DNP in Nursing DNP
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest degree in clinical nursing practice.​
The DNP focuses on clinical excellence, leadership, health systems innovation, and evidence-based practice, preparing both aspiring and currently practicing advanced practice nurses to deliver the highest level of patient care and influence healthcare outcomes at organizational and systems levels.
51ÁÔÆæ offers students four highly specialized tracks in both clinical and nonclinical areas.
Program Type
Doctoral
Program Format
Hybrid, Online
DNP Program At a Glance
Our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to offer flexibility and comprehensive clinical preparation for working professionals pursuing advanced practice roles. Students can choose from flexible 3- or 4-year course plans with the option to begin their studies in either the fall or spring term. Coursework is delivered through a blend of face-to-face, online, and asynchronous formats, allowing students to balance their education with professional and personal responsibilities.
The program provides robust hands-on training, including a minimum of 750 clinical practice hours completed over four semesters, 140 hours of simulation-based learning, and guaranteed practicum placement to ensure meaningful clinical experiences. Students can select from four advanced practice specialty tracks and learn from expert faculty dedicated to preparing practice-ready leaders. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), reflecting its commitment to high-quality nursing education.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice is the highest achievement in clinical nursing practice. Four highly specialized tracks offer students their choice of intensive, focused degree options that prepare graduates for employment in competitive clinical and nonclinical nursing careers.
51ÁÔÆæ offers three different entry points; choosing one depends on your previous academic preparation.
- The BS to DNP program is a hybrid, 72-credit program. Designed for bachelor’s-prepared nurses ready to pursue an advanced practice role in healthcare.
- The MN to DNP is a hybrid program. Designed for nurses that already hold a master’s degree in nursing but are not in an advanced practice role yet. Nurses entering the MN to DNP entry may need less than 72 credits. Contact the Graduate Program Manager to learn what prior credits may be recognized towards this DNP degree.
- Post Advanced Practice Master’s (PM) to DNP is an online 32-credit program to include some structured live learning and asynchronous courses. Designed for advanced practice nurses including Nurse Practitioners (NP), Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA). This PM-DNP entry allows you to build on your existing advanced practice role and elevate your impact in healthcare.
Considering an APRN Certificate?
Advanced Practice Nurses (APRNs) can expand their practice through a 51ÁÔÆæ graduate certificate. Our post-graduate certificate programs are designed for nurses seeking to expand their expertise or transition into a new advanced practice specialty in a streamlined, focused format. The program can be completed in approximately 12 months and includes 21 credits, with a spring start option. Coursework is delivered through a flexible blend of face-to-face, online, and asynchronous learning to support working professionals.
Students gain extensive hands-on experience through a minimum of 550 clinical practice hours completed over three semesters, along with 140 hours of simulation-based training to strengthen clinical decision-making and skills. The program offers four advanced practice specialty tracks and guarantees practicum placement to ensure meaningful clinical learning opportunities. Instruction is led by experienced faculty experts, and the program is also accredited by CCNE, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality, nationally recognized nursing education.
Scholarships & Funding
We understand that financial support is important to every student. A variety of options are available to help students finance their education at 51ÁÔÆæ, including over $500,000 in nursing scholarships & funding awarded annually, as well as loans, grants, student employment, fellowships, military education benefits and more. 51ÁÔÆæ offers generous aid options for students seeking to be nurse educators or nurse faculty.
Our DNP program prepares advanced practice nurses and leaders to meet the complex health needs of diverse populations across care settings by offering four highly specialized tracks. Each specialty offers focused coursework and hands-on practicum experiences designed to build clinical expertise, leadership skills, and confidence in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Below are the specialty areas available and the types of practicum settings where students apply their knowledge in real-world environments.
The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) program track prepares nurses to provide comprehensive care to adults and older adults with complex, acute, and critical health conditions. If you thrive on delivering high level care in a fast-paced, high acuity environment, this track may be a good fit for you.
Role Preparation Includes:
- Advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning
- Management of acute and critical illnesses
- Stabilization and complex care coordination
- Collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare teams
Practice Settings:
- Specialty and acute care clinics
- Hospitals
- Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program track prepares graduates to provide comprehensive, family centered primary care across the lifespan from infancy through older adults.
If you thrive serving a diverse population a variety of primary care settings-this specialty track may be a good fit for you.
Role Preparation Includes:
- Diagnosis and management of acute and chronic conditions
- Preventive care and health promotion
- Prescriptive authority and medication management
- Patient and family education
Practice Settings:
- Outpatient clinics
- Primary care practices
- Community health centers
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) program track prepares nurses to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions across the lifespan.
Role Preparation Includes:
- Psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis
- Psychotherapy and counseling interventions
- Psychopharmacology and medication management
- Comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment
Practice Settings:
- Mental health clinics
- Private practice settings
- Hospitals and behavioral health units
The Clinical Nurse Specialist Adult Gerontology (CNS AG) program track prepares Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who are experts in improving outcomes for adults and older adults across diverse healthcare settings. AG-CNSs focus on complex and vulnerable populations while advancing nursing practice through evidence-based care and system-level leadership.
Role Preparation Includes:
- Advanced clinical assessment and management of adult and geriatric populations
- Implementation of evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes
- Clinical leadership and systems improvement initiatives
- Mentorship and education of nursing staff
- Quality improvement and patient safety strategies
Practice Settings:
- Specialty and transitional care environments
- Acute care hospitals
- Primary care and outpatient settings
- Community health systems
Specialty Track Comparison Table
| Track Name | Population Focus | Primary Focus of Practice | Possible Practice Settings | Practice Pathway |
| Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) | Adults and older adults | Management of acute, complex, and critical health conditions | Hospitals, ICUs, acute care clinics | High-acuity clinical practice |
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | Patients across the lifespan (infants to adults) | Primary care, prevention, chronic disease management | Primary care clinics, community health centers, outpatient practices | Comprehensive family-focused care |
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) | Patients across the lifepan | Mental health assessment, psychotherapy, medication management | Behavioral health clinics, hospitals, private practice | Psychiatric and behavioral health |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist Adult Gerontology (CNS AG) | Adults and older adults | Evidence-based practice, systems improvement, mentoring nurses | Acute care, primary care, specialty units, community settings | Clinical leadership and quality improvement |
The following part-time and full-time course plans are samples for the BS-DNP and MN-DNP entry points for the program with fall start terms, as well as a sample course plan for the PM-DNP entry point for the fall term. Please contact the Graduate Program Manager for spring start course sample plans.
Part-Time Sample Course Plan (BS-DNP, MN-DNP; 72 credits)
| FALL | SPRING | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| – NURS 724 Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3 cr) – NURS 735 Foundations of Scholarly Writing (3 cr) | – NURS 725 Advance Evidenced-Based Practice in Health Care (3 cr) – NURS 728 Population Health for Advanced Practice (3 cr) | |
| Year 2 | ||
| – NURS 803 Health Systems Policy and Economics (3 cr) – NURS 750 Quality and Safety (3 cr) | – NURS 753 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3 cr) – NURS 804 Leadership Health Systems (3 cr) | – NURS 805 Implementation Science Methods (3 cr) – NURS 773 Applied Health Informatics (3 cr) |
| Year 3 | ||
| – NURS 707 Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 cr) – NURS 754 Advanced Comprehensive Health Assessment (3 cr) – NURS 755 Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice (3 cr) | – NURS Theory (3 cr) – NURS Practicum I (4 cr) | – NURS Theory II (3 cr) – NURS Practicum II (4 cr) – NURS 993 DNP Project I: Plan (2 cr) |
| Year 4 | ||
| – NURS Theory III (3 cr) – NURS Practicum III (4 cr) – NURS 994 DNP Project II: Proposal (2 cr) | – NURS 995 DNP Project III: Leadership Practice Immersion (4 cr) – NURS Practicum IV (4 cr) |
Full-Time Sample Course Plan (BS-DNP, MN-DNP; 72 credits)
| FALL | SPRING | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| – NURS 724 Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3 cr) – NURS 735 Foundations of Scholarly Writing (3 cr) – NURS 728 Population Health for Advanced Practice (3 cr) | – NURS 725 Advance Evidenced-Based Practice in Health Care (3 cr) – NURS 753 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3 cr) – NURS 750 Quality and Safety (3 cr) | – NURS 805 Implementation Science Methods (3 cr) – NURS 773 Applied Health Informatics (3 cr) |
| Year 2 | ||
| – NURS 755 Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice (3 cr) – NURS 707 Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 cr) – NURS 754 Advanced Comprehensive Health Assessment (3 cr) – NURS 803 Health Systems Policy and Economics (3 cr) | – NURS 804 Leadership Health Systems (3 cr) – NURS Theory (3 cr) – NURS Practicum I (4 cr) | – NURS Theory II (3 cr) – NURS Practicum II (4 cr) – NURS 993 DNP Project I: Plan (2 cr) |
| Year 3 | ||
| – NURS Theory III (3 cr) – NURS Practicum III (4 cr) – NURS 994 DNP Project II: Proposal (2 cr) | – NURS 995 DNP Project III: Leadership Practice Immersion (4 cr) – NURS Practicum IV (4 cr) |
Post Master’s Advanced Practice DNP Sample Course Plan (32 credits)
| FALL | SPRING | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| – NURS 724 Biostatistics and Epidemiology (3 cr) – NURS 725 Advance Evidenced-Based Practice in Health Care (3 cr) | – NURS 728 Population Health for Advanced Practice (3 cr) – NURS 804 Leadership Health Systems (3 cr) | – NURS 805 Implementation Science Methods (3 cr) – NURS 993 DNP Project I: Plan (2 cr) |
| Year 2 | ||
| – NURS 750 Quality and Safety (3 cr) – NURS 994 DNP Project II: Proposal (2 cr) | – NURS 803 Health Systems Policy and Economics (3 cr) – NURS 995 DNP Project III: Leadership Practice Immersion (4 cr) | – NURS 773 Applied Health Informatics (3 cr) |
Application and Next Steps:
The DNP program seeks nurses ready to advance their practice, lead in healthcare, and improve patient and community health. We look for applicants with strong academic preparation, leadership potential, resilience, and a commitment to translating evidence into practice. The admission requirements of the DNP program are consistent with those requirements specified by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The following is required from the School of Nursing to apply for the DNP program:
- A bachelor’s degree or a master’s in Nursing from a professionally accredited program, with a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale)
- One year of RN experience.
- Completion with a grade of B or higher in an upper-level undergraduate course in
statistics within the last five years (must be completed prior to the start of the DNP program) - A current unencumbered Registered Nurse license.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation for graduate study in nursing from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant’s recent academic and work experiences.
- Completion of a personal statement.
- Current CV or resume.
- Submission of one writing sample.
- Personal interview with a faculty member.
The below courses are approved undergraduate statistics courses that qualify for the UW-Milwaukee Master of Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program prerequisite.
| University/College | Course | Course Number |
|---|---|---|
| UW-Milwaukee | Statistics in the Health Professions | KIN 270 |
| UW-Milwaukee | Elementary Statistical Analysis | MTHSTAT 215 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Basic Statistics | MATH 260 |
| Madison College | Basic Statistics | MATH 240 |
| Universities of Wisconsin | Elementary Statistics | U3600-246 |
Submit your application by the deadline for priority review. If you miss the deadline, applications may still be considered as space allows. Contact the Graduate Program Manager for guidance and next steps.
February 1
(Fall start)
October 1
(Spring start)
Upcoming Information Sessions
Join an upcoming virtual information session to discuss specialty tracks and application questions.
- May7May 7, 2026, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Jun4June 4, 2026, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
