Two female graduates standing in line and smiling at graduation ceremony.

What does it cost?

Learn more about the cost of an online degree, or use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study. For information on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine eligibility, visit the FAFSA tips page.

Georgia State is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible programs for all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student's future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances, and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.

How long will it take?

Minimum of 39 semester hours of graduate coursework must be completed.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus, Online

What is the course format?

This hybrid program comprises online and on-campus work. At least 50% of the coursework will be completed online.

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: June 1
  • Spring: Does Not Admit
  • Summer: Does Not Admit

Doctor of Nursing Practice, D.N.P.

Talk to an enrollment coach
404-413-4393
[email protected]

Talk to a faculty member
Lisa Cranwell-Bruce
Program Director
404-413-1189
[email protected]

For those called to seek the highest level of clinical nursing practice, the Georgia State doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) hybrid program is your solution. You will finish the program ready to lead others to implement cost-effective practices that also improve outcomes.

One hundred percent of our D.N.P. students work full-time, and still, they are preparing for work in:

  • healthcare administration;
  • professional nursing organizations;
  • higher education; and
  • many practice settings throughout Georgia.

You will move through the program as a cohort of colleagues, allowing you to network with industry leaders and build relationships that last well beyond graduation.

*The hybrid program combines online (web-facilitated) classes with a limited number of on-campus sessions. Students attend on-campus sessions (also known as intensives) one day at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. The web-facilitated classes are a combination of real-time and on-demand courses.

Is a Ph.D. or D.N.P. degree right for me?

Program Details

Post-B.S.N. to D.N.P. Track:

Degree Requirement(s) B.S.N. from an accredited nursing program.
GPA Minimum of 2.75 cumulative grade point average in B.S.N. program.
Transcripts Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
Licensure A valid, unrestricted RN license in the state of residence and/or practice.
Professional Experience Minimum of six months of experience as a registered nurse at the time of program enrollment.
Entrance Exam GRE or MAT
Letters of Recommendation Three strong letters of recommendation are required, preferably from individuals with doctorates in nursing (D.N.P. or Ph.D.).  At least one recommendation must be from a faculty member from the applicant’s B.S.N. program.
Personal Statement Statement of how previous experience and education has provided sufficient preparation for graduate study as well as professional goals for graduate study.
Writing Sample The applicant to the DNP program should submit a scholarly paper of 3 pages in length (excluding title and reference page), in the APA 7th edition format, utilizing the articles below for their writing sample.

For this paper, please be sure to include insights you gained from reading the following articles:

  • Loomis, J.A., Willard, B. & Cohen, J. (2006). Difficult professional choices: Deciding between the Ph.D. and DNP in nursing. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. www.nursingworld.org
  • Murphy, M.P., Staffileno, B. & Carlson, E. (2015). Collaboration among DNP-and PhD-prepared nurses: Opportunity to drive positive change. Journal of Professional Nursing, 31(5), 388-394. http://dx.doi.org
  • Trautman, D., Idzik, S., Hammersla, M., & Rosseter, R. (2018). Advancing scholarship through translational research: The role of Ph.D. and DNP prepared nurses. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(2). Doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol23No02Man02
  • Vincent, D., Johnson, C, Velasquez, D. & Ridney, T. (2010). DNP-prepared nurses as practitioners-researchers: Closing the gap between research and practice. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 14 (11/12), 38-34.

Compare and contrast the key points made in each article about the role of the DNP and Ph.D. prepared scholars. Where did the articles seem to converge and diverge in their view of the DNP and Ph.D. in Nursing degrees? What did you learn about the two advanced degrees? Why is the DNP degree the best fit for you at this time?

Resume/CV Current resume/CV
TOEFL Minimum score of 80 (550 for older exams). Required for applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores (not more than two years old) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is not required of international applicants who have received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution. For more information, visit https://lewis.gsu.edu/admissions/international-applicants.

Post-M.S.N. to D.N.P. Track:

Degree Requirement(s) M.S.N. from accredited nursing programs.
GPA Minimum of 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the M.S.N. program.
Transcripts Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
Clinical Hours Documentation of the number of precepted clinical hours or supervised residency hours in a master’s level program.
Licensure A copy of valid, unrestricted RN license as well as licensure for APRN (if applicable) in the state of residency and/or practice.
Entrance Exams GRE or MAT waived for applicants who have a cumulative grade point average in a master’s program.
Letters of Recommendation Three strong letters of recommendation are required, preferably from individuals with doctorates in nursing (D.N.P. or Ph.D.)
Statement State of professional goals for graduate study.
Writing Sample The applicant to the DNP program should submit a scholarly paper of 3 pages in length (excluding title and reference page), in the APA 7th edition format, utilizing the articles below for their writing sample.

For this paper, please be sure to include insights you gained from reading the following articles:

  • Loomis, J.A., Willard, B. & Cohen, J. (2006). Difficult professional choices: Deciding between the Ph.D. and DNP in nursing. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. www.nursingworld.org
  • Murphy, M.P., Staffileno, B. & Carlson, E. (2015). Collaboration among DNP-and PhD-prepared nurses: Opportunity to drive positive change. Journal of Professional Nursing, 31(5), 388-394. http://dx.doi.org
  • Trautman, D., Idzik, S., Hammersla, M., & Rosseter, R. (2018). Advancing scholarship through translational research: The role of Ph.D. and DNP prepared nurses. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(2). Doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol23No02Man02
  • Vincent, D., Johnson, C, Velasquez, D. & Ridney, T. (2010). DNP-prepared nurses as practitioners-researchers: Closing the gap between research and practice. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 14 (11/12), 38-34.

Compare and contrast the key points made in each article about the role of the DNP and Ph.D. prepared scholars. Where did the articles seem to converge and diverge in their view of the DNP and Ph.D. in Nursing degrees? What did you learn about the two advanced degrees? Why is the DNP degree the best fit for you at this time?

Resume/CV Current resume/CV
TOEFL Minimum score of 80 (550 for older exams). Required for applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores (not more than two years old) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is not required of international applicants who have received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution. For more information please visit https://lewis.gsu.edu/admissions/international-applicants.

International Applicants
Additional requirements may apply if you are an international applicant.

Learn more about the requirements for international applicants.

Post-B.S.N. to D.N.P. Track

  • Total of 81 credit hours
  • Students can complete the requirements to sit for national certification examination as advanced practice nurses in their preferred specialty area (Adult Health-Gero NP, Pediatric NP, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health).
  • Clinical Hours Requirement: 1,000

Post-M.S.N. to D.N.P. Track

  • Total of 39 credit hours.
  • The D.N.P. curriculum builds on the APRN curriculum with knowledge of core courses and skills serving as a foundation for a strong evidence-based focus and related organization and systems leadership.
  • APRNs and M.S. prepared nurses widen their scope of knowledge and influence to include populations of patients, healthcare systems, evidence-based practice, and technology.

For up-to-date curriculum requirements, please visit the catalog.

For complete degree requirements, visit the catalog.

Affording Your Online Degree
Georgia State is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible programs for all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student's future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances, and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.

Learn more about the cost of an online degree, or use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study.

Contact Student Financial Services
We are here to help you understand the cost of your program, the payment schedule and financing opportunities.

Use the Student Financial Services Guided Paths to walk you through the Financial Aid Process and learn about all our options for financing your education.

Corporate Assistance
Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance
Active duty military, veterans and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits. Download our guide to How to Start Your VA Benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see TAP Tuition Assistance.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Program:

  1. Enable graduates to utilize and integrate evidence-based knowledge, translate research, and implement quality improvement initiatives to promote quality patient and population outcomes.
  2. Prepare advance practice nurse leaders to apply current scientific knowledge to increasingly complex practice and collaborate with interprofessional teams.
  3. Produce advance practice nurse leaders who are innovated and employ advanced levels of clinical judgment to improve individual and population health outcomes.
  4. Develop knowledge and skills of leading-edge technology to apply it to clinical and operational practices.
  5. Create advance practice nurse leaders who will possess expertise in analysis of health care policy.

Description

Careers

Graduates are highly qualified for the following career opportunities:

  • Healthcare executive
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Nursing faculty
  • Advanced practice nursing
  • Healthcare lobbyist
  • Clinical research
  • and more.

Contacts

Admissions and Curriculum Inquiries

Office of Academic Assistance
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
811 Urban Life Building
Atlanta, GA 30303

404-413-1000
[email protected]

Mailing Address:
Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3995
Atlanta, GA 30302-3995

Lewis College Logo140 Decatur Street SE
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared here provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For official details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.