Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) represents the highest level of preparation in nursing practice based on nursing science and prepares future leaders for nursing practice. Based upon the growing complexity of healthcare compounded by an escalating demand for services, burgeoning growth in scientific knowledge, and advances in technology, the nursing profession's current practice of preparing advanced practice nurses in master's degree programs is no longer sufficient.

This program builds upon the base of a Master Degree in Nursing Preparation as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and excellence of practice based on validations by standard sets of competencies in national certification processes and specialty credentials. The DNP program at the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services is based upon the essential concepts of the DNP curriculum as approved by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in September 2005, and the accrediting body for DNP programs, the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

The DNP program is initially offered as a post master's degree option that builds upon and expands the competencies of the master's prepared FNP providing a transition period during which nurses with master's degree would be recognized to be fully credentialed for current advanced practice roles. This transition period is necessary to ensure multiple entry points into practice-focused doctoral programs and allows advanced practice nurses (APNs) currently practicing as FNPs an opportunity to earn a practice doctorate.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

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