Whether you are an advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist or nurse midwife) or a nurse administrator, this degree will prepare you for leadership roles in evidence- based practice and to fully implement emerging science and practice innovations in health care. The online post-master’s DNP nursing administration option is available for master's-prepared nurses.
The Nursing Administration Option prepares you to:
- Improve the safety and quality of patient care
- Administer health care programs and organizations
- Develop and implement health policy
- Educator add-on courses are available for those who desire to teach in a school of nursing. Learn more about our Nurse Faculty Loan Program. The program provides cancellation of up to 85% of the original student loans (plus interest thereon) for completion of up to four years of post-graduation full-time nurse faculty employment.
Why Samford?
- Earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice online without having to relocate
- Participate in cutting edge, web-based learning with practicum experiences close to home
- Access all coursework and resources anywhere, anytime and from any internet-connected electronic device
- Receive close, personal attention from highly educated and experienced faculty who are readily available to you
- Experience a rich tradition of high academic standards and quality education practices
- Access to Samford’s beautiful campus and all the amenities that Samford has to offer
Admission Information
Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice Admission
Spring DNP with Educator Concentration Entry Month: January
Slate Application Deadline : September 1
Summer DNP Entry Month: May
Slate Application Deadline: January 15, 2024
Summer DNP with Educator Concentration Entry Month: May
Slate Application Deadline: January 15, 2024
Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice Admission Criteria
- Unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse
- Master's degree from a CCNE, CNEA or ACEN (formerly NLNAC) and institutionally accredited college or university in the area of advanced practice or administration
- Master's degree cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- A video interview submission
- American citizens or permanent residents who learned English as a second language must score at least 575 (paper) or 90 (internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- If accepted, a non-refundable fee of $750 is required to secure admission to the program. This fee is applied to the first semester's tuition.
Application Requirements
- Transcripts can be sent electronically to gradnurse@samford.edu or by mail to:
Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing
Graduate Student Services
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229 - Three letters of recommendation – two professional (at least one supervisor) and one academic
- Personal statement indicating career plans and likelihood of success in graduate study
- Professional resume
- California
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- New York
- Oregon
Practicum & Clinical Hours
All DNP degree candidates must document a minimum of 1000 post baccalaureate hours of supervised advanced clinical practice in a chosen clinical specialty area (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN] D.N.P. Essentials ). Those with MSN degrees or postgraduate certificate in a clinical specialty area may apply up to 500 hours of advanced nursing practicum. MSN Educator (education only) practicum hours do not meet AACN guidelines and cannot be used toward the required 1000 hours. Practicum hours applied toward the DNP must be approved by the Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing Academic Advisor. The maximum number of hours any student may apply toward the DNP practicum hours is 500.
This program of study requires mentored practicum experiences with experts from nursing as well as other disciplines engaging students in the roles of nurse administrator in a variety of practice settings. Practicum is individually designed to provide a comprehensive experience to meet the professional goals of each DNP student, the DNP Essentials, and specialty competencies. The student is responsible for identifying a practicum mentor and site. The minimum number of practicum hours per course are noted in red on each plan of study below. Students should anticipate spending an average of 8-12 hours each week in practicum experiences, depending on hours applied from M.S.N. degree or certificate.
Plan of Study
Traditional Plans of Study
Fall Start
No plan of study is available
Spring Start
No plan of study is available
Summer Start
Nurse Faculty Loan Plans of Study
Fall Start
No plan of study is available.
Spring Start
Summer Start
Periodic On-Campus Requirements
There will be two required sessions during the program:
- Program Orientation
- DNP Project Presentation and graduation activities
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for in-state and out-of-state students can be found on our graduate tuition worksheet. Tuition may be paid online or at Samford One Stop, and must be paid by the first day of each semester/term. Policies and methods for tuition and fee payment can be found in the Samford University catalog and the Samford One Stop website.
Fees are automatically generated following registration. For a full list of university, school and course fees please view our graduate fees worksheet.
The following additional fees are applicable for the 2022-2023 academic year:
- Background check – cost varies by state
Financial Aid
A financial assistance program administered by Samford One Stop has been established to aid students in attending Samford University.
To learn more about financial aid options, please visit Samford One Stop or call 205-726-2905.
Scholarships
Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing is proud to offer a variety of scholarship opportunities.
Through our Nurse Faculty Loan Program, you could qualify for up to 85% loan forgiveness.
The Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing, Master's Degree Program in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program at Samford University, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
