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.
The DNP program is supported through Nurse Support II grants. The funds come from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and are administered through the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
In response to student and faculty feedback to continue to incorporate best practices in educational technologies, the DNP program is delivered in a “blended” format. This highly accommodating format offers tremendous flexibility and efficiency for busy professionals. The blended program consists of:
Direct admissions-related inquiries to:
University of Maryland School of Nursing
Office of Admissions
655 West Lombard Street, Room 102
Baltimore, MD 21201-1579
Send the Office of Admissions an email
The program requires 38-48 credits comprised of 19 credits of core courses, 15-25 credits of electives, and 4 credits for a capstone project. Full-time or part-time options are available.
Full-time students must take the core courses and NDNP 810 in the following order. Electives and NDNP 811, 812, and 813 may be taken as listed below or in a different sequence as agreed upon by the advisor and student. After NDNP 811 is completed, NDNP 812 and NDNP 813 must be taken consecutively and successfully completed in the following semesters or Capstone Advisement must be taken every semester until successfully completed. Capstone advisement does not count toward elective credits. Of the 15 elective credits, 3 credits must be taken in health policy and 3 credits must be taken in translating evidence into practice.
| 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 | Elective | 3-6 |
| NDNP 810 | Capstone Project Identification | 1 |
| Total | 10-13 | |
| Second Semester (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 805 | Design and Analysis in Evidence-Based Practice | 4 |
| NDNP 807 | Information Systems and Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care |
3 |
| N--- xxx | Elective | 3-6 |
| NDNP 811 | Capstone II: Project Development | 1 |
| Total | 11-14 | |
| Third Semester (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 1-3 |
| NDNP 809 | Complex Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| NDNP 812 | Capstone III: Project Implementation | 1 |
| Total | 5-7 | |
| Fourth Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 815 | Leadership and Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 8-10 |
| NDNP 813 | Capstone IV: Project Evaluation & Dissemination | 1 |
| Total | 12-14 | |
| Total Credits | 38-48 | |
Part-time students must take the core courses and NDNP 810 in the following order. Electives and NDNP 811, 812, and 813 may be taken as listed below or in a different sequence as agreed upon by the advisor and student. After NDNP 811 is completed, NDNP 812 and NDNP 813 must be taken consecutively and successfully completed in the following semesters or Capstone Advisement must be taken every semester until successfully completed. Capstone advisement does not count toward elective credits. Of the 15 elective credits, 3 credits must be taken in health policy and 3 credits must be taken in translating evidence into practice.
| 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 | 4 |
| Total | 4 | |
| 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 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 3-5 |
| Total | 6-8 | |
| Fifth Semester (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 807 | Information Systems & Technology for the Transformation of Health Care | 3 |
| Total | 3 | |
| Sixth Semester (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 3-6 |
| Total | 3-6 | |
| Seventh Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 815 | Leadership & Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 |
| Total | 3 | |
| Eighth Semester (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 811 | Capstone II: Project Development | 1 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 3-6 |
| Total | 4-7 | |
| Ninth Semester (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 812 | Capstone III: Project Implementation | 1 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 3 |
| Total | 4 | |
| Tenth Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 813 | Capstone IV: Project Evaluation & Dissemination | 1 |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 3-6 |
| Total | 4-7 | |
| Total Credits | 38-48 | |
Practicum hours are intended to ensure that students can put theory into practice. The hours are described in the AACN Essentials for Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006). The Essentials refer to 1,000 post-baccalaureate hours and are required to be completed in practice environments. Students are required to provide official verification of hours completed in their master's/post-master's in nursing program and complete any remaining hours to meet 1,000 hours. Regardless of the number of master’s/post-master’s hours completed, at least 250 hours must be completed at the doctoral level in order to demonstrate doctoral competency. These hours must be approved and academically supervised by either a faculty member or a preceptor/capstone committee member. Students are required to document the hours. Elective courses may be taken to satisfy the practicum requirement. Some students will need to complete more credits (over and beyond the 38 credits) in order to meet the practicum hours required by AACN.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program offers an opportunity for students to obtain a dual degree in business administration in less time than it would take to obtain the two degrees separately. The DNP/Master of Business Administration (DNP/MBA) prepares administrators with a unique blend of advanced nursing and business management expertise, so they can analyze, plan, implement, and evaluate innovative and creative responses to the health care marketplace. Graduates are prepared for senior management level decision-making on financing, strategic planning, resource management, and governance. The DNP is awarded by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the MBA is awarded by either the University of Baltimore Robert G. Merrick School of Business, or the University of Maryland, College Park Smith School of Business. The DNP/MBA program requires 62-72 credits of coursework and can be completed in three years of rigorous year-round, full-time study. A part-time option is also available.
Full-time students must take the DNP courses and NDNP 810 in the following order. Electives and NDNP 811, 812, and 813 may be taken as listed below or in a different sequence as agreed upon by the advisor and student. After NDNP 811 is completed, NDNP 812 and NDNP 813 must be taken consecutively and successfully completed in the following semesters or Capstone Advisement must be taken every semester until successfully completed. Capstone advisement does not count toward elective credits. Students should discuss the sequence of MBA courses with their advisor. Additional courses may be needed to meet the 1,000 hour practicum requirement.
| Semester 1 (Fall) | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | |
| NDNP 804 | Theoretical & Philosophical Foundations of Nursing Practice | 3 | |
| NDNP 802 | Methods for Evidence-based Practice | 3 | |
| NDNP 810 | Capstone Project Identification | 1 | |
| ACCT 504 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 | |
| FIN 504 | Financial Management | 3 | |
| MKTG 504 | Marketing Management | 3 | |
| Total | 16 | ||
| Semester 2 (Spring) | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | |
| NDNP 805 |
Design & Analysis in Evidence-based Practice |
4 | |
| NDNP 807 | Information Systems & Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care | 3 | |
| NDNP 811 | Capstone II: Project Development | 1 | |
| ECON 504 | Economics | 3 | |
| MGMT 506 | Operations and Supply Chain Management | 3 | |
| Total | 14 | ||
| Semester 3 (Summer) | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | |
| NDNP 809 | Complex Health Care Systems | 3 | |
| NDNP 812 | Capstone III: Project Implementation | 1 | |
| ACCT 640 | Accounting for Managerial Decisions | 3 | |
| FIN 640 | Financial Analysis and Strategy | 3 | |
| Total | 10 | ||
| Semester 4 (Fall) | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | |
| NDNP 815 | Leadership & Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 | |
| NDNP 813 | Capstone IV: Project Evaluation & Dissemination | 1 | |
| ECON 640 | Economics, Public Policy, and Corporate Social Responsibility | 3 | |
| INSS 640 | Information Technology for Business Transformation | 3 | |
| MKTG 640 | Strategic Marketing in a Global Economy | 3 | |
| Total | 13 | ||
| Semester 5 (Spring) | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | |
| NXXX XXX | Specialty Elective | 4 | |
| MGMT 600 | Leading and Managing People | 3 | |
| MGMT 660 | Project Management | 3 | |
| MGMT 700 | Strategic Management in a Global Environment | 3 | |
| Total | 13 | ||
| Total Credits | 66 | ||
Part-time students must take the DNP courses and NDNP 810 in the following order. Electives and NDNP 811, 812, and 813 may be taken as listed below or in a different sequence as agreed upon by the advisor and student. After NDNP 811 is completed, NDNP 812 and NDNP 813 must be taken consecutively and successfully completed in the following semesters or Capstone Advisement must be taken every semester until successfully completed. Capstone Advisement does not count toward elective credits. Students should discuss the sequence of MBA courses with their advisor.
| Semester 1 (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 802 | Methods for Evidence-based Practice | 3 |
| NDNP 810 | Capstone Project Identification | 1 |
| MKTG 504 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| Total | 7 | |
| Semester 2 (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 805 | Design & Analysis for Evidence-based Practice | 4 |
| ECON 504 | Economics | 3 |
| Total | 7 | |
| Semester 3 (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| ACCT 504 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 |
| Total | 3 | |
| Semester 4 (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 809 | Complex Health Care Organizations | 3 |
| FIN 504 | Financial Management | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| Semester 5 (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 804 | Theoretical & Philosophical Foundations of Nursing Practice | 3 |
| MGMT 506 | Operations and Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| Total (Semester 5) | 6 | |
| Semester 6 (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 811 | Capstone II: Project Development | 1 |
| NDNP 807 | Information Systems & Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care | 3 |
| MGMT 600 | Leading and Managing People | 3 |
| Total | 7 | |
| Semester 7 (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| ECON 640 | Economics, Public Policy, and Corporate Social Responsibility | 3 |
| INSS 640 | Information Technology for Business Transformation | 3 |
| NDNP 812 | Capstone III: Project Implementation | 1 |
| Total | 7 | |
| Semester 8 (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NDNP 815 | Leadership & Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 |
| ACCT 640 | Accounting for Managerial Decisions | 3 |
| NDNP 813 | Capstone IV: Project Evaluation & Dissemination | 1 |
| Total | 7 | |
| Semester 9 (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| FIN 640 | Financial Analysis | 3 |
| MGMT 660 | Project Management | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| Semester 10 (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| MKTG 640 | Strategic Marketing in a Global Economy | 3 |
| MGMT 700 | Strategic Management in a Global Economy | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| Semester 11 (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| N--- xxx | Specialty Elective | 4 |
| Total (Semester 11) | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 66 | |
Information about English Proficiency Requirements and the Evaluation of Foreign Coursework
The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) admitted its first class of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students in fall 2006. By applying evidence to clinical practice, systems management, informatics, and education, graduates of the program are leading and shaping improvements in the health care system and patient outcomes.
In June 2011, UMSON was awarded a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to create special DNP courses intended for nurses who currently hold executive level positions in health care. Some examples of nurse executive roles include chief nursing officer, director of nursing, and vice president in hospitals or other health care settings.
Applicants who are interested in enrolling in these courses must meet all requirements for admission to the DNP program and have experience at an executive level in health care. The 38-48 credit plan of study in the DNP program includes 15-25 credits of electives. Nurse executives admitted to the DNP program can enroll in 12 credits in this new course sequence as part of the 15-25 credits of required electives. Courses will be offered in a similar blended format as the DNP core courses, with classes for each course scheduled in-class, via Web conferencing, and online to provide flexibility, enhance course availability, and reduce travel to the University for busy executives.
Elective courses will focus on health care economics, innovation and business case development, and executive leadership issues. Students will also complete an experiential learning practicum with executives from other health care or professional organizations. These electives will prepare students for innovative leadership roles and will provide strategies that can be used to impact organizational position and value.
The first course will be offered in fall 2012. See the Admission Requirements tab to learn more about applying to the DNP program. For more information about the DNP elective courses for nurse executives, contact Vicki Redding at 410-706-7522 or redding@son.umaryland.edu.
What is the application deadline to the DNP Program?
The application deadline can be found here: Application Deadlines
When are students admitted to the DNP Program?
Students are admitted to the DNP program in the fall only. Applications are processed once a year for fall admissions. If you have questions about admission, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@son.umaryland.edu.
I do not have a master’s degree. Can I enroll in a BS to DNP?
The BS to DNP program is not yet accepting applications. For further details about the progress of the BS to DNP program, click here.
Who should write the letters of recommendation?
See the admissions information about DNP application and letters of reference at http://nursing.umaryland.edu/admissions/apply-now.
I am interested in learning more about the program. Can I meet with someone to discuss the program in detail?
UMSON holds information sessions each semester to provide students with information about all of the programs. Faculty members from each program are available to answer questions. Most information sessions are on campus, but the DNP program holds several online information sessions each year. Information sessions will be posted on the Web, in advance, prior to the scheduled date. You can find details about the information sessions at http://nursing.umaryland.edu/admissions/information-sessions-open-houses. For further information about information sessions, email openhouse@son.umaryland.edu. Unfortunately, we are unable to meet individually with students prior to application.
I am in the last semester of my master's degree program and will be graduating in May. Can I apply for the DNP program prior to graduation?
Yes.
Do you allow for specialty or concentration in the DNP program?
We do not offer specialties in the DNP program. Students must identify their specialty in the Master of Science program. Students may take some of their electives in an area of interest.
Is there a residency, clinical, or practicum requirement?
Yes, there is a practicum requirement. See information under plans of study.
Could clinical hours, independent study, or practicum time be set up in my home state?
Yes. Students with contacts for clinical hours, independent studies, or practicum hours may work with course faculty to arrange a contract to participate in out-of-state learning.
I do not have a master’s degree in nursing. Can I apply to the DNP program without a Master of Science in nursing?
The DNP program requires a master’s degree in nursing to apply for the post-master’s program. Because the DNP is a practice doctorate, students must have the master’s nursing essentials prior to enrollment.
Is the program full-time or part-time?
There is a full-time plan of study and a part-time plan of study.
How many days are students required to be on campus or available?
Students are required to participate in synchronous learning/teaching approximately five days per semester. Students are typically required to be on campus two days per semester and participating at class time on three additional days per semester.
Most core courses are during the day, generally Friday. Capstone courses alternate between evenings and Fridays. Electives are in both online and face-to-face format.
On campus orientation is mandatory only for the first semester and is generally scheduled a week prior to the first day of class.
Who can I talk to about the MBA program?
Dr. Lyn Murphy coordinates our agreements with the University of Baltimore and University of Maryland College Park for our DNP/MBA program. For additional information regarding the program, send an email to Lmurphy@son.umaryland.edu or call 410-706-5474.
University of Baltimore MBA
University of Maryland, College Park MBA
I have a master’s degree in nursing. Will any of my credits transfer into the post-master of science DNP program?
No, the program is a post-master of science program. The number of credits and curricula is designed to follow a master’s degree in nursing and builds upon that curriculum.
I have taken non-degree earning post-master’s coursework. Will any of my credits transfer into the program?
Students may apply to transfer six credits into the program. Courses will be reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate doctoral-level coursework and are consistent with the objectives of the DNP program. Transferred courses begin the five year academic clock that students have to complete the program. For example, if a course was taken in spring of 2009 and transferred into the DNP program, the student must complete the DNP program by the end of the fall of 2013, regardless of his/her official admission into the DNP program.