Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
Emily Merrill, PhD, APRN, FNP, BC, CNE, FAANP
Professor, Associate Dean/Department Chair, MSN Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Program
Jeff Watson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNE
Associate Professor, Associate Dean/Department
Chair, Leadership Program
Kellie Bruce, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC
Associate Professor and Program Director, BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner Track
Susan Calloway, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAANP
Associate Professor and Program Director, BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track
Lisa Campbell, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC
Professor and Program Director, Post-Master's DNP Program
Purpose
The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing Practice
(DNP) Program is to provide a rigorous education
to prepare clinical scholars who translate science
to improve population health through expert
leadership that powers innovation in health care
for West Texas, the state, and the nation.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon program completion, the graduate will be
prepared to:
- Integrate nursing science with knowledge
from ethics, biophysical, psychosocial,
analytical, and organizational sciences to
foster a culture of heaths and transform
clinical practice and health care delivery
systems.
- Develop and operationalize effective,
culturally relevant, and evidence-based
clinical practice approaches that meet current
and future needs of patient populations.
- Design and implement evidence-based
strategies to analyze and improve outcomes
of care at the practice, system, or population
levels.
- Apply, use, and evaluate health care
information systems, information literacy and
patient care technology to advance quality,
patient safety, and organizational effectiveness.
- Facilitate interprofessional team building
and collaborative leadership skills to create
positive change and improve outcomes in
complex health care systems.
- Exercise leadership skills to analyze, develop,
influence, and implement health policies
that advocate social justice, equity, and ethics
within all health care arenas.
- Analyze epidemiological, biostatistical,
environmental, and other appropriate
scientific data to develop culturally relevant
and scientifically based health promotion and
disease prevention initiatives.
- Employ advanced leadership skills, systems
thinking, and accountability to design, deliver
and evaluate evidence-based management
practices to improve patient, population and
health system outcomes (Executive Leadership
track).
- Employ advanced practice levels of
clinical judgment, systems thinking, and
accountability to design, deliver, and evaluate
evidence-based care to improve patient and
population outcomes (Advanced Practice
Nursing Track).
DNP Program Overview
The DNP Program offers the following tracks for
completing the DNP degree:
- BSN to DNP for Family Nurse Practitioner
(FNP)
- BSN to DNP for Psychiatric Mental Health
Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Post-Master’s DNP for Executive Leadership
- Post-Master’s DNP for Advanced Practice
Nursing
BSN to DNP Track for Family Nurse
Practitioners (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental
Health Nursing (PMHNP) Overview
Nurses with the BSN degree can apply to the BSN
to DNP program and move directly from the
BSN degree to the DNP degree for the FNP and
PMHNP tracks (see Admission Requirements
for additional criteria for admission). The BSN
to DNP program is a combination of online
and face-to-face courses and supervised clinical
experiences and will meet all educational
standards established by the American
Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Essentials
of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006) and the National Organization of
Nurse Practitioner Faculty’s (NONPF) Criteria
for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs
(2016), which are the standards for both FNP
and PMHNP programs. Graduates will meet
all qualifications to sit for national certification
to become a Family Nurse Practitioner or a
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
upon completion of the DNP degree.
Post-Master’s DNP Overview
Advanced practice nurses and clinical
administrative leaders with a master’s degree have
the opportunity to obtain the Doctor of Nursing
Practice (DNP), a terminal degree designed for
practice at the highest level of nursing. Students
interested in the advanced practice nursing
specialty must have a master’s degree and be
prepared as a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife,
clinical nurse specialist, or nurse anesthetist
with national certification. Students interested
in the executive leadership specialty must have
a master’s degree and experience in a healthcare
leadership position. The primary goal of the DNP
program is to prepare graduates for clinically
intensive leadership careers including advanced
clinical practice, executive leadership, applied
clinical research, and faculty leadership roles. The
program allows students to participate in online
activities as well as on-campus intensives.
BSN to DNP Application and Admission Information
BSN to DNP Application Dates
Fall
| November 1 - February 15
|
Spring
| No Admission
|
Summer
| No Admission
|
Consideration for admission is given to applicants
meeting all admission criteria who have submitted
ALL admission requirements by the application
deadline through the online TTUHSC application
portal.
BSN to DNP Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following application
requirements for full admission:
- Completed and submitted online application
as directed on the School of Nursing website
- Valid unencumbered RN License
- Baccalaureate nursing degree from a
regionally accredited college or university
with nursing program accreditation from the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE) or accreditation from the American
Commission for Education in Nursing
(ACEN), formerly the National League for
Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
- Applicants with a transcript(s) from a
foreign university (ies) are to submit a
Commission for Graduates of Foreign
Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation of
their transcript(s). Additionally applicants
from a country where the primary language
is not English, must provide evidence of
achieving a total score of 84 or higher with
a speaking score of 26 or higher and a
writing score of 27 or higher on the TOEFL
iBT.
- Completion of undergraduate courses in
research and statistics with a grade of C or
better taken within five years of application to
the program
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
for all coursework leading to the baccalaureate
degree. (The undergraduate science courses
GPA may be considered as a factor for
admission.)
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
from the American Heart Association
- Computer literacy
- Critical analysis essay
- Professional letters of reference (3). One from
a manager in your current nursing role, a peer
in your area of practice and a former faculty
member that can attest to your ability to
successfully complete doctoral studies.
- Oath of Residency
- Official transcripts from all institutions
formerly attended. NOTE: All transcripts must be from regionally accredited colleges
or universities with nursing program
accreditation from the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or
accreditation from American Commission
for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly
the National League for Nursing Accrediting
Commission (NLNAC)
- Current Curriculum Vita (CV) or Resume’
(in the template provided in the application
process)
- Interview with DNP faculty (Interviews are
conducted on an invitation only basis after a
review of submitted application materials).
- Personal Statement/Essay (maximum of 300
words)
- Critical analysis response to track specific
question(s)
- Computer literacy defined as an
understanding of the capabilities and
limitations of a computer and how to use
them wisely within clinical workflow and for
scholarly work. Applicants must complete
the TTUHSC SON Computer Literacy Test
located at http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/skills prior
to applying.
Non-Academic Considerations (BSN to DNP)
include but are not limited to:
- Evidence of leadership in nursing
(Professional organizations, committees, etc.)
- Professional nursing experience highly
preferred for the DNP applicant in the FNP
track
- Effective for the Fall 2022 Application: The FNP track will require a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a registered nurse at the time of application.
- Potential for leadership in an advanced
practice role
- Professional and community service activities
- Curriculum vitae/resume which includes
educational background, honors, nursing
experience, professional membership(s), and
community service
- Permanent resident of Texas or TTUHSC
service area/county
- Fluent in a language frequently used by
patients in the applicant’s service area in
addition to English
- Military service
- First generation college student
All applicants will be reviewed in an individual
and holistic manner. No single factor will
determine a student’s admission. All applicants
receiving offers of admission will be required to
consent to a criminal background check. A
history of criminal conduct or convictions may
result in withdrawal of the admission offer. See
‘Criminal Background Checks’ section of the
School of Nursing Student Handbook for the
school policy. Criminal Background Checks must
be received prior to matriculation to the
TTUHSC DNP Program. The TTUHSC Criminal
Background policy may be found at TTUHSC OP 10.20.
Only complete applications are reviewed for
admission consideration, which means “ALL”
admission requirements must be received by the
application deadline.
The DNP Program administrators, directors, and
faculty carefully evaluate all qualified applicants
with regard to the applicant’s potential for
successful completion of the program.
Post-Master's DNP Application and Admission Information
Post-Master's DNP Application Dates
Fall
| No Admission
|
Spring
| No Admission
|
Summer
| September 1 - January 15
|
Consideration for admission is given to applicants
meeting all admission criteria who have submitted
ALL admission requirements by the application
deadline through the online TTUHSC application
portal.
Post-Master’s DNP Admission Requirements
Applicant must submit the following application
requirements for full admission:
- Current licensure as a registered nurse in the
United States
- Master of Science in Nursing degree from
a regionally accredited college or university with nursing program accreditation from the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE) or accreditation from American
Commission for Education in Nursing
(ACEN), formerly the National League for
Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
- GPA of 3.0 for master’s degree
- Graduate level nursing research course
- Three letters of reference attesting to the
applicant’s academic ability and leadership
potential, including one from a current
professional colleague
- Personal Statement
- Interview with DNP faculty
- Current American Heart Association BLS
certification
- Current CV or resume
- Oath of Residency
- Official transcripts from all institutions
formerly attended.
- NOTE: All transcripts must be from
regionally accredited colleges or
universities with nursing program
accreditation from the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or
accreditation from American Commission
for Education in Nursing (ACEN),
formerly the National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
- Application Signature Page
- Application Fee
All Post-Master’s DNP Advanced Practice
Nursing applicants must meet the following
additional admission requirements:
- Approval by a state nursing board to practice
as a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife
- Current certification by a nationally
recognized credentialing body as a nurse
practitioner or nurse midwife
- Minimum of one year’s experience as a nurse
practitioner
ALL Post-Master’s DNP Executive Leadership
applicants must meet the following additional
admission requirements:
- Minimum of one year’s experience in a
healthcare leadership position
Post-Master’s applicants with unique credentials
will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Such
applicants may be required to complete one or
more additional graduate nursing courses.
A comprehensive review of the candidate’s
application will include consideration of the
following factors:
- Academic performance and aptitude
- Career achievements
- Ability to perform capably in positions of
responsibility for self and others
- Potential for leadership in the DNP advanced
role.
Although academic criteria (cumulative GPA,
grades earned in nursing courses, and failed/
repeated courses) are the most important factors
in admission considerations, additional nonacademic
information is considered. These nonacademic
factors include but are not limited to:
- Extracurricular activities
- Evidence of leadership in nursing
- Work experience
- Diversity of experience such as study abroad,
knowledge of other cultures, proficiency in
other languages
- Permanent resident of TTUHSC service area
county
- First generation college student
- Bilingual - English /Spanish
- Military service
All applicants will be reviewed in an individual
and holistic manner. No single factor will
determine a student’s admission. All applicants
receiving offers of admission will be required
to consent to a criminal background check. A
history of criminal conduct or convictions may
result in withdrawal of the admission offer. See
‘Criminal Background Checks’ section of the
School of Nursing Student Handbook for the
school policy. Criminal Background Checks
must be received prior to matriculation to the TTUHSC DNP Program. The TTUHSC Criminal
Background policy may be found at TTUHSC OP 10.20.
Only complete applications are reviewed for
admission consideration, which means ALL
admission requirements must be received by the
application deadline.
The DNP Program administrators, directors, and
faculty carefully evaluate all qualified applicants
with regard to the applicant’s potential for
successful completion of the program.
Combined Post-Master’s DNP with APRN Certificate
Applicants or current graduate students who are interested in completing both the Post-Master’s DNP and an APRN Certificate Program have the option to combine these two programs with the following conditions:
- Separate application and admission to the Post-Master’s DNP and to the APRN Post-Master’s Certificate Program is required.
- Following acceptance to both the Post-Master’s DNP Program and the APRN Post-Master’s Certificate Program, an individualized degree plan is developed for the student to ensure they meet all course requirements for the DNP and the APRN certificate.
- Up to nine (9) credit hours from APRN certificate courses are allowed to substitute for DNP required courses.
- Students are considered enrolled in a single program for the purposes of meeting academic progression requirements and academic dismissal circumstances.
Applicants or current graduate students who are interested in this combined program should contact the Associate Dean/Department Chair for Leadership Programs to discuss.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS WHO ATTENDED A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN SPRING 2020
An explanation of how TTUHSC School of Nursing considers courses in which a student earns grades of Pass (P), Fail(F), Credit (CR) or No Credit (NC) is outlined below:
Official transcripts with courses awarded with P or CR during the SPRING 2020 semester can be used to meet prerequisite course requirements and will not be used in calculating either the cumulative or science GPA for admissions. TTUHSC SON reserves the right to determine how, and if, courses awarded with P or CR during any semester, outside of spring 2020, will be calculated into a GPA and/or considered for transfer credit. Official transcripts with courses awarded with a Fail (F) or No Credit (NC) during any semester cannot be used to meet prerequisite course requirements
Additional Requirements for
Prospective Students
Computer Requirements
See Computer Requirements under the Student Information section of this catalog.
Criminal Background Checks
A Criminal Background Check (CBC) must
be completed prior to enrollment at TTUHSC
School of Nursing in compliance with TTUHSC OP 10.20 and SON OP 60.081. Each student is
responsible for the cost of his/her CBC and any
additional fees. See Criminal Background Check Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.
Graduate students will complete the Hire Right
Criminal Background Check process. Information
will be provided to new students with orientation
information.
The following searches are required for students
attending facilities for clinical/preceptorship/externship through TTUHSC:
- Social Security Number Trace
- Criminal Felony & Misdemeanor search,
7 years, unlimited number of counties as
revealed by SSN Trace
- Healthcare Sanctions Check (Federal plus All
States – FACIS Level 3)
- Widescreen Plus National Criminal Search
In accordance with TTUHSC OP 10.20, students
in the School of Nursing shall self-disclose
relevant criminal history record information no
later than five (5) business days following the
charge of a crime. Failure to self-disclose may
result in dismissal or withdrawal of acceptance
from the university.
Additional background checks are required after a
break in enrollment in accordance with TTUHSC OP 10.20.
If an applicant believes the record is in error
and gives written notification to the School of
the intent to challenge the report, matriculation
will be put on hold pending the outcome of the
challenge. Should the applicant fail to notify
the School of the intent to challenge or it is
determined that the record is accurate at the
conclusion of a vendor challenge by an applicant;
the admission offer will be withdrawn.
NOTE: Expunged and Sealed Offenses
While expunged or sealed offenses, arrests,
tickets, or citations need not be disclosed, it is
your responsibility to ensure the offense, arrest,
ticket or citation has, in fact, been expunged
or sealed. It is recommended that you submit a
copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing
the record in question to our office with your
application. Failure to reveal an offense, arrest,
ticket, or citation that is not in fact expunged or
sealed, will at a minimum, subject your license
to a disciplinary fine. Non-disclosure of relevant
offenses raises questions related to truthfulness
and character.
NOTE: Orders of Non-Disclosure
Pursuant to Texas Government Code §
552.142(b), if you have criminal matters that
are the subject of an order of non-disclosure
you are not required to reveal those criminal
matters on the declaratory order form. However,
a criminal matter that is the subject of an order
of non-disclosure may become a character and
fitness issue. Pursuant to other sections of the Government Code chapter 411, the Texas Nursing
Board is entitled to access criminal history record
information that is the subject of an order of nondisclosure,
even if you properly did not reveal
that matter, the Board may require you to provide
information about any conduct that raises issues
of character.
Statues and Rules governing the Petition for
Declaratory Order may be found in the Texas
Occupations Code §§ 301.257, 301.452-304.454
(Nursing Practice Act), and in the Board Rules
and Regulations relating to Nurse Education,
Licensure and Practice, 22 TAC §§ 213.27-30
and §§ 217.11-12. These statutes and rules can be
located on the BON’s website www.bon.state.tx.us.
The Nurse Practice Act (http://www.bon.texas. gov/nursinglaw/npa.html) was amended during
the 2005 Texas legislative session, adding §
301.4535, to authorize the Board of Nursing to
deny or revoke licensure to an individual for
certain criminal offenses. Under the provision,
the BON shall refuse or shall withdraw a license
if the person has been convicted of an identified
offense or has noted on his or her criminal record
a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. The Board
of Nursing may consider eligibility for licensure
of an applicant after the fifth anniversary of the
successful completion of and dismissal from
probation or parole. The criminal offenses barring
licensure, as defined by Texas Penal Code, include
the following: murder; capital murder; reckless
manslaughter; kidnapping, unlawful restraint, or
unlawful transport of a person for payment and
punishable as a felony; sexual assault; aggravated
sexual assault; indecency with a child, an elderly
or disabled person, perpetrator of family violence,
an agreement to abduct a child; the sale or
purchase of a child; robbery; aggravated robbery;
an offense that requires the individual to register
as a sexual offender; and convections for similar
crimes in a military tribunal.
Immunizations
See Immunization Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.
Drug Screening
Drug screenings may be necessary if required by
the clinical institution site. The cost of all drug
screenings are the responsibility of the student.
See Drug Screening Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.
Special Student Enrollment
Non-Degree
Special Student enrollment is not an avenue for
seeking a degree. Under certain circumstances,
it may be appropriate for an individual to seek
admission as a non-degree seeking student.
Non-degree Special Student admission is for the
purpose of taking a limited number of courses.
The applicant must seek approval from the
applicable DNP Associate Dean/Department
Chair prior to submitting a special student (nondegree)
application. The student must also be
eligible for admission under the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral
program at a college or university and is in
good academic standing;
- Registered nurse not enrolled in an
educational institution;
- Waiver to the above requirement from the
applicable DNP Associate Dean/Department
Chair.
In addition to meeting the above criteria,
consideration is given on a space available basis.
- A complete Special Student (non-degree)
application includes the following:
- Submitted special-student application
- Submitted signature page and application fee
- Submitted official transcripts from all
universities or colleges attended
- Submitted Oath of Residency
- Submitted current American Heart
Association BLS certification
Special students can take a maximum of six
(6) credit hours or nine (9) if approved by the
applicable Associate Dean/Department Chair.
A special student wishing to apply for full
admission to the DNP Program must submit the full application according to the stated deadlines
and will be considered for admission with the
entire pool of applicants for the time period the
application is submitted.
Enrollment without Credit/Course Audit
Students wanting to audit a DNP course for
no grade must obtain approval from the DNP
Associate Deans/Department Chairs. Students
auditing a course will not be listed on the official
class roll, and no notation of the audit will be
made on the student’s transcript. Students
enrolled for 12 or more semester credit hours may
audit a course without paying an additional fee.
All other students must pay a $10 fee for auditing
a course.
Conditional Admission
If the requirements for full admission are not
met, conditional admission may be available. The
student is required to comply with “conditions”
stated in letter of admission offer prior to the first
day of class for the semester of admission.
Readmission
All requests for readmission must be made
prior to the application deadline date for the
semester in which readmission is requested. The
DNP Program Directors and applicable DNP
Program Council are responsible for overseeing
all readmissions to the School of Nursing DNP
Program. Readmission of a student dismissed or
withdrawn for academic or disciplinary causes is
also based upon the decision of the DNP Program
Directors and applicable DNP Program Council.
A student seeking readmission must comply with
the following:
- Submit a letter requesting readmission to the
DNP Program
- Meet all recommendations and requirements
set forth by the DNP Program Directors and
applicable DNP Program Council
- Complete online application and meet
admission criteria for full admission
Transfer Student
Students requesting admission to the TTUHSC
School of Nursing DNP program as a transfer
student from another university must meet the
following criteria:
- Transfer student must be eligible to return
to the institution from which the student is
transferring.
- Submit a full application by the application
deadline date for the semester in which
transfer is requested.
- Student previously enrolled in the graduate
program at TTUHSC School of Nursing who
attended another institution and is seeking
to return must apply for readmission; any
courses considered for transfer credit will be
required to meet the standards for transfer
credit
- Complete the majority, or over 50%, of the
required credits to complete the degree at
TTUHSC School of Nursing
Recognition of Previous Nursing Learning
Transfer Credit
The decision to award transfer of academic credit
is made by the applicable DNP Assoicate Dean/
Department Chair or DNP Program Director after
a thorough review of the applicant’s transcript for
evidence of satisfactory course work completion
and review of the course catalog descriptions and/or course syllabi as necessary to determine course
equivalency. The decision to award transfer
credit is based on TTUHSC OP 77.17. Generally,
credits earned at a regionally accredited college
or university are accepted for transfer provided
course content is equivalent and a grade of “B” or
higher has been earned in the course.
The majority, or over 50%, of the required credits
toward a TTUHSC School of Nursing graduate
degree must be earned at TTUHSC.
Students requesting courses to be considered for
transfer credit will:
- Submit official transcripts for courses
considered for transfer credit
- Submit course descriptions and course content
for each course
A student previously enrolled in the graduate
program at TTUHSC School of Nursing who
attended another institution and is seeking to
return and transfer in course credit must apply for
readmission. Courses accepted for transfer will be
required to meet the standards for transfer credit.
Offer of Admission
Offers of admission will be made approximately
six - eight weeks following the application
deadline. In order to assure a place in the desired
program, applicants must comply with the
following:
- Return Acceptance Form on or before date
specified in the offer of admissions letter
- Submit $175 non-refundable placement/
orientation fee
- Submit evidence of compliance with required
immunizations
- Complete Criminal Background Check online
- Completion of required trainings as specified
during virtual orientation
- Failure to respond to admissions offer by
the date specified in offer letter may result in
withdrawal of the offer of admission.
Degree Requirements for Students Admitted to DNP Program
Graduation Under a Particular Catalog
A student is expected to complete the degree
requirements set forth in the School of Nursing
Catalog in effect at the time the student enters
the chosen area of study. Only with the specific
approval of the applicable DNP Associate Dean/
Department Chair may a different Catalog be
selected. Students, in all cases are prohibited
from completing the requirements set forth in a
catalog more than seven years old. The Catalog
is published at least biennially and its provisions
are applicable during the stated Academic year
(September 1st through August 31st).
DNP Clinical Hour Requirements for Post-Master’s DNP Students
All DNP students must complete a total of 1000
clinical hours/practice hours from a combination
of clinical hours achieved in the master’s program
and in the DNP program. Qualified nurse
practitioner applicants are expected to have
successfully completed a minimum of 500 clinical
hours in the student’s nurse practitioner master’s
program in order to meet requirements for
recognition or licensure and national certification,
as appropriate, for the student’s professional
role and practice area. The DNP post-master’s
program provides a minimum of 500 clinical
hours resulting in a minimum total of 1000
clinical hours for graduation.
Qualified applicants with a MSN in nursing
administration or other MSN specialty area or
master’s degree in a related field must provide
evidence of the number of clinical hours/practice
hours achieved in the student’s master’s program.
To ensure students meet the required minimum
1000 clinical hours/practice hours, additional
clinical learning opportunities are offered via one
or more of the following methods:
- Submission of a professional portfolio
documenting clinical activities/practice hours
and scholarship to meet the criteria for clinical
hours for the DNP program. The portfolio may include a resume or CV and a description
of the individual’s practice experience;
academic and specialized programs of study
in the student’s specialty area; certifications in
administration; or additional activities, and
experiences exemplifying competence in the
student’s specialty area.
- Students not meeting the clinical hour/
practice hour criteria will be evaluated and
required to take an independent study course
designed to provide an individualized clinical
intensive based on the student’s background,
experience, and learning needs to complete
the required 1000 clinical hours/practice
hours for the DNP degree.
Clinical experiences/practice hours for DNP
post-master’s students are defined as direct or
indirect patient care experiences; observational
experiences; interviews; participation in
community events or local, state, or national
meetings relevant to the learning objectives; or
other unique learning opportunities where the
student can achieve defined learning objectives.
Clinical experiences/practice hours may take
place in the student’s place of employment if
the experience clearly provides an opportunity
to achieve specified student learning objectives.
Students may work with professional mentors
or preceptors during their clinical experiences.
School of Nursing faculty may serve as preceptors
or professional mentors.
TTUHSC Interprofessional Practice and
Education (IPE) Core Curriculum
All TTUHSC students, regardless of school
affiliation, are required to complete the TTUHSC
IPE core curriculum prior to graduation. The IPE
core curriculum is composed of two components
including successful completion of a non-credit
online course (>70% accuracy on the knowledge
post-test) and successful participation in at least
one registered IPE learning activity. Failure to
complete the IPE core curriculum will result in
delayed graduation. Students should consult their
academic/program advisor and/or school catalog
for additional information.
All TTUHSC students, regardless of school
affiliation, will be required to complete the IPE
non-credit, online course in interprofessional
education. DNP students are required to
complete the online course in the first semester of
enrollment.
Maintaining Minimum Academic Requirements
The minimum GPA for continuance in the
graduate program is 3.0 overall. Additionally, a
minimum grade of “B” is required in each course
(nursing required for degree completion. The
TTUHSC SON Student Handbook (http://www. ttuhsc.edu/son/handbook.aspx) provides further
details regarding academic and graduation
expectations.
Progression in the DNP Program
- Grades are reviewed each semester and
progression in the DNP Program is
determined by the applicable DNP Associate
Dean/Department Chair and DNP Program
Council.
- DNP students are required to maintain a
3.0 GPA with grades at “B” or above in all
doctoral courses. Students with a cumulative
or semester GPA below 3.0 are placed on
academic probation.
- Students receiving “C” or lower in a doctoral
course are eligible to repeat the course one
time only pursuant to recommendation of
course faculty.
- Students earning an overall cumulative
GPA or a semester GPA less than a 3.0 in
the semester of graduation/completion are
ineligible for graduation/completion.
Academic Dismissal from the School of Nursing
DNP Program will result from the following
circumstances:
- Students earning a “C” or lower in two or
more DNP courses in one semester
- Students earning a “C” or lower in the same
DNP course twice
- Students earning a “C” or lower in a second
DNP course even though one DNP course has
been retaken and a satisfactory grade of “B” or
better has been obtained
Failing to meet expected standards in any
program may result in academic dismissal
at any time. Academically dismissed students
are eligible to be readmitted according to the
stipulations noted in the “Readmission” section
above.
Residence Credit
The minimum residence for the DNP degree is
the majority, or over 50%, of graduate course
work carrying residence credit be completed at
TTUHSC. Residence credit as used here means
credit for work done while enrolled in and
attending classes at TTUHSC and should not be
confused with “residence” in the State of Texas.
Majority of Credits
The majority or over 50% of credits toward any
graduate or post-baccalaureate professional
degree awarded by the TTUHSC must be earned:
- At TTUHSC
- In the case of those programs offered
through joint, cooperative, or consortia
arrangements through instruction offered by
the participating institutions.
Semester Credit Hours and Course Loads
The semester credit hour is the unit of measure
for credit purposes. For the Post-Master’s
DNP Program, didactic (lecture) hours are
measured on a one-to-one basis; clinical hours
are measured on a one-to-six basis for the postmaster’s
DNP program. The number of semester credit hours a student
may carry (course load) is regulated by the DNP
Program Directors. In determining this load, the
DNP Program Directors take into account the
quality of prior scholastic work performed and
the types of courses involved. A student enrolled
in nine (9) or more credit hours in the Fall or
Spring semester and six (6) or credit hours in the
Summer semester is considered full-time.
Degree Plan
- Upon initial enrollment into DNP Program,
each student is provided with a degree plan,
individualized according to the student’s
program of study and part-time or full-time
enrollment status. The student’s individual
needs and circumstances (i.e., part-time or
full-time enrollment, preference for electives,
transfer courses, etc…) are considered when
developing the degree plan.
- The applicable DNP Associate Dean/
Department Chair or Program Director for
the track in which the student is enrolled is
responsible for approving the degree plan.
- Post-MSN to DNP students are responsible for notifying the
DNP Program office anytime the student
deviates from the degree plan (i.e., withdraw
from a course; fail to register for a course, etc).
- BSN to DNP students are required to contact their respective Program Director when a revision of the plan of study is requested/required.
- During orientation to the DNP Program,
students are advised about the requirements
for the specific track or major and
the student’s responsibility to (a) be
knowledgeable about the degree requirements;
(b) notify the Graduate Program office if the
student deviates from the degree plan; and (c)
meet degree requirements for graduation.
- The degree plan serves as the student’s guide
for course registration each semester.