DNP: Health Policy
If you want the tools that will empower you to advance meaningful change in an increasingly complex health care system, a DNP in Health Policy is for you. Gain in-depth knowledge of the legislative, regulatory, and judicial processes that shape health policy. Deepen your understanding of the economic forces, research evidence and political developments that directly affect health care and the nursing profession. Develop new perspectives on effective advocacy and learn about the roles of nurses and other health professionals in improving access and advancing the health of patients, families and populations.
This distance-based program combines academic study with hands-on experience in addressing real-world policy issues. Graduates of the DNP Health Policy program can apply their policy expertise in any number of ways, from advancing within their current institutions/practice to roles such as working for government agencies, legislative offices, research organizations, consumer groups, or professional associations as policy analysts, advocates or consultants.
The GW School of Nursing is known for its focus on health policy and our faculty include respected leadership in the field. The School also houses the GW Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement. Located in the nation’s capital, our proximity to federal agencies, Congress, national health care associations, and other policy-makers provides an “only at GW” experience and a unique opportunity to prepare for a career in health policy.
Who Should Apply
If you have a master’s degree in nursing and you want to apply principles of evidence-based practice, organizational leadership, population health with expertise in health policy and health system change, then look no further than this dynamic DNP option. This program option is also available as a graduate certificate.
Application Deadlines
Not Accepting Applications for Fall 2025
Requirements
The DNP: Health Policy and Media Engagement (Post-MSN) consists of 39 credit hours and 1000 practice hours. Questions about program requirements should be directed to [email protected].
Programs of Study
- DNP - Health Policy program of study (Fall entry, full-time)
- DNP - Health Policy program of study (Fall entry, part-time)
Courses
For a full listing of courses and descriptions, please visit the University Bulletin.
Virtual New Student Orientation
You will be required to complete the Virtual New Student Orientation, which provides the knowledge and tools needed to be successful at GW Nursing. You will learn about the academic resources available to you, program requirements, course registration, online technology and other expectations.
DNP Project Presentation
During the last semester students will present their work in an open forum to their faculty and peers.
Technology Requirements
Each student admitted to the DNP program is expected to own and have ready access to a laptop or tablet with basic productivity software for classroom use. View Policy.
Complete applications that are submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applications do not have to be verified by the priority deadline, only completed and submitted. Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected]
A completed application includes the following components:
- Possess a bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
- Possess a master's degree in nursing, or a relevant field such as an MBA, MPA or MPH, from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Graduate-level inferential statistics course taken within the past five years*
*NURS 6208: Biostatistics for Health Care Research (3) is offered in the spring and summer for those who have not met this requirement
- Official transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Active and unencumbered RN license from a U.S. state or territory
Graduate-level inferential statistics course taken within the past five years*
*NURS 6208: Biostatistics for Health Care Research (3) is offered in the spring and summer for those who have not met this requirement
At the conclusion of this DNP program, you will be able to:
- Integrate findings from the sciences that provide the foundation for nursing practice.
- Apply leadership and systems thinking to ensure accountability for the quality of health, health care and patient safety for populations through the application of ethical, organizational, political and economic sciences.
- Synthesize, translate, implement, evaluate and disseminate research findings and best evidence into advanced nursing practice.
- Critically appraise information systems, data analytics and technology to evaluate and monitor patient and population outcomes and care systems to improve the quality and safety of health care.
- Formulate and evaluate health care policy to advocate for accessible, equitable and ethical healthcare for patients and populations.
- Convene and lead interprofessional teams that communicate and collaborate effectively to enhance patient and/or population health outcomes and health care delivery models.
- Design initiatives to prevent disease and promote the health of diverse populations.
- Provide leadership in advanced nursing practice by incorporating evidence-based guidelines, and innovative care models to influence individual population and organizational outcomes.
All DNP students are expected to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours as part of an academic program. Most advanced practice RN students have completed 500 hours in their MSN programs. We require 500 pre-DNP hours and provide coursework within the program for the remaining 500 hours.
Students are required to complete a Health Policy Practicum (75 hours) that includes collaborating with a policy expert in a professional organization, government agency, advocacy group or other to develop policy within the real world context. During this practicum experience, students will work on a specific policy issue related to cost, quality or access relevant to the patient experience of care to develop in-depth expertise in a specific policy area.
Complete applications that are submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applications do not have to be verified by the priority deadline, only completed and submitted. Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected]
A completed application includes the following components:
- Possess a bachelor's degree in nursing
- Possess a bachelor's degree in nursing
- Currently utilize your master's preparation in an area of advanced nursing practice such as an APRN role, nursing administration, executive leadership, health policy, informatics, or population health
- Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
- Graduate-level inferential statistics course taken within the past five years*
*NURS 6208: Biostatistics for Health Care Researchers (3) is offered in the spring and summer for those who have not met this requirement
- Official transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Active and unencumbered nursing licensure
Note:
- GW Nursing is subject to state authorization requirements in order to offer an approved nursing curriculum. View available states.
Graduate-level inferential statistics course taken within the past five years*
*NURS 6208: Biostatistics for Health Care Researchers (3) is offered in the spring and summer for those who have not met this requirement
At the conclusion of this DNP program, you will be able to:
- Integrate findings from the sciences that provide the foundation for nursing practice.
- Apply leadership and systems thinking to ensure accountability for the quality of health, health care and patient safety for populations through the application of ethical, organizational, political and economic sciences.
- Synthesize, translate, implement, evaluate and disseminate research findings and best evidence into advanced nursing practice.
- Critically appraise information systems, data analytics and technology to evaluate and monitor patient and population outcomes and care systems to improve the quality and safety of health care.
- Formulate and evaluate health care policy to advocate for accessible, equitable and ethical healthcare for patients and populations.
- Convene and lead interprofessional teams that communicate and collaborate effectively to enhance patient and/or population health outcomes and health care delivery models.
- Design initiatives to prevent disease and promote the health of diverse populations.
- Provide leadership in advanced nursing practice by incorporating evidence-based guidelines, and innovative care models to influence individual population and organizational outcomes.
All DNP students are expected to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours as part of an academic program. Most advanced practice RN students have completed 500 hours in their MSN programs. We require 500 pre-DNP hours and provide coursework within the program for the remaining 500 hours.
Students are required to complete a Health Policy Practicum (75 hours) that includes collaborating with a policy expert in a professional organization, government agency, advocacy group or other to develop policy within the real world context. During this practicum experience, students will work on a specific policy issue related to cost, quality or access relevant to the patient experience of care to develop in-depth expertise in a specific policy area.