Total Credit Hours: 38          Degree Format: Online

Post-Master's DNP Program 

The Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program offered at VSU is a 5-semester, 38 credit hour program of study. The DNP program prepares graduate Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) for leadership roles in an increasingly complex healthcare system as well as for utilizing evidence-based practice to design, implement, and evaluate change for improved health outcomes. With its online format, the Post-Master's DNP option allows the working APRN the flexibility to learn while working. 

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

 College of Nursing & Health Sciences Website

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 MSN 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 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a regionally-accredited institution. 
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a master’s degree in nursing 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).   
  • Transcripts from undergraduate institutions are not required.  

 Evidence of Valid (current, unencumbered) APRN Nursing License 

  • Must have current advanced practice nurse certification as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse midwife.  
  • Must be actively practicing as an APRN with an unencumbered APRN 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.  

Clinical Hour Certification

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.

Distance Learning Exemption of the 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 

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.  

Verification of Lawful Presence 

(For applicants who believe they qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.)
  • 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 fully online program open to both residents and non-residents.  Students may have a face-to-face meeting to defend at the end of the program.  

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

This is a fully web-based program. Student visas cannot be issued for programs that are fully online.  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 Status 

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.
  • Call Us: 229-333-5694 
  • Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
  • Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100
For additional program details contact the Program Coordinator: Dr. Knicole Lee, email: knlee@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5959.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduation Requirements Page

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

Retention, Dismissal, & Readmission Policies Page

Total Credit Hours: 38          Degree Format: Online

Post-Master's DNP Program 

The Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program offered at VSU is a 5-semester, 38 credit hour program of study. The DNP program prepares graduate Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) for leadership roles in an increasingly complex healthcare system as well as for utilizing evidence-based practice to design, implement, and evaluate change for improved health outcomes. With its online format, the Post-Master's DNP option allows the working APRN the flexibility to learn while working. 

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

 College of Nursing & Health Sciences Website

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 MSN 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 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a regionally-accredited institution. 
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a master’s degree in nursing 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).   
  • Transcripts from undergraduate institutions are not required.  

 Evidence of Valid (current, unencumbered) APRN Nursing License 

  • Must have current advanced practice nurse certification as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse midwife.  
  • Must be actively practicing as an APRN with an unencumbered APRN 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.  

Clinical Hour Certification

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.

Distance Learning Exemption of the 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 

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.  

Verification of Lawful Presence 

(For applicants who believe they qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.)
  • 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 fully online program open to both residents and non-residents.  Students may have a face-to-face meeting to defend at the end of the program.  

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

This is a fully web-based program. Student visas cannot be issued for programs that are fully online.  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 Status 

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.
  • Call Us: 229-333-5694 
  • Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
  • Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100
For additional program details contact the Program Coordinator: Dr. Knicole Lee, email: knlee@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5959.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduation Requirements Page

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

Retention, Dismissal, & Readmission Policies Page