Baylor University offers online doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degrees in three specialty areas: family health (FNP), neonatal care (NNP), and nurse-midwifery (NM).
Two pathways to the DNP are available to working RNs: a BSN-to-DNP and a post-master’s path for nurses already in possession of an advanced practice degree. A combination of online coursework, clinical practice, and on-campus immersion experiences prepare graduates to provide innovative, comprehensive care to individuals within their chosen population focus.
The online doctoral degree programs at Baylor University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of these DNP programs are trained to take on leadership roles in specialized areas of the field, equipped with the skills needed to shape the future of advanced practice nursing.
The DNP Family Nurse Practitioner Track
Ranked in the top 10 percent of doctoral programs by US News & World Report, the Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University integrates faith-based learning with advanced academics focused on holistic nursing care.
The BSN-to-DNP family nurse practitioner (FNP) pathway entails 75 hours of online coursework and over 1,125 hours of clinical practice. Featured courses include pharmacology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, health assessment, informatics, healthcare policy and business, ethics, and servant leadership. A unique aspect of Baylor’s online doctoral program is that students have the option of completing a DNP project abroad and participating in international research with graduate faculty members. No GRE scores are required for admission; however, a current unencumbered RN license and one year of full-time professional nursing experience are prerequisites for enrollment.
The DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Track
The DNP neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) track at Baylor follows the same format as the FNP, with 75 credit hours of online coursework and over 1,000 hours of clinical practice.
The focus of the DNP-NNP program is on high-risk children from infancy to two years of age. Course topics cover neonatal nursing theory, research utilization, critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, assessment, program planning, and patient and systems management.
In addition to the requirements listed above, applicants to the NNP program must have two years of recent, full-time clinical experience caring for critically ill newborns before beginning practicum courses. Students may, however, enroll in pre-clinical courses while fulfilling this requirement. The DNP-NNP typically takes three years to complete.
The DNP Nurse-Midwifery Track
Boasting a 100 percent student pass-rate on certifying exams, Baylor’s nurse-midwifery DNP track makes deliberate efforts to recruit a diverse student-body.
Dedicated to cultural competency and the care of vulnerable populations, the DNP-NM program emphasizes women-focused care, an in-depth study of birthing, and gynecological and preventive care, among other topics in the curriculum. Specific classes include professional issues and history of nurse-midwives, the high-risk family, and care of the childbearing family. Though not required, applicants to the DNP-NM program typically have at least one year of clinical practice (preferably in labor and delivery), as well as significant experience observing the birth process or training as a doula.
