Graduation Requirements by Program

Requirements for receiving your graduate degree from the School of Nursing vary by program and track.

MSN and PMC Graduation Requirements

A candidate for the Master of Science in Nursing degree or Post-Master's Certificate Program must meet all University Graduation requirements and School of Nursing Graduation Requirements listed below have:

  • Completed all course requirements with a minimum cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Completed the course and credit requirements for the curriculum for which they are enrolled.
  • Completed a culminating integrative paper or project (MSN Forensics, and PMC Forensics only) or successfully pass the Comprehensive Examination (MSN CRNP, PMC CRNP, MSN Nursing Education, and PMC Nursing Education).

A student with an “I” grade, an “F” grade, or an “N” grade on the transcript, regardless of whether the incomplete or failed course is part of the program degree requirements, cannot graduate. The student must remove the “I” grade or retake the course or an equivalent.

Eligibility for graduation is determined by the Graduate Academic Advisor at the end of the semester preceding the semester of graduation.

Students who are eligible for graduation must file the Application for University Degree with the Registrar’s Office on or before the latest date to apply for graduation as announced in the university academic calendar.

DNP Graduation Requirements

DNP Graduation Requirements

A candidate for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree must meet all University Graduation requirements and School of Nursing Graduation Requirements listed below – Clinical Leadership and Executive Nurse Leadership tracks must:

  • Complete all course requirements with a minimum cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Successfully complete a DNP Project.
  • Successfully complete submit a DNP Portfolio.
  • Satisfactorily complete required residency hours
  • Receive a satisfactory evaluation from their Residency Preceptor
  • Complete a DNP Project manuscript as determined by the student's Faculty Mentor, and submit to the Gumberg Library DNP Repository.
  • Present the outcomes of their DNP Project to Duquesne University School of Nursing faculty, staff and invited guests.

Eligibility for graduation is determined by the Faculty Mentor and Graduate Academic Advisor at the end of the semester preceding the semester of graduation. However, the final recommendation for the degree completion of all requirement elements achieving the DNP Essentials is based on the evaluation and recommendation of the student’s Faculty Mentor. A student with an “I” or an “F” grade on a transcript, regardless if the course was part of the program’s degree requirements, cannot graduate. The student must repeat the course or an equivalent course with a passing grade. Students, who are eligible for graduation, will receive information on the Application for University Degree as well as additional information concerning graduation from the Graduate Academic Advisor by the beginning of the final semester of study.

DNP - Nurse Anesthesia Graduation Requirements

A candidate for the Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia must:

  • Complete all course requirements with a minimum cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Successfully complete a DNP Scholarly Project.
  • Successfully complete submit a DNP Portfolio.
  • Satisfactorily complete required residency hours.
  • Receive a satisfactory evaluation from their Residency Preceptor.
  • Complete a DNP Project manuscript as determined by the student's Faculty Mentor, and submit to the Gumberg Library DNP Repository.
  • Present the outcomes of their DNP Project to Duquesne University School of Nursing faculty, staff and invited guests.
  • Meet all of the requirements for graduation at Duquesne University as well as the Council o  Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (D Standard) and meets the requirements to it for the National Certification Exam (NCE) according to the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Eligibility for graduation is determined by the Faculty Mentor and Graduate Academic Advisor at the end of the semester preceding the semester of graduation. However, the final recommendation for the degree completion of all requirement elements achieving the DNP Essentials is based on the evaluation and recommendation of the student’s Faculty Mentor. A student with an “I” or an “F” grade on a transcript, regardless if the course was part of the program’s degree requirements, cannot graduate. The student must repeat the course or an equivalent course with a passing grade. Students, who are eligible for graduation, will receive information on the Application for University Degree as well as additional information concerning graduation from the Graduate Academic Advisor by the beginning of the final semester of study.

PhD Graduation Requirements

A candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing must meet all University Graduation requirements and School of Nursing Graduation Requirements listed below.

  • Complete all course requirements with a minimum cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Complete the required courses according to grading policy and complete credits for respective program track.
  • Complete and successfully defend a dissertation. The format of the dissertation (traditional or manuscript option) will be agreed upon by the student and their Dissertation Committee Chair.
  • Submit Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) requirements by deadline posted in Academic Calendar

Eligibility for graduation is determined by the Graduate Academic Advisor at the end of the semester preceding the semester of graduation. Students who are eligible for graduation must file the Application for University Degree with the Registrar’s Office on or before the latest date to apply for graduation as announced in the university academic calendar.

DNAP Graduation Requirements

A candidate for the Doctor of Anesthesia Practice degree must:

  • Complete all course requirements with a minimum cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Successfully complete a DNAP Project.
  • Successfully complete submit a DNAP Portfolio.
  • Satisfactorily complete required residency hours.
  • Receive a satisfactory evaluation from their Residency Preceptor.
  • Complete a DNAP Project manuscript as determined by the student's Faculty Mentor, and submit to the Gumberg Library DNAP Repository.
  • Present the outcomes of their DNAP Project to Duquesne University School of Nursing faculty, staff and invited guests.
  • Meet all of the requirements for graduation at Allegheny School of Anesthesia (ASOA).

Eligibility for graduation is determined by the Faculty Mentor and Graduate Academic Advisor at the end of the semester preceding the semester of graduation. However, the final recommendation for the degree completion of all requirement elements achieving the DNAP Essentials is based on the evaluation and recommendation of the student’s Faculty Mentor. A student with an “I” or an “F” grade on a transcript, regardless if the course was part of the program’s degree requirements, cannot graduate. The student must repeat the course or an equivalent course with a passing grade. Students, who are eligible for graduation, will receive information on the Application for University Degree as well as additional information concerning graduation from the Graduate Academic Advisor by the beginning of the final semester of study.