Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - BSN to DNP Pathway

Total Credit Hours: 81          Degree Format: hybird

The College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP or Post-Master’s DNP), the Master of Science in Nursing degree (M.S.N) for nurses seeking advanced preparation, as well as the RN to MSN Pathway for registered nurses who wish to advance their education to the graduate-level. 

The BSN-to-DNP program offered at VSU is a 10-semester, 81 credit hour program of study that is a pathway for students who have completed their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and desire to complete their MSN and DNP degrees. The program offers a seamless transition to obtaining both the FNP and the DNP. It also offers an MSN opt-out option at Semester 7 with the ability to return within 3 years to complete the last 3 semesters for attainment of the DNP. The DNP graduate is prepared and equipped for advanced nursing practice and leadership in an increasingly complex health system. 

Program Coordinator: Dr. Knicole Lee, email: knlee@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5959

College of Nursing & Health Sciences

College of Nursing and Health Sciences - Doctor of Nursing Practice Page

ADMISSION DEADLINES

• Fall Semester: May 15
• Spring Semester: No Admission
• Summer Semester: No Admission

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Online Graduate Application

• Application Fee 
• Apply Online

Official transcript from your BSN degree-granting school and from any graduate coursework.

• Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
• Must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally-accredited institution. 
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a BSN program is required. 
• Official international transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).  

Evidence of Valid (current, unencumbered) R.N. License

• Applicants may upload a copy of their license to fulfill this requirement or a print-out from your state’s licensing body  website documenting the valid and current license. 

Career Goal Statement 

• A one- to two-page paper addressing career goals related to advanced practice nursing and the attainment of the D.N.P.  

Current Vitae or Resume 

• Including education, work experience and professional development, professional and/or community activities, and research and publications.   

Three Recommendations 

• General Recommendation Form  
• Please enter the name and email of your recommenders as you complete the application. They should receive an email inviting them to compelte the recommendation after that. If they do not receive the emai (or find it in their spam folder), they may submit their recommendation as an email attachment to gradschool@valdosta.edu. The General Recommendation Form can be used if the email from the online recommendation system does not arrive.
• Recommendations from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional, intellectual, and academic abilities.  If graduated within the last 5 years, 1 of the 3 letters must be from one of the applicant’s professors.  
• Letters must be accompanied by the required form or submitted through the online recommendation system.

Interview

• Applicants will be required to participate in an interview with a standardized rubric-based evaluation tool.  
• The department will contact applicants for interview information.  

VSU Medical Form 

• The form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
• This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
• Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

Verification of Lawful Presence 

• This is not required for individuals who do not qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.
• This must be received prior to enrollment (if applicable), NOT prior to admission.
• Citizenship documentation is needed for any applicant who wishes to be considered for in-state tuition.
• Complete list of accepted documents and information on residency

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to en-sure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

• This is a hybrid program.  Non-resident tuition is assessed for all courses if you do not qualify for Georgia residency.   
• MSN Opt-out option: 
  • The MSN Opt-Out allows students to exit the curriculum at a specified point, obtaining an MSN degree with an FNP concentration and enabling exploration of the field before returning to complete the remaining 3 semesters of the DNP degree.
  • Students who choose the MSN Opt-Out will have 3 years to re-enroll in DNP coursework.
  • The BSN-DNP Program with MSN Opt-Out consists of 7 semesters, 52 credit hours, and 715 clinical hours.
  • The graduate is prepared and equipped for advanced nursing practice in an increasingly complex health system.
  • Students can apply to graduate with their MSN degree in Fall of Year 3 of the program and continue to earn their DNP degree. 
  • MSN Opt-out students will have three years to return to the program for completion.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

This is a hybrid program.  Non-resident tuition will be assessed for anyone who does not qualify for Georgia residency.  Please review the information below for specific information and guidelines for students who were educated outside the U.S. or whose native language is not English. 

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam  – Applicants whose native language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam with a minimum of 79 on the internet-based test, 213 on the computer based test, or 550 on the paper-based test.  International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement. 
• Evaluation of International Transcripts - Official international transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).  

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

• Regular or Probationary Status (at the discretion of the committee) 

HAVE QUESTIONS?

• Call Us: 229-333-5694 
• Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
• Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduation Requirements Page

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

Retention, Dismissal, & Readmission Policies Page