Develop a Sound Foundation in Nursing Practice
Internationally recognized nursing faculty
Faculty with varied backgrounds
50% of faculty are Fellows in the American Academy of Nursing
Course of Study
The 45-hour curriculum for the DNP program is based on the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and addresses all the required competencies.
Course topics include:
- Philosophy and scientific methods in nursing science
- Policy
- Management of health services organizations
- Health economics
- Epidemiology
- Health sciences information systems
Doctor of Nursing Practice Schedule
Semester 1: Required prerequisites
Semesters 2-5
- Supporting courses (take in any order)
- Clinical specialization courses (1000 clinical practice hours required*)
- Develop practice expertise
- Focus on a clinical area
- Program culminates in DNP Scholarly Project
*Students who completed supervised practice hours in their MSN can count up to 500 hours towards this requirement. In addition, students can use national nursing certifications via a portfolio program to reach up to 500 hours. 500 practice hours must be completed during the program. Students may also elect to complete an optional focus in nursing education (three courses).
| Semester (9 credit hours each) | Courses |
|---|---|
| Fall 1 | NRP 395O – Roles & Theory Foundations of the DNP Leadership Role NRP 395Q – Research and Evaluation Methods I NRP 395G – Translating Evidence into Nursing Practice |
| Spring 1 | NRP 395T – DNP Clinical Leadership Specialization Seminar & Practicum I NRP 395K – Leadership in Organizations & Systems NRP 395E – Health Policy for Diverse Systems & Populations |
| Summer 1 | NRP 395U – DNP Clinical Leadership Specialization Seminar & Practicum II NRP 395R – Research & Evaluation Methods II NRP 395S – Healthcare Information Systems |
| Fall 2 | NRP 395V – DNP Clinical Leadership Specialization Seminar & Practicum III NRP 395L – Quality Improvement & Safety Principles & Methods NRP 395F – Health Care Economics & Finance |
| Spring 2 | NRP 395W – DNP Clinical Leadership Specialization Seminar & Practicum IV NRP 395M – Epidemiology & Population Health NRP 395D – A Systems Approach to Health Promotion Across Diverse Populations |
| Courses are subject to revision. Download DNP course schedule as a PDF. Visit UT Austin Office of Registrar to view catalog information online. | |
DNP - Program of Work
Plan and track your program progress on our Doctor of Nursing Practice Program of Work.
Curriculum Objectives from American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Domain 1: Knowledge for Nursing Practice
Integrate nursing science with knowledge from ethics, the biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences as the basis for the highest level of advanced nursing practice.
Domain 2: Person Centered Care
Systematically and comprehensively investigate complex issues encountered in nursing practice to promote person-centered care and optimal health outcomes for individuals, families, communities, populations, and systems.
Domain 3: Population Health
Implement scholarly evidence-based processes and health policies to address population health from public health prevention to disease management for the improvement of health outcomes.
Domain 4: Scholarship for Nursing Discipline
Advance the impact of nursing scholarship by integrating best evidence into practice and promoting ethical conduct of scholarly activities.
Domain 5: Quality & Safety
Lead quality and safety initiatives to improve health outcomes contributing to a culture of safety for patients, providers, and work environments.
Domain 6: Interprofessional Partnerships
Collaborate with stakeholders and interprofessional teams using advanced communication skills to optimize care delivery and strengthen outcomes.
Domain 7: Systems-based Practice
Apply innovative and systems-based strategies to address complex health problems across the continuum of care.
Domain 8: Informatics & Healthcare Technology
Use information, communication technologies, and informatic processes that inform advanced nursing practice to improve healthcare outcomes for individuals, families, communities, populations, and systems.
Domain 9: Professionalism
Formulate a professional identity in an advanced nursing practice and/or leadership role that reflects nursing’s characteristics, values, and ethics.
Domain 10: Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development
Engage in self-reflection and personal development activities, including dissemination of nursing knowledge, that contribute to lifelong learning, leadership development and resilience.