Post MSN to DNP

The Post MSN to DNP program is designed for individuals who have a Masters Degree in Nursing and desire a specialization, desire a terminal degree, or have teaching career goals in nursing.

Graduates are prepared to:

  • Lead efforts to address access to equitable and inclusive care
  • To teach diverse student populations in a higher education learning environment
  • Lead healthcare delivery and quality improvement efforts that positively influence the healthcare outcomes of patients

Join the Fall 2024 Cohort

Applications are now open for the Post MSN to DNP program. 
Application deadline: May 1, 2024

Do you have questions about the program or the application process?
Contact Mike Stoll, Senior Academic Advisor, at stollmi@gvsu.edu


Post MSN to DNP Course Progression Plan

Post-MSN to DNP Program Progression Plan

Fall Year 1

  • NUR 739 - Professional Roles for DNP-Prepared Nurses: This course provides an in-depth overview of current and emerging roles for
    DNP prepared nurses such as: transitioning from MSN to DNP prepared nurses; advanced nursing practice competencies for DNP prepared nurses;
    professional organizations and certifications that align with the competencies; and roles/responsibilities of DNP prepared nurses in
    transforming healthcare.
  • NUR 650 - Business and Quality in Nursing
  • STA 610* - Applied Statistics for Health Professions or General Elective

Winter Year 1

  • NUR 698 - Scholarly Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice: This course focuses on the review and synthesis of literature to improve health care practice. Methodologic considerations and variable measurement are explored along with ethical considerations in human subjects. It is in sequence with statistics and quality improvement theory.
  • NUR 703* - Healthcare Informatics or Graduate Elective
  • NUR 709 - DNP Scholarly Project I:  In this course the student begins enactment of advanced practice nursing role through organizational and system leadership theory, knowledge, and skills to improve and transform healthcare for a population of interest. Students are prepared to integrate clinical knowledge and skills, building upon earlier learning with application in experiential field experience. 

Spring/Summer Year 1

  • NUR 625* - Health Issues in Vulnerable Populations or Graduate Elective
  • NUR 704* - Quality and Management in Healthcare or Graduate Elective
  • NUR 710 - DNP Scholarly Project II

Fall Year 2

  • Graduate Elective - Based on professional goals
  • NUR 711 - DNP Scholarly Project III
  • NUR 744 - DNP Specialty Practicum I: In this course, the student demonstrates the advanced practice nursing role to implement a plan to improve or transform a healthcare issue in the selected specialty of interest. This plan is implemented integrating clinical knowledge and skills to enact selected competencies within a focused precepted field experience.

Winter Year 2

  • NUR 712 - DNP Scholarly Project IV
  • NUR 745 - DNP Specialty Practicum II: In this course, the student demonstrates the Advanced Practice Nursing role by implementing, evaluation, and disseminating a plan to improve or transform healthcare issues in a selected specialty. This plan will integrate, implement and refine clinical knowledge within a focused precepted field experience.

Clinical Nurse Practitioner hours:

  • NUR 744 (150-225 hours)
  • NUR 745 (225-300 hours)

Total clinical hours: 450

Total hours: 450 clinical hours + 200 project hours + 400 from Masters Degree = 1050 hours ** based on recommended credits sequencing

Clinical hours from MSN degree:  Clinical hours from an MSN degree will be applied toward the requisite 1000 clinical hours as required by the American Association of College of Nursing. Student will be granted 400 hours (equivalent to 8 credits) from the MSN degree.

*Students who have taken these courses in their MSN program, can take graduate elective courses based on professional goals

DNP Project Hours

  • NUR 709-712 (200 hours)

Variable Credit (Choose adventure with approval):

  • NUR 744: 3-4 (minimum 3, recommend 4)
  • NUR 745: 4-5 (minimum 4, recommend 4)

Must total 8 credits by end of Winter 2nd year


Why GVSU?
  • Recognized excellence – KCON’s nursing programs are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and are highly respected by employers across the region.
  • GVSU has established partnerships with over 1,700 healthcare organizations.
  • Delivery format is ideal for working adults through online coursework and high-impact, action-focused in-seat classes at the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health (DCIH) in downtown Grand Rapids.
  • A dedicated full-time placement coordinator manages all clinical and immersion experiences through your program of study.
  • Graduate assistantships, scholarships, financial aid, and Laker Lifetime Learning (L3) commitment available to those who qualify.
  • Top ranked, highly qualified faculty are invested in student success and relevant coursework.
  • State-of-the-art classrooms and Simulation Center provides opportunities for learning experiences that meet the needs of a diverse population of students.

Let’s talk about your academic goals today!
 Contact Mike Stoll, Senior Academic Advisor, at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.



Page last modified March 6, 2024