Curriculum & Coursework

Suggested Academic Plans of Study for DNP Program

To view a suggested academic plan and the most up-to-date list of required courses for the individual options—Leadership, Family/Individual/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health—please visit the Graduate Bulletin Nursing page. Recommended Academic Plans are listed individually in each option below.

Please note, the recommended plan of study is a sample plan. Each student will have an individual plan. Differences in plans and credit hours may be based on the number of practicum hours required to complete the D.N.P. and/or number of graduate courses previously completed and transferred to Penn State. This varies with each student. Students must strictly adhere to their individual plan of study. Any change must be discussed with the D.N.P. advisor and approved by the D.N.P. Program Director.

DNP Base Program with No Option

For a full list of Nursing Courses please go to University Bulletin / Graduate Courses / Nursing

Required Courses (Base Program - No Option)

D.N.P. Core Courses

NURS 510 Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice 3 crs

NURS 587 Ethics in Health Research 1 cr

NURS 588 Healthcare Policy for Nurse and Healthcare Scholars 3 crs

NURS 590 Colloquium 1 cr

NURS 808 Population Health Perspectives 3 crs

NURS 831 Evidence-Based Practice II: Inquiry, Methods and Translation into Practice 4 crs

NURS 836 Healthcare Informatics 3 crs

NURS 837 Evidence-Based Practice III: Project Development 3 crs

Advanced Practice Practicum

If needed to meet the 1000 hour practicum requirement.

NURS 834 Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Practicum 0-8 crs

Electives

24 credits of electives chosen from a list of approved elective courses maintained by the graduate program office 24 crs

Culminating Experience

NURS 835 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project 6 crs

Total Credits 59 crs

In addition to course work, all students are required to complete a series of intensives and three benchmarks, Qualifying Examination, Comprehensive Examination, and a Final Oral Presentation.

To view the most up-to-date list of required courses for the individual options—Leadership, Family/Individual/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health—please visit the Graduate Bulletin Nursing page.

DNP Leadership Options (LDRSP)

Graduate Bulletin Nursing

Students with a B.S.N. must earn a minimum of 59 credits and complete a minimum of 1000 practicum hours for the D.N.P. with the Leadership option. Students with an M.S.N. must earn a minimum of 30 credits.

The DNP–Leadership prepares nurses for advanced practice roles focused on leading change and improving outcomes across complex health care systems. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in systems thinking, health policy, organizational leadership, and evidence-based practice. Emphasis is placed on integrating leadership theory with real-world application to drive innovation, quality improvement, and strategic transformation in health care delivery.

After successfully completing the required coursework and practicum hours, graduates will be eligible to assume executive and systems-level leadership roles in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, academic institutions, public health organizations, and integrated health systems.

Below are the recommended plans of study. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic adviser and the program coordinator before scheduling courses to ensure they are making appropriate academic progress.

Recommended Academic Plans

B.S.N. to D.N.P. Recommended Academic Plan Full-Time

NOTE: The recommended academic plan of study is a sample plan. Each student will have an individual plan. Differences in plans and credit hours may be based on the number of practicum hours required to complete the D.N.P. and/or number of graduate courses previously completed and transferred to Penn State. This varies with each student. Students must strictly adhere to their individual plan of study. Any change must be discussed with the D.N.P. advisor and approved by the D.N.P. Program Director.

DNP Educator Option (NRSED)

Graduate Bulletin Nursing

Students with a B.S.N. must earn a minimum of 59 credits and complete a minimum of 1000 practicum hours for the D.N.P. with the Nurse Educator option. Students with an M.S.N. must earn a minimum of 30 credits.

The DNP–Nurse Educator option prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in academic and clinical education. Nurse educators combine clinical expertise with a passion for teaching, playing a vital role in preparing new nurses and advancing the development of practicing clinicians. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in pedagogy, curriculum development, student assessment, and instructional design, while also emphasizing leadership, scholarship, and innovation in nursing education.

Graduates of this option are equipped to teach in schools of nursing, hospitals, public health agencies, and other health care settings. They are also prepared to contribute to the profession through research, scholarly publication, policy advocacy, and community engagement.

Below are the recommended plans of study. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic adviser and the program coordinator before scheduling courses to ensure they are making appropriate academic progress.

Recommended Academic Plan

NOTE: The recommended academic plan of study is a sample plan. Each student will have an individual plan. Differences in plans and credit hours may be based on the number of practicum hours required to complete the D.N.P. and/or number of graduate courses previously completed and transferred to Penn State. This varies with each student. Students must strictly adhere to their individual plan of study. Any change must be discussed with the D.N.P. advisor and approved by the D.N.P. Program Director.

DNP-NP Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner Option (FNP)

Graduate Bulletin Nursing

FNP prepares nurses for advanced practice roles to deliver comprehensive primary care to individuals from infancy to adulthood in a variety of settings. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and strategies for meeting primary care needs through a family-centered approach to health promotion and illness prevention/intervention. After successfully completing 56 credits and 1,125 practice hours, graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations as Family Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioners.

Below are the recommended plans of study. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic adviser and the program coordinator before scheduling courses to ensure they are making appropriate academic progress.

DNP-NP Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

Graduate Bulletin Nursing

AGACNP prepares nurses for advanced practice roles caring for individuals who are acutely and critically ill across the continuum of acute care services. The curriculum gives students a strong background in advanced assessment, therapeutics, and technological interventions. Emphasis is placed on integrating didactic knowledge with patient management and advanced technical skills. After successfully completing 55 credits and 1,125 practicum hours, graduates will be eligible to take national certification examinations as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Below are the recommended plans of study. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic adviser and the program coordinator before scheduling courses to ensure they are making appropriate academic progress.

DNP-NP Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)

Graduate Bulletin Nursing

AGPCNP prepares nurses for advanced practice roles as primary care providers to manage the health of individuals from adolescence through adulthood and the end of life. AGPCNPs work in a variety of settings, including long-term care, hospital-based clinics, and private practice. After successfully completing 53 credits and 1,125 practice hours, graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.

Below are the recommended plans of study. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic adviser and the program coordinator before scheduling courses to ensure they are making appropriate academic progress.

DNP-NP Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Graduate Bulletin Nursing

PMHNP prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in assessing and managing individuals with mental illnesses across the lifespan. The curriculum emphasizes all aspects of mental health and substance use disorder services to diverse populations across the lifespan. Using multivariate evidence-based interventions, including individual and family psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and medication management, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners diagnose and treat mental health and substance use disorders. After successfully completing 59 credits and 1,125 practice hours, graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner examination (Across the Lifespan).

Below are the recommended plans of study. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic adviser and the program coordinator before scheduling courses to ensure they are making appropriate academic progress.

List of Course Electives

The following is a list of course electives that may be taken. Courses may also be taken in the following programs: Public Administration, Public Health, Health Policy and Administration, Project Management, Education, Business, and Human Resources and Employment Relations.

MBADM 810-816 & 820

NURS 580 Epistemology of Nursing Science (3 Credits). Examines the development and organization of nursing knowledge; nursing theories are critically analyzed in relationship to the substantive structure of nursing science.

NURS 585 Qualitative Methods in Health Research (3 Credits). Provides an overview of advanced qualitative research methodologies useful in the conduct of social and behavioral health research.

NURS 586 Quantitative Methods in Health Research (3 Credits). An overview of methodological considerations specific to quantitative health research.

HI ED 552 Administration and Higher Education (3 Credits). Philosophy of administration; principles of scientific management and their application in colleges and universities; case studies of administrative problems. Prerequisite: Courses or experience in higher education.

HI ED 810 Planning and Resource Management in Higher Education (3 Credits). Strategic planning and resource management in higher education through institutional research.

HRER 501 Labor and Employment Law (3 Credits). Legal context of employment in the United States.

HRER 802 Organizations in the Workplace (3 Credits). This course provides students with an overview of selected managerial behavior and career topics in modern organizations.

HRER 836 Diversity in the Workplace (3 Credits). This course examines workplace diversity, gender and race challenges facing employers and employees, and the skills for managing diversity.

MANGT 510 Project Management (3 Credits). A problem-based, interdisciplinary course in project management skills and techniques needed to manage projects in a modern business environment.

P ADM 500 Public Organization and Management (3 Credits). Development of basic concepts and issues in public administration; administrative theory and public policy processes.

P ADM 502 Governmental Fiscal Decision Making (3 Credits). Nature, function, and technique of governmental budgeting viewed as mechanism for allocating resources among alternative public uses.

P ADM 505 Human Resources in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors (3 Credits). Concepts and approaches contributing to effective use of human resources in public and non-profit organizations; legal issues and requirements.

P ADM 506 Management Information Systems for Public and Health Administration (3 Credits). The design, implementation, and purpose of computerized management information systems in public and non-profit organizations.

P ADM 507 Introduction to Public Policy Analysis (3 Credits). Introduction to the analysis of public policy within its organizational and political contexts, including an emphasis on an economic perspective.

P ADM 510 Organizational Behavior (3 Credits). Examination of concepts of human behavior in formal organizations, systems analysis, conceptual models, and decision processes.

P ADM 511 Organizational Change and Development (3 Credits). Theory of organizational change and development; case analysis of applications in actual situations. Prerequisite: H ADM 510 or P ADM 510

P ADM 512 Issues in Human Resources (3 Credits). A survey of major human resource issues such as job stress, burnout, and the many forms of discrimination in organizations. Prerequisite: P ADM 505 or H ADM 510 or P ADM 510

P ADM 522 Government Financial Management (3 Credits). Theories and techniques of financial planning and control, with emphasis on their application in government and nonprofit agencies. Prerequisite: P ADM 502

P ADM 557 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (3 Credits). Study of the impact of a federal system of government on the administration of public functions. National-state-local dimensions.

PHP 527 Public Health Evaluation of Disasters and Bioterrorism (3 Credits). Introduces students to the design of exposure assessment and health effect studies applicable to disasters and terrorism.

PHP 530 Critical Infrastructure Protection of Health Care Delivery Systems (3 Credits). Investigates the impact that terrorist incidents may have on health care facilities or their ability to deliver health care services.

PSY 532 Psychological Foundations of Leadership (3 Credits). Students will examine the social and psychological processes underlying leadership in organizations.

PSY 539 Foundations of Behavior, Motivation, and Attitudes at Work (3 Credits). Students will examine the psychological and social processes underlying behavior, motivation, and attitudes in work settings.

WF ED 405 Project Management for Professionals (3 Credits). Covers the essential concepts and skills needed to make effective contributions on projects, on time and within budget.

Academic Standards for Course Requirements

Graduate Bulletin / Nursing / Degree Requirements

Academic Standards for DNP Course Requirements

Required core courses include prescribed courses in the Nursing core (as defined by the D.N.P. Program Curriculum). The academic standards adopted by the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing for all students apply to students enrolled in the doctoral program:

Successful completion of prerequisite courses is defined as a grade of “B” (83%) or better according to the University grading scale.
Successful completion of required nursing courses is defined as a grade of “B” (83%) or better according to the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing grading scale.
All prerequisite courses and required Nursing courses may only be repeated one time.
A student who earns a “B-” or lower in any two required nursing courses will be dismissed from the nursing program.
Students who wish to return to the University after a leave of absence or to re-enroll after withdrawing will apply to resume study, and if accepted, re-enter under the curricular requirements at the time of re-enrollment. If a significant amount of time has lapsed, additional coursework may be required. Scheduling of both didactic and clinical courses may depend on availability of space.
Students enrolled in courses with a practicum are required to complete at least half of their practicum hours by the semester mid-point or be deemed in academic jeopardy.

Approved by Graduate Affairs Committee 2023-2024 AY

Other Courses for the DNP Program

All other courses included in a doctoral student’s program of study contribute evidence of successful academic progression. The designation of “other courses” includes statistics courses that are allocated to the core requirements; support courses; and any other course in the program of study (typically designated as electives). Evidence of successful progression in these courses is evidenced by a quality grade of B or higher. Achievement of a B- or lower in any course is considered unsatisfactory and results in a formal review of academic progress (regardless of cumulative/semester GPA).

Historical Course Offerings

The Historical Course Offering Tool provides students with access to detailed information about course offerings from the past eight years. This includes:

Terms in which a course was offered
Enrollment numbers for each section
Class details such as location, instruction mode, class components, session type, and start/end dates

📘 How to Use the Tool

To explore past nursing course offerings:

Select the Campus: Choose either WC (World Campus) or UP (University Park) depending on your program location.
Choose the Subject: Select NURS from the subject dropdown menu.
Pick a Course Number:
- If you know the specific course number, select it to view its offering history.
- If you're unsure, leave the course number blank or select “All” to view a complete list of nursing courses.

This tool is especially helpful for planning your academic path, understanding course availability trends, and preparing for advising sessions.

Important: While this tool is a helpful reference, students should always consult with their academic adviser. Course offerings may change in future semesters and are not guaranteed based on historical data.