Post Master’s (PM) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Entry Option 1

Course Delivery

The PM-DNP program is designed for the working APRN. Students take 1 course for nine 8 week sessions and 2 courses for one 8 week session. The program is completed in 10 sessions.

The Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions program blends three instructional strategies to produce an engaged learning curriculum. The first strategy is Immersion: our programs include face-to-face meetings conducted at the Irvine campus or regional locations in 3-4 day sessions. Immersion sessions are conducted 2 times during the program: at the beginning and at the middle of the program. During these immersion sessions, students may receive orientation instruction, work as teams with peers and mentors and participate in demonstrations, simulation exercises, assessments and/or evaluations. The second strategy is practicum experience: our programs include clinical scholarly project (CSP) residencies conducted where the student lives or works. The third strategy is self-directed study: courses include online lectures, discussions, social networking, demonstrations, tutorials, readings, and/or other homework. Most courses include additional real-time instruction via web conferencing, phone conferencing, and/or live chat sessions. Students may need to reduce work hours to accommodate completion of the clinical scholarly project (510 residency hours).

Attendance: Students may be dismissed from the program at the Dean’s discretion due to absence from required meetings.

Admission to the Program

Admission into the PM-DNP is twice a year in August (Fall 1) and January (Spring 1).

2022-2023 Application Deadlines

• Final application deadline for Fall 1, 2022 admission is June 15, 2022.

• Final application deadline for the Spring 1, 2023 admission is October 15, 2022.

2023-2024 Application Deadlines

• Final application deadline for Fall 1, 2023 admission is June 15, 2023.
• Final application deadline for the Spring 1, 2024 admission is October 15, 2023.

Admission Requirements

1. Complete a Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions application available online at https://www.umassglobal.edu/nursing-health-professions.
2. Master of Science Degree in Nursing from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or a National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) accredited program with Advanced Practice Specialty (Nurse Practitioner [NP] or Clinical Nurse Specialist [CNS]).
3. National certification as an APRN or CNS.
4. Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions where post-baccalaureate coursework was completed or attempted.
5. Current and detailed resume or curriculum vita.
6. Self-evaluation and goal statement.
7. Three on-line forms (preferred) or letters of recommendation.
8. Unencumbered RN license in the state where you plan to do your clinical hours.
9. Unencumbered APRN license in the state where you plan to do your clinical hours.
10. Unencumbered APRN license is not required of CNS or other APRN if license is not required by their state to practice, or if in the process of taking national certification exam in specialty.
11. Personal interview with PM-DNP Program Director.

CastleBranch Requirements

All requirements are due by the end of the first session and are required to stay in compliance (current and updated) throughout your program. All proof/documentation must be on file within 6 months prior to the start of CSP residency hours. Students who do not start their CSP residency hours due to incomplete CastleBranch requirements will require a modified education plan, which may result in a program completion delay for up to one year.

Immunization and Health Screening Requirements:

• Proof of annual negative Tuberculosis (TB) screening:
  • TB blood test (IGRA) OR
  • Negative chest x-ray accompanied by a signed provider negative symptom checklist.
• Proof of completion of Hepatitis A and B immunization series or titer demonstrating immunity.
• Proof of two doses of Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) immunization or titer demonstrating immunity.
• Proof of one Tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunization (after 19 years of age) and boosters per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s adult vaccination schedule.
• Proof of Chicken Pox (Varicella) immunization or titer demonstrating immunity.
• Proof of annual influenza immunization.
• Proof of completion of COVID-19 immunization.
• Additional laboratory tests, immunizations, and/or documentation may be required for specific practicum sites. 

Additional Requirements:

• Annual Background Clearance.
• Annual Proof of negative drug screen.
• Annual CastleBranch Elearning (HIPAA/OSHA trainings)
• Copy of current CPR “Level C” Certification (Healthcare Provider) that will not be expiring in the next 12 months.
• Proof of unencumbered RN license
• Proof of STUDENT Liability Insurance (1mil/3mil)
• Any additional laboratory tests, immunizations, and/or documentation required by specific clinical practicum or CSP residency sites (e.g., proof of physical examination, proof of health insurance, etc.).

Catalog Year

Students admitted to the Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions are admitted to the catalog year that is in effect the date when they begin the program (either Fall I, Spring I).

Transfer of Coursework

University of Massachusetts Global awards a maximum of 40 semester credits as a block transfer from a regionally accredited MSN program toward the Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree.  Credits transferred as a block credit from a MSN may be transferred regardless of the year the courses for the degree were taken, which supersedes the University’s seven-year rule limitation. 

Degree Requirements for the Post-Master's to Doctor of Nursing Practice Entry Option 1

To be awarded the Doctorate of Nursing Practice Degree, students may transfer 500 clinical hours and a maximum of 40 credit hours from the MSN degree.  Students must take all 33 credit hours in residence, which includes 510 clinical residency hours for the clinical scholarly project, at University of Massachusetts Global.  This program is designed to follow the guidelines and DNP essentials as set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2006) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2013; 2014).  All courses must be passed with a grade of “B-” or higher.   Clinical practicum and residency courses are graded on a Pass/No Pass basis; a Pass is equivalent to a “B-” grade.

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Students in these courses are required to attend a face-to-face Immersion on the Irvine campus.

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If a student does not complete his/her clinical scholarly project during the core course sessions, s/he will be enrolled in a DNPU 799 Independent Practicum for DNP CSP Completion for DNP CSP Completion (0 credits) and required to pay a Continuing Candidacy fee per session until the DNP CSP student receives a “P” in DNPU 708 Application of DNP Clinical Scholarly Project or until the student’s seven year program completion timeline has expired.