Minnesota Nursing Doctorate Degree Programs

Capella University: DNP and PhD in Nursing Program Review
Capella University, 225 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402.
This University is a for-profit educational institution. The university provides mostly online educational programs for non-traditional students who have pursued careers and are now returning to school to earn a degree. Capella University is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is owned by Capella Education Company.

Students studying nursing at Capella University have access to a number of resources. The nursing program takes an interdisciplinary approach to nursing study, with nurses learning from professionals in other areas of healthcare practice in addition to nursing. Capella University partners with outside organizations to offer career opportunities for students.

Capella University offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. The DNP is not clinical in nature, but rather focuses on leadership roles in the healthcare system. The Doctor of Nursing Practice does require a minimum of 1000 experience hours to be completed prior to earning the degree. Admission requirements for the DNP include an MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing) earned with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Some restrictions are placed on students from select states. Before submitting an application, prospective applicants should verify eligibility to earn the online DNP from Capella University in their state.

Though a PhD in Nursing is not offered at Capella University, students may pursue a PhD in Education with a focus in Nursing Education. The PhD program is ideal for nurses seeking a career as an academic or professor in a higher education institution.

Walden University: DNP Program Review

Walden University

155 5th Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55401

Minnesota-based Walden University awards bachelors through doctoral degrees. The university delivers instructions to students online. The university was founded in 1970, in order to provide an opportunity for working professionals to pursue doctoral degrees. Academic fields of study include nursing, public policy and administration and education.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University prepares nurses to take advanced leadership roles in nursing practice. The doctoral program is delivered online and examines topics from information systems and technology to improving healthcare delivery.

Resources are available for nurses at Walden University to assist in funding their education and advancing their career. Through the “Nurses of the Year” program, Walden University offers scholarships from $5,000 to full-tuition. Free continuing education courses in nursing are offered to nurses at Walden University.

In order to earn the DNP degree, nurses are required to complete 47 academic credits of coursework and an additional one to six credits of practicum experience. The DNP program may be completed in as little as six hours of study including the practicum experience, though additional time may be necessary. To earn the DNP, students must have a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical experience accumulated since earning a BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing). Of the total 1000 hours, nurses must earn at least 500 hours as a doctoral student.

College of St. Scholastica: DNP Program Review

College of St. Scholastica

1200 Kenwood Avenue

Duluth, Minnesota 55811

The College of St. Scholastica is a private higher education institution founded in 1912 by Benedictine Sisters. In addition to degree programs in nursing, the college offers degree programs in teaching and business administration. The College of St. Scholastica is based in Duluth, Minnesota and also has campuses in St. Paul, Brainerd, Rochester and St. Cloud.

The Doctor of Nursing practice is a clinical program which offers several specialization options for advanced practice study including clinical nurse specialists in adult nursing, adult/geriatric nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, adult psychiatric nurse practitioner and family psychiatric nurse practitioner. Both bachelors and masters prepared nurses are eligible to apply to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Masters nurses seeking entry into the DNP should already hold APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) certification.

Students can choose from three different options for taking courses in the DNP program. Courses are offered at the Duluth campus, a part-time FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) DNP is offered at the St. Cloud campus, and students also may complete some coursework through online study.

The College of St. Scholastica recently removed its GRE requirement for the DNP program. Admission requirements to the DNP include a 3.0 or higher GPA and prerequisite courses in statistics, research, community health nursing and health assessment. It is recommended though not required that applicants have experience working as an RN.

Metropolitan State University: DNP Program Review

Metropolitan State University

1450 Energy Park Dr

St Paul, MN 55108

Metropolitan State University is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The public university is based in Minneapolis-St. Paul (known as the “Twin Cities”) and was founded in 1971.

The Metropolitan State University Department of Nursing offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The doctoral program is open to nurses with either a BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) or MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing). Students with an MSN should hold APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) certification or be prepared to enter the track for nurse leaders and executives. There is also a track for masters prepared nurses without a specialization. Admission requirements to the program include submitting an application, transcripts, three letters of recommendation and an essay. Students should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have graduated from a NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) accredited program.

Students enrolling in the BSN to DNP option will complete a clinical program to become a FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner). Students in the Post-Entry Level Masters option will also become a FNP upon completion of the program. Students will benefit from studying alongside experienced and well-trained faculty in the DNP program, all of which hold a doctoral degree in their field of study.

Minnesota State University Mankato: DNP Program Review

Minnesota State University

117 Centennial Student Union

Mankato, MN 56001

Minnesota State University (MSU) Mankato is part of the Minnesota State College and Universities System. The university was established in 1868 and has a student population of over 15,000 students. Minnesota State University Mankato is located approximately 75 miles from the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The DNP program is offered in the School of Nursing. The BSN to DNP (Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice) and Post-Masters DNP are the two tracks to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Though offered in a distance learning format, students will gain expertise in a variety of areas affecting the nursing practice from leadership to applied research. The DNP can be completed in five semesters of coursework followed by a clinical project, which is the equivalent of a dissertation, but used for the clinical degree.

The DNP admission process consists of submitting applications to both the nursing and graduate programs along with transcripts and letters of recommendation. Admission requirements to the DNP program include a BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) or other bachelors degree from a program accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 are also required to provide exam scores for the GRE. Applicants to the DNP should also include information about honors and awards, leadership activities and professional activities related to their profession.

Minnesota State University Moorhead: DNP Program Review

Minnesota State University

1104 7th Avenue South

Moorhead, MN 56563

Minnesota State University Moorhead is based in Moorhead, Minnesota. This branch of the Minnesota State Colleges and University system was founded in 1887 and serves over 7,000 students. MSUM is located in close proximity to other states and territories including Canada, North Dakota, South Dakota and also the large Minnesota city of Minneapolis.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree was offered at Minnesota State University Moorhead through a collaboration of degree programs between Minnesota State University Moorhead and Mankato, Winona State University and Metropolitan State University. The MnSCU DNP as it was called has suspended admission to the consortium program, as each university will now offer an independent DNP program specific to each university. It is anticipated that the universities will collaborate in some way to offer doctoral nursing education. Some universities which were part of the consortium DNP program have already established their DNP program.

The DNP program is planned to include admission options for a BSN-DNP (Bachelors of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice) as well as a Post-Masters DNP option for nurses that have already earned a masters degree.

The consortium DNP program maintains strict requirements and requires DNP students to hold a 3.0 or higher GPA, and allows a maximum of 2 courses to be earned with a grade of C+, C- or C. Students must also have a recent statistics course in order to maintain sufficient research knowledge to understand nursing research concepts in the DNP program.

St. Catherine University: DNP Program Review

St. Catherine University

2004 Randolph Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55105

St. Catherine University (known informally as St. Kate’s) is a private women’s university with campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis. The university is affiliated with the Catholic tradition and was established in 1905 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. St. Catherine University enrolls over 5,000 students in its liberal arts based undergraduate and professional graduate programs.

The Henrietta Schmoll School of Health houses graduate nursing programs including the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). The School of Health has associates through doctoral degree and certificate programs.

The DNP program at St. Catherine’s University is open to both male and female nurses with a masters degree and advanced practice certification. The Doctor of Nursing is a clinical practice focused doctorate which requires nurses to complete a minimum of 540 practicum experience hours at the DNP level.

The DNP program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). In addition to pursuing careers in nursing education, graduates of the DNP program can pursue a career as a clinical nurse leader, nursing executive, or director of a healthcare clinic or department.

A MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) from a program accredited by the CCNE or NLANC earned with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to the DNP program. Nurse Anesthetists should be graduates from an accredited CNA (Certified Nurse Anesthetist) program.

University of Minnesota: DNP and PhD in Nursing Program Review

University of Minnesota

Graduate Admissions

101 Pleasant Street SE

309 Johnston Hall

Minneapolis, MN 55455-0421

The School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota has been in operation since 1909. The university is home to a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs including the Doctor of Nursing Practice Innovation Center. The university has campuses in Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities) and Rochester.

The DNP, with both BSN to DNP and Post Masters Entry Options prepares nurses for a career in healthcare utilizing nursing research to reform and improve the healthcare system. A total of 14 specialties are available in the DNP program including Public Health Nursing, Health Systems Innovation, Nursing Informatics, Nurse Midwifery, Nurse Anesthesia, and Pediatrics among others. Interested students may attend information sessions, usually offered on the Twin Cities campus.

For admission to the BSN to DNP program, applicants should have a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) with a minimum 3.4 GPA, three references, a nursing license and a total of three admissions related essays. Admission requirements for the Post-masters DNP are similar. Applicants are required to submit exam scores for the GRE only if the majority of their masters coursework was completed in a pass/no pass system.

A PhD in Nursing program with a BSN to PhD and post-masters PhD in Nursing is also offered. The PhD in Nursing is a research focused degree. Admission requirements for the program include a bachelors or masters degree in nursing or a closely related field. Though a specific GPA requirement is not listed, it is a key admission criterion for admission to the program. Past applicants admitted to the program usually have a minimum GPA of 3.5.

Winona State University: DNP Program Review

Winona State University

175 West Mark Street

Winona, MN 55987

Founded in Winona, Minnesota in 1858, Winona State University serves nearly 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university is based in the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley. Wisconsin, the Twin Cities and Rochester are all within a nearby driving distance of the university. The university has two campuses in Winona (the Main and West Campuses) and an additional campus, Winona State University-Rochester. Winona State University is the oldest institution in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

The Department of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences hosts nursing programs at Winona State University. Graduate programs in the Department of Nursing have been in operation since the 1980s. The university offers ANP (Adult Nurse Practitioner) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) graduate nursing programs. The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at Winona State University was established in 2007.

The DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) at Winona State University is not admitting students at this time. The DNP program was part of the MnSCU DNP Consortium with other universities in Minnesota (Minnesota State University Mankato, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and Metropolitan State University). The DNP consortium was suspended in favor of the universities each developing separate DNP programs that lead to a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree for bachelors and masters prepared nurses.