Mount Marty University granted Accreditation for Doctor of Nursing Practice

Mount Marty University (MMU) has been granted accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. The accreditation establishes that the DNP program purpose, curriculum, and overall student experience have been evaluated and meet the level of quality for a CCNE-accredited program.

The DNP program at MMU welcomed its first class in the fall of 2021. It was designed specifically to prepare individuals for specialization in nursing leadership and education, incorporating a high level of leadership in practice and scientific inquiry. Additionally, the program incorporates pedagogical methodologies, adult learning theories and evaluative measures of learning outcomes into the curriculum. DNP graduates will emerge with the tools to serve as leaders and educators able to guide patient care to improve outcomes.

MMU is proud to further its position as a leader in nursing education by filling a critical gap that exists between direct patient care and the leaders and educators who guide it. 

"This program provides an opportunity—one that did not exist in the state—to master’s prepared nurses who desire or are required to pursue their terminal degree,” says Dr. Kathy Magorian, MMU’s dean of nursing and health sciences. “We are proud to provide this accredited program and experience for nurses seeking to lead in healthcare."

Both the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University offer DNP programs, but MMU is the only one to focus on leadership and education.

To be granted accreditation, MMU faculty and administrators completed an intensive self-study, site visit and program evaluation with CCNE, an autonomous accrediting agency for baccalaureate, graduate programs and fellowships. Students can now state on their resumes that they are enrolled in a CCNE-accredited program.

Known for outstanding undergraduate, graduate and doctoral opportunities in nursing and education, MMU is perfectly situated for this program. Further, Benedictine values of leadership and community service are engrained in all of MMU’s programming, which will complement the core goal of the program to prepare leaders and educators who will further the nursing profession.

The program takes seven semesters to complete with a course load of four to eight credits per semester. Those interested in learning more or submitting an application are encouraged to visit mountmarty.edu/dnp.