Program Overview

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Introduction to the UAB School of Nursing

The UAB School of Nursing provides support and assistance to MSN and DNP students in securing appropriate clinical placement sites and qualified preceptors from among more than 5,000 clinical affiliates.

Doctoral Programs

The UAB School of Nursing offers various doctoral programs, including:

• PhD Program
• Dual DNP-PhD Pathway
• DNP Program with specializations in:
  • Adult-Gero Acute Care NP
  • Adult-Gero Primary Care NP
  • Family NP
  • Neonatal NP
  • Nurse Anesthesia
  • Nurse Executive
  • Pediatric Acute Care NP
  • Pediatric Primary Care NP
  • Population Health
  • Post-MSN to DNP
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health NP
  • Women's Health Care NP

Master's Program

The Master's Program offers various specializations, including:

• Accelerated Master's
• Adult-Gero Acute Care NP
• Adult-Gero Primary Care NP
• Care Transitions
• Clinical Research Management
• Family NP
• MSN/MBA Dual Degree
• Neonatal NP
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse-Midwifery
• Nursing Administration
• Nursing Informatics
• Pediatric Acute Care NP
• Pediatric Primary Care NP
• Psychiatric/Mental Health NP
• RN to MSN
• Women's Health Care NP

Non-Degree Options

The UAB School of Nursing also offers non-degree options, including:

• Certificates
• Subspecialties

Nurse Anesthesia Pathway

The DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway is clinically focused to prepare students for the full scope of Nurse Anesthesia practice. Graduates are prepared to promote evidence-based practice, patient safety, and quality in healthcare, and demonstrate leadership skills in today's healthcare setting.

Program Information

The Post-BSN to DNP Pathway for Nurse Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) with full continued accreditation through May 2031.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students must meet the following requirements for admission:

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent.
• Active, unencumbered/unrestricted registered nurse license in the state where you will be completing your coursework.
• An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Post-BSN to DNP for Nurse Anesthesia applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in their prerequisite courses and a grade of 'B' or higher in all prerequisite courses.
• Prerequisite courses include:
  • Human Anatomy
  • Microbiology
  • Human Physiology
  • Chemistry
• At least 11 months experience as an RN in a critical care setting by the July application interview, and continued employment in the critical care setting until pathway matriculation the following May.
• Three letters of professional reference attesting to the applicant's potential for graduate study.
• Standardized test score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• Submission of evidence of ACLS and BLS certification within the application and certification must remain active during enrollment.
• A personal interview with the selection committee.

State Regulations Governing Distance Programs

Out-of-state applicants to any of our distance-accessible programs should become familiar with their state's regulations governing distance accessible programs.

Application for Admission

The application deadline is May 1, with interviews scheduled in June and admission decisions made two weeks post-interview. Admitted students matriculate in the summer semester of the following year.

Sample Program of Study

The sample program of study includes:

• Year 1: NA 731Q Biochemistry and Physics for Nurse Anesthetists, NUR 700Q Clinical Data Management and Analysis, NUR 740Q Health Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care, NA 733Q Theories, Concepts & Writing for Nurse Anesthetists, NUR 735Q Population Health in Advanced Nursing Practice.
• Year 2: NA 702 Anatomy and Physiology for Nurse Anesthetists, NA 720 Anesthesia Pharmacology I, NQI 702Q Clinical Data Management and Application for Improvement, NA 718L Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization.
• Year 3: NA 721 Anesthesia Pharmacology II, NA 770 Anesthesia Pathophysiology I, NA 740 Anesthesia Principles I, NUR 614Q Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Nursing Practice.

DNP Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the DNP Program, students will be able to:

• Design care delivery models to guide entry-level and advanced nursing practice based on the translation of scientific evidence.
• Translate scientific, theoretical, and ethical principles into healthcare for individuals, families, and populations.
• Assume complex leadership roles to advance clinical practice and healthcare delivery at the organizational and systems level and to improve health outcomes of individuals and populations.
• Disseminate evidence and outcomes to support high-quality healthcare delivery and ongoing scholarly nursing practice.
• Contribute to a culture of patient and provider quality and safety within the healthcare environment.
• Assume complex leadership roles including social and financial responsibilities within interprofessional teams to advance nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
• Demonstrate social and financial responsibilities within health-related organizational systems.
• Appraise informatics and emerging technologies to improve healthcare delivery.
• Demonstrate an evolving professional identity that maximizes contributions to the advancement of the nursing profession and organizational systems.
• Develop continuous self-assessment behaviors that enhance personal and professional growth and capacity for leadership.

Tuition and Fees

The tuition and fees for the DNP program are subject to change annually based on approval from the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees and/or university. The estimates below are based on the costs listed at the UAB Office of Planning and Analysis website.

Funding Your Education

Information on Financial Aid, University Scholarships, and other funding opportunities are available on UAB's Cost & Aid website. The UAB School of Nursing offers many scholarships, both need and merit-based, to support nursing students across all programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When do face-to-face classes start, and what are the days and times expected for attendance?
• What are the expectations for returning to campus for the fifth through ninth semesters of the pathway?
• Is the GRE required?
• Is the BSN/DNP Nurse Anesthesia pathway completely a distance program?
• Are students required to procure their clinical placements?

Information for International Students

Prospective International students must first contact UAB International Admissions to determine eligibility to study in the U.S. and/or submit an application for admission to UAB. International applicants must have a bachelor's degree in nursing equivalent to that offered by a U.S. regionally accredited educational institution and be licensed as a registered nurse in the U.S.