Faculty
Sandra C. Brown, DNS, MN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAANP, FAAN
Dean and Professor
Annisa Taylor, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Interim Chairperson / Assistant Professor
Professor
Wanda Spurlock, DNS, RN, GERO-BC, PMH-BC, CNE, FNGNA, ANEF, FGSA, FAAN
Assistant Professor
Ruby Sheree Miller, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Alicia Restivo, DNP, FNP-C
Perry Russell, DNP, APRN, FNP
Adjunct Faculty
Dominique Anderson, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, MSN
Mecca Daigre, DNP, FNP-C
Sandra Joiner, PharmD, MBA
Kourtni Luster, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Carla Sanders, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Overview
The purpose of the DNP program is to prepare nurses in a doctoral curriculum to translate academic research, promote evidence-based practice, and develop systems of care based on research utilization. The program of study for the DNP requires 32 credit hours to complete the program with 6 credit hours of core courses, 9 credit hours of graduate-level research courses, and 17 credit hours of focus study courses in leadership. The Post Masters DNP student is required to complete a total of 1000 practice hours. Up to 500 hours from an MSN program resulting in national certification (i.e., APRN) may be applied to those 1000 hours. SUBR DNP students are required to complete 500 DNP practice hours of leadership at the organizational/systems level as part of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree. Outstanding features of the post-masters DNP program is its innovative hybrid delivery format, the length of the program (can be completed in two academic semesters and a summer term) and shared DNP/PhD courses which promotes socialization and engagement among students enrolled in both doctoral programs. Under the supervision of DNP faculty, graduates also complete a capstone project. The DNP graduate is expected to improve patient outcomes through the integration of evidence-based practice into advanced nursing. Hence, the program of study includes theory, research and practice in health policy, advanced inquiry and informatics, with an emphasis on systems leadership for quality health care.
Accreditation
The University is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Southern University and A&M College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791. All nursing programs are fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
DNP Essentials
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Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
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Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
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Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
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Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care
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Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care
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Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
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Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health
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Advanced Nursing Practice
DNP Student Learning Outcomes
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Analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing’s philosophical framework and scientific foundation.
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Synthesize theory, research knowledge and methods to create, implement, and evaluate practice interventions and health-delivery systems.
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Integrate nursing science with knowledge from the organizational, biophysical, psychological, and analytical sciences as the basis for evidenced-base practice.
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Utilize information systems/technology and patient care technology to improve and transform health care.
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Integrate health policy and ethics to improve health care outcomes through advocacy roles.
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Provide leadership to foster inter-collaboration that uses critical and reflective thinking.
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Apply clinical investigative skills for evaluation of health outcomes at the patient, family, population, clinical unit, systems, and/or community level.
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Demonstrate advanced level of judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient and health care outcomes.
Admissions Requirements
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Academic Preparation: A master's degree in a nursing specialty from an accredited college or university as evidenced by an official transcript and current certification as a Nurse Practitioner ("NP") or a Certified Nurse Midwife (“CNM”), who is an advanced practice registered nurse, educated in a specified area of care and certified according to the requirements of a nationally recognized certifying body.
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Official Transcripts: Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
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GPA: A minimum overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for courses counted toward the student's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Master in Nursing (MN) degree, as indicated by official transcript is required for regular admission status.
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Licensure and Certification: Evidence of current unencumbered Louisiana Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) license with no restrictions and national certification as a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife.
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Years of Experience: Evidence of three (3) years of full-time APRN clinical practice experience as a certified NP or certified mid-wife within the past five (5) years.
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GRE: A satisfactory Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score taken within 5 years of the application.
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Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation from (1) A former faculty member in a graduate nursing program. (2) An employer or advanced level professional in research, education, or leadership / administration who can attest to applicant's competencies and expertise as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN); and (3) An individual of the applicant's choice who can attest to the applicant's character, level of integrity, professional traits, and the ability to successfully complete a doctorate in nursing practice program with academic excellence.
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Statement of Interest: Submission of a 500-1000-word statement of interest that addresses the applicant's personal goals for doctoral study which are congruent with the DNP Program goals and how DNP education is important to the fulfillment of applicant's career goals.
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Curriculum Vitae / Resume: Submission of current curriculum vitae / resume which includes dated employment history and clinical practice experience, licenses, certifications, honors, awards, professional memberships, and scholarly works, such as grants, publications, and presentations.
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Sample of Scholarly Writing: Scholarly writing sample in health care or nursing research, including any publications or research.
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Interview: An interview of the applicant.
Application Submission: To apply online for admissions to the SUBR Graduate School and the School of Nursing Graduate Nursing Program, please visit www.subr.edu/gradschool.
Admissions Application Deadlines: April 15 (Fall Semester) and November 1 (Spring Semester)
Review and Notification Process: Once the SUBR Graduate School receives a complete application packet with all required materials, it is forwarded to the School of Nursing Graduate Nursing Program Admissions Committee for review. The Graduate Nursing Program Admissions Committee reviews the application packet and renders the admission recommendation to the Chair of the Graduate Nursing Program and the Dean of the School of Nursing. Each applicant is notified of the admissions decision by the Graduate School and the School of Nursing.
Enrollment Status:
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Regular Admission: All required documents have been submitted. All Graduate School and Graduate Nursing Program criteria are met.
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Provisional Admission: Missing documents/credentials. All Graduate School and Graduate Nursing Program criteria are met.
Transfer Credit
Graduate credits may be transferred only from a regionally accredited university or college (a recognized university, if international) and in courses where a student has earned a grade of “B” or better.
Graduate credits may be transferred only when they can be reconciled with the requirements of the DNP program.
A maximum of six (6) hours of doctoral level courses taken at a doctoral degree granting institution may be transferred provided that:
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Those six credit hours are comparable to courses listed on the student's DNP plan of study.
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Those six credit hours are at an age that will render them not more than five years old at the time of initial enrollment in a doctoral program at Southern University.
Only graduate level courses (500 level and above) may be transferred. A transfer of credit application form with approvals by a department advisor and chairperson, official transcripts and a plan of study must be submitted to the Graduate School for approval no later than the end of the first semester of enrollment in a graduate degree program.
Degree Candidacy | Graduation Requirements
Graduation is based on satisfactory completion of all course work in an approved program of study. Students must also meet all graduation requirements of the University. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination and an approved capstone topic qualifies students to apply for admission to doctoral candidacy.
The DNP capstone topic and/or research proposal must be approved by the student’s capstone advisor. Once the proposal is approved (also IRB approval if warranted), the student can begin the data collection process. A capstone presentation is scheduled after the final approval of the completed capstone and is under the supervision of the student’s capstone advisor and committee member.
All DNP students must also complete a written comprehensive exam.
Time Limit
All program requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within eight (8) years from the date the first credit hours are earned. All doctoral work must be completed within five (5) calendar years after the student passes the comprehensive examination.
Plan of Study
Core Courses