University of Louisville
Degree Type
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The DNP program 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
- BSN to DNP: Designed for registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) seeking nurse practitioner certification. Specializations include:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Anesthesia
- MSN to 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
- BSN to DNP: Requires a minimum of three years of full-time study. The last two years include a minimum of 1,000 clinical and project hours.
- MSN to DNP: Designed for advanced practice nurses, focusing on leadership in population health. A minimum of two years of part-time study is required.
Credit Hours
The program requires 75 to 112 credit hours to complete, depending on the selected specialty.
Starting Month
August
New cohorts typically begin in the fall semester.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by specialty and start term. Prospective students are encouraged to consult the University of Louisville School of Nursing website for specific deadlines.
Program Requirements
- Educational Background:
- For BSN to DNP: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution and a NLN, CCNE, or ACEN accredited nursing program.
- For MSN to DNP: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a regionally accredited institution and a NLN, CCNE, or ACEN 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 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and APRN certificate programs at the University of Louisville are 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 Louisville School of Nursing
Address: 555 S. Floyd Street, Suite 3019, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 852-5825
Email: uoflson@louisville.edu