North Dakota State University

Department Chair		Carla Gross, Ph.D., RN
Program Location		136 Sudro
Telephone Number		(701) 231-5692
Degrees Offered		FNP/D.N.P., NE/M.S.
Application Deadline		Doctor of Nursing Practice, February 28 for fall admission. DNP requires a March interview. Nurse Educator: Domestic Applicants: One month prior to start of classes. International Applicants: May 1 for fall and August 1 for spring and summer.
English Proficiency Requirements		TOEFL ibT 71 IELTS 6

Program Description

The Department of Nursing offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree. The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, a clinical doctorate, is also offered in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. An individually tailored program of study is available for the advanced practice nurse with a master's degree in nursing. 

The program includes advanced nursing courses, support courses, clinical practica and disquisition (comprehensive study or thesis). A master's degree is offered in Nurse Educator. 

Guidelines provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), National Association of Clinical Specialists ( NACNS) and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) are utilized in the curriculum. The graduate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program.
2. Undergraduate and other transcripts sent directly from the institution to the Graduate School.
3. GPA of 3.0.
4. Undergraduate coursework in research and health assessment.
5. Current unencumbered RN licensure
6. Completed application to the Graduate School, including hree references: two from professional colleagues that address clinical competence and potential for graduate education, and one other reference and a written narrative of professional experience and future goals.
7. Interview, if requested. (Interview required for all FNP applicants.)

Degree Requirements

1. Family Nurse Practitioner/Doctor of Nursing Practice: A minimum of 86 (DNP) semester credits. Nurse Educator: A minimum of 42 (MS) semester credits.
2. A maximum of nine graduate semester credits (with a grade of B or better) completed within seven years previous to admission, may be transferred from other regionally accredited colleges or universities with the consent of the student's supervisory committee.
3. 3.0 grade point average.
4. Dissertation, Clinical Dissertation, or Thesis.

 

Core Requirements for M.S. and D.N.P. Degrees (11 credits)

NURS 701 Theoretical Perspectives of the Discipline (3)

NURS 702 Ethics/Policy (2)

NURS 704 Advanced Nursing Research (3)

NURS 706 Healthcare Delivery Systems, Financing & Informatics (3)

M.S. Degree in Nursing
Nurse Educator Requirements (31-34 credits)

NURS 712 Advanced Health Assessment (3)

NURS 714 Advanced Pathophysiology I (2)

NURS 715 Advanced Community Assessment (3)

NURS 716 Advanced Pathophysiology II (2)

NURS 724 Curriculum Design (3)

NURS 725 Teaching Strategies (3)

NURS 726 Education Evaluation (3)

NURS 728P Nurse Educator Practicum I (2)

NURS 729P Nurse Educator Practicum II (3)

NURS 731 Advanced Pharmacology I (2)

NURS 732 Advanced Pharmacology II (2)

NURS 797/98 Master's Thesis or Comprehensive Project (4–6) 

D.N.P. Degree in Nursing

Family Nurse Practitioner Requirements (DNP) (75 credits)

NURS 710 Health Promotion & Disease Control (2)

NURS 712 Advanced Health Assessment (3)

NURS 712P Assessment Practicum (6)

NURS 714 Advanced Pathophysiology I (2)

NURS 715 Advanced Community Assessment (3)

NURS 716 Advanced Pathophysiology II (2)

NURS 720 Advanced Practice Roles (2)

NURS 730 Clinical Applications (3)

NURS 731 Advanced Pharmacology I (2)

NURS 732 Advanced Pharmacology II (2)

NURS 733 Family Primary Care I: Assessment & Management (3)

NURS 733P Family Primary Care: Residency I (8)

NURS 734 Family Primary Care II: Assessment & Management (3)

NURS 734P Family Primary Care: Residency II (8)

NURS 735 Family Primary Care III: Assessment & Management (2)

NURS 735P Practicum IV: FNP Role Integration (4)

NURS 736P Practicum V: FNP Role Integration (7)

PHARM 685 Economic Outcomes Assessment (2)

STAT 725 Applied Statistics (3)

NURS 799S-1 Clinical Dissertation I: Development of a Comprehensive Study (2)

NURS 799S-2 Clinical Dissertation II: Implementation of a Comprehensive Study (2)

NURS 799S-3 Clinical Dissertation III: Evaluation of a Comprehensive Study (2)

One 2 credit elective

Click here for course descriptions.

Department Home Page
How to Apply
Online Application

Mykell Barnacle, DNP, FNP
North Dakota State University, 2008

Kara Falk, MS, FNP
University of North Dakota, 2006 

Amy Fisher, MA, PNP
College of St Catherine, 1992 

Donna Grandbois, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2008 

Carla Gross, Ph.D., RN
North Dakota State University, 2012 

Dean Gross, Ph.D., FNP
Rush University, 1998 

Karla Haug, MS. CNE
North Dakota State University, 2005 

Loretta Heuer, Ph.D., FAAN
University of North Dakota, 1995 

Norma Kiser-Larson, Ph.D., CNE
University of Minnesota, 1999 

Margaret Mackowick, MS
University of North Dakota, 1996 

Becky McDaniel, MSN
University of Mary, 2001 

Tina Lundeen, DNP, FNP
North Dakota State University, 2010 

Molly Secor-Turner, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 2008 

Jana Stenson, MS
University of North Dakota, 1995 

Shila Thompson, Ph.D., RN
South Dakota State University, 2012 

Mary Wright, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Austin, 1988