BSN DNP Pathway Administration

Admission Requirements

  1. Submit a one-page personal statement.
  2. A bachelor's degree from a college or university approved by a recognized regional accrediting body. Applicants must have degrees from institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the department of education. Accreditation must be verifiable through the Department of Education (DOE) database of recognized DOE accrediting agencies.
  3. All BSN-DNP applicants will need to show proof of current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse. Non APRN-seeking candidates can have an RN license in the state(s) where practicum will occur. APRN-seeking candidates must have a Registered Nursing license in the state of Texas.
  4. Applicants to doctoral degree programs are strongly recommended to submit a CV or a resume to verify relevant work history program. 

Degree Requirements:

This degree program is delivered online. Students may be required to be present for other activities throughout their program of study (e.g., clinical, on-campus intensives, DNP Project presentation).

Required Credit Hours (51 hrs.)

  • A minimum grade of “B” is necessary in all required courses for the BSN-DNP degree. Two course failures (i.e., grade < B) will result in dismissal from the program.
  • Nursing courses within the BSN-DNP curriculum may be repeated only once.  A course withdrawal is counted as one course attempt.  Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances.
  • A DNP Project related to implementation of evidence-based practice and contributing to nursing practice is required. 
  • The DNP Scholarly Project is the culmination of all coursework. Students are not deemed complete in degree requirements until all requirements of the DNP Scholarly Project have been satisfactorily completed. 
  • Students have a maximum of six years to complete the program. Students unable to complete the program within the designated time limits must file for an extension.
  • Transfer work: Students may transfer up to nine hours of coursework with the approval of their advisor and the DNP Program Director. Students will be responsible for providing necessary documentation of course equivalency.
Below is a typical outline of program progression for a part-time student.

Year 1
Semester 1
NURS 5331 Leadership in Healthcare Environment
NURS 5335 Legal, Regulatory, and Financial Management

Semester 2
NURS 7301 Introduction to DNP Role and Culture
NURS 5337 Delivery of Care


Semester 3

NURS 7302 Foundations of Evidence-based Practice
NURS 5388 Nursing Administration Capstone

Year 2
Semester 4
NURS 7314 Practice Change for DNP Leaders
NURS 7315 Evidence-based Practice 1

Semester 5
NURS 7303 Informatics & Healthcare Technologies
NUR 7317 Evidence-based Practice II

Semester 6
NURS 7371 Organizational and Systems Leadership
NURS 7375 Healthcare Quality & Safety for DNP Leaders

Year 3
Semester 7
NURS 7331 Health Policy & Advocacy for DNP Leaders
NURS 7358 Population Health for DNP Leaders
NURS 7373 Financial & Business Management for DNP Leaders


Semester 8

NURS 6343 Publishing Scholarly Papers
NURS 7377 DNP Scholarly Synthesis