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Online learning at Marshall University offers all-online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs.
Program Overview
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Marshall University prepares advanced nurses to practice at the highest level of professional nursing.
PM-DNP Program Outcomes:
Competition Rate for 2025: 75%
The Nursing Practice DNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
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Program Highlights
Leadership Focus
Leadership development is a cornerstone of the PM-DNP program. Students are prepared to:
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Assume leadership roles in clinical, academic, and administrative settings
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Lead interprofessional teams and system-level change initiatives
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Influence health policy and advocate for population health improvements
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Model ethical behavior and professional development
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Engage in lifelong learning and professional development
Courses such as NUR 704 (Leadership Role and Interprofessional Collaboration) and NUR 706 (Health Systems Policy, Economics, and Financial Planning) specifically target leadership competencies.
Comprehensive Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (PM-DNP) at Marshall University is a rigorous, practice-focused doctoral program designed for advance practice nurses and nursing leaders. It builds upon master’s-level education to prepare graduates for the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The program emphasizes:
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Advanced clinical and leadership competencies
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Evidence-based practice
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Health policy and advocacy
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Interprofessional collaboration
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Quality improvement and patient safety
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Use of health information technology
The curriculum includes 36-42 credit hours and 540 embedded clinical/project hours, culmination in a scholarly Evidence-Based practice (EBP) Project. students may choose full-time or part-time study plans, with completion required within 7 years.
Quality Improvement
Evidence Based Practice
The PM-DNP program is deeply rooted in evidence-based practice, which is integrated throughout coursework and the capstone project. Key features include:
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A structured four-course sequence (NUR 800, 804, 808, 812) dedicated to the EBP project
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Emphasis on identifying clinical problems, reviewing literature, implementing interventions, and evaluating outcomes
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Dissemination of finding through scholarly writing and presentations
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Encouragement of publication and professional engagement
Featured Courses
NUR 700 - Scholarly Writing
Reinforces writing skills for academic purposes. Supports written communication of ideas to inform and persuade a reader. Processes of obtaining IRB, using library resources and critiquing scholarly writing are explained.
NUR 706 - Health Systems Policy
Provide comprehensive systems thinking approach to include policy, economic, and financial principles to promote high quality health care delivery to individual, populations and communities.
NUR 710 - Quality Improvement
Explores quality improvement methods, tools, and strategies. Focuses on measurement and accountability in health care delivery systems through examination and analysis of data, structure, processes, and outcomes.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (PMDNP)
program at Marshall University are prepared for a wide range of advanced and
leadership roles in healthcare.
- Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
- Director of Nursing
- Clinical Outcomes Analyst
- Quality and Safety Officer
- Nursing Faculty (MSN or DNP)
- Director of Nursing Programs
- Practice Based Researcher
- Implementation Science Specialist
- Healthcare Administrator
- Clinical Operations Manager
- Quality Improvement Director
- Evidence-Based Practice Coordinator
- Healthcare Consultant
- Clinical Educator
Program Information
Marshall’s online course format gave me flexibility in completing my degree.
Amber Sines