An alternative to research-focused doctoral programs, the D.N.P. advances professional nursing roles in clinical practice and nursing leadership and management. It is designed to develop leaders in health care – locally or on a national level. Graduates will be able to incorporate health policy, knowledge of information technology, evidence based practice, business principles, collaboration, health systems, and health policy into practice. A clinical research project immerses students in a practice environment, and lays the foundation for future scholarship and success in the nursing field.  Students can either at the post-Bachelor’s or post-Master’s level.

Learning outcomes of D.N.P. program graduates include the following:

• Provide high-quality patient care
• Implement a process of change
• Solve emerging quality issues
• Promote and facilitate the critical appraisal and translation of research
• Design evidence-based interventions
• Collect and analyze clinical practice data
• Lead interprofessional teams in efforts for improving patient and population health outcomes
• Develop strategies to improve efficiency and effectiveness of health care through the use of information technology

The D.N.P. utilizes a distance-education format with selected on-campus experiences. B.S.N.-prepared-students complete 81 credits of course work; post-M.S.N.-entry students complete 36-47 credits. Students visit the campus three times during the program: in August prior to the first year for orientation, between the first and second years to discuss potential clinical projects with the faculty, and at the end of the program to present their project and to attend graduation.