MSN (APRN) to DNP Curriculum

Post-Masters APRN-Prepared student

Effective Summer 2024

Total credit hours: 35 (May be less based upon individualized gap analysis for acceptable transfer-in credits)

Program length: Depends on gap analysis

Program start: Summer or Fall (depends on gap analysis)

Class schedule: For the most part, classes are held 1-2 days each week. Class schedule changes every term, your classes may fall on a different day for other terms. There may be more days for courses in the summer and January terms.

APRN prepared nurses will take DNP core coursework (information systems and patient care technology, epidemiology, analytical methods, translating research into practice, and health policy), and all DNP Scholarly Project coursework.  A gap analysis by the program director is conducted to determine what previous coursework meets the DNP competencies and which additional courses will be required for the PLU DNP.

  • This Post-masters DNP curriculum is designed for an MSN APRN graduate. The curriculum is part-time, designed for working APRNs.
  • This program is not specialty-specific, therefore any APRN specialty may apply for the post-MSN DNP. Students’ coursework will be analyzed to determine what additional courses they will need to meet the AACN DNP Essentials competencies.
  • Post-masters students must have a minimum of 1000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours for a DNP degree.

Sample Curriculum for MSN APRN prepared to DNP

Summer 2024 6 credits
GNUR 701: Foundations of Scholarly Writing & Communication (2)
GNUR 706: Biostatistics, Analytical Methods, & Epidemiology (3)
GNUR 702: Advanced Practice Roles & Collaboration (1)

Fall 2024 6 credits
GNUR 703: Theoretical Foundations & Evidence-Based Practice (3)
GNUR 707: Quality Improvement & Research Methods (3)

January 2025 5 credits
GNUR 704: Pop Health, Policy, & Politics (2)
GNUR 708: Leadership & Resource Management (3)

Spring 2025 6 credits
GNUR 705: Information Systems & Patient Care Technology (2)
GNUR 795: Project Proposal (1)
GNUR 796: Project Seminar (2)
GNUR 798: Project Hours (1) (60 hours)

Summer 2025 3 credits
GNUR 797: DNP Project Seminar (1)
GNUR 798: Project Hours (2) (120 hours)
** Note: federal financial aid not available this term, as unit load falls below 4 semester hours**

Fall 2025 3 credits
GNUR 797: DNP Project Seminar (1)
GNUR 798: Project Hours (2) (120 hours)
** Note: federal financial aid not available this term, as unit load falls below 4 semester hours**

January 2026 3 credits
GNUR 797: DNP Project Seminar (1)
GNUR 798: Project Hours (2) (120 hours)
* Note: January term is not eligible for federal student aid

Spring 2026 3 credits
GNUR 799: Final DNP Project Seminar (2)
GNUR 798: Project Hours (1) (60 hours)
** Note: federal financial aid not available this term, as unit load falls below 4 semester hours**