Requirements:

• Online application submitted directly to Chatham University.
• Official academic transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended.
• Applicant must have completed Master of Science in Nursing degree – cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or greater. Please note that while we do not require any specific pre-requisite classes, Chatham faculty expect that students will enter the program with foundational knowledge of research methodology and basic statistics (from their baccalaureate or master’s program).
• Copy of Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Copy of current RN license
• Two letters of professional recommendation addressing the candidate's strengths, scholarly achievements and activities, and ability to succeed in the program. 
• Admissions Essay (must be an original piece of work and not a previous academic assignment). The essay should address the following prompt: Describe a clinical problem in your practice setting and explain why it is a problem warranting a change to impact patient and or organizational outcomes.
  • The essay should be at least 500 words and professional, not personal. While you may not currently function in a direct care role, please be sure your problem can be tied to patient outcomes. The problem you address in the essay is subject to faculty approval once enrolled in the DNP program and may or may not serve as your DNP project's focus. You may use citations and references to support your essay. Essays should be written according to APA Style 7th Edition and free from spelling and grammatical errors. 
• Documentation of Clinical Experience:
  • As the DNP degree is a clinical doctorate, the 1000 post-baccalaureate practice experience hour requirement as stated in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006) must be strictly adhered to and the hours must be completed in a healthcare setting prior to degree conferral. Since Chatham's program is a post-master's DNP program, Chatham requires that each applicant provide sufficient and accurate evidence of the completion of 500 supervised hours achieved post-baccalaureate, and already completed upon entering into Chatham's DNP program. While enrolled in the DNP program, the remaining 500 supervised hours will be completed. Applicants that have earned an advanced practice certification (e.g., NP, CRNA*, CNS, and CNM) must provide a copy of their current national certification as evidence of having completed 500 supervised practice experience hours since completing a baccalaureate nursing education program. *NBCRNA certificate holders must submit a copy of their NBCRNA transcript as provided by NBCRNA. This transcript will specifically reference the number of practice hours in the applicant's program.
  • Applicants who have not yet earned an advanced practice certification must provide a thorough description of the supervised practice experience hours completed while enrolled in an NP, CRNA, CNS, or CNM program as validated by an official transcript.
    Acceptable descriptions include:
    • Completion of the Verification of Master’s Precepted Clinical Hours form, signed by an official from the school at which the clinical hours were completed
    • An official letter from the master’s program director or mentor who supervised the required practice experience hours, documenting the total number of hours completed
    • Official practice experience time logs which total the number of hours completed, and are signed by the preceptor/mentor
    • Course syllabi that demonstrate the number of practice experience hours required in each course
  • Students who have not completed a master's curriculum inclusive of 500 academically supervised practice experience hours may apply to Chatham as a Non-Degree Seeking student to pursue these hours. Chatham offers the course NUR697 Nursing Practice Experience. This course is designed for those planning admission to Chatham University’s DNP program and lack the required practice experience hours. There are one credit (90-hours), two credit (170-hours), and three credit (250 hours) versions of the course available. Students may not take the course twice within the same term. Students may begin the process of applying for formal DNP admission while enrolled in NUR697. It is important to note that Non-Degree completion of NUR697 does not guarantee or imply automatic admission to the Chatham DNP program. If you have additional questions about registration in this course, please contact the Admission Office at 412-365-1498.

State Restrictions for Online Learning

Chatham University requires state authorization to provide distance education in states other than their own. Please follow the link below to see if Chatham is authorized to deliver instruction in your state. Also, this program has a required practice experience component. Please check the information in the Practice Experience and Special requirements column to see if the state you plan on completing your practice experience hours is approved or has special restrictions.

State Authorization for Distance Education and Practical Experiences

International Applicants

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a clinical doctorate that is earned through taking courses that prepare nurses to practice as clinical leaders in the healthcare delivery system. Graduates of the DNP program have a skillset and competencies to function in clinical leadership roles depending on student interest and career trajectory. 

NUR702: Developing Evidence-Based Practice

This course prepares students with skills and competencies needed to build and assimilate knowledge for establishing a scholarly trajectory at a high level of complexity. The course consists of 125 practice experience hours and is the foundation for the culminating capstone project focusing on improving practice.

NUR707: Information Technology and Data-Driven Decision Making

This course provides students with an opportunity to examine the value of technology and information systems to support evidence-based practice, guidelines, and policy across various health settings. Various methods for gathering, managing, and synthesizing data will be introduced in order to conduct analyses for quality improvement, financial, and outcome evaluations.

NUR799: Capstone Experience

This course provides an opportunity for the student to implement and evaluate a planned evidence-based practice change project. This project lays the groundwork for future scholarship. This course culminates in a tangible and deliverable academic product derived from the practice immersion experience. A total of 250 practice experience hours are included in the course.

View Full Curriculum