Nursing Practice, DNP

Doctor of Nursing Practice
Admission to the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program is decided by the following criteria:

1. A completed Valparaiso University graduate application.
2. Official transcripts showing a BSN degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
3. Cumulative undergraduate/graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
4. Active, unencumbered RN license in an approved state.
5. Current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
6. Two letters of recommendation from professors or employers.
7. A 2-page statement of purpose describing your interest in the degree program and how it relates to your personal and professional goals.

Application Deadline
Rolling admission review.

Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice
Admission to the post-master’s doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program is decided by the following criteria:

1. A completed Valparaiso University graduate application.
2. Official transcripts showing a BSN degree and a MSN degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
3. Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
4. Active, unencumbered RN license in an approved state.
5. Current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
6. Two letters of recommendation from professors or employers.
7. A 2-page statement of purpose describing your interest in the degree program and how it relates to your personal and professional goals.

Application Deadline
Rolling admission review.

At Valpo, your doctor of nursing practice program coursework is online and completely asynchronous — meaning you can learn and grow when it works for you. 

BSN-to-DNP students complete two on-campus intensives, and post-master’s DNP students complete one. Through online and on-campus experiences, you’ll have the opportunity to fully understand the pathophysiologic basis of disease, which is imperative for practicing in the field. You can expect to take coursework in areas such as:

• Organizational and Systems Leadership in Healthcare
• Business and Legal Aspects of Advanced Practice Nursing
• Epidemiology
• Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing

The need for advanced practice nurses—in particular nurse practitioners—continues to grow exponentially. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for DNPs will grow 45% over the next decade—much faster than most other occupations.

Graduates of our doctor of nursing practice programs are well prepared to work in a wide variety of settings as a family nurse practitioner, including at:

• Local hospitals and clinics
• Government agencies such as FEMA
• Top-tier medical centers such as Rush and Northwestern

The Valparaiso University nursing programs are a rigorous curriculum where students acquire the general knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors required for the practice of nursing. The program considers it essential for all nursing graduates to have the ability to function in a variety of clinical situations and to provide a wide spectrum of patient care.

Students who are applying to the College of Nursing and Health Professions will be required to complete supervised clinical practice experiences to fulfill the requirements of their field of study and degree. The vast majority of hospital systems, hospitals, clinics, and medical offices require students to submit documentation of a completed vaccination series (including COVID-19) to meet their requirements to enter their facilities and attend a clinical practice experience. Clinical site vaccine policies are mandated by each site and not the program. Therefore, a vaccine exemption granted by the University for classroom purposes does not apply to clinical sites. Vaccine exemption requests must be submitted to each clinical site for their sole approval/disapproval. While some healthcare systems may offer medical exemptions from vaccination requirements, there may still be an insufficient number of clinical sites that allow such exemptions to accommodate all required clinical placements needed for graduation. Read the full immunization requirements.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Valparaiso University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20001
Tel: 202.887.6791
www.ccneaccreditation.org