Virginia Nursing Doctorate Degree Programs

George Mason University: DNP & PhD in Nursing Program Review
George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030.
George Mason University is the largest public university in Virginia. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, Sterling (Loudoun campus) and Manassas (Prince William campus). George Mason University was established in 1972.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at George Mason University offers entry options for post baccalaureate and post masters nurses. The doctoral nursing program is delivered in an executive format, which allows nurses to take courses online and attend campus sessions on a limited basis. Prospective students should note that the program does begin with 12 weeks of campus-based work. Students in the DNP will take classes on either the Fairfax or Prince William campus of George Mason University.

Specialties offered in the DNP program include Advanced Clinical Nursing, Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Administration.

For the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program, students work with their faculty mentor and the academic dean to create an individualized program that suits their needs. Prospective students may apply to the nursing PhD annually each fall. Admission requirements include an MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing) with a 3.5 or higher GPA. Within two years of applying to the program, applicants should complete a prerequisite course in statistics.

Hampton University: PhD in Nursing Program Review

Hampton University

11 Frissell Avenue

Hampton, VA 23669

Hampton University is based in Virginia, and considered an HBCU (Historically Black College and University), which admits students of all backgrounds. The university began in 1868 as a normal and agricultural school. Today, Hampton University educates over 5,000 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Hampton University is the first among HBCUs to offer a PhD in Nursing program. To apply to the PhD in Nursing program, students should submit a personal statement, three letters of recommendation and a curriculum vitae in addition to their application. In general, applicants to the nursing PhD should have an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) with a 3.5 or higher GPA. A prerequisite course in statistics is required for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program.

Students in the nursing PhD program are required to complete a minimum of 48 credits to earn the doctoral qualification. The PhD in Nursing can be completed in four years of full time study, though students have up to seven years after successfully completing the doctoral qualifying exam to complete the PhD requirements.

The PhD in Nursing consists of three doctoral examinations including an oral dissertation defense. Research regarding families and issues related to the family are a key focus of the nursing PhD program. In addition to taking required courses, students develop an individual plan of study under the guidance of a nursing faculty member.

Marymount University: DNP Program Review

Marymount University

2807 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22207

Marymount University is a private university affiliated with the Catholic tradition. The university was founded in 1950. MU’s main campus is located in Arlington, Virginia with an additional campus in Reston, Virginia. Approximately 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Marymount University.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at Marymount University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The doctoral nursing program prepares nurses to work in a clinical environment using evidence based practiced. Students in the DNP work through a part time program of study to ensure the DNP meets the needs of working nurses.

Applications to the DNP are accepted annually for a program start date in the fall. Nurses with a BSN or MSN may apply to the program. Masters prepared nurses may apply with or without a clinical focus in the masters degree program. Applicants to the DNP program with a BSN should have a minimum 3.3 GPA. Applicants with an MSN should have a 3.5 or higher GPA in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. A personal statement and two letters of recommendation should also be submitted as part of the DNP admission process.

The DNP degree can be completed in 30 to 72 credits of study depending on the student’s prior academic preparation.

Old Dominion University: DNP Program Review

Old Dominion University

5115 Hampton Boulevard
Norfolk, VA 23529

Old Dominion University was established in 1930 as part of the College of William and Mary. The university has operated independently since 1962. Old Dominion University is based in Norfolk, Virginia. Additional campus centers are based in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Hampton, Virginia. Nearly 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Old Dominion University from more than 110 countries.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Old Dominion University. A BS –MSN to DNP and a Postmasters DNP are offered. The BS-MSN to DNP program allows bachelors prepared nurses to earn a Master of Science in Nursing in the course of completing the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Both part and full time plans of study are available in the DNP. Masters prepared nurses can complete the DNP in 4 to 7 semesters, and bachelors prepared nurses in 8 to 14 semesters. An Advanced Practice track for nurses who will pursue clinical roles and an Executive track for nurses who will pursue administrative/leadership roles is offered for the DNP program.

Applications to the DNP are accepted in March for bachelors prepared nurses and in September for the post masters DNP. Admission requirements vary according to the DNP track the student is applying to. For the Advanced Practice Nursing track, masters prepared nurses should have an MSN, APRN certification and a GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Radford University: DNP Program Review

Radford University

801 East Main St.

Radford, Virginia 24142

Established in 1910, Radford University grants bachelors, masters, doctoral and professional degrees. The university was founded by the Virginia General Assembly as a training school for teachers. Radford University is based in Radford, Virginia. The university has a vehicle rental program, WeCar, for students over the age of 18 who do not have a vehicle nearby.

The DNP program at Radford University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Three concentrations are offered in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree program at Radford University, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery Initiative and Psychiatric Mental Health.

To apply to the DNP as a post BSN student, applicants should have a BSN from a program accredited by either the CCNE or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The GPA requirement for applicants is 3.0. Masters prepared applicants to the DNP should also have a masters degree with a nursing focus from a program accredited by a nursing body. The GPA requirement for post-MSN applicants is 3.5. Applicants with a BSN and masters degree in a field other than nursing are also eligible to apply to the DNP.

The Doctor of Nursing practice at Radford University offers flexibility and can be completed on a full or part time schedule according to the student’s needs. A maximum of 8 years is permitted to complete the doctoral nursing program. Financial aid for the DNP program is available in the form of scholarships and graduate assistantships.

Shenandoah University: DNP Program Review

Shenandoah University

1460 University Drive

Winchester, VA 22601

Shenandoah University is a private university in Winchester, Virginia affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university offers approximately 80 degree programs in a small campus setting near metropolitan areas such as Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Shenandoah University was founded in 1875 as a seminary.

A BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice and Post Masters DNP are offered at Shenandoah University. To apply to the DNP program, applicants should have at minimum a BSN from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Nurses who do not meet these criteria may apply and will be considered on an individual basis. Academic admission criteria include a GPA of 3.0 or above and GRE scores within the past 5 years. Prerequisite courses in physical assessment, statistics and community nursing are prerequisites to the DNP program.

The post masters DNP program is 20 months of part time study. Classes are held on Wednesdays and Thursdays. New cohorts of DNP students begin the doctoral nursing program each September and January. Students in the BSN to DNP program will also attend classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The post bachelors DNP requires 78 academic credits to complete. The BSN to DNP program commences each August.

University of Virginia: DNP & PhD in Nursing Program Review

University of Virginia

School of Nursing
202 Jeanette Lancaster Way
Charlottesville, VA

The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. Over 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at the University of Virginia. The university is based in Charlottesville, a small town full of history including sites from the Civil War.

Students enrolled in doctoral nursing programs are prepared to contribute to the nursing profession either through developing experience in clinical and evidence-based research in the DNP or methods-based research in the PhD in Nursing program. Applicants to the DNP should have an MSN with an advanced practice specialization. Both bachelors and masters prepared nurses can apply to the PhD in Nursing program.

At minimum, applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program should have a 3.0 or better GPA. When applying to the nursing research program, applicants should know what area of research they are interested in as an essay of 1,000 words or more is required on academic and research goals. A statistics course is a prerequisite to the nursing PhD program. Prospective students should note that all students enrolled at the University of Virginia must possess an RN license that is valid in the state of Virginia.

In addition to having an MSN with a 3.0 or higher GPA, applicants to the DNP program should have completed a perquisite course in statistics. Though not required, applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program may submit GRE scores. Though not currently offered, the School of Nursing is currently developing a DNP option for bachelors prepared nurses.

Financial assistance is available to nursing PhD students for two to three years of study.

Virginia Commonwealth University: PhD in Nursing

Virginia Commonwealth University

School of Nursing

1100 East Leigh St

Richmond, VA,

Virginia Commonwealth University was founded in 1779 making the university one of the oldest in the nation. The university is based in Richmond, Virginia and serves more than 30,000 students. The university has additional campuses in Virginia and an overseas campus in Qatar.

Students in the PhD program at Virginia Commonwealth University will focus on managing healthcare issues through biobehavioral methods. The doctoral nursing program offers a blended learning format which requires both distance and campus-based learning. A Post BS to PhD and Post MS to PhD are two entry options into the doctoral nursing program at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing was established in 1853. The school offers a PhD in Nursing program. Students enrolled in the nursing PhD program have access to a variety of resources including a research center that is funded by the National Institute of Health. Prospective students should apply to the DNP program by December 1 to be considered for academic scholarship opportunities in addition to admission. The general admission deadline is February 1, with applications after that date being accepted on a space available basis.

Statistics is a prerequisite course to the PhD in Nursing program and must be completed with a grade of “B” or better. Additional admission requirements include graduation from a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission to the nursing PhD program.