Doctor of Nursing Practice

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Program Admissions Requirements

1. Complete an online application for admission.
2. Master of Science in Nursing degree.
a. Graduate research methods course with a grade of C- or better.
b. Applicants with a non-nursing master's degree are required to show prior completion of or take the following graduate-level coursework to meet MSN Essentials:
i. Research, Ethics, Policy, Health Promotion
3. Submit official transcripts.
4. GPA of 3.0 or higher.
a. Applicants with a GPA of 2.7 to 2.99 may be admitted with the condition that the student achieve a "B" (3.0) or better in the first nine (9) credits in the program. Students who do not achieve a "B" or better in the first nine (9) credits will be dismissed from the program.
5. Active, unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the United States.
6. Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae, two (2) letters of recommendation, and a one-page statement of purpose describing: a. Your reasons for pursuing doctoral study. b. Short- and long-term professional and academic goals. c. Your leadership experience.
7. West Coast University requires proof of English Proficiency. Applicants for whom English is not their primary language should refer to the University Admissions Requirements section of the catalog.
8. West Coast University offers conditional admission to DNP applicants who are academically qualified but have not met all the conditions for admission.
9. A virtual interview may be conducted as part of the admission process.
Recommendation for admission following an interview with the Admissions Committee. Past academic performance and professional activity will be evaluated, e.g., community, organizational, and volunteer service, and creative professional accomplishments. These qualifications will be evaluated using a rubric to determine the applicant’s level of qualification.

Bridge Courses

Breakdown of Credits

Course Category	Credits
Graduate Core Credits	26
Specialty Credits	4
Total	30

Program Licensure Requirements

RN License Disclosure

RNs who are not licensed in California, will be required to apply for a California RN license if their clinical practicum is to be completed in California. RNs wishing to complete their clinical practicum in their state of residence (where they resided when they enrolled at WCU for their current program of study) must identify a clinical site in their state of residence with which the university can execute a clinical affiliation agreement. The RN license must be active and unobstructed.

Program Clinical Requirements

Students will complete 1000 post-baccalaureate practice hours. Students will complete experiential hours that support the focus of the DNP. The DNP student will identify a practice problem and a site that will support application-oriented learning for implementation of the DNP project. These sites will require approval by the Clinical Practice Coordinator and the student’s nursing faculty advisor must approve the project. Each student will have a site mentor/healthcare leader at the project site where the student will be completing practice hours and their DNP project.

Health Insurance Requirement

Provide acceptable proof of health insurance coverage when assigned to academic activities requiring health insurance as a prerequisite of participation (on/off campus clinical or practical experiences)

Program Progression Requirements

Students must achieve a minimum grade of B in DNP courses to be considered passing.

Program Dismissal Policy

Students are dismissed after 3 failures.