The Comprehensive Exam: The exam has two components,

1) an electronic portfolio which consists of written documentation providing evidence

of
clinical scholarship housed on the student’s DNP website.

Included in the portfolio are

student authored peer reviewed manuscripts on clinical issues
(including the qualifying paper),
clinical innovations and case studies,
case narratives that demonstrate evidence- based practice,
evidence of the application of principles of practice management and quality
assurance,
grant applications (including the qualifying grant submission) and the
DNP Project (see DNP Project Syllabus).

The portfolio demonstrates the student's transformation to doctoral level advanced

practice.

And, 2) public oral defense of the portfolio. A copy of the portfolio is made available
to
committee members and interested communities of interest at least two weeks prior
to the
defense date. The defense is organized and managed by the DNP Chair and includes
a
formal presentation by the student and a question-answer period. Students must
successfully
defend the portfolio in order to graduate.

It is important to note that the oral defense is to be scheduled only after the student
and each
member of the committee agree that the portfolio is essentially complete. This
means that
the project is drafted, and all required items are included in the portfolio. The project
need
not be final, since suggested revisions may need to be completed.

---------------------------------------ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACY---------------------------------------
5. DNP Proposal Approval

! submit original ‘DNP Proposal Approval’ Form to Dean’s Office

1. DNP Project and Residency: Register for N789 and N795

2. Approve Project with Chair - Submit Proposal Approval Form to Dean’s Office
3. Schedule Oral Defense Date with Chair

6. Comprehensive Exam

! submit original ‘Successful Oral Defense’ signature form

The exam consists of two parts as outlined in the DNP Handbook:

1. An electronic portfolio containing clinical scholarship including the Qualifying Exam
2. A public defense of the portfolio After completion of DNP Project and Residency