The advanced practice option for master's-prepared advanced practice nurses is intended to prepare individuals at the most advanced level of nursing practice. Graduates are educated to effectively advance the management of individuals, families and the population and improve the safety and quality of patient care.

Educator add-on courses are available for those who desire to teach and lead 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

D.N.P. Entry Month: May
Slate Application Deadline: November 1

Spring D.N.P. with Educator Concentration Entry Month: January
Slate Application Deadline: August 1

D.N.P. with Educator Concentration
Entry month: May
Slate Application Deadline: November 1

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
Out-of-State Applicants
Out-of-state applicants to any of our distance-accessible programs should become familiar with their state’s regulations governing distance accessible programs. Prospective students who plan to conduct Samford’s distance education/clinical in a state other than Alabama, should contact their state’s Board of Nursing and Department of Education for specific rules and regulations pertaining to students enrolled in out-of-state programs. Students residing in states with strict rules and regulations for distance education may not be eligible to receive an offer of admission.
We currently do not accept applications from graduate nursing applicants residing in:
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Louisiana
  • New York
  • Oregon

Apply Now

Practicum & Clinical Hours

All D.N.P. 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 M.S.N. degrees or postgraduate certificate in a clinical specialty area may apply up to 500 hours of advanced nursing practicum. M.S.N. Educator (education only) practicum hours do not meet AACN guidelines and cannot be used toward the required 1000 hours. Practicum hours applied toward the D.N.P. degree must be approved by the Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing Academic Advisor. The maximum number of hours any student may apply toward the D.N.P. 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 advanced practice nursing in a variety of practice settings. Practicum is individually designed to provide a comprehensive experience to meet the professional goals of each D.N.P. student, the D.N.P. 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.

Plans 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
  • D.N.P. 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.

View Scholarship Application

Through our Nurse Faculty Loan  Program, you could qualify for up to 85% loan forgivness.

Learn More