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.
There are three entry pathways:- BSN-DNP
- MS-DNP w/NP option
- MS to DNP
Depending upon the entry pathway, the DNP can be completed within 2-4 years of full-time study.
Our costs are highly competitive with other programs in the U.S.A.
You may qualify for financial aid in the form of scholarships, tuition waivers, or teaching/research assistantships.
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.
Our world-renowned faculty will be your teachers and mentors.
Our student-centered learning model is focused on YOU.
Our NP options include: Adult, Family, Adult Psych-Mental Health
and Acute Care.
The collegial relationships you build as a student will be yours for a lifetime.
If you have a bachelor's degree (or higher) in nursing, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of
at least 3.0 and a cumulative GPA in graduate
work of at least 3.5, you can apply.
Students are admitted once a year via a competitive admission process. Class size is limited. Applications are due in mid-January.
As a student in our online DNP program
you will:
Periodically come to our Tucson campus for orientation to the program and to
interact with fellow classmates and faculty.
Prepare yourself at the highest level of advanced nursing practice.
Participate in a doctoral level internship
to demonstrate synthesis between practice
and knowledge that will be the focus of a
scholarly piece of work.
Be eligible to take national board certifying
examinations for nurse practitioners.
Enjoy easy online access to registration
materials, the UofA Bookstore,
UA Libraries, and support staff.
Curriculum Overview
You can enter the DNP level of graduate study as a post-BSN student or as a student who has attained the master's degree in nursing. The BSN-DNP curriculum is designed as a full-time, 90 unit program. The MS-DNP with a nurse practitioner option curriculum is designed as a full-time program, 69-72 unit program depending upon the nurse practitioner option selected. Most students with an earned master's in nursing will be able to transfer course work to reduce the total number of units needed to complete degree requirements. The MS-DNP curriculum is designed as a full-time, 44 unit 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 areas of the PhD curriculum. These PhD substantive 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.
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Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Year 1 |
NURS 730
Quantitative Methods in Clinical Nursing Research (3)
NURS 631 Advanced Statistics for Health Sciences (3)
DNP Minor Course (3) |
NURS 731
Qualitative Methods in Clinical Nursing Research (3)
NURS 751 Evidence Based Practice Methods (3)
DNP Minor Course (3) |
|
NURS 750
DNP Role (2)
NURS 752
Patient Safety & Quality Management (3)
DNP Minor Course (3) |
| Total – 9 units |
Total – 9 units |
Total – 9 units |
Year 2 |
EPID 573a
Epidemiology (3)
NURS 753
Emerging Diseases, Genetics & Health Trends (3)
NURS 646 Health Care Information Systems (3)
|
NURS 930
Supplemental Registration*
Pass Written & Oral Comps
Total units: ( 3) |
NURS 922
Practice Inquiry (6) |
| Total – 9 units |
Total – 9 units |
Total – 6 units |
Year 3 |
NURS 922
Practice Inquiry (3)
Final Defense |
|
|
| Total – 3 units |
|
|
| *NURS 930 Supplemental Registration if preparation is needed for Comp exams |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Year 1 |
NURS 501
Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology (4)
NURS 503
Human Diversity & Ethics (3)
NURS 504
Nursing Conceptual Models (3)
NURS 609a
Health Assessment (2) |
NURS 530
Methods in Nursing Research (3)
NURS 572
Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing (3)
NURS 574
Pharmacology in Acute Care (1)
NURS 615
Diagnosis and Management of Chronic and Acute Illness I (4) |
|
NURS 750
DNP Role (2)
|
| Total – 12 units |
Total – 11 units
Total Clinical Hours -180 |
Total – 2 units |
Year 2 |
NURS 616
Diagnosis and Management of Chronic & Acute Illness II (5)
NURS 689
Issues in Special Populations (2)
NURS 909
Thesis or NURS 910 Master's Report (3) |
NURS 693
Internship (6)
NURS 689
Issues in Special Populations (1)
NURS 630
Statistics for Health Science (3)
NURS 505
Health Policy, Finance & Health Promotion (3) |
NURS 752
Patient Safety & Quality Management (3) |
Total – 10 units
Total Clinical Hours -180 |
Total – 13 units
Total Clinical Hours -450 |
Total – 3 units |
Year 3 |
NURS 730
Quantitative Methods in Clinical Nursing Research (3)
NURS 631
Advanced Statistics for Health Sciences (3)
Minor Course (3) |
NURS 731
Qualitative Methods in Clinical Nursing Research (3)
NURS 751
Evidence Bases Practice Methods (3)
Minor Course (3) |
Minor Course (3) |
| Total – 9 units |
Total – 9 units |
Total – 3 units |
Year 4 |
EPID 573a
Epidemiology (3)
NURS 753
Emerging Diseases, Genetics & Health Trends (3)
NURS 646 Health Care Information Systems (3) |
NURS 922
Practice Inquiry (6) |
NURS 922
Practice Inquiry (3) |
| Total – 9 units |
Total – 6 units |
Total – 3 units |
| |
The curriculum for BSN-DNP with other nurse practitioner options can be identified by checking the sample curricula under Master's NP information.
Admission is based on an evaluation of the following:
- BSN cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Graduate cumulative GPA of 3.5.
- Completed application form 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.
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.
January 15th, with notification on or about March 10th.
Application
Apply Online
Financial Assistance
Various forms of financial assistance are available. Typically, all doctoral students receive some financial aid in the first year and then, in subsequent years as possible.
You can also apply for various scholarships/fellowships offered through the Graduate College and the College of Nursing. Information for general graduate scholarships can be found at grad.admin.arizona.edu. See also Scholarship Opportunities on this site.
Scholarship and financial aid information and counselors are available through the Office of Student Financial Aid at the University of Arizona.
The Office of Student Affairs
Location: College of Nursing, Room 112
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phone: 520-626-3808 or 1-800-288-6158

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