---
title: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | Southern Adventist University
description: Our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is perfect for those looking for a practiced-focused advanced nursing degree.
---

# Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

 

 Request More Information

#### Quick Links

- [Program Emphases](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice#overview)
- [Admissions](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice#admission)
- [Course Guides](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice#resources)
- [Contact Us](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice#rmi-form)

#### Our DNP program emphasizes advanced clinical practice, research application, and evaluation of practice and care-delivery models. Your knowledge and skills will be enhanced through practical courses and relevant clinical experiences. The DNP program may be taken on a full or part-time basis.

----

*The DNP program at Southern Adventist University located at Collegedale, Tennessee is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404)975-5000.*

*The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the DNP program is Continuing Accreditation.*

*View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at [http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.](http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.)*

 

## DNP Program Details

![billboard-nursing-lindsay-1](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/billboard-nursing-lindsay-1.jpeg)

The post-master’s DNP degree program is for the registered nurse or advanced practice nurse who has completed a master’s degree in nursing and who wishes to expand their scope of practice. All emphases may be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis.

### DNP Emphases

We have seven areas of emphasis to choose from: 

- Acute Care—Adult/Gerontology NP (AGACNP)
- Primary Care—Adult/Gerontology NP (AGPCNP) 
- Lifestyle Medicine (fully online)
- MBA Healthcare Administration (fully online)
- Nurse Educator (fully online)
- Primary Care—Family NP
- \*Primary Care—Psychiatric Mental Health NP (fully online)
- General DNP - No emphasis (fully online)  
  \**Available to United States residents only*

### Visit the [School of Nursing's Graduate Catalog](https://www.southern.edu/catalog/graduate.html#/departments/810)

 

[View Course Guides](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice#resources)

This DNP program offers campus-based nurse practitioner options and online options for nursing education, lifestyle medicine, and the DNP/MBA programs. All students, including those in fully online options, must register for and attend the annual DNP seminar, which alternates between on-campus and online formats each year.

Any student wishing to complete clinical experiences outside the State of TN must verify that State is a member of NC-SARA and seek permission from that State Board of Nursing. Clinical placements in some States may not be able to be accommodated due to specific State Board of Nursing regulations.

![49676908061_c5c58152b0_o-min-1](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Nursing/49676908061_c5c58152b0_o-min-1.jpg)

[Don't have an MSN yet? The BS-to-DNP program is designed for you](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice-bs-to-dnp?hsLang=en)

[![Apply Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9251334/aefe60b3-9d1e-45f3-a420-fdc822bf59ae.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9251334/aefe60b3-9d1e-45f3-a420-fdc822bf59ae)

## Applying to Southern’s DNP

![nurse examining patient who is lying in a hospital bed-min](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Nursing/nurse%20examining%20patient%20who%20is%20lying%20in%20a%20hospital%20bed-min.jpg?width=2000&name=nurse%20examining%20patient%20who%20is%20lying%20in%20a%20hospital%20bed-min.jpg)

### DNP Eligibility and Prerequisites — Post Master’s Option

- **Master’s degree:**  A master's in nursing from an accredited program
- **Graduate GPA:**  A minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0
- **Statistics course:**  An undergraduate or graduate course in statistics
- **RN licensure:**  Current RN licensure in your state or location of residence
- **Work experience:** A minimum of two years (4,000 hours) of work as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner
- **Acute-Care emphasis:**  Provide verification of your current advanced-practice certification and licensure and documentation of your acute-care skills set.

### Application Deadlines

All application steps are to be fully completed by the dates listed.

Scroll Horizontally ->

#### Term

#### U.S. Residents

#### International

Fall

July 1

May 1

Winter

November 1

August 1

### How to Apply

Submit an application (with non-refundable fee of $40.)

 Transcripts

 Submit official college and university transcripts. Many institutions subscribe to the convenient transcript-request service at [National Student Clearinghouse](https://secure.studentclearinghouse.org/tsorder/faces/TOBridge), or you may also contact your institution directly. Have your transcripts sent to the Graduate and Professional Studies office (gradtranscripts@southern.edu). If you earned your prerequisite degree at Southern, you do not need to complete this step.

 Recommendations

 Submit three recommendation forms—one academic and two from a clinical setting. This should be done as part of the online application process.

 Written Statement

 Write a statement describing your purpose and goals for pursuing this degree.  Your statement should be thoughtfully written to demonstrate your writing skills.  It should be submitted through your [Application Status Page](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/apply/status).

 

 Curriculum Vitae

 Submit a curriculum vitae. Upload to your [Application Status Page.](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/apply/status)

 Writing sample

 Submit a scholarly writing sample, such as a previous graduate-level paper through your [Application Status Page](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/apply/status).

 Interview

 Schedule a faculty interview after completing your Graduate application from your [Application Status Page](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/apply/status).

 

 International Applicants

Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are considered international students and must meet [additional requirements for admission](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-international-requirements.html).

[Learn More](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-international-requirements.html)

![AdobeStock_367109058](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Nursing/AdobeStock_367109058.jpg?width=2000&name=AdobeStock_367109058.jpg)

### I’ve Been Admitted to the DNP! Next Steps: 

Before you enroll, we need acceptable documentation of these items. Email all documents to [jlthompson@southern.edu](mailto:jlthompson@southern.edu).

- Personal health assessment and physical exam [Download Form](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/docs/forms/SON.personal-health-physical-exam.pdf)
- Criminal background check [Download Form](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/docs/forms/SON.background-check.pdf)
- Medical-information disclosure and drug-screen consent [Download Form](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/docs/forms/SON.medical-info-disclosure-drug-consent.pdf)
- Current health information and immunizations [Download Form](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/docs/forms/SON.health-info-immunizations.pdf)
- CPR/BLS certification from the American Heart Association

![AdobeStock_77711294](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/AdobeStock_77711294.jpg)

### I’ve Been Admitted to the DNP! Next Steps: 

Before you enroll, we need acceptable documentation of these items. Email all documents to [jlthompson@southern.edu](mailto:jlthompson@southern.edu).

- Personal health assessment and physical exam [Download Form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SON.personal-health-physical-exam.pdf)
- Criminal background check [Download Form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SON.background-check.pdf)
- Medical-information disclosure and drug-screen consent [Download Form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SON.medical-info-disclosure-drug-consent.pdf)
- Current health information and immunizations [Download Form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SON.health-info-immunizations.pdf)
- CPR/BLS certification from the American Heart Association

 

### Graduate assistantships

For more information about becoming a graduate assistant, please contact the graduate enrollment counselor.

[Clinical Instructor](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MS%20in%20Nursing/Clinical%20Instructor%20Job%20Description.docx)  
[Graduate Teaching Assistant](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MS%20in%20Nursing/Graduate%20Teaching%20Assistants.docx)

 

![49676371688_3af35596e4_o-min](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Nursing/49676371688_3af35596e4_o-min.jpg?width=2000&name=49676371688_3af35596e4_o-min.jpg)

## Explore Career Paths, Compare Advanced Nursing Degrees, and Hear from Alumni

Check out our [blog posts](https://learn.e.southern.edu/en-us/gs/blog/tag/nursing?__hstc=57918837.28672951d504203ef2f3489740c29cfd.1631629261786.1650468117232.1650569274927.179&__hssc=57918837.24.1650569274927&__hsfp=1688644645&hsLang=en) for content on the world of nursing, which career paths you can take with different degrees that Southern offers, and what our Alumni found most valuable about their experiences.

## Resources for Getting Your Doctor of Nursing Practice at Southern

## Doctor of Nursing Practice

Choose your area of interest.

- Acute Care—Adult/Gerontology NP
- Lifestyle Medicine
- MBA Healthcare Administration
- Nurse Educator
- Primary Care—Adult/Gerontology NP
- Primary Care—Family NP
- Primary Care—Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- General DNP (No Emphasis)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guides

### Acute Care - Adult/Gerontology NP Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.DNP-AcuteCareAGNP-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![DNP Acute Care—AdultGerontology Nurse Practitioner](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20DNP/DNP%20Acute%20Care%E2%80%94AdultGerontology%20Nurse%20Practitioner.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guides

### Lifestyle Medicine Emphasis Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.DNP-Lifestyle-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![DNP Lifestyle Medicine](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20DNP/DNP%20Lifestyle%20Medicine.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guides

### MBA Healthcare Administration Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.DNP-MBA-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![Dual DNP MBA](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20DNP/Dual%20DNP%20MBA.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guides

### Nurse Educator Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.DNP-Educator-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![DNP Nurse Educator](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20DNP/DNP%20Nurse%20Educator.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guides

### Primary Care—Adult/Gerontology NP Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.DNP-PrimaryCareAGNP-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![DNP Primary Care—AdultGerontology Nurse Practitioner](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20DNP/DNP%20Primary%20Care%E2%80%94AdultGerontology%20Nurse%20Practitioner.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guides

### Primary Care—Family NP Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.DNP-FNP-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![DNP Primary Care—Family Nurse Practitioner](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20DNP/DNP%20Primary%20Care%E2%80%94Family%20Nurse%20Practitioner.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guides

### Primary Care—Psychiatric Mental Health NP Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.DNP-PMHNP-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![DNP Primary Care—Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20DNP/DNP%20Primary%20Care%E2%80%94Psychiatric%20Mental%20Health%20Nurse%20Practitioner.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guides

### General DNP (No Emphasis)

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.DNP-General-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![DNP Acute Care—AdultGerontology Nurse Practitioner](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20DNP/DNP%20Acute%20Care%E2%80%94AdultGerontology%20Nurse%20Practitioner.png)

## Faculty

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## Request More Information

Want to learn more about the education programs at Southern? Just fill out the form to receive additional program resources and insights.

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## Nursing Student Spotlight

Don't just take our word for it—hear directly from our nursing students and alumni about their experiences with Southern and how it helped their nursing careers.

#### ![Diana Taylor](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Diana%20Taylor.png?width=768&height=998&name=Diana%20Taylor.png)

#### Diana Taylor

BSN to DNP, Acute Care

[Read More](https://learn.e.southern.edu/en-us/gs/blog/nursing/student-spotlight-diana-taylor?hsLang=en)

#### ![Julie McBride-1](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Julie%20McBride-1.png?width=995&height=910&name=Julie%20McBride-1.png)

#### Julie McBride

BSN to DNP, Psychiactric Mental Health

[Read More](https://learn.e.southern.edu/en-us/gs/blog/nursing/student-spotlight-julie-mcbride?hsLang=en)

#### ![Julie McKinney](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Julie%20McKinney.png?width=1096&height=1308&name=Julie%20McKinney.png)

#### Julie McKinney

BSN to DNP, Lifestyle Medicine and Family Practice

[Read More](https://learn.e.southern.edu/en-us/gs/blog/nursing/student-spotlight-julie-mckinney?hsLang=en)

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