Question 1: What types of work are accepted for the scholarly writing admissions requirement?
The scholarly writing could be a paper or article you've published, your thesis or a paper from your Masters program, or you could write something new. Your example of scholarly writing should provide the admissions committee with insights into your writing and critical thinking skills. 

Question 2: Is there an application deadline?
The application deadline for the class entering fall of each matriculating year is March1st.  Please visit the apply now page for more details on the application process.

Question 3: How can I request an application packet?
The apply now page will provide you with step-by-step instructions regarding the application process.  From this page you can download the application documents or request hard copy forms.

Question 1: Does the program require any prerequisite course work?
Yes.  Please visit the view requirements page for detail.

Question 2: Do I need to have a Master's degree to apply?
Yes. You must have earned a Master's degree in nursing from an accredited MSN program.  Visit the view requirements for additional requirements.

Question 3: Do I need to have an active RN license to apply?
Yes. You will be asked to submit proof of your licensure at the time of application. Visit the view requirements for additional requirements.

Question 4: Can I talk to a counselor about my prerequisite coursework?
Yes. Please contact us if we can be of assistance.

Question 1: How will WesternU graduates be prepared to assume the DNP role?
WesternU's Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program provides comprehensive preparation for nursing at the highest level of practice. The practice doctorate is firmly established as the terminal degree in nursing practice. The DNP prepares students for the expanding role, functions and needs of future practice. Transforming health care delivery recognizes the critical need for clinicians to design, evaluate, and continuously improve the context in which care is delivered.

Nurses prepared at the practice doctoral level with a blend of clinical, organizational, economic, and leadership skills, will be able to significantly impact health care outcomes. DNP graduates will practice in diverse leadership roles in a variety of settings, designing the future health care system, managing population-based and clinical quality initiatives, as executives of healthcare organizations, as directors of clinical programs, and as faculty responsible for nursing educational program delivery and clinical teaching.  

Question 2: How does the DNP degree differ from the PhD?
The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice. Considerable emphasis is placed on a population perspective, how to obtain assessment data on populations or cohorts, how to use data to make programmatic decisions, and program evaluation. The PhD is research-based and the DNP is practice-based.

Question 3: What is unique about Western University's DNP program?
WesternU's DNP program is designed for master's-prepared nurses who wish to continue onto doctoral work in nursing practice focusing on the care of vulnerable populations while continuing to practice, keep family commitments, and live in their community. The Web-based design of this program is especially convenient for students living in rural areas, small communities, or who are on active military duty. The program consists of three integrated elements: Web-based curriculum, weekend seminars at the Pomona, California campus twice per semester, and clinical projects, including a culminating clinical immersion project, completed in your own community.   Visit the welcome and examine the curriculum pages to learn more about what makes WesternU's DNP curriculum unique.

Question 4: What are the benefits of learning in a web-based program?
There are many advantages to a web-based program. First, it allows the master's-prepared nurse to complete a doctoral degree while living and working in his/her own community. This offers the student a great degree of flexibility in scheduling written coursework around job, personal, and family commitments. Second, the one-on-one nature of web-based class discussion groups allows the nursing faculty to get to know students better than in a more traditional group classroom format. Finally, Western University's program is designed with the adult learner in mind. Students find the course content to be more relevant to their needs, since they are actively involved in shaping their educational experience.