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DNP Handbook

Oral Defense

Oral DNP Proposal Defense

Development of the DNP Project is accomplished as a part of the requirements within the DNP Project Immersion courses. Under direction of the Faculty Mentor, the student develops a research proposal for submission and approval by the DNP Project Team. The proposal provides a thorough description of the proposed study, following proposal guidelines as directed by the Faculty Mentor. The student presents the proposal to the DNP Project Team in an oral hearing via a one-hour teleconference. Upon the DNP Project Team’s approval of the proposal, the student is authorized to begin the study. The Faculty Mentor issues written approval to the student using the approval form: Approval of the DNP Proposal.

Final Oral DNP Defense

The Final Oral DNP Defense is the last formal step in the DNP process. It is a requirement all committee members are present for the Final Oral DNP Defense. The Doctoral student produces and presents the DNP Project before the DNP Project Team via teleconference. The DNP Project Team determines the general format of the DNP and the abstract based on the University’s general design guidelines. The Faculty Mentor should ensure that the DNP is in final form before requesting evaluations from the other members of the DNP Project Team. Each of the team members must be available for the final defense.

The student arranges the Final Oral DNP Defense teleconference and solicits and coordinates the availability of the DNP Project Team members. Based upon the student’s presentation, one of three votes may be awarded:

  • Accepted without revision.
  • Accepted with minor revisions.
  • Accepted with major revisions and another defense is required.

Where revisions are required, the student must make any iteration in a timely manner and submit the final copy to the Faculty Chair. Where acceptance is denied or the student has not met the allotted timeframe, the student must retake DNP courses. This option may only be exercised once.

Following the successful oral defense, the entire DNP Project Team will sign the Approval of the DNP Proposal Form or Approval of the Final Project Form. The Faculty Chair will then send the completed approval form and a copy of the current DNP manuscript to the School Dean with a recommendation for approval. If the decision of the DNP Project Team is not unanimous, the case is referred to the Deans for resolution. If the decision of the DNP Project Team is a failure recommendation, the Faculty Chair, Program Director, and Deans formulate a course of action that may include re-registration in DNP courses.