Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice

Most full-time BSN to DNP programs take three to four years to complete, while part-time programs may take anywhere from four to six years. Students can complete an accelerated online BSN to DNP program in as few as 40 months at Maryville University. Factors that influence a student’s time to completion include the number of courses they take each semester and their chosen concentration.

This 18-credit track features advanced courses in gerontology, pediatrics, and family health, arming you with the skills to become a family nurse practitioner and treat patients of all ages.

If you want to be a primary care NP who focuses on patients 13 and older, this 12-credit concentration can help you build the skills necessary to provide the best care possible.

Study advanced concepts related to acute care diagnosis and management and learn the skills to become an AGACNP in this 18-credit concentration.

If you want to devote your practice as a nurse to working with children, you can earn your online BSN to DNP with a PNP concentration. This 15-credit track features advanced courses in health promotion, assessment, and diagnosis of children.

Want to use your nursing degree to help diagnose, treat, and improve mental health? This concentration features 21 credit hours of courses in mental health assessment, diagnosis, and management.

The focus of this course is to critique, evaluate and apply appropriate theory within advanced nursing practice.

This course explores evidence-based practice as it relates to changing and improving current advanced nursing knowledge and application.

This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing and evaluating advanced nursing practice roles within the health care system. Legal and ethical contexts are included.

This course focuses on health screening, health promotion and disease prevention at the individual, regional and national level. This includes the exploration at the advanced nursing practice role to direct program planning, development, implementation and evaluation to improve healthcare outcomes.

Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness across the lifespan.

This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care. 

Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615 Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615

This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens of illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Also included are illness prevention, non-pharmacological and legal implications for prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner. 

Note: Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed.

This course is designed to introduce students to the purpose, content, and methods of epidemiology and biostatistics. Students will learn to evaluate and use output from statistical computing software. 

Prerequisite: NURS 710

This course is designed to emphasize an objective approach to the integration and synthesis of knowledge. Manuscript preparation and practical use of evidence are incorporated to prepare students for the design of research proposals. 

Prerequisite: NURS 700 and NURS 701

This course is designed to explore ethical principles for the highest level of nursing practice. Students will use evidence-based nursing and interprofessional literature to analyze ethical issues in professional practice.

This course is designed to provide students with the foundation of process improvement (PI) and quality improvement (QI) concepts. Evidence-based practice and change management will be integrated with concepts of PI and QI. Systems thinking will be emphasized.

This course will allow the students to design an evidence-based project that will guide clinical practice. The feasibility of conducting this initiative will be explored. Potential funding sources and budget issues will be examined. Students will apply the elements of protection of human subjects and complete the Maryville IRB. 

Prerequisite: NURS 700, NURS 701, NURS 702, and NURS 703

This course is designed to expand the students knowledge of clinical project data collection and analysis of data. Students will apply integrated research concepts pertaining to the clinical project. Utilization of various methods of data analysis and data management systems will be explored. Complete project data is needed prior to the start of this course. 

Prerequisite: NURS 705 and NUS 705L

This course is designed to expand the students understanding of methods of dissemination in translational research. Variables that impact the analysis of data related to the scholarly project will be examined. Implications for patients, clinical practice and the healthcare systems will be explored and findings disseminated. 

Prerequisite: NURS 706

This course is designed to allow students to analyze organizational, management and social science theories in the context of organizational leadership and change management. Systems thinking is emphasized.

This course is designed to present the student with knowledge of the American healthcare system. Economically and politically feasible/viable policy changes that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system’s delivery of health care will be explored. The student will analyze the policy making process in preparation to be effective advocates for health policy change.

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the measurement of phenomena as it relates to the research process. Procedures for selecting, applying, and interpreting the correct statistical application to a research problem will be presented with students processing the results. 

Prerequisite: NURS 700

This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this first of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology. 

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615 

Corequisite: NURS 621 or NURS 621C

This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice nurse and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. 

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615 

Corequisite: NURS 620

This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this second of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology. 

Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621 or NURS 621C 

Corequisite: NURS 624 or NURS 624C

This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice provider and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of adults with chronic and acute health problems in a primary care setting. 

Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621 

Corequisite: NURS 623

This course prepares Family Nurse Practitioner students to develop expertise and assume responsibility for health promotion, maintenance, and management of chronic and acute illness of children and women’s health. Emphasis is placed on the child within the framework of the family. 

Prerequisite: NURS 623 and NURS 624 or NURS 624C 

Corequisite: NURS 630 or NURS 630C

This course provides the student with an opportunity to assume responsibility for the primary health care services of individuals and families under clinical supervision. The student is expected to assume increasing responsibility for planning and implementing therapeutic processes and for documenting and evaluating outcomes of care. The role of the FNP in health care promotion and management and collaboration with health professionals. 

Prerequisite: NURS 623 and NURS 624 

Corequisite: NURS 629

This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this first of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology. 

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615 

Corequisite: NURS 621 or NURS 621C

This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice nurse and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. 

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615 

Corequisite: NURS 620

This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this second of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology. 

Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621 or NURS 621C 

Corequisite: NURS 624 or NURS 624C

This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice provider and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of adults with chronic and acute health problems in a primary care setting. 

Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621 

Corequisite: NURS 623

The care of adults experiencing acute, chronic, and complex health problems are studied in this course specifically for students in the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner program. The course expands on current research-based interventions unique to adults of varying ages, from wellness to illness. Individual, family, group counseling, and education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary, and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.

Prerequisites: NURS 620, NURS 621, NURS 623, and NURS 624

Corequisite: NURS 627C

This course will cover the theoretical, clinical, and role components of care by an advanced practice nurse are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of adults with chronic and acute health problems in a primary care setting.

Prerequisites: NURS 620, NURS 621C, NURS 623, and NURS 624

Corequisite: NURS 626

This is the first didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Focus is on individuals experiencing illness seen in the acute care setting. Students will analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management. 

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615 

Corequisite: NURS 641 or NURS 641C

First practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in NURS-640 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in acute care practice settings. 

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615 

Corequisite: NURS 640

This course is the second didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Students will continue to expand on knowledge, decision making and management of acute and emergent physiological alterations in health. Students will analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management. 

Prerequisite: NURS 640 and NURS 641 or NURS 641C 

Corequisite: NURS 643 or NURS 643C

This is the second practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 642 with focus on comprehensive health care to complex, acute and critically ill patients in a clinical, preceptored practicum experience. 

Prerequisite: NURS 640 and NURS 641 

Corequisite: NURS 642

This is the final didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will continue to analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management in complex symptomology. 

Prerequisite: NURS 640, NURS 641 or NURS 641C, NURS 642 and NURS 643 or NURS 643C 

Corequisite: NURS 645 or NURS 645C

This is the final practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. The student will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-644 with focus on comprehensive health care to complex, acute and critically ill patients in a clinical, preceptored practicum experience. 

Prerequisite: NURS 642 and NURS 643 

Corequisite: NURS 644

This course focuses on growth and development and milestones of pediatric patients using theories and evidence based practice. Students will learn anticipatory guidance techniques, health promotion and illness prevention concepts within the pediatric population, incorporating individual, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual preferences. 

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 615 and NURS 612 (may also be taken concurrently) 

Corequisite: NURS 655C

This course is the first in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. 

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, NURS 615 & NURS 650 

Corequisite: NURS 652 or NURS 652C

This is the first practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-651 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. 

Prerequisite: NURS 650 

Corequisite: NURS 651

This course is second in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. 

Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 or NURS 652C 

Corequisite: NURS 654 or NURS 654C

This is the second practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 653 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. 

Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 

Corequisite: NURS 653

This practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program focuses on primary care setting and the preventative well child visit. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 650 with a focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings around pediatric health promotion.

Prerequisite: NURS-612

Corequisite: NURS-650C

This course will cover assessment and identification of discrete aspects of cognition, psychopathology, affect and behavior in the diagnosis and treatment planning of psychiatric illness across the life span. Also included is the appropriate use, monitoring and evaluation of prescribing psychotropic medication, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. 

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612 and NURS 615

In this course theories and models will be used to develop an understanding of the etiologies of acute and chronic mental health disorders among adults and older adults. Selection of appropriate treatment strategies including individual and group psychotherapies will be discussed. 

Prerequisite: NURS 660 

Corequisite: NURS 662 or NURS 662C

This practicum course is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to adult and older adult patients with psychiatric illness. A variety of psychotherapeutic strategies will be explored. 

Prerequisite: NURS 660 

Corequisite: NURS 661

This is the first of two didactic courses designed to assist the student in development of the advanced practice nursing role with the care and management of individuals with a mental health disorder across the lifespan. 

Prerequisite: NURS 661 and NURS 662 or NURS 662C 

Corequisite: NURS 664 or NURS 664C

This practicum is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to patients with psychiatric illness across the lifespan. 

Prerequisite: NURS 661 and NURS 662 

Corequisite: NURS 663

This is the second of two didactic courses designed to assist the student in development of the advanced practice nursing role with the care and management of individuals with a mental health disorder across the lifespan. 

Prerequisite: NURS 663 and NURS 664 or NURS 664C 

Corequisite: NURS 667 or NURS 667C

This practicum is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to patients with psychiatric illness across the lifespan. 

Prerequisite: NURS 663 and NURS 664 

Corequisite: NURS 665