MSN (ARNP) to DNP Curriculum

Post-Masters ARNP-Prepared student

Effective Summer 2023

Total credit hours: 33 (May be less based upon individualized gap analysis for acceptable transfer-in credits)

Program length: Depends on gap analysis

Program start: Summer or Fall (depends on gap analysis)

Class schedule: For the most part, classes are held on one evening and one full day each week. For example, you may have classes on Thursday evenings and all day Fridays. Class schedule changes every term, your classes may fall on a different day for other terms. There may be a few daytime courses in the summer and January terms.

ARNP prepared nurses will take DNP core coursework (information systems and patient care technology, epidemiology, analytical methods, translating research into practice, and health policy), and all DNP Scholarly Project coursework.  A gap analysis by the program director is conducted to determine what previous coursework meets the DNP competencies and which additional courses will be required for the PLU DNP.

  • This Post-masters DNP curriculum is designed for an MSN ARNP graduate. The curriculum is part-time, designed for working ARNPs.
  • This program is not specialty-specific, therefore any ARNP specialty may apply for the post-MSN DNP. Students’ coursework will be analyzed to determine what additional courses they will need to meet the AACN DNP Essentials competencies.
  • Post-masters students must have a minimum of 1000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours.

Sample Curriculum for MSN ARNP prepared to DNP

Summer 2023 6 credits
NURS 701 Theoretical Foundations & Evidence Based Practice (3)
NURS 702 Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)

Fall 2023 6 credits 
NURS 720 Analytical Methods (Research I) (3)
NURS 721 Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3)

January 2024 6 credits
NURS 704 Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)
NURS 705 Clinical Resource Management (3)

Spring 2024 4 credits 
NURS 790 Translating Research (3)
NURS 791 Proposal Seminar (1) (60 practicum hours)

Summer 2024 2 credits
NURS 792 DNP Project I (2) (120 practicum hours)
** Note: federal financial aid not available this term, as unit load falls below 4 semester hours**

Fall 2024 5 credits
NURS 703 Organizational & Systems Leadership (3)*
NURS 793 DNP Project II (2) (120 practicum hours)
*Can also be taken Fall of first year if able to carry 9 credits.

January 2025 2 credits
NURS 794 DNP Project III (2) (120 practicum hours)
* Note: January term is not eligible for federal student aid

Spring 2025 4 credits
NURS 799 DNP Scholarly Project IV (3)
NURS 795 Transition to DNP Practice (1)