Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Overview
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused doctorate based on the recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's "Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing" and on their "Essentials of the Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice." Master's prepared nurses who hold positions such as nurse executives, nurse informaticians, nurse educators, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners are ideal candidates for this terminal professional doctoral degree.
DNP program outcomes:
- Evaluate and apply evidence-based practice for the improvement of education, clinical practice, systems management, and nursing leadership
- Lead at the highest educational, clinical, and executive ranks
- Analyze and apply scientific knowledge and related skills for the highest level of nursing practice
- Design, implement, manage, and evaluate organizational systems
- Initiate, facilitate, and participate in collaborative efforts that influence health care outcomes with scholars from other disciplines
New Format Begins Fall 2009
In response to student and faculty feedback to continue to incorporate best practices in educational technologies, the DNP program is now delivered in a “blended” format. This highly accommodating format offers tremendous flexibility and efficiency for busy professionals. The blended program consists of:
- 2-4 days per semester on campus
- Classes offered online and via the Web
Sample Plans of Study
The program requires a minimum of 38 credits comprised of 19 credits of core courses, 15 credits of specialty electives, and 4 credits for a capstone project. Full-time or part-time options are available.
Sample Plan of Full-Time Study
| First Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 802 | Methods for Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NDNP 804 | Theoretical and Philosophical Foundations of Nursing Practice |
3 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 3 |
| NDNP 810 | Capstone Project Identification | 1 |
| Total | 10 | |
| Second Semester (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 805 | Design and Analysis for Evidence-Based Practice | 4 |
| NDNP 807 | Information Systems and Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care |
3 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 3 |
| NDNP 811 | Capstone II Project Development | 1 |
| Total | 11 | |
| Third Semester (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 1 |
| NDNP 809 | Complex Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NDNP 812 | Capstone III Project Implementation | 1 |
| Total | 5 | |
| Fourth Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 815 | Leadership and Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 8 |
| NDNP 813 | Capstone IV Project Evaluation & Dissemination | 1 |
| Total | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
Sample Plan of Part-Time Study
| First Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 802 | Methods for Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NDNP 810 | Capstone Project Identification | 1 |
| Total | 4 | |
| Second Semester (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 805 | Design and Analysis for Evidence-Based Practice Prerequisite: NDNP802 |
4 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 3 |
| Total | 7 | |
| Third Semester (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 809 | Complex Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| Total | 3 | |
| Fourth Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 804 | Theoretical & Philosophical Foundations of Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Total | 3 | |
| Fifth Semester (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 811 | Capstone II: Project Development Prerequisites: NDNP802, NDNP804, NDNP805, NDNP809, NDNP810 Corequisite: NDNP807 |
1 |
| NDNP 807 | Information Systems & Technology for the Transformation of Health Care | 3 |
| Total | 4 | |
| Sixth Semester (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 1 |
| Total | 1 | |
| Seventh Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 812 | Capstone III: Project Implementation Prerequisites: NDNP 802, NDNP 804, NDNP 805, NDNP 807, NDNP 809, NDNP 810, NDNP 811 Corequisite: NDNP 815 |
1 |
| NDNP 815 | Leadership & Interprofessional Collaboration Prerequisite: NDNP 809 |
3 |
| Total | 4 | |
| Eighth Semester (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 4 |
| Total | 4 | |
| Ninth Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 3 |
| Total | 3 | |
| Tenth Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 813 | Capstone IV: Project Evaluation & Dissemination Prerequisites: NDNP 802, NDNP 804, NDNP 805, NDNP 807, NDNP 809, NDNP 810, NDNP 811 Corequisites: NDNP 812, NDNP 815 |
1 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 4 |
| Total | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
Admission Requirements
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in a program resulting in the award of a master's degree in nursing from an NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign university
- Official transcripts for all prior undergraduate and graduate study
- Three letters of recommendation
- An interview with selected applicants will be arranged after the applications are received and reviewed
- 500 to 1,000-word essay outlining goals, objectives, and focused area of interest in pursuing the DNP
- Active United States registered nurse license required. Clinical agencies will require an active Maryland license.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
Apply to the DNP Program
For International Students
Information English Proficiency Requirements and the Evaluation of Foreign Coursework »
Program Inquiries
Direct program-related inquiries to:
University of Maryland
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
655 West Lombard Street, Room 518
Baltimore, MD 21202-1579
Send the DNP program an e-mail