Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares registered nurses for advanced nursing practice roles and specialties. Graduates learn to evaluate practice initiatives, use evidence-based practice to implement change, lead advanced decision-making and strategies to influence health policies, and facilitate interprofessional collaboration in health care systems. This program is offered in a hybrid format. There are five specialty concentrations – four advanced practice and an executive leadership -, and a DNP completion track leading to a DNP degree.
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP): Prepares students to provide direct acute care to adolescents through aging adults. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examination and to apply for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license.
- Executive Leadership: Prepares students for leadership and management roles in healthcare settings.
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Prepares students to provide primary care services to patients and families across the lifespan and in a wide range of settings across the continuum of care. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examinations and to apply for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license.
- Nurse-Midwifery: Prepares students to provide primary care, as well as sexual, reproductive, and gynecologic care to patients across the lifespan. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examination and to apply for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license.
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): Prepares students to provide primary mental health care services to groups, patients, and families across the lifespan. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examinations and to apply for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license.
- DNP Completion: Registered nurses or nurse practitioners who hold a master’s degree can apply to this pathway to earn a clinical doctoral degree.
All DNP graduates must have completed at least 1,000 hours of supervised, post-baccalaureate, practice experiences.
DNP Admission
New students are accepted to the DNP degree program in the fall term. The application deadline is May 1 for the following fall semester (August). Prospective students apply by using the KU Medical Center online application.
DNP Program Admission Criteria
- Completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree (for BSN to DNP), or completion of a nursing Master of Science (MS) degree (for post-master's DNP) from a nationally accredited (NLNAC or CCNE) program
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for BSN-DNP application; for post-master's DNP, preference is given to applicants with a 3.25 graduate GPA in the master’s program
- Potential for leadership and application of scholarship in nursing
- Potential to provide expert advanced clinical care or expert service in functional areas
- New BSN graduates must obtain RN licensure prior to the first fall semester of enrollment
- Minimum of one year of clinical work experience as a registered nurse is recommended
- National certification in specialty area, where applicable (e.g., post-master's Advanced Practice DNP)
- A graduate-level statistics course (may be completed prior to admission or during first semester of enrollment)
- A background check is required upon admission and may affect the student's eligibility to enter the program
- A drug test, at the student's expense, will be required prior to the first clinical course and may affect the student's eligibility to progress through the program
English Language Requirements: All applicants for study at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) whose native language is not English must demonstrate an established level of English language proficiency through either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the academic format of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the first semester of enrollment.
See also Admissions in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The DNP degree program with specialty concentration requires the following:
- 31 credit hours of DNP core courses listed below, including a minimum of 8 credit hours of doctoral practice project
- A minimum of 32-36 credit hours of specialty concentration coursework
- Satisfactory completion of the University's research skills and responsible scholarship requirement
The minimum required total DNP program credit hours is 63-67 depending on specialty concentration. The number of transfer credits accepted may also affect the total number of required credits.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DNP Core Courses | ||
| NURS 700 | Principles of Nursing Scholarship | 3 |
| NURS 701 | Population Health & Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS 800 | Leadership & Professionalism | 3 |
| NURS 808 | Health Policy & Advocacy | 3 |
| NURS 809 | Informatics, Technology, & Communication | 3 |
| NURS 901 | Quality Improvement Methods and Evaluation | 3 |
| NURS 902 | Systems Change Management | 2 |
| NURS 980 | DNP Project Development * | 2 |
| NURS 981 | DNP Project Implementation * | 3 |
| NURS 982 | DNP Project Evaluation and Dissemination * | 3 |
| NURS 983 | Transition to Doctoral Leadership | 3 |
| Satisfactory completion of the University's Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement | ||
| Total Hours | 31 | |
*A minimum of 8 credit hours of doctoral project
For further information, visit the Doctor of Nursing Practice section of the School of Nursing's website.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Concentration
The DNP degree program with AGACNP specialty concentration requires completion of 31 credit hours of DNP core coursework, satisfactory completion of the University's research skills and responsible scholarship requirement, and the following 36 credit hours of required AGACNP specialty concentration coursework:
- 27 credit hours of AGACNP specialty concentration coursework
- 9 credit hours of AGACNP specialty concentration practicum coursework
A minimum of 67 total credit hours is required for completion of the DNP degree program with AGACNP Specialty Concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AGACNP Concentration Courses | ||
| NURS 801 | Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning | 3 |
| NURS 802 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 803 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 870 | Diagnostic Reasoning - Acute Care | 3 |
| NURS 871 | Acute Care I | 3 |
| NURS 872 | Acute Care II | 3 |
| NURS 970 | Acute Care III | 3 |
| NURS 971 | Clinical Readiness for Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Students | 2 |
| NURS 972 | Invasive Procedures - Acute Care | 1 |
| NURS 973 | Complex Management - Acute Care | 3 |
| AGACNP Practicum Courses | ||
| NURS 975 | Acute Care Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS 976 | Acute Care Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS 977 | Acute Care Practicum III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
For further information, visit the Doctor of Nursing Practice section of the School of Nursing's website.
Executive Leadership Concentration
The DNP degree program with Executive Leadership specialty concentration requires completion of 31 credit hours of DNP core coursework, satisfactory completion of the University's research skills and responsible scholarship requirement, and the following 32 credit hours of required Executive Leadership specialty concentration coursework:
- 22 credit hours of Executive Leadership specialty concentration coursework
- 10 credit hours of Executive Leadership specialty concentration practicum coursework
A minimum of 63 total credit hours is required for completion of the DNP degree program with Executive Leadership Specialty Concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Leadership Concentration Courses | ||
| NURS 840 | Health Care Economics, Policy, and Financial Leadership | 3 |
| NURS 841 | Strategic Workforce Management | 3 |
| NURS 842 | Data Driven Decision Making | 3 |
| NURS 849 | Leadership Seminar Repeatable 1 credit hour course | 4 |
| NURS 940 | Advanced Communication Strategies | 3 |
| NURS 941 | Clinical Practice Knowledge and Care Delivery Models | 3 |
| NURS 942 | Strategic Leadership and Organizational Transformation | 3 |
| Executive Leadership Practicum Courses | ||
| NURS 845 | Health Care Economics, Policy, and Financial Leadership Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 846 | Strategic Workforce Management Practicum | 1 |
| NURS 945 | Systems Change Management Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 946 | Clinical Practice Knowledge and Care Delivery Models Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 947 | Strategic Leadership and Organizational Transformation Practicum | 3 |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
For further information, visit the Doctor of Nursing Practice section of the School of Nursing's website.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration
The DNP degree program with FNP Specialty Concentration requires completion of 31 credit hours of DNP Core coursework, satisfactory completion of the University's research skills and responsible scholarship requirement, and the following 36 credit hours of required FNP specialty concentration coursework:
- 27 credit hours of FNP specialty concentration coursework
- 9 credit hours of FNP specialty concentration practicum coursework
A minimum of 67 total credit hours is required for completion of the DNP degree program with FNP Specialty Concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FNP Concentration Courses | ||
| NURS 801 | Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning | 3 |
| NURS 802 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 803 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 850 | Diagnostic Reasoning | 3 |
| NURS 851 | Family Health I | 3 |
| NURS 852 | Family Health II | 3 |
| NURS 950 | Family Health III | 3 |
| NURS 951 | Clinical Readiness for Family Nurse Practitioner Students | 3 |
| NURS 952 | Complex Management - Family | 3 |
| FNP Practicum Courses | ||
| NURS 955 | Family Health Practicum I | 2 |
| NURS 956 | Family Health Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS 957 | Family Health Practicum III | 3 |
| NURS 958 | Foundations Practicum | 1 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
For further information, visit the Doctor of Nursing Practice section of the School of Nursing's website.
Nurse-Midwifery Concentration
The DNP degree program with NMW specialty concentration requires completion of 31 credit hours of DNP core coursework, satisfactory completion of the University's research skills and responsible scholarship requirement, and the following 36 credit hours of required NMW specialty concentration coursework:
- 27 credit hours of NMW specialty concentration coursework
- 9 credit hours of NMW specialty concentration practicum coursework
A minimum of 67 total credit hours is required for completion of the DNP degree program with NMW Specialty Concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NMW Concentration Courses | ||
| NURS 801 | Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning | 3 |
| NURS 802 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 803 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 860 | Foundations of Midwifery Practice | 3 |
| NURS 861 | Integrative Hormonal Health and Primary Care for Women | 3 |
| NURS 862 | Gynecologic Health and Clinical Management | 3 |
| NURS 960 | Intrapartum Management | 3 |
| NURS 961 | Prenatal, Postpartum, and Newborn Care | 3 |
| NURS 962 | Complex Management in Reproductive and Gynecologic Health | 3 |
| NMW Practicum Courses | ||
| NURS 965 | Nurse-Midwifery Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS 966 | Nurse-Midwifery Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS 967 | Nurse-Midwifery Practicum III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
For further information, visit the Doctor of Nursing Practice section of the School of Nursing's website.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Concentration
The DNP degree program with PMHNP specialty concentration requires completion of 31 credit hours of DNP core coursework, satisfactory completion of the University's research skills and responsible scholarship requirement, and the following 36 credit hours of required PMHNP specialty concentration coursework:
- 27 credit hours of PMHNP specialty concentration coursework
- 9 credit hours of PMHNP specialty concentration practicum coursework
A minimum of 67 total credit hours is required for completion of the DNP degree program with PMHNP Specialty Concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PMHNP Concentration Courses | ||
| NURS 801 | Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning | 3 |
| NURS 802 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 803 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 830 | Advanced Psychiatric Assessment Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 831 | Psychotherapeutic Interventions I | 3 |
| NURS 832 | Psychopharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 930 | Pediatric Mental Health: Foundations of Assessment and Early Intervention | 3 |
| NURS 931 | Psychotherapeutic Interventions II | 3 |
| NURS 932 | Common Medical Conditions in PMHNP Care | 3 |
| PMHNP Practicum Courses | ||
| NURS 935 | Psychotherapeutics Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS 936 | Psychotherapeutics Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS 937 | Psychotherapeutics Practicum III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
For further information, visit the Doctor of Nursing Practice section of the School of Nursing's website.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Completion
The minimum required total credit hours is 32-34. Total credit hours vary for students who do not have 750 clinical hours from their MS/MSN degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 700 | Principles of Nursing Scholarship | 3 |
| NURS 701 | Population Health & Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS 800 | Leadership & Professionalism | 3 |
| NURS 808 | Health Policy & Advocacy | 3 |
| NURS 809 | Informatics, Technology, & Communication | 3 |
| NURS 901 | Quality Improvement Methods and Evaluation | 3 |
| NURS 902 | Systems Change Management | 2 |
| NURS 909 | DNP Immersion | 1-3 |
| NURS 980 | DNP Project Development * | 2 |
| NURS 981 | DNP Project Implementation * | 3 |
| NURS 982 | DNP Project Evaluation and Dissemination * | 3 |
| NURS 983 | Transition to Doctoral Leadership | 3 |
| Satisfactory completion of the University's Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement | ||
| Total Hours | 32-34 | |
*A minimum of 8 credit hours of doctoral project
For further information, visit the Doctor of Nursing Practice section of the School of Nursing's website.
Sample Degree Plans
Specialty degree plans vary on total number of hours and courses; please see the School of Nursing website for specific plans of study.
DNP Advanced Practice with Specialty Concentration Students Admitted 2026
| Year 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| NURS 700 | 3 | NURS 801 | 3 | NURS XXX (Concentration Course) | 3 |
| NURS 701 | 3 | NURS 802 | 3 | NURS XXX (Concentration Course) | 3 |
| NURS 808 | 3 | NURS 803 | 3 | ||
| 9 | 9 | 6 | |||
| Year 2 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| NURS 800 | 3 | NURS 901 | 3 | NURS 902 | 2 |
| NURS 809 | 3 | NURS XXX (Concentration Course) | 3 | NURS 980 | 2 |
| NURS XXX (Concentration Course) | 3 | NURS XXX (Concentration Course) | 3 | NURS XXX (Practicum I) | 3 |
| 9 | 9 | 7 | |||
| Year 3 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| NURS 981 | 3 | NURS 982 | 3 | ||
| NURS XXX (Practicum II) | 3 | NURS 983 | 3 | ||
| NURS XXX (Concentration Course) | 3 | NURS XXX (Practicum III) | 3 | ||
| 9 | 9 | ||||
| Total Hours 67 | |||||
DNP Executive Leadership Sample Degree Students Admitted 2026
| Year 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| NURS 700 | 3 | NURS 840 | 3 | NURS 808 | 3 |
| NURS 701 | 3 | NURS 841 | 3 | NURS 845 | 2 |
| NURS 800 | 3 | NURS 842 | 3 | NURS 849 | 1 |
| 9 | 9 | 6 | |||
| Year 2 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| NURS 901 | 3 | NURS 809 | 3 | NURS 941 | 3 |
| NURS 940 | 3 | NURS 902 | 2 | NURS 980 | 2 |
| NURS 846 | 1 | NURS 945 | 2 | ||
| NURS 849 | 1 | NURS 849 | 1 | ||
| 8 | 8 | 5 | |||
| Year 3 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| NURS 942 | 3 | NURS 947 | 3 | ||
| NURS 946 | 2 | NURS 982 | 3 | ||
| NURS 849 | 1 | NURS 983 | 3 | ||
| NURS 981 | 3 | ||||
| 9 | 9 | ||||
| Total Hours 63 | |||||
DNP Completion Sample Degree Plan
| Year 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| NURS 700 | 3 | NURS 800 | 3 | NURS 902 | 2 |
| NURS 701 | 3 | NURS 809 | 3 | NURS 980 | 2 |
| NURS 909Flexible Scheduling | 1-3 | NURS 901 | 3 | ||
| 7-9 | 9 | 4 | |||
| Year 2 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| NURS 808 | 3 | NURS 982 | 3 | ||
| NURS 981 | 3 | NURS 983 | 3 | ||
| Advanced ResidencyFlexible Scheduling | 1-3 | ||||
| 7-9 | 6 | ||||
| Total Hours 33-37 | |||||
A graduate-level statistics course (BIOS 704 or equivalent) is required and may be completed prior to admission or during first semester of enrollment. Consult with your advisor about whether you have met this prerequisite requirement.
The AACN Essentials for DNP Education notes a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours in school. Courses will vary according to individual student plan with advisor approval.
The DNP Completion degree requires a minimum of 31 credit hours. Depending on the number of practicum hours completed in the student's previous graduate program, it may be necessary for the student to enroll in NURS 909 to bring the total number of practicum hours to 1,000.
Full-time study may not be possible and is not recommended if the student also works full-time.
End of Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize theory and evidence to provide equitable care for individuals and populations across the care continuum.
- Demonstrate exemplary levels of clinical judgment in delivering evidence-based, person-centered care to optimize health outcomes.
- Integrate ethical frameworks for implementation and dissemination of knowledge that advances nursing practice.
- Lead systems-based interventions that enhance informatics processes and quality and safety practices.
- Lead interprofessional teams that include patients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to improve care and strengthen outcomes.
- Exemplify a sustainable professional identity in nursing.
- Create strategies to support lifelong learning, critical self-reflection, and personal well-being.
Technical Standards for Admission
I. Introduction
All individuals admitted to the University of Kansas School of Nursing will be asked to verify that they can meet the following Technical Standards, with or without accommodation(s). In courses or programs without clinical components, or involving no direct client care, the Technical Standards may be modified. After acceptance, but before admission to the School of Nursing, students in all programs must be able to document current certification/evidence of completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for healthcare providers. This requires being able to successfully complete both the written and practical test for certification. In addition, with or without accommodation, the following abilities and expectations must be met by all students, undergraduate and graduate, admitted to the School of Nursing.
II. Standards
A. Observation/Sensory-motor: Applicants must be able to observe demonstrations and learn from experiences in the basic sciences, including but not limited to, physiology and pharmacology, microbiology and pathophysiology laboratory situations. Applicants must be able to observe and learn from experiences in the clinical nursing laboratory such as the following examples: accurately read gradients/calibrations on a syringe; measure medications accurately; accurately recognize color changes on chemical reaction strips; assess heart, breath, abdominal sounds; assess normal and abnormal color changes in the skin; observe pupil changes; and observe digital or waveform readings.
B. Communication: Communications include not only speech but also reading, writing, and computer usage, including handheld digital access. Applicants must be able to communicate accurately and effectively with patients, caregivers, physicians, other health professionals, clinical facility staff, faculty and staff, peers, and the community in general in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications.
C. Psychomotor: Applicants should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Applicants should be physically able to collect specimens and perform basic tests (such as glucose finger stick, urine dipstick). Applicants should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of nurses are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, and assist in moving and lifting patients using proper body mechanics. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and using tactile and visual senses.
D. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative: Applicants must be able to comprehend and interpret documents written in English. Applicants should have cognitive abilities including measurements, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Critical thinking is the ability to synthesize knowledge and integrate the relevant aspects of a client’s history, physical exam findings and diagnostic studies. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of nurses, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the applicant should be able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures in order to understand normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology.
E. Behavioral and Social Attributes: Applicants must possess the emotional health required to utilize their intellectual abilities fully, exercise good judgment, complete all responsibilities attendant to the nursing diagnosis and care of patients promptly, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and their families. Applicants must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal communication skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that should be assessed during the admissions and education process. As a component of nursing education, a student must demonstrate ethical behavior including adherence to the professional nursing and student honor codes. The honor code at the KU School of Nursing is the Professional Integrity System (PROFITS). KU PROFITS is a peer-oriented integrity system to promote an environment where academic honesty is valued and expected.
III. Reasonable Accommodation
Applicants who disclose a disability are considered for admission if they are otherwise qualified so long as such accommodation does not significantly alter the essential requirements of the curriculum and the educational program, or significantly affect the safety of patient care or others. When applicants or students disclose a disability, the provision of reasonable accommodations will be considered in an attempt to assist these individuals in meeting these required technical standards. Applicants whose response indicates that they cannot meet one or more of the expectations will be reviewed further by the University’s Office for Academic Accommodations, with applicant and faculty input, to determine if any reasonable accommodations are possible to facilitate successful completion of the nursing curriculum and preparation for the national registry examination.
It is important to give persons interested in enrolling in nursing a realistic view of the vigorous demands of the School of Nursing’s theoretical and practicum curriculum while at the same time investigating reasonable accommodations. Whether or not a requested accommodation is reasonable will be determined on a case by case basis. Interested individuals may schedule an orientation visit to the nursing skills laboratory and actual sites of the University of Kansas Hospital and/or University of Kansas Medical Center. These orientation visits enable persons to assess their interest and ability to function in the actual clinical areas and in learning and demonstrating manual skills.