College of Practitioner Doctorates PAC Course Code: CKZ77 Qualification: DNP Duration: 3 Years Full Time Closing Date - EU Applicants: Fri, 30 September 11 Closing Date - Non-EU Applicants: Sun, 07 February 10
Beginning in 2010 the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork will offer a post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programme. The DNP is the highest degree for nurse/midwives interested in a clinical focused doctorate. It is similar to the MD for doctors. Students who had a clinical focus in their Master’s degree programme will take the required credits for the DNP.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree may be taken full-time over 36 months from the date of first registration for the programme.
The aim of the programme is to equip nurses with the knowledge, skill and competence for the personal and professional development required to function as advanced leaders or practitioners in academic and health service settings and for participation in the discipline of nursing at local, community and national level. The DNP provides a structured learning environment in which to pursue Doctoral study. This involves two years of taught modules and completion of a piece of independent research and a thesis at the end of year three.
The programme provides participants with the opportunity to acquire competency as an autonomous researcher, gaining a deeper understanding of theoretical frameworks underpinning nursing science and nursing practice.
There is a particular emphasis in the programme on creating new knowledge bases on which to build future practice.
Students take 90 credits per year (full time) or 45 credits per year (part time), amounting to a total of 270 credits over the period of study (three years full time study or six years part time).
Students complete the taught and research elements of the programme over the period of the three years full time study. The candidate's research and thesis preparation must be carried out under the supervision of a doctorally prepared staff member or adjunct professor from the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Upon successful completion of the prescribed modules and a research thesis, students will be awarded the DNP.
YEAR 1 (90 credits)
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits from the following -:
NU7014 Advanced Nursing Theory (20 credits)
NU7015 Health Systems, Policy & Regulations (20 credits)
NU7016 Leadership & Collaboration (20credits)
NU7017 Healthcare Informatics (20 credits)
NU7018 Advanced Research Quantitative Methods (20 credits)
NU7019 Advanced Research Qualitative Methods (20 credits)
Students undertake work on the thesis with a notional workload to the equivalence of 30 credits (i.e. 600-900 hours). Typically at this stage of the thesis the student will conduct a literature review or other relevant research to scope the nature of the research proposal.
YEAR 2 (90 credits)
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits from the following and which have not already been taken in Year 1:
Students undertake work on the thesis with a notional workload to the equivalence of 30 credits (i.e. 600-900 hours). Typically at this stage of the thesis the student will be developing their research methodology, seeking ethical approval if required, and commencing more detailed research and writing.
YEAR 3 (90 credits)
Students undertake work on the thesis with a notional workload to the equivalence of 90 credits (i.e. 1800-2700 hours). The candidate's research and thesis preparation will be carried out under the supervision of a doctorally prepared staff member or adjunct professor from the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Upon successful completion of the prescribed modules and a research thesis, students will be awarded the DNP. Typically at this stage of the thesis the student will be completing their research and writing up their thesis for presentation for examination by viva voce. The thesis shall comprise 40-50,000 words.
The DNP is offered to Nurses or Midwives. Candidates must:
Apply online through the postgraduate applications centre
Comply with UCC’s graduate study admission requirements
Provide official transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate course work
Have Completed a Master’s degree in nursing or related discipline
Be a Registered Nurse or Midwife with An Bord Altranais or be qualified for such a registration
Have a minimum of one-year post master’s experience or provide evidence that they can perform at this level thereby satisfying the University that they have the ability to complete the programme.
Provide two letters of recommendation, including one from a faculty member familiar with the applicant’s graduate work and one from a person familiar with the applicant’s clinical practice.
Submit a written goal statement of 500 to 1,000 words. The goal statement should focus on recent experience, how the DNP will enhance the applicant’s professional development, and career goals following completion of the programme.
Candidates who meet these requirements will be shortlisted for interview. Individual interviews with a School of Nursing Senior Lecturer or Professor will be scheduled after admission materials have been submitted.
Please note: Late applications for this course may be accepted.
IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL equivalent
Please note that non-EU applicants are not eligible to study part-time programmes
THE NEXT INTAKE OF THIS PROGRAMME IS EXPECTED TO BE IN SEPTEMBER 2014.
Students must apply online at www.pac.ie. Instructions on how to apply online can be found here
THE NEXT INTAKE OF THIS PROGRAMME IS EXPECTED TO BE IN SEPTEMBER 2011. THIS IS DEPENDENT ON SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF STUDENT APPLYING AND REGISTERING FOR THE PROGRAMME.
Evaluation of learning will take the form of a combination of continuous assessment using academic papers, in-class tests, projects, interactive online assessment and presentations as appropriate to the needs of the modules studied.
Further Details available from: Professor G. McCarthy, Head of School of Nursing & Midwifery, UCC 021-490 1554
