DNP to PhD in Nursing

The DNP to PhD in Nursing provides a detailed curriculum to enable nurses who have earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to obtain a research-focused PhD in Nursing with an emphasis area of nursing education to better prepare them to fulfill roles in academia and to conduct detailed research in this area. This program will provide a foundational approach to build on previously completed coursework in the clinical doctorate to fulfill the traditional tripartite of teaching, scholarship, and service.

DNP-to-PhD Admission

All applications for admission to the DNP-to-PhD program require a completed application form and may include a non-refundable application fee. Admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is based on individual evaluation in accordance with the following minimum admission requirements:

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or above on a 4.000 scale in all graduate level coursework. • A grade of B or better in all graduate nursing courses. A grade of B- is not acceptable.

• Submission of a complete application with application fee.

• A current resume which includes all professional and volunteer experiences with emphasis on leadership roles, experience in primary and acute clinical care, and service to underserved and underrepresented populations.

• Two-page essay addressing the provided essay prompt.

• Official transcripts from each post-secondary school attended including an official transcript showing completion of a nursing graduate degree from an NLNAC or AACN-CCNE accredited program, offered at a regionally accredited school.

• Three recommendations from professional persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic, professional and leadership potential. One letter of recommendation must be from a current clinical supervisor and one must be academic in nature.

• An active, unrestricted or unencumbered RN license in the state in which the applicant’s clinical/practicum experience will be completed.

• Minimum competence levels in both written English and computation skills. Students with English as a second language are required to pass the TOEFL examination with a minimum score of 213 (computer-based), or complete an ELS Language Center’s level 109-Academic within one year prior to acceptance in the program.

• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care professionals certification.

A personal interview will be required.

DNP to PhD: Essential Functions

The LHSON has identified the observational, cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills it deems essential to complete each of these programs. If a student cannot demonstrate the essential functions, skills, and abilities, it is the responsibility of the student to request through the University’s Office of Disability Services appropriate accommodations. If a student fails to disclose fully the inability to demonstrate any functions, skills, and abilities during the application process, accommodation cannot be assured. The University will provide reasonable accommodations as long as they do not impose an undue hardship.

DNP to PhD: Computer Literacy and Access

DNP-to-PhD students in LHSON are required to have ready access to a computer system compliant with the RHCHP systems requirements and configuration for Regis University’s learning management system. Online students should consult the Regis University website for further information at www.regis.edu (http://www.regis.edu). DNP students are also required to have either an internal or external computer camera and a headset with a microphone. Students are assigned a RegisNET e-mail account in their first semester of enrollment in the program. Students are expected to be literate in using e-mail, Internet, word processing, spreadsheet, and database services. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse students are expected to have a mobile device with sufficient memory to support clinical practice.

Denial of Admission

Regis University reserves the right to deny admission, continued enrollment, or re-enrollment to any applicant or student who would pose an unreasonable risk of harm to self or others, or any unreasonable risk of disruption to the academic or clinical processes of the LHSON, the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, or Regis University.

Program Progression and Grade Requirements

Candidacy for the DNP-to-PhD degree at Regis University requires successful completion of course requirements, a final comprehensive evaluation, and completion of the Dissertation-by-Publication requirements. The program has a five-year time limit for completion of all degree requirements. This time limit is computed from the time of matriculation. If students wish to complete the degree after the time limit, readmission to the program may be required. Grades of "A” or “B” represent superior or satisfactory progress toward the Doctor of Nursing Practice. The grade of “C” is not counted toward graduation, but is included in the student’s cumulative grade point average. Students who fail to raise the cumulative grade point average to 3.00 are suspended. In addition, students who receive a grade of “B- or below” in two courses at the 800 level are subject to academic review and may be suspended or dismissed from the program. Suspension may be appealed to the department director or school dean. Students who are notified of academic suspension for the previous term and who are currently in attendance in a Regis University class may complete that class. Students earning a letter grade of B- or below are eligible to repeat the course for a minimum letter grade of “B” to maintain eligibility to progress in the graduate program pending program director approval. After one year from dismissal from the nursing program, students are eligible to apply for re-admission. Students should contact the LHSON Dean’s office at 303-964-5735.

Course Load/Overload

DNP-to-PhD courses are sequenced for full-time study. Courses taken out of sequence may constitute an overload. Anyone wishing to exceed the maximum academic load (12 graduate credits per semester) by changing course sequence must present a formal written request for overload to the appropriate program coordinator or department director prior to registration. Ordinarily, only students with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and no grades of incomplete are eligible to apply for overload.

DNP to PhD Student Advising

Students are assigned a faculty adviser upon admission who assists them with planning their program of study. Students and their advisor discuss the terms of the program requirements at appropriate intervals throughout the program. Advisors counsel students on meeting the requirements for the DNP-to-PhD Program; however, it is the student’s responsibility to schedule advising appointments and to complete all degree requirements.

DNP to PhD Degree Transfer of Credit Policy and Procedure

Acceptance of transfer credit is determined at the discretion of the appropriate program coordinator or assistant dean in compliance with the following: Transfer credit is considered only for courses taken at regionally accredited colleges and universities and for course work for which a letter grade not less than a “B” was earned. Courses older than three years must be reviewed by the appropriate program coordinator or assistant dean. All requests for transfer credit should be submitted before beginning the first graduate course. Students wishing to transfer credit into the Regis University DNP-to-PhD Program must forward a letter stating the request and provide an official school transcript of the course work. A copy of the course syllabus is also required.

DNP to PhD Graduation Requirements

Students graduate the semester that all requirements are met and documentation of such is received in the Office of the Registrar by the designated deadline. Incomplete grades and late application for graduation may delay graduation to a subsequent semester. Students must meet the following criteria to be awarded the DNP-to-PhD Program

• Satisfactory completion of required academic and clinical course work,

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00

• Successful completion of an oral comprehensive evaluation. Completion of Dissertation-by-Publication requirements.

• Recommendation for the degree by the faculty of the LHSON. For additional information on Commencement and Graduation, refer to the General Information section of this Catalog and/or at www.regis.edu (http://www.regis.edu).