DNP Frequently Asked Questions
Post-BSN DNP, Post-MSN DNP
The School of Nursing provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
How long does the program take?
A full-time course of study may be completed in two years or six semesters, and a part-time course of study may be completed in three years or nine semesters.
What is the difference between DNP and Ph.D.?
The DNP may be the appropriate degree for nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, nursing administrators and staff development persons. The DNP program is also the perfect choice for nurses with a background in public or community health. The DNP program's emphasis is on health-care delivery and the health-care delivery system, as well as the clinical populations served. The Ph.D. is the appropriate degree for students who wish a research career and/or to teach in an academic institution. For more information about the differences, click here.
What is the benefit of earning a DNP degree?
There is considerable national interest in the DNP becoming the terminal degree for advanced nursing practice. In some health-care settings, the DNP degree contributes to career advancement. Often, post-master's DNP students immediately translate course content into practice.
What is the class schedule like?
Course delivery is a combination of online courses and intensive one and two-day sessions, with a computer-assisted format, that meet a few times each semester. In addition, the biostatistics courses are offered in a traditional weekly-class format.
When do classes meet?
Actual meeting dates for intensive sessions are determined the semester prior to course offering. A calendar is made available during the preceding semester.
Where do in-person classes meet?
In-person courses meet on the Jackson campus. Some courses may be transferred from other institutions.
Do you offer part-time status?
Yes, part-time study generally consists of two courses, rather than three. At the start of the DNP program, some students may take only one course.
Are there clinical hour components?
Post-master's DNP programs are required to have 500 additional clinical hours beyond the master's requirement. These clinical hours help establish the post-master's DNP competencies related to leadership and scholarship, rather than advanced practice specialty competencies, such as FNP or CRNA. Conduct of the capstone inquiry fulfills much of this clinical requirement.
Is there a dissertation?
No, there is no dissertation; however, one of the domains of the DNP program is scholarship. The capstone inquiry is conducted, which requires a quality improvement or evaluation project. This entails a committee, an approved capstone inquiry proposal and an approved final report.
When can I apply?
New applications are available online in July the year prior to admission.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline for fall admission is May 1. All parts of the application - references, GRE scores and transcripts - must be completed and received by this date.
How many times a year do you admit?
Once in the fall.
Will it involve research?
The DNP program requires a capstone inquiry, which involves a quality improvement or evaluation project.
What is the average class size?
In general, 10 students may either be full-time or part-time students.
Additional information
Student Recruitment: (601) 984-6262 or nsrecruiter@umc.edu
Office of Doctoral Studies: (601) 984-6221 or CMcHann@umc.edu