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Welcome to our Online Community of Excellence. . .
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your potential as a nurse as you prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
a career as an advanced practice nurse to:
- Generate and disseminate nursing practice knowledge to stimulate research and improve clinical outcomes;
- Improve health outcomes through scientifically-based advanced practice within your chosen specialty;
- Engage in and lead collaborative practice teams; and
- Influence clinical practice transformation and policy initiatives.
your passion for nursing practice. Your career as a doctorally prepared advanced practice nurse may find you in leadership positions within the practice setting and academia.
the excitement of cutting-edge preparation at the highest level of advanced practice.
your intellectual curiosity in our state-of-the-art E-learning community. Experience the power and convenience of E-learning.
lifelong collegial relationships in an international community of students, faculty, alumni and scholars.
What is the DNP?
- The DNP is similar to other practice doctorates such as the MD, JD, and PharmD.
- The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has called for the adoption by 2015 of the DNP as the terminal nursing practice degree.
How long will it take?
- There are three entry pathways:
Depending upon the entry pathway, the DNP can be completed within 2-4 years of full-time study.
How much will it cost?
- Our costs are highly competitive with other doctoral programs in the U.S.A.
- You may qualify for financial aid in the form of scholarships, tuition waivers, or teaching/research assistantships.
- Tuition rates are distinguished by program. Select Doctor of Nursing Practice at the UA Bursar website.
Why should I get my DNP at the UA?
- Our student-centered learning model is focused on YOU.
- Our world-renowned scholars and researchers will be your teachers and mentors.
- Our graduate nursing programs consistently rank in the top 6% nationally, according to U.S. News and World Report
- The collegial relationships you build as a student will be yours for a lifetime.
Is the online UA degree as rigorous as a traditional face-to-face degree?
- Our online DNP has the same rigor of a traditional program, but with the enhanced learning and increased student-student and faculty-student interaction that only E-learning can provide.
Am I eligible?
- If you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
- The MS-DNP pathway requires a master’s degree in nursing, a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.5, and national certification as an advanced practice nurse.
- Students who have not taken a graduate statistics course will be required to do so during the first fall semester of the program.
How does the program work?
As a student in our online DNP program you will:
- Periodically come to our Tucson campus for orientation and to interact with fellow classmates and faculty. A 5-10 day summer intensive program called RISE is required each August for all doctoral students.
- Students selecting a NP specialty will attend Clinical Skill Intensive (CSI) programs generally scheduled in conjunction with RISE.
- Participate in a doctoral level internship to demonstrate synthesis between practice and knowledge that will be the focus of a scholarly piece of work (Practice Inquiry)..
- Students selecting a NP specialty will be eligible to take national board certifying examinations in the NP specialty.
- Enjoy easy online access to registration materials, the UA Bookstore, UA Libraries, and support staff.
You can enter the DNP level of graduate study as a post-BSN student or as a student who has attained a master’s degree in nursing.
- The BSN-DNP curriculum is designed as a full-time, 74-77 credit program depending upon NP specialty selected.
- The MS-DNP with a nurse practitioner specialty curriculum is designed as a full-time program, 71-74 credit program depending upon the nurse practitioner specialty selected. Most students with an earned master’s in nursing will be able to transfer course work to reduce the total number of credits needed to complete degree requirements.
- The MS-DNP curriculum is designed as a full-time, 43 credit program.
DNP students who have not completed a graduate statistics course within the past 5 years will be required to enroll in a graduate statistics course the first fall semester of the program.
The DNP curriculum consists of a nursing major and a minor. Examples of minors include: Rural Health, Border Health, Gerontology, Health Care Informatics and course work included in substantive research areas of the PhD curriculum. These substantive research areas are 1. Understanding Mechanisms to Prevent and Treat Biological Injury, 2. Reducing Risks and Promoting Health in Vulnerable Populations, and 3. Managing Consequences of Aging or Chronic Illness.
The University of Arizona College of Nursing is committed to creating an academically challenging and supportive educational community of students with diverse talents, experiences, viewpoints, and cultural backgrounds. Faculty members of the College are interested in receiving applications from highly motivated students who aspire to the highest level of advanced nursing practice and knowledgedevelopment in acute and primary care settings. Applications are particularly encouraged from students who intend to focus their practice and scholarship on improving the healthcare of populations within their specialty.
Selection is based on an evaluation of academic background, research and practice interests, and availability of suitable faculty expertise for mentorship. Eligibility requirements include the following:
- BSN cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- MS in Nursing cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above
- Advanced practice national certificationfor MS-DNP pathway
- Unrestricted RN Licensure in Arizona or a state recognized by the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
- Completed online College of Nursing application including statements related to professional goals and practice interests as well as a summary of educational and employment experiences
- Three letters of reference attesting to the applicant’s potential to succeed in doctoral study
- Official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work
- Computer literacy
- Applicant-Faculty mentoring match
Applicants may submit other credentials which they believe reflect their abilities. A telephone interview will be conducted by members of the Doctoral Program Committee for top applicants.
DNP Application Deadline: December 15th with notification around mid-March.
It is critical that the educational goals of the applicant be inline with faculty research and practice interests and areas of expertise. Please review the article "Finding a Match and A Mentor in Doctoral Study" by Terry Badger, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN. Applicants must review faculty research and practice interests to determine if a “match” is possible. Applicants are urged to contact potential faculty mentors to discuss the applicant’s goals in relation to faculty expertise. A faculty directory of research interests with some video clips of current research programs can be located on the web site under Current Faculty. The College’s web site also provides a research search tool.
International Applicants:
- Submit the UA Graduate College online application by the international deadline date
- Complete the TOEFL with a minimum score of 213
- Submit CGFNS documentation for nursing degrees earned outside of the U.S.A.
Once admitted to the DNP you must submit an Arizona Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card. ARS § 15-1881 is a condition of final acceptance. Complete information about the statue can be found at the following web sites:
Various forms of financial assistance are available. Typically, the majority of doctoral students receives some financial assistance in the first year and then, in subsequent years as funding allows.
- File a FASFA each year
- File a College of Nursing Scholarship Application
- Review UA Graduate College scholarship resources
- Review financial aid resources at the UA Office of Student Financial Aid
- Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) Through (WRGP), residents of Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible to enroll in the College of Nursing PhD and DNP programs at resident tuition rates. Students need not meet financial aid criteria.
Please check the technical requirements for the program
For more information
Register your email address with the College of Nursing Online Student Information System to give you direct access to electronic program information and the staff of the Office of Student Affairs.
Office of Student Affairs
Location: College of Nursing, Room 112
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Phone: 520-626-3808 or 1-800-288-615
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