Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program offers asynchronous online classes with three in-person intensives. Nurses currently holding an MSN or higher nursing degree may choose from one of three tracks:
Advanced Practice (requires APRN certification)
With a focus on innovative, evidence-based practice, this track will provide advanced practice nurses with the competencies to provide transformational care in diverse healthcare environments. The DNP degree will provide advanced practice nurses with an educational background that is comparable to those of providers in other healthcare fields.
Educational Leadership and Simulation
The DNP in Educational Leadership with a concentration in healthcare simulation is ideal for those master’s prepared nurses who want to become advanced population and aggregate-focused educators and leaders that transform the future of healthcare. Current and emerging evidence and simulation best practices will be used as platforms to inform decisions, actions, and interventions that directly and indirectly impact the education and health of aggregates, individuals, families, and groups. Students will synthesize and evaluate systems-level thinking, advocacy, and integrate informatics to build partnerships within various settings.
Population Health and Simulation
The DNP in Population Health Leadership with a concentration in health care simulation is ideal for master’s prepared nurses who want to become population health-focused leaders in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Evidence-based knowledge will guide students to improve health outcomes for target populations in the continually evolving healthcare system. Learners will utilize simulation to educate themselves and others on topics such as climate change, disaster management, and safety and preparedness.
Time to Complete:
18 months (full-time)
30 months (part-time)
Modality Offered:
Online - with
3 in-person intensives
Credentials:
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Why UNA for your DNP?
With a long history of producing exceptional nurses, North Alabama provides affordable education without sacrificing quality. You will learn from some of the best and brightest minds in the field while receiving hands-on training through a state-of-the-art simulation center. The DNP program provides the flexibility needed to earn your degree through asynchronous online classes and three in-person intensives. All of this for just $18K!
Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum
Available Tracks
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
|
Required Component |
24 |
|
|
NU 700 |
Data Management and Health Analysis (3) |
|
|
NU 702 |
Health Care Informatics (3) |
|
|
NU 704 |
Writing for Dissemination (3) |
|
|
NU 706 |
EBP Design and Translation (3) |
|
|
NU 708 |
Epidemiology (3) |
|
|
NU 800 |
DNP I: Project Identification (1) |
|
|
NU 802 |
DNP II: Project Development (2) |
|
|
NU 804 |
DNP III: Project Implementation (3) |
|
|
NU 806 |
DNP IV: Project Evaluation (3) |
|
|
Nu 900 |
Advanced Experiential Clinical (0-3) |
|
|
Track Specific Component |
15-18 |
|
|
NU 720 |
Scientific Underpinnings (3) |
|
|
NU 722 |
Health Policy and Politics (3) |
|
|
NU 724 |
Health Disparities (3) |
|
|
NU 726 |
Patient Outcomes and Sustainable Change (3) |
|
|
NU 728 |
Leadership (3) |
|
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
|
Required Component |
24 |
|
|
NU 700 |
Data Management and Health Analysis (3) |
|
|
NU 702 |
Health Care Informatics (3) |
|
|
NU 704 |
Writing for Dissemination (3) |
|
|
NU 706 |
EBP Design and Translation (3) |
|
|
NU 708 |
Epidemiology (3) |
|
|
NU 800 |
DNP I: Project Identification (1) |
|
|
NU 802 |
DNP II: Project Development (2) |
|
|
NU 804 |
DNP III: Project Implementation (3) |
|
|
NU 806 |
DNP IV: Project Evaluation (3) |
|
|
NU 900 |
Advanced Experiential Clinical (0-3) |
|
|
Track Specific Component |
18 |
|
|
NU 730 |
Leadership and Innovation in Population Health (3) |
|
|
NU 734 |
Population Health (3) |
|
|
NU 750 |
Role of Technology and Simulation in Population Health (3) |
|
|
NU 752 |
Advanced Nursing Simulation (3) |
|
|
NU 740 |
Transformational Teaching Learning Resources, Strategies, and Evaluation (3) |
|
|
NU 742 |
Transformational Teaching Learning Resources, Strategies, and Evaluation II (3) |
|
|
Required Component |
24 |
|
|
NU 700 |
Data Management and Health Analysis (3) |
|
|
NU 702 |
Health Care Informatics (3) |
|
|
NU 704 |
Writing for Dissemination (3) |
|
|
NU 706 |
EBP Design and Translation (3) |
|
|
NU 708 |
Epidemiology (3) |
|
|
NU 800 |
DNP I: Project Identification (1) |
|
|
NU 802 |
DNP II: Project Development (2) |
|
|
NU 804 |
DNP III: Project Implementation (3) |
|
|
NU 806 |
DNP IV: Project Evaluation (3) |
|
|
NU 900 |
Advanced Experiential Clinical (0-3) |
|
|
Track Specific Component |
18 |
|
|
NU 730 |
Leadership and innovation in Population Health (3) |
|
|
NU 732 |
Finance and Policy for Healthcare (3) |
|
|
NU 734 |
Population Health (3) |
|
|
NU 736 |
Population Health II (3) |
|
|
NU 750 |
Role of Technology and Simulation in Population Health (3) |
|
|
NU 752 |
Advanced Nursing Simulation (3) |
|
Project/Clinical Requirements
Students will be asked to actively participate in the identification of the DNP project committee. Students must hold a current, unencumbered registered nurse license and advanced practice license (if applicable) in the US state in which they plan to implement their DNP project and complete their project hours. Additionally, students must fulfill all other clinical documentation requirements, including:
- Physical examination (completed within the previous calendar year)
- Proof of required immunizations or titers
- Current tuberculosis screening
- Proof of BLS for Healthcare Providers
- Proof of health insurance
- Criminal background check (updated annually)
- Negative urine drug screen
- OSHA/HIPPA training
- Proof of liability insurance
Time spent on the DNP project must be independent of the student’s employment setting. A clinical affiliation agreement with the facility must be on file prior to student involvement at the site.
On-Campus Requirement
Students are required to attend three on-campus intensives during the DNP program. Travel, lodging, meals, and all other associated visit costs are the responsibility of the student.
Programs of Study
Full-Time
Part-time
Faculty
In our online DNP program, you will learn from dedicated full-time faculty—most holding terminal degrees from leading universities—as you pursue your nursing degree.
View our Nursing Faculty/Staff here.What can I do with a DNP?
The DNP is a terminal degree in nursing. You will develop a diverse skill set with advanced knowledge in the following areas:
- Leadership
- Evidence-based practice
- Critical thinking
- Quality improvement
- Health policy
- Health economics
You will then be able to use that knowledge to effect change regarding quality of care, patient outcomes, and the nursing profession.
Accreditations
The Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions is accredited by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program and post-graduate APRN certificate program in nursing at the University of North Alabama are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Admissions Requirement
In order to be accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, the following will need to be completed:
- Complete an application to the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions (ACONHP) graduate program.
- A 3.0 or better GPA in a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited nursing program in the United States. Admission to the Advanced Practice Track requires an MSN in an advanced-practice area. Official transcripts are required.
- Submission of current resume.
- Two letters of recommendation from professionals in academia or industry who can comment on your accomplishments, contributions to healthcare, leadership abilities, and other potential factors of success.
- Submission of certification as an advanced practice nurse, if applicable.
- Submission of current unencumbered registered nurse license. Submission of current unencumbered advanced practice license if applicable. Nurses without an unencumbered license, including participation in voluntary disciplinary alternative programs, cannot be admitted.
- Submission of a professional statement that outlines a proposed project topic, a brief summary of the literature, and a discussion on a possible evidence-based project addressing the proposed topic. Requirements for this are:
- APA format and no more than one written page with a second page for references. The topic should be related to your desired track.
- All DNP applicants must complete a criminal background check and negative urine drug screen.
- Upon admission, you will be required to submit all required clinical documentation.
Application Deadline
Application Deadline
- Spring 2025: Application submitted and completed by August 30, 2024.
Tuition and Aid
Earn your DNP for under $28k!
New students will automatically qualify to receive a waived application fee.
2023-2024 Tuition Cost
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online: $550 per credit hour for 42-45 hours.