---
title: BSN to DNP | Southern Adventist University
description: Our Chattanooga area BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is perfect for those looking for fast-tracked route to nursing leadership.
---

# BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice

 

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#### Quick Links

- [Program Overview](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice-bs-to-dnp#overview)
- [Admissions](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice-bs-to-dnp#admissions)
- [Course Guides](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice-bs-to-dnp#resources)
- [Contact Us](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice-bs-to-dnp#rmi-form)
- [Graduate Studies Blog](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/doctor-of-nursing-practice-bs-to-dnp#blog)

#### The BSN to DNP is a program for the Registered Nurse who has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and wishes to progress rapidly and seamlessly to a doctoral degree.

----

*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.)*

## BSN to DNP Program Details

![Medical students in scrubs using laptops in a classroom with large windows, one female student smiling at the camera.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/MSN/MSN%20photo%203.jpeg?width=2000&name=MSN%20photo%203.jpeg)

Students entering the BS to DNP program bypass the MSN degree. It is expected that they will have achieved a minimum of two years (4,000 hours) of nursing experience before beginning DNP practicum courses. The BSN to DNP has a primary emphasis of the student’s choice and requires either a secondary emphasis or elective hours to meet the 77-hour total.

- The Nurse Practitioner emphases have some face-to-face classes with the rest being offered online. Please be aware of the modality of each course when registering.
- The Nurse Educator, DNP/MBA, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, and Lifestyle Medicine emphases are completely online. 

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](https://nc-sara.org/guide/state-authorization-guide) 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.

![319272041_5989702384408013_1015215560684583484_n2](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/319272041_5989702384408013_1015215560684583484_n2.jpg?width=1000&height=659&name=319272041_5989702384408013_1015215560684583484_n2.jpg)

![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)

### DNP Emphases

We have eight 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)
- Dual: Acute Care + Family NP   
  \*Available to United States residents only

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

[![Apply Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9251334/f1272720-7210-418f-9b19-1196eb089f3c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9251334/f1272720-7210-418f-9b19-1196eb089f3c)

## Applying to Southern’s BSN to DNP

![billboard-nursing-lindsay-1](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/billboard-nursing-lindsay-1.jpeg?width=1237&height=850&name=billboard-nursing-lindsay-1.jpeg)

### BSN to DNP Eligibility and Prerequisites

- **Bachelor’s Degree**: A bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program
- **Undergraduate GPA**: A minimum cumulative undergraduate 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

### 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

October 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).

 

 Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

 For the DNP, submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). With approval, applicants may be admitted without the GMAT if they have:

- An undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution with a minimum GPA of 3.25
- OR a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 with five years of full-time business-related management experience

 International Students

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).

[International Student Admission Requirements](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-international-requirements.html)

![A young man wearing glasses and a striped shirt smiles while using a laptop outdoors.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/MSW%20-%20MBA/MSW%20MBA%202.jpeg?width=2000&name=MSW%20MBA%202.jpeg)

### 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

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

## BS to DNP

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

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guide

### Acute Care - Adult/ Gerontology NP Emphasis

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

![Acute Care Adult Gerontology NP](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20BS%20to%20DNP/Acute%20Care%20Adult%20Gerontology%20NP.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guide

### Lifestyle Medicine

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

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

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guide

### MBA Healthcare Administration

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

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

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guide

### Nurse Educator

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

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

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guide

### Primary Care - Adult Gerontology NP

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

![Primary Care Adult Gerontology](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20BS%20to%20DNP/Primary%20Care%20Adult%20Gerontology.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guide

### Primary Care - Family NP

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

![Primary Care Family NP](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20BS%20to%20DNP/Primary%20Care%20Family%20NP.png)

## Doctor of Nursing Practice Course Guide

### Primary Care - Psychiatric Mental Health NP

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

![Primary Care PshychMental Health NP](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20BS%20to%20DNP/Primary%20Care%20PshychMental%20Health%20NP.png)

## 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)

## 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.

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