Need advice!

I may be misunderstanding, but there seem to be some holes in your story that prevent the reader (me, namely) from following this.

Here's my synopsis. Your husband entered a master's program, took most of the required coursework, and then left the program. In that time, the master's program was deleted, and a doctoral program was instituted in place, and now it seems he can't readmit under the master's program policies.

In many schools, a choice of catalogs is offered, and he could go back as a master's candidate. In this scenario, he obviously cannot. If he is stuck not becoming a NP unless he enters the doctoral program there I see a few options.

Go elsewhere, transfer what you can (which probably won't be a lot), and become a NP. Enroll at the same school in a different master's program, graduate, and send your packet to ANCC to see if he can get authorization to test. Finally, just enroll in the doctoral program. Many of us hate the DNP (I know I do), but if he's compelled to do it then roll with it. It certainly won't hurt anything but the pocketbook.

He needs to speak to an academic adviser at the school to find out what his options are. It is unlikely any school is going to "give him a degree" with just a thesis submission - not going to happen, there is nothing in it for them.

I know a lot of MSN/NP programs have a thesis opt-out option in favor of another class or two. Why didn't he do this?

Thank you!

I have been looking into that, but haven't found any. Do you know of any?

Psychguy-Sorry if I wasn't clear. Yes, you are right on your assumption. DNP school is another 3 years! He is already 41 and we are on our 5th child. So that isn't going to happen. But I will keep researching other MSN programs. THank you!