The DNP program offers two tracks:

• The Post-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to DNP
• The Post-Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing to DNP with two APRN concentrations

For the Post-MSN Student:

The Post-MSN DNP track enrolls non advanced practice registered nurses or (APRNs) such as Nurse Educators and Clinical Nurse Leaders as well as APRNs (nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists) seeking to advance their education to the practice doctorate level. Post-MSN students complete a total of 27 credits to obtain the DNP degree. See the Post MSN Curriculum Map below for more details

For the Post BSN-DNP Student:

Students may choose to pursue the post BSN-DNP degree in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nursing Practice (AGPCNP) or the post BSN-DNP degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The post BSN-DNP student has the option to obtain the MSN degree and seek certification as an APN while completing the DNP degree. See the Post BSN-DNP AGPCNP or Post BSN-DNP FNP curriculum map for more information.

Program Delivery Format:

All MSN and DNP courses will be offered in the online synchronous format for accessibility.Intensives require on-campus attendance once per semester. All clinical/practicum courses require active real-time student presence in clinical sites with preceptor guidance and faculty oversight. Full-time and part-time options are available.

Clinical Requirement:

A total of 1000 clinical hours are required to complete the DNP degree. Five hundred of those hours are achieved through completion of the 27 credit DNP curriculum. Post BSN-DNP and post MSN APN students may apply 500 additional hours from APRN practicum courses. All other post MSN students may request a gap analysis of prior graduate level clinical hours and may expect to complete additional clinical hours beyond the 500 hours included in the DNP curriculum to achieve the required 1000 hours.

Students enrolling prior to summer 2024 will consult the Nursing Student Handbook for the appropriate curriculum guide.

Admissions Criteria

Application Deadline 

While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to Stockton is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.

Priority Deadlines

Post BSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Summer: April 1
 
Post MSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Spring: December 1

Prerequisite Requirements

Prospective applicants must meet the following criteria, though meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission:

• Possess a nursing degree from an NLN or CCNE-accredited school
• Post-BSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be a BSN.
• Post-MSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be an MSN 
• Meet one of the two requirements:
• Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a scale of 4.0) with a minimum grade of "B" in all nursing courses.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.3 in at least two graduate nursing courses if the BSN GPA is less than or equal to 3.19.
• For Post-BSN DNP program only, the completion of BSN prerequisite courses:
• Health Assessment
• Nursing Research (or in the health discipline)
• Statistics
• Proof of current RN license in the State of NJ, American Heart Association CPR certification, and post-MSN DNP NP applicants must provide proof of APN certification.
• Students must meet the "Technical Standards and Essential Functions" requirements as specified by the Nursing Program (Policy #M-1).

Admissions Requirements

1. Click here to start your application. 
2. Application fee: $50 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application
3. Graduate application essay
4. Proof of license to practice as a registered professional nurse in New Jersey
5. Three letters of recommendation; one academic and two professional, sent electronically via the online application
6. Resume
7. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including Stockton) should be emailed, mailed or dropped off directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
   
   By mail:
   Office of Graduate Admissions, N-Wing 007a
   101 Vera King Farris Drive
   Galloway, NJ 08205-9441
   
   Electronically:
   gradschool@stockton.edu
   
   
8. Qualified candidates may be invited for an interview with the Admissions Committee
   
   Learn more about our Health Care Partner Discount Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

The Mission (DNP Program)

The mission of the Graduate Nursing Program is to develop advanced-level nurses to practice in a culturally diverse and rapidly evolving world. The University and the graduate nursing programs remain responsive to community needs. Independent, experiential learning fosters students to choose their education and future professional endeavors. We embrace the University’s guiding principles, vision, values, and the strategic plan. 

 

GOALS OF THE PROGRAM

 

• Develop graduates that demonstrate professional, ethical, skilled, and evidence-based practice competencies in their roles. 
• Prepare graduates that influence health and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through the application of evidence, clinical analysis, and discovery. 
• Prepare graduates to represent the nursing profession in health organizations and health policy at the local, state, national, and international levels. 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Student learning outcomes are in accordance with those of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Practice (2021).The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed to produce an advanced nurse with the ability to do the following.

 

1. Analyze, translate, and integrate theories and models from Nursing and other disciplines for clinical decision making in professional nursing practice.

 

2. Employ and integrate context driven, advanced reasoning to the diagnostic and decision-making process in the delivery of individualized and developmentally appropriate care that is holistic, just, respectful, evidence based, equitable, and compassionate for diverse populations. 

 

3. Advocate and provide collaborative care from public health prevention to disease management by challenging biases and barriers and allocating resources that impact local, regional, national, and global populations to improve equitable health outcomes. 

 

4. Lead the integration and dissemination of the best evidence to ethically inform practice, influence policy, and transform healthcare.

 

5. Design individual and systems-based interventions that embody ethical decision making to mitigate risk and foster a culture of safety, transparency, civility, and respect in improving health outcomes. 

 

6. Role model the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion into collaborative practice with the healthcare team, patients, families, and other community stakeholders to optimize healthcare delivery. 

 

7. Lead systems change through interaction with consumers and providers to address quality, safety, racism, and advocate for coordinated fiscally responsible, equitable resources for diverse populations.

 

8. Evaluate and implement information technologies for use in data driven and evidence-based healthcare decision making in accordance with ethical, quality, safety, regulatory, and professional standards. 

 

9. Promote, model, practice, articulate, and advocate for the values of the profession in manners that are ethically, culturally, and linguistically appropriate through accountability and collaboration to address inequities, social injustice, and human rights issues. 

 

10. Embody the values of the profession by promoting, mentoring, and participating in activities that foster accountability, self-care, resilience, lifelong learning, nursing expertise, advocacy, and leadership acumen.