Graduate Catalog 2022-2023

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Nursing D.N.P.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice prepares expert clinicians for advanced practice roles in hospitals, primary care clinics, specialty settings such as long term care facilities, and virtually any area they wish to practice within the healthcare industry. These highly skilled practitioners will be the leaders in healthcare delivery and care management.

Specific exceptions to the Graduate School requirements for doctoral degrees have been approved. Due to the clinical focus of this degree, rigorous academic standards are maintained throughout the program. To earn the Nursing DNP degree, students will be required to complete a DNP Scholarly Project instead of a doctoral dissertation. DNP students must complete the following as a part of the requirements for the DNP degree: a DNP Scholarly Project Proposal, the DNP Comprehensive Exam, formal Final Defense of the completed DNP Scholarly Project, and submission of the DNP Scholarly Project Final Document to the UNC Graduate School for approval as a graduate requirement.

Admission Requirements: Post Bachelor's in Nursing Pathway

  1. A bachelor’s degree from an NLN or CCNE accredited institution with an upper division major in nursing.
  2. Eligibility for Colorado licensure as a registered nurse.
  3. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on the baccalaureate level.
  4. A resume or curriculum vitae
  5. Three letters of reference.
  6. A statement of career goals A statement of career goals articulating "why now" for your practice doctorate. Prospective DNP applicants must describe their current professional RN role as it relates to their clinical experience(s), clinical advancement(s,) leadership role(s) and career goals as an NP.  
  7. One year of clinical experience is required.
  8. A personal interview may be required.
  9. Submission of a brief sample of professional writing (maximum of 10 pages). Examples:
    1. Describe a scholarly evidence based case study that best exemplifies your practice.
    2. Describe a current practice related concept including its scope and significance, the patient population and the clinical setting of interest.
    3. Discuss alternative approaches described in the literature and identify an approach that you might take in addressing the concept.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Concentration (Post Bachelor's)

Post Bachelor's in Nursing – Graduates are qualified to be recognized as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, apply for national certification through American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Association of Critical Care Nurses and to be recognized as an APRN by the State Board of Nursing.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Concentration: AGACNP graduates are prepared as advance practice nurses to assess, diagnose, monitor, treat and coordinate the care of acutely and critically ill adolescents, adults, elderly and the frail elderly across transitions of care. This is a predominantly on-line program with 2 summer intensives. 

For degree and program requirements, see:

Nursing D.N.P. – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Concentration (Post Bachelor's)

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration (Post Bachelor’s)

Post Bachelor's in Nursing – Graduates are qualified to be recognized as a Family Nurse Practitioner, apply for national certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and be recognized as an APRN from the State Board of Nursing.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration: The post-bachelor's DNP program is for BSN nurses who are interested in a practice-focused doctorate. You will be prepared as a clinical expert with a focus on the critical thinking, leadership and political policy skills needed to advocate and create changes in healthcare practice at the individual, population and organizational systems levels. BSN to DNP graduates will provide primary care health promotion and disease management for patients with episodic or chronic illnesses across the life span, focusing on the underserved.

For degree and program requirements, see:

Nursing D.N.P. – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration (Post Bachelor’s)

Admission Requirements: Post Master's in Nursing Pathway

  1. A master’s degree in nursing from NLN/ACEN or CCNE accredited institutions.
  2. Preparation as Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN) with documentation of national certification as an APRN.
  3. Minimum of 500 clinical practicum hours in the APRN master’s program.
  4. Eligibility for Colorado licensure as a registered nurse.  
  5. Meet the Graduate School's minimum grade point average requirement. 
  6. A resume or curriculum vitae 
  7. Three letters of reference from former faculty, supervisor, and/or professional colleagues that address your ability to complete a clinical doctorate.
  8. A statement of career goals articulating "why now" for your practice doctorate.   
  9. One year of clinical experience is required. 
  10. A personal interview may be required.
  11. Submission of a brief sample of professional writing (maximum of 10 pages). Examples:
    1. Describe a scholarly evidence based case study that best exemplifies your practice.
    2. Describe a current practice related concept including its scope and significance, the patient population and the clinical setting of interest. Discuss alternative approaches described in the literature and identify an approach that you might take in addressing the concept.

Nursing D.N.P. (Post-Master's)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Post Master's concentration is designed for clinicians with an APRN certification. Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program will be prepared as clinical experts with a focus on the critical thinking, leadership and political policy skills needed to advocate and create changes in healthcare practice at the individual, population and organizational systems levels.

For degree and program requirements, see:

Nursing D.N.P. – (Post Master's)