Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a program of fulltime doctoral study for the nurse seeking specialty preparation in advanced levels of nursing practice.

The DNP Program educates clinicians for leadership roles in a specialized area of advanced practice with an emphasis on:

1. Philosophical, ethical, and scientific principles that provide the foundation for leadership in professional nursing care;  
2. Continued acquisition of knowledge and clinical skills in an area of advanced practice specialization; 
3. Analysis and examination of practice including completion of the Residency Project during the clinical residency year.

The DNP curriculum is Web-mediated including opportunities for synchronous and asynchronous learning.  Students are only required to be on campus 4 times a year (July, December, January, & April) for 5 to 7 days each session. With faculty approval, clinical courses can be completed in the student's state of residence.  

DNP Tracks

Students are assigned to work closely with a faculty advisor/mentor within the faculty advisor’s program of practice. Faculty programs of practice with specialty focus exist within the following clinical tracks: Primary Care: Family and Pediatrics; Acute Critical Care (Adult-Gerontology), Neonatal, Forensic Nursing, Psychiatric/Family Nurse Practitioner, and Public Health Nursing.

Upon completion of the DNP program the graduate will be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment/scholarship in nursing practice;
2. critically analyze complex clinical situations and practice systems;
3. evaluate and apply conceptual models, theories, and research in order to improve health care of diverse populations;
4. systematically investigate a clinically focused area of nursing in order to advance health care;
5. analyze the social, economic, political, and policy components of health care systems which affect care planning and delivery;
6. assume leadership roles in the development of clinical practice models, health policy, and standards of care;
7. integrate professional values and ethical decision-making in advanced nursing practice.

Contact Information

UTHSC College of Nursing
920 Madison Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38163
901-448-6128
Fax: 901-448-4121
Toll Free: 800-733-2498

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