Degree Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The DNP program at KUMC prepares nurses for the highest level of clinical practice, focusing on the translation of evidence-based knowledge into practice to improve healthcare outcomes. Graduates are equipped to assume clinical, leadership, executive, public policy, and/or teaching roles.

Program Tracks

• Post-Bachelor’s DNP: Designed for registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) seeking advanced practice roles. Specializations include:
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse-Midwife
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Health Informatics
  • Public Health Nursing
  • Organizational Leadership
• Post-Master’s DNP: For nurses holding a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) aiming to enhance leadership skills and implement evidence-based practice at a systems level.

Program Length

• Post-Bachelor’s DNP: The program length varies depending on the chosen specialty and whether the student is enrolled full-time or part-time.
• Post-Master’s DNP: The program can typically be completed in two to three years, depending on enrollment status.

Credit Hours

The total credit hours required vary based on the selected specialty and prior educational background. Detailed curriculum plans are available on the KUMC School of Nursing website.

Starting Month

June

New cohorts typically begin in the summer semester.

Application Deadline

January 1

Applications are due by January 1 for enrollment in the following summer cohort.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • For Post-Bachelor’s DNP: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution and a nationally accredited nursing program.
  • For Post-Master’s DNP: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a regionally accredited institution and a nationally accredited nursing program.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Experience:
  • Relevant clinical nursing experience is preferred.
• Academic Performance:
  • Recommended undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Kansas is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• DNP Project: The culmination of the practice doctorate is the successful completion of the DNP Project, demonstrating the synthesis of the student’s experiences. The project is reviewed and evaluated by a faculty chair and the doctoral academic affairs committee.

Contact

University of Kansas Medical Center School of Nursing

Address: 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 2029, Kansas City, KS 66160

Phone: (913) 588-1619

Email: soninfo@kumc.edu