In a move to help shape the future of nursing education and practice, the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing has received approval from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education to begin offering the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree as the highest level of preparation for clinical practice. As a clinical practice doctorate, the D.N.P. is an alternative to a research focused doctoral program (i.e. Ph.D. program). Unlike a Ph.D. program in nursing, which prepares students for careers in research, the D.N.P. program is clinically focused, and graduates are experts in designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating health care and patient outcomes. D.N.P. graduates are prepared to lead in the highest practice and executive ranks in nursing. “As the only academic health sciences center in South Carolina, MUSC is very excited about opening this new program. In addition, the program will be offered online thus allowing nurses from a range of geographic locations to pursue a doctoral degree," said Gail Stuart, Ph.D., R.N., dean of the MUSC College of Nursing.

The D.N.P. program will be an online program and will open in Fall 2009. It will have two points of entry: post-baccalaureate and post-masters. Upon completion of the program, students will receive both a master’s and a doctor of nursing practice degree. The program will have three advanced practice tracks: Pediatric, Adult and Family. All graduates from these tracks will be able to sit for certification as a Nurse Practitioner. Those post-baccalaureate students who decide not to pursue the D.N.P. may exit the program with a master’s degree. MUSC will continue the master’s degree programs in nursing administration and nursing education. For more information about the program, visit the College of Nursing Web site at http://www.musc.edu/nursing or contact Felicia Wright at 843-792-4622 or wrightfe@musc.edu.