Applications due June 1, 2014 for fall 2014

Applications will be accepted after the published deadline provided space is available.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program offers doctoral preparation to advanced practice registered nurses whose career emphasis is on furthering their role as scholars and leaders.

This post-master’s program is available to:

• the clinical nurse specialist (CNS),
• certified nurse practitioner (CNP),
• certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and certified nurse midwife, or
• nurses who directly support clinical practice such as Nurse Administrators.

This hybrid program is a blend of intensive face to face and online learning modalities. Students can complete the program in two years of full-time study or choose a part-time option.

The program is offered in a hybrid format. This means that there is a blend of intensive face to face, distance and/or asynchronous learning modalities that are determined based on the course/content/semester. The student can complete the program in two years of full time (two courses per semester) study.  Part time options are also available.

The University of Akron has a long tradition of being home to one of Ohio’s top ranked programs of nursing. One of the particular strengths of our DNP program is that unlike other DNP programs, the courses at The University of Akron are taught by a complimentary blend of DNP and PhD prepared faculty, thus offering the student exposure to the best of both clinical/professional and academic/research scholarship. 

See the DNP program handbook.

Program Goals

1. Prepare nursing leaders to engage in professional nursing practice at the highest level in complex interdisciplinary healthcare environments and emergent systems
2. Translation of research for practice, evaluation of clinical outcomes and best practices
3. Identification and management of the health care of individuals, communities and populations regionally and nationally within a global context
4. Integrate advances in scientific knowledge, technology, and information systems into patient care outcomes

What to Expect Upon Completion

Graduates of the DNP program will be able to:

1. Practice clinically at the highest level of advanced practice nursing
2. Assume leadership positions in organizational and health systems
3. Engage in scholarly activities related to translational science methodologies
4. Demonstrate analytical skills in the evaluation of health policy
5. Become adept at influencing health care either by leading interdisciplinary health care teams or shaping health care policy at the local, regional, or global level

The School of Nursing is seeking accreditation for the DNP from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120. Phone: 202-887-6791; www.aacn.nche.edu