Advanced Practice Registered Nurse DNP

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Doctor of Nursing Practice (APRN DNP)

The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Doctor of Nursing Practice (APRN DNP) program prepares student for the highest level of advanced nursing practice blending theoretical knowledge with clinical application. The DNP is a terminal degree that prepares graduates to meet the needs of complex and changing healthcare systems. The program prepares nurse leaders who will improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice.

After successfully completing the rigorous academic and clinical training, the APRN DNP will be able to test for national certification and assume entry-level advanced practice positions. The expectation is the doctoral-prepared advanced practice nurses will be a voice at the table to improve quality of care and patient safety, train the next generation of nurses, and address healthcare through interdisciplinary teams.

To learn about the Master of Science in Nursing Leadership in Diverse Settings program , please visit, the MSN page.

Program Objectives

1. Accept responsibility and accountability for the ethical practice of nursing at an advanced level.
2. Critically apply theoretical perspectives, teaching/learning principles, and evidence-based knowledge from nursing and related sciences to professional nursing practice across healthcare environments.
3. Systematically and comprehensively investigate complex issues encountered in nursing practice to promote optimal health outcomes for individuals, families, communities, populations, and systems.
4. Advocate for patients, families, caregivers and communities to access healthcare services and to preserve and promote health.
5. Lead initiatives that contribute to the delivery of safe, high quality, person-centered health care with considerations for social, ethical, legal, economic, environmental, epidemiological, systems and policy issues.
6. Use advanced communications skills to facilitate stakeholder collaboration to optimize health and healthcare delivery.
7. Use relevant information, technologies, and communications and informatic processes that informs advanced nursing practice to improve healthcare outcomes for individuals, families, communities, populations, and systems.
8. Practice in an advanced practice nursing role.
9. Engage in self-reflection and personal development activities that contribute to life-long learning, leadership development and resilience.

Admission Requirements

All students interested in applying for graduate study in Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin must meet the admission requirements established by the University’s Graduate School and the School of Nursing. Applicants are expected to be graduates of accredited colleges or universities. Below are the minimum requirements for admission.

1. Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree OR Associate Degree in Nursing or Nursing Diploma AND a non-nursing bachelor’s degree (BS/BA)
2. GPA: 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or comparable GPA in upper-division work (junior- and senior- level courses) and in any graduate work completed
3. Recommendations: 3 required
4. Statement of Purpose
5. Curriculum Vitae/resume
6. Nursing License: Current Texas RN licensure or a license from "Nurse Licensure Compact" state, if admitted.
7. RN Experience: Applicants to the FNP and AC PNP programs must have two-years full-time RN experience by the first day of enrollment.

Application Procedures

Acceptance to Graduate Programs in Nursing

The School of Nursing Graduate Admissions and Progression Committee (GAPC) begin preliminary admission reviews after the November 1st deadline. All application materials are required to be submitted by the program’s application deadline; files that remain incomplete will not be reviewed or acted upon by GAPC.

If admitted, applicants will be notified of the admission decision by early March. Decisions are communicated in the following ways:

1. Offers of admission are sent via email by the School of Nursing.
2. Official e-letters from the Office of Graduate School notifying you of the admission decision are available on the application MyStatus page.

Acceptance by both the School of Nursing and the Office of Graduate Studies are necessary before enrollment is permitted. Please be aware, if admitted, completion of all compliance requirements is required at least one month prior to the first day of class.

If not admitted, applicants will be notified by the GIAC only.

NOTE: Email is the official means of communication for all university business.

For questions, please email the Graduate Student Services Office at nugrad@nursing.utexas.edu.