DNP Programs in Georgia
By EveryNurse Staff on January 18, 2023
There is no higher academic achievement in the field of nursing than a doctoral degree, and lucrative benefits are offered to those who complete this level of study. Some of those benefits include industry-leading salaries, high rates of employment, and a multitude of career choices upon graduation. Advanced Practice Nurses are able to open their own practices, and are equipped with the leadership skills needed to make important decisions regarding the future of health care. Many of them specialize in education, health policies, advanced care, and some even focus on information systems. They are typically authorized to implement scientific research to make policy changes that will have a broad impact on nursing practice and society. Continue reading below to see our list of featured DNP programs.
Featured Georgia DNP Programs (RN Required)
- Georgia College offers an AACN accredited DNP program through their School of Nursing. This degree will allow graduates to influence healthcare policies and lead healthcare innovations. Courses are conveniently studied online, and there are personalized study plans available. This is a thirty seven semester credit program that will take five semesters to complete if studying full-time. Beginning once a year during the Summer semester, all applications must be submitted before December 15th annually.
- A CCNE accredited DNP program is available through the College of Nursing at Georgia Regents University. Concentrations include Adult Gerontology Acute Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Practitioner. Courses may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis, and they are delivered online, with the clinical components completed in your area. Three years will be required for full-time students, while part-time learners will complete their semester credits in four years. Deadline dates change according to the needs of the school. Please contact them to obtain these details.
- An online DNP program is offered by Georgia Southern University and their College of Health and Human Sciences. Advanced practice nurses are further developed to implement efforts that will improve access to healthcare. This is a full-time program that is accredited by CCNE. A minimum of forty three semester credit hours are required to complete this degree. This is achieved over three years. Kindly contact the school for application information.
- The Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions at Georgia State Universityoffers a DNP program. Specialty nurses are trained for advanced nursing practice and are able to organize and lead in a variety of settings. Thirty nine semester credits need to be completed in order to obtain this degree. This takes students two years to achieve. Accepted applicants begin in the Fall semester. The deadline date for application delivery is February 1st every year.
- Accredited by SACS, the DNP program offered by the Wellstar School of Nursing at Kennesaw State University prepares students for leadership roles in education, healthcare policies, and applied research. Classes are held on campus, once a month on Fridays and Saturdays, while the rest of the coursework is studied online. The curriculum consists of sixty semester credit hours which are finished in either three or four years. This will depend on your plan of study, whether it is part-time or full-time. Classes begin in the Fall of each year. The deadline date for applications is March 1st.
- Mercer University has a DNP program on offer by their Georgia Baptist College of Nursing. Advanced nursing skills are further developed to encompass leadership in healthcare delivery and propose solutions to industry problems. Courses are delivered online, but infrequent campus visits are also required. Students choose between a five semester program and one that consists of eight semesters. Please contact the school and find out what their latest deadline dates for applications are.
Georgia DNP Nurse Checklist
With only a small number of students accepted into each cohort, these programs are competitive. Schools are committed to selecting only the most promising candidates and their decisions are based on academic and clinical records. High grades are essential at the baccalaureate and graduate level and this must have been maintained throughout these programs. If these degrees have not yet been completed, many schools offer bridge programs that require dedicated progress to continue into the doctorate. These are the prerequisites that will be needed when applying to a DNP program in Georgia:
- Past faculty advisors, nursing colleagues, and employers are acceptable sources for the three reference letters that will be required.
- During your career as an Advanced Practice Nurse, you will have obtained certifications. Make copies of these and submit them to the school.
- Ensure that all academic, professional and voluntary experiences and accomplishments are included in your latest Curriculum Vitae.
- An essay will be required. Make sure it is well written and that it describes your professional objectives. Your reasons for desiring your doctorate must be clear. Explain the benefit to society when your career goals are achieved.
- Evidence of your creative writing will be needed. This may be in the form of past scholarly papers.
- A grade of C (no lower but preferably higher) must have been achieved on graduate courses in healthcare assessment, research and statistics. If they were completed more than five years ago, they will need to be repeated.
- You will have to be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in Georgia. Licensure must be current and have no restrictions.
- Evidence of your BSN and MSN degrees being completed must be provided in the form of official transcripts from all schools and universities attended. These institutions must provide accredited degrees.
- Your overall grade point average must be no less than 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. It is possible that some schools may require this to be higher.
- You will need to be immunized against certain diseases. Prepare yourself for full background and medical scrutiny.
- An interview must be granted to the school when requested.
- The number of clinical hours completed during your Master’s degree must be proven.
