@stockton.edu
   
   
8. Qualified candidates may be invited for an interview with the Admissions Committee
   
   Learn more about our Health Care Partner Discount Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Goals of the DNP Program - Revised in the Spring of 2021

1. Develop graduates that demonstrate professional, ethical, skilled, and evidence-based practice competencies in their roles. 
2. Prepare graduates that influence health and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through the application of evidence, clinical analysis, and discovery.
3. Prepare graduates to represent the nursing profession in health organizations and health policy at the local, state, national, and international levels.

DNP Student Learning Outcomes -Revised in the Spring of 2021

The Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum is designed to produce an advanced nurse with the ability to do the following:

• Performs nursing practice with competence that emanates from examination of the complex interaction of personal values, culture, ethics, and professional standards.  
• Maximizes, the quality of life and prevention of disease for individuals, families, and communities through the Four Spheres of Care – wellness, disease prevention; chronic disease management; regenerative/restorative care; and hospice/palliative care.  
• Advocates and employs safe, systems based, practice that optimizes cost effective quality healthcare outcomes.  
• Synthesizes theoretical and empirical knowledge from the physical and behavioral sciences and humanities with nursing theory including the Roy Adaptation Model and for nursing practice.
• Communicates and collaborates with health care providers, clients, families, and community stakeholders to maximize health and improve health outcomes.  
• Contributes to the science of nursing and evidence-based literature derived from research and practice initiatives.  
• Uses leadership skills in practice interacting with consumers and providers to address diverse healthcare issues, to improve healthcare, and to advance the nursing profession.  
• Incorporates the determinants of health into practice and advocates for the health of local, regional, national, and international populations.