Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares students with a theoretical and practical foundation for advanced nursing practice in a variety of settings. Students can enter the program through the post-master of science in nursing to DNP or post-bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) to DNP. The post-MS to DNP has two tracks; one for advanced leadership in health care and one for advanced practice registered nurses. The post-BSN to DNP program requires completion of the Master of Science degree in Nursing with a specialization focus in either the family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs prior to a seamless progression into the DNP program.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Admission

All applications for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice 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.

An interview may be required.

Doctor of Nursing Practice: Admission Requirements Related to Clinical/Practicum Agency Regulations

Clinical agencies have specific requirements for both criminal background checks and drug screening. To ensure that LHSON students have access to essential clinical/practicum experience needed to complete their program:

Doctor of Nursing Practice students must provide annual documentation of a criminal background check and an acceptable drug screening from the firm with which Regis University has contracted. Documentation of an acceptable drug screening may be required at any time throughout the program at the discretion of the LHSON.

A complete health assessment and physical examination record indicating that the student is physically able to meet the objectives of the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and is appropriately immunized is required upon admission to the program. Students who have been accepted into the program must have received the first two of three injections that provide immunization against Hepatitis B prior to clinical activities. The third injection must be received at the appropriate time thereafter.

Doctor of Nursing Practice: 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.

Doctor of Nursing Practice: Computer Literacy and Access

Doctor of Nursing Practice 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. 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 Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Regis University requires successful completion of course requirements and a final comprehensive evaluation. 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 3.000 are suspended. In addition, students who receive a grade of “B- or below” in two courses at the 700 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

Doctor of Nursing Practice 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 3.000 and no grades of incomplete are eligible to apply for overload.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Student Advising

Students are assigned an academic success coach upon admission who assists them with planning their program of study. Students and coaches discuss the terms of the program requirements at appropriate intervals throughout the program. Coaches counsel students on meeting the requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program; however, it is the student’s responsibility to schedule advising appointments and to complete all degree requirements.

Doctor of Nursing Practice 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 Doctor of Nursing Practice 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.

Doctor of Nursing Practice 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 Doctor of Nursing Practice degree:

  • Satisfactory completion of required academic and clinical course work,
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.000
  • Successful completion of a capstone project and defense; and
  • 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.