Doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares graduates to perform at the highest level of advanced clinical nursing practice. A DNP degree prepares nurses to lead healthcare delivery and influence health policy. UD’s program has a population health focus and prepares students to become leaders in practice innovation and development of health systems management to improve the health of diverse populations.
This practice doctoral program is designed to prepare experts in specialized advanced nursing practice. Students will develop their APRN roles through integrative and intense practice immersion experience DNP students work to translate knowledge and improve healthcare delivery and outcomes through the development, implementation, and evaluation of the DNP project.
Working together with experienced faculty and practice experts on their evidence-based practice projects, students gain real world experience as healthcare change leaders.
POST-BACCALAUREATE
Admission to the program is open to students with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing and U.S. licensure as an RN. A combination of online and immersive learning experiences offers flexibility and convenience for students. Expert faculty with a commitment to student learning and success provide guidance and mentorship during your educational journey. Students with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and want to become nurse practitioners may choose one of the following advanced practice tracks:
- Family/Individual Across the Lifespan (i.e., Family Nurse Practitioner [FNP])
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
These programs can be completed in 3 years full-time or 5 years part-time.
POST-MASTERS
Students who have master’s degrees in nursing and certification as an APRN may choose to complete the Post-Master’s DNP with or without an additional clinical concentration. The program without an additional clinical concentration can be completed in 2 years full-time and 4 years part-time. Completion time for an additional concentration will be variable.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The University of Delaware is required to comply with state and federal laws regarding the delivery of distance education. Please see the University’s State Authorization page for more information.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program admits students once a year. Applications and supplementary materials for admission must be submitted by April 15th for the summer/fall semester admission. Upon review, qualified applicants with completed applications will be scheduled for an interview prior to admission.
Graduate students in the University of Delaware School of Nursing are held to exceptional standards with an expectation to complete high-quality scholarly writing assignments in a competent manner. All incoming Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students are required to complete the free online Scientific Writing course offered through Stanford University to facilitate scholarly writing preparation. This writing course consists of 8 self-paced units that will require 2-6 hours per unit to complete. If you desire continuing education credit, there is an additional fee for this service, however this is not required for our DNP program. Upon completion of the Stanford Writing course, please present a Statement of Accomplishment no later than December 31st of you first graduate academic year. Students are required to upload this document into Project Concert in the Documents tab. You will be introduced to Project Concert during orientation.
Admission Criteria:
Students will be admitted to the program based on enrollment availability, and their ability to meet the following minimum recommended entrance requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN accredited School of Nursing (for Post-Baccalaureate Program).
- A master’s degree in nursing from a CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN accredited School of Nursing (for Post-Master’s Program).
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (post-baccalaureate); a master’s GPA of 3.5 or higher (post-master’s).
- Certification as an APRN (post-master’s)
- Eligible for RN licensure in Delaware
- A letter from Master’s program indicating the number of clinical hours completed.
Admission Requirements
- A written statement of goals and objectives that clearly identifies the applicant’s career goals and how admission to the program will facilitate his or her professional objectives.
- Three letters of recommendation from an academic, employer and/or other professional source, preferably from those holding graduate degrees. All letters of recommendation should be uploaded by each reference person to the Office of Graduate Studies online application website.
- Official results from the TOEFL or IELTS exam taken within the last 2 years (for non- native English speaking applicants only).
- Copy of U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) license(s)
- A curriculum vitae or resume.
- A successful interview with the DNP Program Coordinator and members of the DNP Subcommittee.
- Prior to the students first clinical course they must have completed one year of full time (or the equivalent) work experience as a registered nurse (RN).
UD Tuition
The 2023-2024 UD graduate student tuition rate per credit hour is $1,352.
Tuition Credit
Due to a College of Health Sciences Dean’s Scholarship, the student tuition rate is lower than the published UD graduate tuition rate. The final student tuition rate for the DNP program is $1055/credit. Please contact the department for more information.
Q: Do I need to take the GRE’s?
A: No. The GRE is no longer a requirement of the graduate application process.
Q: Do I need a Delaware nursing license if I live in another state?
A: Graduate students are required to have a Delaware nursing license.
Q:Can I do the clinical rotations in my own state, or do I need to do the clinical in DE?
A: Clinical rotations can be done in any state. Clinical rotations are subject to final approval by the faculty member teaching the course. Contractual arrangements must be made between each clinical agency and the University of Delaware.
Q:Can any of the courses taken in another graduate program be counted toward this degree?
A:Up to nine graduate credits may be transferred from another graduate program, pending approval of the course by the Director of Graduate Practice Programs.
Q: How long do I have to complete course requirements?
A: Students must complete all course requirements within five years of matriculation.
Q: How often do I have to come to campus in Newark, DE?
A: The courses are offered online with some on-campus learning experiences. Students may be required to be on campus between 2-8 days a semester
Q: Where can I learn more about certification?
A: The following web sites can provide additional information on certification.
2021
- Alford, Shelleon
- Improving transitions of care in COPD patients
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1299171275
- De Deyne, Margot
- Identifying sexually transmitted infection risk with use of a sexual risk survey
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1298897305
- Elliott, Meghan
- Mytherapy: Medication Reminder mobile phone application use to improve medication adherence and glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1298897365
- Farnham, Graham
- Evaluation of a suicidal ideation screening program in an emergency-department setting
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1299171982
- Foraker, Charis
- Increasing primary care adherence in behavioral health settings among adults with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1299171476
- Klym, Kelly
- Improving hypertension using the Million Hearts Initiative at a Nurse Managed Primary Care Center
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1298898107
2020
- Armstrong, Jacqueline
- The Effectiveness of an Education Program for Outreach Staff to Improve Implementation of Fentanyl Testing Strips
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1240781383
- Crane, Connie
- Assessing Fall Risks in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Primary Care: Implementation of STEADI
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1204106914
- Keller, Kristyn
- Total body skin exams in the primary care setting
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1204264095
- Musau, Sylvia
- Mindfulness for relapse prevention
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1231456210
- Oteng, Esther
- The Role of Music Listening in Reducing Agitated Behaviors in Persons with Dementia
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1232471240
- Warden, Christina
- Identifying Prediabetes in Primary Care
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1204268824
2019
- Fishlock, Keith
- Food Insecurity as a Pediatric Health Concern
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1129582803
- McQuerrey, Shabnam
- Mental Health Literacy Dissemination Project
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1138185330
- Renzulli, Christine
- Mindfulness for Substance Uses Disorders
- https://delcat.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1137372670
- Snow, Tiffany
- The Implementation of a Progressive Mobility Protocol to Enhance Patient Outcomes
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Delaware are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Connect
Tower at STAR: 100 Discovery Blvd, Newark, DE 19713<br> Health Sciences Complex: 540 S. College Ave, Newark, DE 19713 chs-info@udel.edu Phone: 302-831-1060