Doctor of Nursing Practice
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
| 2025-06-01 | - |
Program Overview
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares APRNs for roles as either Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, or Nurse Executives. Eligible students must have a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing. In addition, certified masters-prepared Nurse Practitioners may complete the DNP degree. Both full-time and part-time study may be available depending upon the concentration. The length of the program depends upon the student's qualifications at admission and choice of concentration.
DNP Concentrations
The DNP program offers the following concentrations:
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Nurse Executive
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Midwifery
- DNP/PhD Dual Degree
- Dual Concentration: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health/Family Nurse Practitioner
- Dual concentration: Pediatric Acute Care/Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
About Our Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
The DNP program requires a significant commitment of time as well as personal and financial resources. Initially, most students complete the DNP core courses that are offered via distance education. However, nurse anesthesia specialty courses are primarily offered in the traditional classroom setting. Limited on-campus activities (simulations, skills workshops and interprofessional experiences) are required for all concentrations.
Clinical Experiences
Clinical experiences are an integral component of every concentration. Faculty make all clinical placements with the support of the DNP Clinical Coordinator and in collaboration with the student and preceptor. Distant student clinical placements typically require minimal travel from the student's home residence.
Application Guidelines
All applications close at 10:59 CST. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for admission. All application materials must be received in NursingCAS no later than two weeks after the deadline. The DNP admits new students to its programs each fall, except for the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration, which begins in the summer.
Items to Upload into NursingCAS
- Resume or CV
- Copy of updated RN/APN licensure, including expiration date
- Unencumbered Tennessee RN license or have unencumbered authority to practice as an RN via the multi-state privilege at the time of application.
- Essay/Written Statement
- Copies of updated required certification(s)
Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for the DNP program are as follows: | Program | Program Start Term | Application Open Date | Priority Application Deadline | Application Deadline | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DNP Nurse Anesthesia | Summer | March 15 | July 15 | August 15 | | DNP, All other concentrations | Fall | August 15 | February 1 | April 1 |
DNP Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the DNP Program, the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficient clinical reasoning in advanced nursing practice.
- Lead within health care systems to deliver safe, quality care for all populations.
- Disseminate findings from evidence-based practice and research for optimal healthcare outcomes.
- Integrate health information and patient care technologies to transform healthcare outcomes across the lifespan.
- Advocate for the optimization of social drivers of health through strategic initiatives to influence public policy.
- Lead interprofessional teams to improve patient and population health outcomes.
- Integrate concepts of community drivers of health, epidemiology and ethics to improve population health.
- Design, implement, and evaluate quality care based on science to facilitate optimal patient outcomes.
Accreditation
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and the Post-Graduate Certificate Programs at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through December 31, 2034, and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.