University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Degree Type
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The DNP program at UAMS prepares nurses for advanced specialty practice roles, integrating clinical, organizational, economic, and leadership skills to influence healthcare outcomes and policy.
Program Tracks
- Nurse Practitioner Tracks (Post-BSN to DNP):
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Anesthesia Track: Prepares nurses for advanced practice in nurse anesthesia.
- Post-Master’s Leadership Track: Designed for nurses with a master’s degree aiming for leadership roles.
Program Length
Varies by track:
- Nurse Practitioner Tracks: 3 to 4 years, depending on full-time or part-time enrollment.
- Nurse Anesthesia Track: 3 years, full-time.
- Post-Master’s Leadership Track: 2 years, part-time.
Credit Hours
Varies by track and prior educational background. For example:
- Nurse Practitioner Tracks: Approximately 73 to 77 credit hours.
- Nurse Anesthesia Track: Specific credit hours are outlined in the program’s plan of study.
- Post-Master’s Leadership Track: 32 credit hours.
Starting Month
August
All tracks begin in the fall semester.
Application Deadlines
- Nurse Anesthesia Track: November 1
- All Other Tracks: March 1
Applications open on October 1 for the following fall intake.
Program Requirements
- Educational Background:
- For Post-BSN to DNP: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program.
- For Post-Master’s Leadership Track: Master’s degree in nursing administration or an advanced practice nursing specialty.
- Licensure:
- Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in Arkansas or a compact state.
- Experience:
- A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical experience is required prior to enrollment in the Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning course.
- Two years of clinical experience is recommended.
- Academic Performance: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or in graduate coursework.
- Certifications:
- Advanced practice certification and licensure, if applicable.
- Prerequisite Coursework:
- Undergraduate or graduate statistics course with a grade of “C” or better.
Additional Program Features
- Hybrid Learning: Combines online coursework with on-campus sessions to accommodate working professionals.
- Clinical Practicum: Provides diverse clinical experiences tailored to each specialty track.
- Leadership Development: Emphasizes roles and professional development for DNP-prepared nurses.
Contact
UAMS College of Nursing Student Services Office:
Phone: (501) 686-5224
Email: conadmissions@uams.edu
Address: 4301 W. Markham, Slot 529, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205