DNP Program Policies

  • Policy for Registration of Designated Curriculum Progression
    All College of Nursing students should follow the appropriate nursing course progression outlined on their respective program curriculum sheets. After being cleared in NYU’s registration system, Albert, students are permitted to register for only the courses in which they were approved by their assigned academic advisor.
    Students who register for any courses which were not approved by their advisor (e.g., a different undergraduate major, different graduate NP program, or a course out of sequence for the DNP Program) may be involuntarily withdrawn from e non-approved courses. When students register for courses outside of their approved curriculum course progression, the courses may not count towards their degree in the College of Nursing. 
     
    The College of Nursing follows the university refund schedule for any dropped courses and the university registrar’s calendar for the “W” notation appearing on student transcripts for withdrawn courses.
     
  • Appointment of DNP Project Committee
    This policy pertains to students who matriculated as of fall 2013 and beyond.
     
    DNP Project teams consist of a group of students, a faculty mentor, and a clinical mentor. Two to 4 students will populate each of the teams. Teams will be assigned during the first semester of study in the DNP program. Also during the first semester, the DNP program director will appoint a faculty mentor. Clinical mentors are appointed by the healthcare agency in which students will be implementing their projects. In consultation with the clinical agency, the program director and the faculty mentor will develop specific topics for projects that the agency deems important. The faculty mentor, who is the team facilitator,  must have an earned doctorate and may be a an adjunct or a full-time faculty member of the College of Nursing, holding the rank of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, clinical professor, or clinical associate professor, except in exceptional circumstances as determined by the DNP. program director. Clinical mentors must hold at least a master’s degree. The director of the DNP. Program must approve all DNP Project teams.  
    If, after your team has been officially appointed, circumstances require that you replace your faculty or clinical mentor, the faculty member being replaced must officially resign in writing. After the DNP Program Office has received the appropriate memo of resignation, the front of this form should be signed by the new faculty or clinical mentor, as well as the DNP program director, and submitted to the DNP Program Office.  
     
  • DNP Project Proposal Review
    A DNP Project team must be officially appointed and on file with the NYUCN DNP Program Office prior to submission of the DNP Project proposal. Students should obtain the necessary forms from the DNP Program Office and have them signed by the team’s faculty and clinical mentors as well as a faculty reviewer who is part of the project team indicating their approval of the proposal for submission. 
     
  • Final DNP Project Defense
    The final Project defense for the DNP degree will be conducted by the team’s faculty and clinical mentors as well as a faculty reviewer. Candidates are eligible for this examination only after the approved DNP Project, abstract, and necessary forms (which may be obtained from the NYUCN DNP Program Office) have been transmitted for examination purposes and all other scholastic requirements have been met.
    At least three weeks must intervene between the date of submission of the approved DNP Project to the NYUCN DNP Program Office and the final DNP Project defense.
     
  • Termination of Candidacy
    A member of the DNP faculty or of the DNP Project team may at any time recommend to the DNP program director the termination of a student’s candidacy for a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, based on lack of sufficient academic progress or lapsed matriculation.
     
  • Degree Requirements
    DNP students are required to complete the degree within 7 years from the date of matriculation (indicated on each student’s statement of requirements) for all entry options, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
     
    The credits recorded on the transcript will be from 73-86 depending on the population for which they are nationally certified and the entry option the student was admitted under. 
     
  • Attendance
    DNP Students are expected to actively participate in and contribute to learning in peer-to-peer and teacher-to-student exchanges in in-person and in on-line discussions. 
    This policy and procedure is for all required classes that DNP students take. Students are expected to attend all scheduled in-person and on-line class sessions. Absences cannot be accepted regardless of the circumstance except in cases of emergencies. Ten percent (10%) of the course grade is for attendance and active participation. For courses that are Pass/Fail, class absence will be added to the list of assignments, faculty will decide what number of absences or late arrivals constitute a fail.
     
    Policy and Procedure: 
    • Depending on how many scheduled class sessions there are per class, the 10% of the course grade will be equally divided per the number of sessions. For example, if there are four schedules class sessions, 2.5 points will be deducted from the course grade for each day missed.
    • Coming late or leaving early will result in a proportionate deduction of points based on the number of hours missed. For example, if one seminar-style class is scheduled from 9 am to 5 pm with 1 hour lunch break, for a total  of 7 hours for class participation per class and the student attends 4 out of the 7 scheduled hours, a total of 1.43 points (2.5points/7h*4h) will be awarded for attendance.
    • Students are expected to come to class on time to prevent disrupting the class discussions/activities/presentations. Students are expected to arrive on or before the scheduled start of class. Students who are consistently late will be required to meet with the instructor(s) to discuss their behavior.
    • In the event of an emergency (e.g., hospitalization, death, or illness in family) where the student will be late or unable to attend class, it is a professional expectation that the student will notify the course instructor(s) via telephone and email. In the event of an emergency, students will be eligible to receive full attendance points after discussion with the course instructors about how the student will meet the learning outcomes related to the class they missed. Absences related to social or professional obligations such as weddings, birthdays, conferences, or work meetings are not considered emergencies.
       
  • Drop/Add/Withdrawal
    Courses added or dropped without advisor approval may be considered as not meeting degree requirements. Students and advisors are urged to monitor this procedure carefully. Only an official advisor is authorized to sign a student’s drop/add form.

    Master’s, advanced certificate, DNP, and PhD students are permitted to add to their program during the first two weeks of regular classes. A student wishing to add an additional course to the program during the third week of the term must have the approval of the instructor. A student may not add a course beyond the end of the third week of the term with the exception of courses that begin mid-semester. Students may register for mid-semester courses prior to the first meeting of the class.

    No change in schedule is valid unless it is reported to the NYUCN Office of Advising & Academic Services on the forms provided or by using the Albert registration system. Change of Program forms may be obtained from the Office of Advising & Academic Services.  Courses officially dropped during the first three weeks of the term will not appear on the transcript. Those dropped from the beginning of the fourth week through the ninth week of the term will be recorded with a grade of W. After the ninth week, no one may withdraw from a course. Students should consult the University Refund Schedule for financial implications of dropped courses.
     
  • Grades
    To remain in good academic standing, a D.N.P. student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
    The scale of grades is based on a 4-point scale as follows*:
    A         93-100   (4.0 points) (as of fall 2016)
    A-        90-92   (3.7 points) (as of fall 2016)
    B+       87-89   (3.3 points)
    B         83-86   (3.0 points)
    B-        80-82   (2.7 points)
    C+       77-79   (2.3 points)
    C         73-76   (2.0 points)
    C-        70-72   (1.7 points)
    D+       67-69   (1.3 points)
    D         60-66   (1.0 points)
    F          59 and below (0 points)
    If a student repeats a course in which he or she had received a failing grade, only the second grade is counted in the grade point average (GPA).
     
    Note: There are no A+, D-, or F+ grades. 
     
  • New York University DNP Student College of Nursing Requirements
    I. Academic
    A. GPA and Course Grade Requirements
    To remain in good academic standing, a DNP student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. All students must earn a minimum of a B- or better in every required DNP course. Failure to meet the GPA requirements places a student in academic jeopardy. There are three levels of
    academic jeopardy:
    Warning: occurs after the first semester a student meets the following criteria:
    1)  Has 9 credits or more of IP, IF, or N on their transcripts at any one time.
    2)  Falls below a cumulative GPA of 3.0. If the cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is achieved by the following term, academic jeopardy is terminated.
    3)  Obtains less than a B- in a required course. The student is required to re-take the course the next time it is offered. If at least a B- is obtained in the required course, academic jeopardy is terminated.
    Probation: After the second consecutive semester of meeting #1 or #2 above.
    Dismissal: occurs for one of the following reasons:
    1)  If a repeated required course receives less than a B-.
    2)  Two outcomes of fail on the proposal defense.
    3)  Two outcomes of fail on the DNP project defense.
    4)  Expiration of the seventh year for DNP matriculation period without an approved extension.
    5)  Expiration of an approved extension.
    6)  Three probationary terms or two consecutive probationary terms
    7)  Receiving a course grade of less than a B- in two separate courses.
     
    Reentry to the Program Following Dismissal: A student may reapply to the program from which they were dismissed one year after dismissal. The decision for readmission is based on review of a student’s academic record and references.
    W = Official withdrawal. If withdrawal occurs after the midpoint of the term and the student is failing at that time, the grade will be reported as F.
    R = Registered paid auditor, not graded.
    P = Pass, not counted in average.
    N = No credit (see note below)
    I = Incomplete but passing—term paper or other work or final examination lacking (grade given only with the permission of the instructor); may be made up within time limits (see below). 

    At the discretion of a course instructor and only under exceptional circumstances a student can request an incomplete (I) grade. If the course instructor agrees to render a grade of incomplete for a particular course, the student must fill out an Incomplete Grade form with the faculty member rendering the incomplete grade. It is incumbent upon the student to bring the form to her/his faculty member. The Incomplete Grade form may be found on the NYU College of Nursing website. The length of the contract period is determined by the course instructor, but cannot exceed six months after the close of the semester. If outstanding work is not completed or submitted by the deadline indicated on the Incomplete Grade form, the I grade becomes an F. Nursing students may not be permitted to take any new courses if they have an unaddressed incomplete grade on their transcript.

    Students with 9 credits or more of "I" on their transcripts at any one time will be considered as not making satisfactory progress in their programs of study and will be subject to probation. Students who have three probationary terms or two consecutive probationary terms will be subject to dismissal. They will be subject to dismissal if they have 18 such credits on their transcripts at any one time. (Any I grade course that has been repeated with a passing grade will not be counted in these totals, nor will courses in which I grades are normally given.)

    Note: The College of Nursing urges students taking courses in other schools and colleges to check with the respective schools for details of their grading policies because they may differ from those of the College of Nursing.
     
  • Leave of Absence, Withdrawal and Maintenance of Matriculation
    DNP students who are taking a leave of absence are referred to their academic advisor to discuss their request for a Leave of Absence (LOA) or Official University Withdrawal. A leave of absence may be taken for a maximum of two semesters; that is, two continuous semesters equaling one academic year or two separate LOA semesters each taken in different academic years. Two LOAs are the maximum in the lifetime of a degree. Students must also complete an online withdrawal form, which is University based, and is found in their Student Center

    Directions for submitting an LOA, Semester Withdrawal or Complete withdrawal are posted on the Registrar's website here: https://www.nyu.edu/registrar/withdrawal/

    For students who are requesting an LOA, please review the Maintenance of Matriculation information.

    Students should also consult the Bursar's Refund Schedule to determine the financial implications of taking an LOA or University Withdrawal: http://www.nyu.edu/bursar/refunds/schedule.html

    The College of Nursing adheres to the policy that continuous maintenance of matriculation (MM) is required.  After two leave of absence semesters (LOA), if a student does not enroll in classes, the student must transition to enrollment of Maintenance of Matriculation.  The MM fee is the cost of tuition for one graduate nursing credit plus a nonrefundable registration and services fee. Registration procedures for MM are the same as any credit-bearing course. If these steps are not taken and the student does not register for MM, the student must reapply to the program and will be billed for past MM fees when they reappear to register or reenroll.

    All course requirements must be completed within seven years from the date of matriculation. Continuous maintenance is required.
     
  • Student Access to Records and Advising Files
    Students desiring to review or access information or records contained in their Advising File must submit a Record Request Form through Assistant Provost Barnett W. Hamberger, Office of Academic Program Review, 194 Mercer Street, Room 403F, 212.998-2310.  Students may only obtain copies of their clinical evaluations from the College of Nursing Office of Advising & Academic Services.
     
  • Steps for Academic Jeopardy Identification and Student Notification
    The Academic Program Head of the respective program will notify the student of his/her academic jeopardy status or dismissal from the College via email by attaching the formal notification letter in PDF format with return receipt. The following individuals will be copied on the letter: a) the student’s advisor, b) the Executive Associate Dean, c) the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, d) the Assistant Dean of Advising & Academic Services, and e) the Assistant Registrar.
    *Academic Program Head is the Academic Dean or Director of the B.S., M.S., DNP, or Ph.D. program.
     
  • Process for Filing Formal Complaints
    Due process for student appeals is part of the organizational structure of the NYU College of Nursing (NYUCN). The policy and protocols are designed to assure students that they will have a just and fair academic review.  Students who wish to appeal a course grade, failure, or dismissal must present a case, in writing through e-mail within 5 days of receiving grades or notification (either posted on NYU Classes or Albert, whichever is sooner). The appeal case should focus on fairness of grading, adherence to policies outlined on course syllabi, and the equal and fair treatment of all students.
    I.  Academic
    Steps for Academic Appeal of Course Grade or Failure:
    1) Faculty Level: Student sends written appeal via e-mail to the course faculty member within 5 business days of receiving the grade either on Albert or NYU Classes (whichever is sooner)
    2) Faculty member sends written response to appeal to student via email in a timely fashion. If the appeal is denied, student may choose to proceed to next level.
    3) Associate Dean or Director Level: If the student’s appeal is denied, the student may pursue the process within 5 days of receiving the faculty member’s response by including the following information in an email to the Associate Dean or Director of the respective BS, MS, DNP, or PhD Program:
    a) His/her original appeal to course faculty member
    b) The faculty member’s response
    4) After appropriate fact finding, the respective Associate Dean or Director will notify the student of his/her decision via email. The following individuals will be copied: 1. the student’s advisor, 2. course faculty member, 3. the Appeals Officer (Executive Associate Dean) of the College, 4. the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, 5. the Assistant Dean of Advising & Academic Services, 6. the Assistant Registrar, and 7) the respective program administrator .
    5) A copy of the email correspondence to the student will be placed in the student’s record.

    Steps for Academic Appeal of Dismissal
    If the dismissal is due to a failure of course grade, the student may appeal a course failure leading to dismissal according to step one for academic appeal of course grade or failure above. If denied, student may go through formal Appeal of Dismissal process by following the steps below.
    1)  Student sends written appeal via e-mail to the Executive Associate Dean of the College within 5 business days of notification of dismissal
    2)  After appropriate fact finding, the Executive Associate Dean will inform the student of the final decision. A letter will be sent via email. The following individuals will be copied: 1. the Academic Program Head, 2. the student’s advisor, 3. the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, 4. the Assistant Dean of Advising & Academic Services, 5. the Assistant Registrar, and 6) the respective program administrator.
    3)  A copy of the email notification of the decision from the Executive Associate Dean to the student will be placed in the student’s record.

    II. Ethical Issues and Professional Behavior
    Steps for Appeal of Ethical Issues and Professional Behavior
    1)  Student sends written appeal via e-mail to the Executive Associate Dean of the College within 5 business days of notification of violation of ethical or professional behavior.
    2)  The Executive Associate Dean if necessary may call the Assistant Dean of Advising & Academic Services, the student’s faculty advisor if different from the Assistant Dean of Advising & Academic Services, or another faculty member for fact-finding information about the case.
    3)  A letter from the Executive Associate Dean of the College will inform students of the final decision via email by attaching the formal letter in PDF format with return receipt. The following individuals will be copied: 1) the student’s advisor, 2) the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, 3) the Assistant Dean of Advising & Academic Services, 4) the Assistant Registrar, and 5) Respective Program Administrator. 

    III.  Process for Appeal of a Decision Regarding the Inability to Meet Technical Standards for Core Professional Nursing Competency Performance

  • IV.  Other Issues
    For any other issue a student encounters that he/she wishes to appeal which is not covered by the procedure for filing a formal complaint in regard to: Academic, Technical Standards, Ethical Issues and Professional Behavior, the NYUCN requires the student to attempt to resolve this issue first informally and then, if the issue is not resolved the student should initiate a formal complaint. The appeal process is as follows:
    1) Informal: Seek an informal meeting with the individual to resolve the issue.
    2) If the issue is not resolved, file a formal written complaint via e-mail, within 5 days, to the Program Head of the respective program.
    3) The Program Head will review and respond to the student as soon as possible via e-mail.
    4) If the issue still has not been resolved, the student will send his/her written complaint to the Executive Associate Dean of the NYUCN within 5 days of receiving the response from the Program Head.
    5) The Executive Associate Dean of the NYUCN will review and respond to the student as soon as possible via e-mail.