Application Available: September 1
Program Start: Fall, once a year only
Length of Program: 5 consecutive semesters/terms
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Nursing Practice
Program Delivery: Hybrid
About the DNP
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) first identified the need over fifteen years ago for a practice doctorate for advanced practice nursing due to the growing complexity of the health care system, the growth in scientific knowledge and sophisticated technology, and the need for clinical career paths which would attract outstanding students and retain nurses in a clinical career in nursing. The Institute of Medicine’s report on The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2010) affirmed this need by recommending doubling the number of doctoral prepared (PhD and DNP) nurses by 2020 to add to the cadre of nurse faculty and researchers with attention to increasing diversity. Thus, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) was developed to meet the demand for practitioners able to practice and to provide leadership at the highest levels of healthcare and to meet the demand for highly prepared clinical faculty for schools of nursing.
DNP Resources
Goals for DNP Program
- Provide the highest level of professional nursing education for nurses, via a terminal degree in nursing practice (DNP), which advances the education and leadership competencies of nurses in Central Texas, preparing graduates for increasingly complex practice and clinical leadership roles
- Prepare DNP graduates to assume leadership roles to deliver the highest quality patient- centered care as members of interdisciplinary teams, emphasizing evidence-based practice, patient safety, quality improvement approaches and informatics
- Address the nursing faculty shortage by encouraging doctoral prepared clinical nursing graduates to pursue academic roles as faculty in schools of nursing across the state
DNP Objectives
DNP Objectives, based on the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education (2006), are designed to prepare graduates to:
- Integrate nursing science with knowledge from ethics, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences to advance health and health care delivery systems (Essential 1)
- Develop and operationalize effective, culturally relevant, and evidence-based care delivery approaches that meet current and future needs of diverse patient populations (Essential 2)
- Design and implement scholarly evidence-based processes to analyze and improve outcomes of care at the practice, health care organization, or population levels (Essential 3)
- Select, use, and evaluate health care information systems and patient care technology to advance quality, patient safety and organizational effectiveness (Essential 4)
- Exercise leadership to analyze, develop, influence and implement health policies that advocate social justice, equity, and ethics within all health care arenas (Essential 5)
- Employ interprofessional team building and collaborative leadership skills to create positive change and improve outcomes in complex healthcare systems (Essential 6)
- Analyze epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental, and other appropriate scientific data to develop culturally relevant and scientifically based health promotion and disease prevention initiatives (Essential 7)
- Employ advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability to design, deliver, and evaluate evidence-based care to improve patient, population and health system outcomes (Essential 8)
Course of Study
The 45-hour curriculum for the DNP program is based on the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and addresses all the required competencies. Courses include philosophy and scientific methods in nursing science, policy, management of health services organizations, health economics, epidemiology and health sciences information systems. All students take nine hours of core courses in the first semester in the program. The first semester in the program is followed by 24 hours of supporting courses that can be taken in any order. Additionally, 12 hours of clinical specialization courses (500 clinical practice hours) are taken in sequential order after the first semester in the program. Within these clinical specialization seminars students identify and develop practice expertise in a focused clinical area that culminates in the DNP Scholarly Project. Students who have not completed 500 practice hours as part of their MSN need to complete clinical practice hours in addition to the 500 practice hours in the clinical specialization courses. Students may also elect to complete an optional focus in nursing education (three courses).
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: Program of Work (PDF)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: Schedule (PDF)
Program Delivery
The DNP program is delivered using a hybrid format. Classes meet on-campus once a month throughout each semester. These on-campus classes occur monthly on two consecutive days with online assignments during the alternate weeks.
Curriculum: The DNP program curriculum is designed to provide the highest level of professional nursing education for nurses, via a terminal degree in nursing practice. The curriculum advances the education and leadership competencies of nurses and prepares graduates for increasingly complex practice and clinical leadership roles.
DNP Focus Areas: The DNP program focuses on mentorship for development of an individualized area of clinical leadership specialization and dissemination of scholarly work via publications and presentations. Students may also choose to take additional electives in nursing education and teaching. The DNP is now the terminal degree in nursing for practice excellence. Since more than half of the curriculum in schools of nursing is ‘practice oriented’, it is logical that nurses with the terminal degree in nursing practice would be appropriate educators for the practice components of the curriculum. The clinical teaching electives are designed to meet the growing demand for highly prepared clinical faculty for schools of nursing.
Highlights of the DNP Program
- Internationally recognized nursing faculty with over $13 million in NIH research funding.
- Nursing faculty at UT Austin have diverse backgrounds in preparation and experience.
- Thirteen of the current 26 graduate nursing faculty are Fellows in the prestigious American Academy of Nursing.
- The Doctor of Nursing Practice program emphasizes development of a sound foundation in nursing practice.
Publication Highlights of UT Austin DNP graduates from 2018-present.
Perceptions of disaster management knowledge and skills among advanced practice registered nurses.
Fil, Samantha L; Champion, Jane Dimmitt; Christiansen, Brittany
ISSN: 2327-6924 , 2327-6924; DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000382
J Am Assoc Nurse Pract , 2020
Creating inclusive health care environments: Health care stories from the trans population.
Daly, Amy; Champion, Jane Dimmitt
ISSN: 2327-6924 , 2327-6924; DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000383
J Am Assoc Nurse Pract , 2020
Outcomes of Depression Screening for Adolescents Accessing Pediatric Primary Care-Based Services.
Chowdhury, Taskina; Champion, Jane Dimmitt
ISSN: 0882-5963 , 1532-8449; DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2020.02.036
Journal of pediatric nursing. , 2020, Vol.52, p.25-29
Psychotropic Medication Prescribing Practice Among Residents With Dementia in Nursing Homes: A Person-Centered Care Approach.
Basnet, Prasanna; Acton, Gayle J; Requeijo, Paula
ISSN: 0098-9134 , 1938-243X; DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20200108-01
Journal of gerontological nursing. , 2020, Vol.46(2), p.9-17
Assessment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Outcomes for Hispanic Women Living in the Rio Grande Valley.
Somohano-Mendiola N, Champion JD, Vatcheva K. Hisp Health Care Int. 2019 Sep;17(3):111-117. doi: 10.1177/1540415319833996. Epub 2019 Mar 28. PMID: 30922188
Does treatment of urinary tract infections reflect the antibiotic stewardship program guidelines? Bista B, Champion JD. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2019 Dec;31(12):693-698. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000204. PMID: 30908406
Perceived Mental Healthcare Barriers and Health-seeking Behavior of African-American Caregivers of Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders.
Jon-Ubabuco N, Dimmitt Champion J. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2019 Jul;40(7):585-592. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2018.1547803. Epub 2019 Mar 27. PMID: 30917089
Relationships among factors affecting advanced practice registered nurses' job satisfaction and intent to leave: A systematic review.
Han RM, Carter P, Champion JD. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2018 Feb;30(2):101-113. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000006. PMID: 29757821
Outcomes of Depression Screening Among Adolescents Accessing School-based Pediatric Primary Care Clinic Services.
Bhatta S, Champion JD, Young C, Loika E. J Pediatr Nurs. 2018 Jan-Feb;38:8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2017.10.001. Epub 2017 Oct 13. PMID: 29167086
Examining Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Competency.
Christiansen, B., & Champion, J.D. The journal for nurse practitioners. , 2018, Vol.14(5), p.e93
ISSN: 1555-4155 , 1878-058X
Assessing the Needs of Oncology APRN Preceptors.
Bazzell, Angela F.;Jones, Terry;Dains, Joyce E.;Champion, Jane D.; Journal for Nurse Practitioners, Apr2018; 14(4): 296-301. 6p. (Article) ISSN: 1555-4155
Radiologic Imaging Content in Family Nurse Practitioner Programs: A Needs Assessment.
Kirkland, Stephanie A.;Champion, Jane Dimmitt; Journal for Nurse Practitioners, Mar2018; 14(3): e63-e66. 4p. (Article - research) ISSN: 1555-4155
Admission Requirements
All students interested in applying for graduate study in Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin must meet the minimum admission requirements established by the University’sGraduate Schooland the School of Nursing. Applicants are expected to be graduates of accredited colleges or universities. Below are the minimum admission requirements for School of Nursing.
- Degree: A master's degree in nursing from an acceptable, accredited program or equivalent graduate degree.
- GPA: 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or comparable GPA in upper-division work (junior- and senior- level courses) and in any graduate work completed
- GRE: The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) taken within the last 5 years. GRE waiver is applicable if the applicant meets the following requirements:
- MSN cumulative GPA 3.25 or higher
- 3+ years professional nursing leadership
- Recommendations: 3 required
- Statement of Purpose
- Curriculum Vitae/resume
- Work Experience: 18 months of professional RN work experience
- Nursing License: Current Texas RN licensure or a license from "Nurse Licensure Compact" state, if admitted.
Contact DNP coordinator for details.
Application Procedures
All students applying for formal admission to the DNP program must complete the online application and submit the following application materials.
Application for Admission
Complete online application for admissions and pay application fee at GoApplyTexas.org. The online application is data entry only. All supporting application documents are uploaded on the My Status page after the application is paid and submitted.
Supporting Documents
- Official transcripts, dated one year or less, from all four-year institutions attended.
- Official transcripts, dated one year or less, for Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN), if applicable.
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within five years of the intended program start date. University code 6882, no department code required.
- GRE waiver- see details above under admission requirements.
- Curriculum Vitae: Readable font, 12-point, double spaced, 1-inch margins
- Personal Statement: Maximum two (2) pages. Readable font, 12-point, double spaced, 1-inch margins.
- Recommendations: 3 required / 3 maximum
- Using our secure, personalized form, three (3) professional recommendations that attest to the applicant's academic ability, professional competency and personal character must be submitted electronically by each recommender.
- Written recommendations are not accepted.
For additional details on how to prepare your graduate application materials and personal statement instructions, please view DNP Application Checklist (PDF).
Upon application completion visit My Status Check web page to upload application documents and to track progress of your application status.
Tuition and Fees
DNP program costs include 9 credit hours @ $6,000 per semester for 5 consecutive semesters. Total DNP program cost for 45 credit hours is $30,000.
| Semester | Hours | Semester Total |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | 9 | $6,000 |
| Spring 1 | 9 | $6,000 |
| Summer 1 | 9 | $6,000 |
| Fall 2 | 9 | $6,000 |
| Spring 2 | 9 | $6,000 |
| 45* | Total Program Cost: $30,000* | |
| Liability Insurance per year: | $15 | $65 |
| *Total credit hours & cost varies dependent upon the number of clinical hours obtained during completion of graduate education. | ||
The DNP program is delivered in a hybrid (on-line/on-campus) format. Students meet on-campus once a month for 2 consecutive days; other program content is delivered on-line. This hybrid format provides students the opportunity to maintain full-time employment while completing the DNP program.
The DNP program tuition does not include any out-of-state or international tuition.
DNP students are eligible for federal student loans. Students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid atFAFSA. You may contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for additional information and requirements.
Financial Support
DNP students needing financial assistance are eligible for the following aid:
- Federal financial aid as well as private education loans. Private loans are available from various lending institutions (e.g. banks, credit unions, etc.). The university is prohibited by federal law from recommending any particular private loans to certificate program students, but we encourage you to shop competitively before choosing a particular private loan to help meet educational expenses. The interest rates on these loans vary, as do other terms and conditions. Click here for more information about loans.
- Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is a loan-cancellation program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Health Professions. This program allows nursing schools to provide financial loans to students enrolled in advanced degree nursing programs and who intend to teach in a nursing program after graduation. This is not a need-based loan program; however, students must complete a FAFSA. For more information, visit UT Financial and Administrative Services - Nursing Faculty Loan Services page.
Acceptance to Graduate Programs in Nursing
The School of Nursing Graduate Admissions and Progression Committee (GAPC) may begin preliminary admission reviews as soon as an applicant’s file is complete; however, admission decisions are not made until after the program’s application deadline. All application materials are required to be submitted by the program’s application deadline; files that remain incomplete will not be reviewed or acted upon by GAPC.
If admitted, applicants will be notified of the admission decision the following ways:
- Offers of admission are sent via email by the School of Nursing.
- Official e-letters from the Graduate and International Admission Center notifying you of the admission decision of the Office of Graduate Studies are available on the application Status Check page.
Acceptance by both the School of Nursing and the Office of Graduate Studies is are necessary before enrollment is permitted. Please be aware, if admitted, completion of all compliance requirements is required at least one month prior to the first day of class.
If not admitted, applicants will be notified by GIAC only.
NOTE: Email is the official means of communication for all university business.
If you have questions concerning DNP admissions or the DNP program contact Asst. Director of Graduate Academic Services Tracy Demchuk, Bed, M.A. or DNP Program Director, Jane Dimmitt Champion, PhD, DNP, FAANP, FAAN.
Forms/Documents
All files are in PDF format.
- DNP Application Checklist
- DNP Program of Work
- DNP Schedule
FAQs
What does DNP nurse do? ›
What Is a DNP? A DNP is a doctoral-level degree for nursing professionals. It prepares nurses for the highest level of nursing practice by expanding their knowledge of healthcare ethics, policy, and practice.
Is DNP higher than MD? ›A DNP (doctor of nursing practice) and Ph. D. in Nursing are vastly different than an MD (doctor of medicine). The former are highly-trained nurses, and the latter is a physician, with all the scope of practice allowances that come with that title.
Is DNP the highest degree in nursing? ›Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice.
Can a DNP nurse be called a doctor? ›Nurses With a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) Should Not Call Themselves “Doctor” in a Clinical Setting - PMC. The . gov means it's official.
How many years is a DNP degree? ›Post-master's DNP programs typically last two years for full-time students, but many schools offer part-time options for nurses who want to continue working while in school. Part-time studies can often be completed within two to three years. Some DNP programs allow you to take classes online for added flexibility.
Is a DNP like a PhD? ›Put simply, the PhD in Nursing is a research doctoral degree, and the DNP is a practice doctoral degree. The PhD program prepares nurse leaders for careers in scientific research.
Why be a DNP instead of doctor? ›A DNP is one the highest degrees a nurse can earn. Unlike a PhD in nursing, which focuses on research, a DNP emphasizes nursing practice. A DNP-FNP gives nurse practitioners an opportunity to advance their clinical practice and build their nursing leadership skills.
Can a DNP do surgery? ›While NPs do not perform complex surgical procedures, NPs can perform some invasive treatment procedures. And, at least one state includes hospital admissions within their practice scope.
Which is harder DNP or PhD? ›A PhD degree program typically takes longer to complete compared to a DNP program. Students might spend 4-6 years earning a PhD in Nursing. However, PhD in Nursing programs do not typically require a certain number of clinical practice hours for graduation.
What DNP makes the most money? ›What is the highest-paid NP specialty? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse anesthetists, including master's and doctoral level, earn the highest DNP salary with a median annual income of $195,610.
Is having a DNP worth it? ›
A nurse with an advanced degree, however, can make six figures annually, depending on your specialty and years of experience. One of the biggest reasons why a DNP is worth it is that it offers great financial rewards. On average, having a DNP translates to $104,353 annually or 52.63/hour.
What GPA do you need for DNP? ›These requirements vary, but typically, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered for a DNP program.
What is higher than DNP? ›Is a DNP the same as a nurse practitioner? No, a DNP is a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a nurse practitioner (NP) is the title bestowed on a nurse who has at least an MSN degree and has completed the nurse practitioner clinical and didactic requirements.
How do I go from DNP to MD? ›- Tackle medical school admission requirements. ...
- Apply and gain acceptance to medical school. ...
- Obtain your MD. ...
- Complete residency and any other requirements. ...
- Start practicing.
A DNP is a doctorate degree in nursing and it is the highest level of education in the nursing field.
How hard is it to get a DNP? ›To get your DNP, you will need to complete at least 1000 clinical practice hours, but you can reduce this number by applying some of the hours that you completed in your previous MSN degree. According to some online sources, you can apply up to 500 hours.
Can I go straight from BSN to DNP? ›If you have a BSN, you can enroll directly into a DNP program with the appropriate prerequisites and experience. RN-DNP programs usually take 3 to 4 years. It's important to note, this program will not grant an MSN degree.
What is the qualifications for DNP? ›for the BSN to DNP +
Possess a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in your undergraduate nursing program. Applicants with a GPA between 2.75–2.99 may apply but must offer a strong justifiable explanation. Hold a BSN degree from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program conferred by matriculation.
DNP programs do not require a dissertation, but rather a capstone project. This project is based on practice; for example students may investigate a certain clinical intervention or modify nursing practice for a specific population. Clinical hours involving patient care are required as part of a DNP program.
Can you be called a doctor with a professional doctorate? ›Professional doctorates are equivalent to a PhD but have a focus on a specific professional context. Once you have completed your professional doctorate you will have the title of doctor.
Can a DNP be tenured? ›
Again, both a DNP and PhD can be tenured at most universities.
What credentials do DNPs have after their name? ›The educational degrees earned by NPs entering practice today are master's in nursing (MSN) or doctoral degrees (doctor of nursing practice, DNP).
Does DNP pay more? ›Nurse practitioners and nurse specialists with an MSN earn a median annual salary of approximately $98,000, according to July 2022 PayScale data. By comparison, advanced practice nurses or medical leaders with a DNP degree earn a median annual salary of approximately $107,000.
What is a DNP compared to an MD? ›When considering a DNP vs M.D., it's crucial to realize that the DNP and M.D. degrees are vastly different. An M.D. is a medical doctor, also known as a physician, who has a focus on medicine. A DNP is an advanced practice nurse with a terminal degree in the nursing specialty.
What is the highest rank in nursing? ›Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
Chief nursing officers are nursing administrators who work within the leadership team of a healthcare organization. They are considered the highest level of nursing leadership.
A Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, or DNAP, is the highest practice degree in nurse anesthesia. It is one of two types of degrees available for nurses pursuing careers as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The other is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
What is the easiest doctorate? ›Generally, education, humanities, and the social sciences are considered the easiest fields in which to pursue degrees.
What is the easiest DNP program? ›University of St.
Thomas DNP program is designed to prepare nurses for advanced practice roles in various settings. The program is one of the easiest DNP online programs to get into and includes coursework in nursing theory, research, and clinical practice, as well as a capstone project.
The major difference between the MSN and the DNP is that the DNP is a terminal degree in the nursing field, and it helps to prepare nurses at the highest level of their practice–especially those planning to go into leadership positions.
Is DNP harder than BSN? ›Courses and content are more challenging. The level of knowledge you're required to have as a Nurse Practitioner is a huge step up from a RN. You'll take a lot of the same courses as you did with your BSN, but will go into each topic with a lot more depth because you'll be diagnosing and treating health problems soon.
What state pays DNP the most? ›
...
DNP Salary by State.
| State | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $56.71 |
| Monthly | $9,830 |
| Annual | $117,950 |
Cons of getting a DNP
Earning a DNP will require anywhere from one to four additional years of education, depending on whether you have an MSN, choose a dedicated MSN to DNP program, and other factors. The additional years of academic training will also increase the costs of your nursing school tuition.
As a BSN to DNP student, you can complete the program in three years of full-time study or four years of part-time study.
Are DNP in demand? ›#2: The Demand for DNP Nurse Educators Is High.
Approximately 90% of the open positions required or preferred a doctoral degree.
It's estimated that most DNP degrees cost, on average, $561 per credit through a public institution, $968 per-credit for out-of-state-students, and $1,024 per credit through a private school. These average costs per credit are particularly important to consider depending on where you are in your academic journey.
Do you need to take MCAT for DNP? ›Graduate nursing programs (ex. masters of science in nursing (MSN), a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP), nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, etc.) do not require the MCAT either. For those degrees, you're usually taking an entrance exam like the GRE.
How do you survive DNP school? ›- Make friends and network with other students right from the beginning. ...
- Invest in calendars. ...
- Become comfortable using cloud-based storage programs. ...
- Budget your time. ...
- Think through your financial situation. ...
- Get your clinical rotation hours in early.
Nurse practitioners and nurse specialists with an MSN earn a median annual salary of approximately $98,000, according to July 2022 PayScale data. By comparison, advanced practice nurses or medical leaders with a DNP degree earn a median annual salary of approximately $107,000.
What is the benefit of getting a DNP? ›One of the key DNP benefits is that you'll expand your job opportunities and earning potential. Doctoral nursing education prepares nurses for executive-level leadership roles in practice and scientific inquiry. That's because DNP graduates are grounded in a foundational understanding of all facets of nursing practice.
What is the highest paid DNP specialties? ›Specialty areas deliver different salaries. For example, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) earn the highest DNP salaries, with family nurse practitioners (NPs) typically earning less.
What can a DNP do that a NP Cannot? ›
What can a DNP do that an NP cannot? A DNP-prepared nurse has a deep knowledge of evidence-based care and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice. A nurse with a DNP degree can influence healthcare policies, take on administrative roles and provide clinical education for nursing programs.
Can you get a DNP without an MSN? ›To enroll in a DNP program, you must have completed a BSN or MSN degree. If you don't have a BSN degree, you can't take a direct path from RN to DNP. However, unlike many other advanced degrees, Franklin's BSN to DNP program allows those holding a BSN to advance directly to a DNP without completing a master's degree.
Where do DNP nurses work? ›Doctorate of Nursing Careers
Nurses with a DNP degree can find opportunities for hands-on leadership roles in areas including hospitals and healthcare centers, private sector healthcare organizations, collegiate-level academia, government, and in consulting, just to name a few.
Those more interested in teaching or exploring theories and making analyses might choose a PhD in Nursing for a career path. If you're more interested in interacting with other nurses, healthcare professionals, and patients on a regular basis, a DNP might be a better fit for your career aspirations.
How does a DNP compare to an MD? ›When considering a DNP vs M.D., it's crucial to realize that the DNP and M.D. degrees are vastly different. An M.D. is a medical doctor, also known as a physician, who has a focus on medicine. A DNP is an advanced practice nurse with a terminal degree in the nursing specialty.
Is DNP better than MSN? ›The major difference between the MSN and the DNP is that the DNP is a terminal degree in the nursing field, and it helps to prepare nurses at the highest level of their practice–especially those planning to go into leadership positions.
What type of nurse makes the most money? ›- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist – $202,000.
- Nursing Administrator – $120,000.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse – $120,000.
- General Nurse Practitioner – $118,000.
- Critical Care Nurse – $118,000.
- Certified Nurse Midwife – $114,000.
- Informatics Nurse – $102,000.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist – $95,000.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program with an emphasis on executive leadership prepares the expert leader to bring evidence-based knowledge into the practice arena, improve health care outcomes and strengthen the executive nurse leadership role in guiding complex care delivery.