Doctor of Nursing Practice

The University of North Georgia (UNG) offers a 38 or 44 credit-hour post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree options that provide nurses with a terminal practice-focused nursing degree. The program builds on clinical knowledge to prepare graduates for the highest level of practice in a complex healthcare environment. The DNP graduate has the scientific knowledge and practice expertise to improve population health outcomes through the implementation of evidence-based practice and positively impacting access to care at multiple levels. Leadership and nursing education tracks are available for students wishing to expand their knowledge in these areas.

The curriculum is designed for the working professional to complete in five or eight semesters. All courses are delivered in an online format with both asynchronous and synchronous class meetings. There are two required on-campus experiences: Orientation and DNP Intensive. A new cohort begins each fall semester. After the posted application deadline, complete application files for candidates will be reviewed, and the available student slots in the program will be filled. Individuals will be notified whether or not they are accepted into the DNP degree program.

In line with recommendations by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), DNP graduates are required to complete a minimum of 1000 post-baccalaureate clinical/practice hours. To meet this requirement, the UNG DNP program may accept up to 500 clinical hours from a student’s master’s in nursing program or nursing specialty certification upon review of transcripts, master’s program verification, certification requirements, and the completion of a gap analysis. Advanced practice or nursing specialty certifications used toward DNP practice hours must be active and related to the applicant’s current nursing practice. A minimum of 500 additional post-master’s clinical/practice hours is required during the program. The majority of practice hours completed in the program will occur during the planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of the DNP project. This project will focus on a practice change initiative that may include but is not limited to a pilot study, program evaluation, or quality improvement project. Additional hours may occur through participation in doctoral-level activities at the discretion of the course faculty. Students not qualifying for transfer of previous clinical/specialty practice hours are required to complete 1000 clinical/practice hours to meet the requirements of the DNP degree. The student will work with the DNP Program Coordinator before enrolling in the first course to develop a plan for obtaining the required hours. 

For additional program information, call the Department of Nursing, 706-867-4592, or write to the Department of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001.

Graduate Admissions Procedures

Application materials may be obtained from Graduate Admissions or the DNP website. Applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee. When all application materials have been received by Graduate Admissions, the applicant will be notified, and a copy of all materials will be forwarded to the program.  After the posted application deadline and upon review, a letter from the program will be sent to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial. In some instances, the applicant may be requested to come to Dahlonega for an interview or testing.

Students who are admitted to UNG but do not enroll within three semesters of acceptance must reapply to the program by submitting to Graduate Admissions a new application for readmission. Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last three semesters must also reapply to the program by submitting to Graduate Admissions a new application for readmission. All documents and materials submitted to fulfill the application requirements for entry to a program at UNG become the property of the university and will not be returned.

DNP Admission Requirements

The following documents are required for consideration for admission to the DNP program:

1. Graduate Admissions application and non-refundable application fee.
2. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25/4.0 from a master’s degree program in nursing or another healthcare-related field. Transcripts must include certification that the applicant has received a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and state a calculated cumulative GPA.
3. Copy of unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license (required) and APRN license (if applicable).
4. If applicable, a copy of current APRN and/or specialty certification.
5. A signed verification form from the student’s master’s program documenting the number of precepted clinical hours or supervised residency hours completed in the master’s level nursing program.
6. Three professional letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional, intellectual, and academic abilities (if graduated in the last five years, one must be an academic reference).
7. Current vitae or resume including education, work experience, and professional development, professional and/or community activities, research, and publications.
8. A professional writing sample that consisting of a two-page statement of purpose briefly describing your current nursing practice (site, patient population, your role, etc.) and identification of one potential healthcare issue in your practice that could be the basis for your DNP Project. Describe one evidence-based solution to the healthcare issue identified, including citation of the literature where the evidence-based solution is discussed, and how the proposed solution will improve the identified healthcare issue.
9. Proof of lawful presence in the United States, if applying for in-state tuition.
10. Official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), for applicants whose native language is not English with a minimum of 79 on the internet-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, or 550 on the paper-based test.

The following documents must be received before the first day of the initial semester for which the student is enrolled:

1. Completed accident/illness waiver form.
2. Criminal background check.
3. Completed Department of Nursing Medical form. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all requirements are up to date.
4. Students who have not submitted all of the above documentation before the first day of the semester will not be allowed to attend until all documentation has been received.
5. Proof of professional liability insurance.

Regular Admission

The requirements for regular admission are:

1. M.S.N. or M.S. with nursing focus from an accredited nursing program; or B.S.N. with a master’s degree in another healthcare-related field.*
2. Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
3. An unrestricted RN license and APRN license (if applicable) in the state of residency and/or practice.
4. Minimum of two years of clinic experience as a registered nurse and currently practicing in nursing or an approved healthcare-related field.

* Applicants with a master’s degree in a healthcare-related field may be required to complete a graduate-level research course and/or a statistics course before admission to the DNP program. 

Provisional Admission

An applicant failing to meet the GPA requirements for regular admission may be eligible for provisional admission for up to six credit hours, if space in the program is available, under conditions specified at the time of admission. To qualify for provisional admission, an individual must have:

1. M.S.N. or M.S. with nursing focus from an accredited nursing program; or B.S.N. with a master’s degree in another healthcare-related field.*
2. An unrestricted RN license and APRN license (if applicable) in the state of residency and/or practice.
3. Minimum of two years of clinic experience as a registered nurse and currently practicing in nursing or an approved healthcare-related field.

Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid. Student status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following the completion of one semester. Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade of C or lower in any graduate-level nursing course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the DNP program.

*Applicants with a master’s degree in a healthcare-related field may be required to complete a graduate-level research course and/or a statistics course before admission to the DNP program. 

Transfer Credit Requirements

Requests for transfer course credit for courses completed at an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) within six years will be reviewed by the DNP Program Coordinator and Department of Nursing upon the request of the student. Requests must include the syllabus for the semester in which the proposed transfer course credit was completed. Requests may only include courses from programs at the DNP and Ph.D. levels and must align with the UNG DNP program. Transfer credit awarded will be up to 9 credit hours.

Notice Regarding Online Offerings

In compliance with state authorization for the delivery of distance education, UNG online courses, degrees, and certificate programs are not available in some states. If you are not a Georgia resident, email onlineapproval@ung.edu to check program availability in your state. This email address is exclusively for questions regarding state authorization of online offerings. Other inquiries should be directed to the academic department offering the online program or to Graduate Admissions.

International applicants who must be issued an F-1 visa by UNG to enter the United States to attend school may not apply for completely online programs or part-time programs (less than nine hours fall and spring semesters).

DNP Academic Policies

Academic Progression

For purposes of retention and progression in the DNP degree program, graduate nursing students progress through the program of study as long as a minimum of a B is earned in each graduate course. In courses including exams, exams must average a minimum of 75 before other grades being added or averaged into the course grade. If less than a 75 average on exams is earned, the student will receive a C or lower for the course and must repeat the course, if eligible to do so.

Incomplete Grades

The DNP program adheres to the uniform grading system in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog. No student carrying two Incomplete grades may enroll in additional course work without the written consent of the DNP Program Coordinator. No degree will be conferred on a student who has an unresolved Incomplete grade remaining on his/her transcript.

Academic Standing Policy

Graduate nursing students whose academic performance is unsatisfactory will be subject to the following:

1. Probation – A student will be placed on probation for any of the following reasons:
   1. The student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0.
   2. The student earns a U or any other grade of C or lower.

No student may be a candidate for the degree while on probation due to a grade point average below 3.0. Probation will be removed when the student’s grade point average reaches 3.0 or higher. In cases where the student is placed on probation due to grade(s), probation will be removed when the course(s) is/are repeated and the grade is S or B or above, and the overall grade point average is 3.0 or greater. Students who are on probation may not register until advised.

2. Suspension – A degree-seeking student will be suspended from the DNP program for any of the following reasons:
   1. The student earns two grades of C or lower.
   2. The student earns two U’s.
   3. Has already served three consecutive semesters on academic probation.

The period of suspension will consist of three semesters. No student may enroll in graduate courses at UNG while on suspension. Courses taken at another institution during the period of suspension will not be recognized for transfer credit. If suspended, a student may reapply to the program after a period of three semesters from the date the student was suspended by submitting to Graduate Admissions a letter addressed to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions presenting a rationale for readmission and a new application for readmission. The student will be readmitted only upon approval of the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions and the Nursing graduate coordinator.

Students who believe that their academic progress was affected by extenuating circumstances may appeal their suspensions to the Nursing Progression and Retention Committee.

Academic and Professional Integrity Policy

At the end of each semester, the program faculty or the Director of Graduate Nursing Studies may intervene to establish a plan of action for any student in the program whose competency is in question for reasons including unprofessional, disruptive, or unethical behavior in the classroom or applied setting. The plan should be signed by the student and the Director of Graduate Nursing Studies with copies forwarded to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professions.

Academic Integrity

The University of North Georgia recognizes honesty and integrity as being necessary to the academic functioning of the university. UNG graduate students are expected to uphold the university regulations addressed in the Student Code of Conduct, Article 3, Rule 2.

Professional Integrity

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program adheres to the university’s definition of professional integrity as described in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Academic Catalog.

DNP Degree Requirements

Graduation requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree include:

1. Completion of 38 designated semester hours of study for DNP, 44 designated semester hours if new track selected.
2. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, with no grade of C or lower.
3. Successful completion of the DNP project.
4. All transfer credits must be approved by the DNP program coordinator, Dean of CHSP, and Registrar. No more than 9 transfer credits will be accepted and must align with the DNP curriculum.
5. Completion of all degree-related course requirements, including any transfer credit, within a six-year period.