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Dec 08, 2025
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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Nursing (D.N.P.) - Clinical Nurse Leader Specialization
Location(s):
Online
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Return to: Colleges, Departments, Schools and their Academic Programs



Program Coordinator/Contact
Cami Veire, Nursing Advisor / Graduate Specialist
Graduate Nursing
SDSU Sioux Falls Campus (STC)
2300 N Career Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
605-367-8400
Program Information
The Nursing (D.N.P.) - Clinical Nurse Leader Specialization program prepares nurses to assume advanced roles as Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) to transform clinical practice as expert clinicians and leaders, focusing on rural and underserved populations.
Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791.
Licensure
Students must provide evidence of professional registration by submitting a copy of the most current RN license.
Certification
Upon completion of the Clinical Nurse Leader Specialization, students may be eligible for the following certifications:
| National Certification Eligibility |
Certifying Body |
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Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)*
*requires graduation from a CNL master’s education program or a student in their last term of a CNL education program that meets the criteria delineated in the CNL Competencies and Curricular Expectations for Clinical Nurse LeaderSM Education and Practice are eligible to sit for this certification examination.
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Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) |
Course Delivery Format
Nursing courses are delivered online.
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Available Options for Graduate Degrees
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | B.S.N. to D.N.P. | 64 Credit Hours | Total Required Credits: 64 (B.S.N. to D.N.P.)
Additional Admissions Requirements
GRE: Not required TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based TOEFL Essentials: 8.5 IELTS: 6.5 total band Duolingo: 110 Additional Admission Requirements for Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice – Clinical Nurse Leader Specialization must have: - Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
- 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to taking NURS 630.
- Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
- Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.
- Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States: - Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States: - A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
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