Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
College of Nursing
Program Overview
If you want to establish yourself as an influential leader in clinical nursing and currently hold a BSN or MSN, join the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of Tennessee. Our DNP program offers a comprehensive experience with synchronous classes and onsites twice per semester. Between our hands-on learning approach, cutting-edge facilities, and outstanding faculty, you will have the resources you need to master the curriculum.
Admission is for the fall semester, with classes beginning each August.
Credit Hours: MSN-DNP
38-61
Credit Hours: BSN-DNP
60-80
Cost Per Credit Hour*
In-State $810
Out-of-State $885
Limited Residency
Required
*This figure is an estimation for budgeting purposes, approximating the sum of the maintenance fee, online support fee, library fee, program semester fee, and a proration of expected Nursing course fees and clinical fees. Please discuss cost of program and any related fees with college personnel, and visit Tuition and Fees in Detail at One Stop.
Elevate Your Degree. Elevate Your Impact.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at UT prepares you as a leader in complex healthcare environments by fulfilling the vision of leading care, creating partnerships, and improving health.
DNP students attend twice a semester on campus intensives to learn from fellow student colleagues and outstanding faculty and increase clinical skills in our state-of-the-art high fidelity simulation labs. The on-campus experiences build on course work and leads to mastery. DNP students have access to our writing lab, participate in Research Day, and have opportunities to showcase their DNP Scholarly Projects.
The DNP program curriculum is presented in a blended format of face-to-face, synchronous, and asynchronous online formats. The program emphasizes immersion in an area of practice, application of skill acquisition, appraisal and application of evidence, and leadership in health care systems. Courses focus on evidence-based practice, health policy, and quality improvement planning.
Students are mentored by faculty chairs during the development, implementation, and defense of the DNP Scholarly Projects. Scholarly projects are individually tailored to your area of practice and interest. Opportunities for funding are available.
The DNP program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency/fellowship programs in nursing. Our graduates are clinical practice leaders, health policy advocates, and leaders of health systems.
Join us today and become a Vol Nurse!
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program are expected to successfully demonstrate the following student learning outcomes:
Utilizes nursing science with knowledge from other disciplines to implement evidence-based advanced nursing practice.
Integrate core professional behaviors to provide ethical and equitable care in advanced nursing practice.
Lead interprofessional teams to coordinate person-centered and population-based healthcare.
Translate critically appraised evidence from nursing and related sciences into advanced nursing practice.
Utilize relevant information systems and technology to drive decision-making in advanced nursing practice.
Evaluate improvement science initiatives designed within diverse health systems.
Featured Courses
NURS 628: Evidence Acquisition, Appraisal & Synthesis
Focus on research methods, critical appraisal, and synthesis of evidence from various sources to develop recommendations for practice change.
NURS 622: Evidence-based Practice Improvement I
Introduces blended paradigms of evidence-based practice [EBP] and quality improvement [QI]. Focus on identification of problem/issue for Scholarly Project.
NURS 612: Health & Health Care Policy
Interdisciplinary examination of contemporary health, health problems and policy responses; public policy decision-making processes; and multi-stakeholder perspectives, roles, influence, and interactions.
NURS 620: Philosophical & Theoretical Foundations for Practice
A critical examination of the scientific underpinnings of nursing knowledge. Emphasis on application of middle-range, change theories and implementation models for advanced nursing practice.
Program Concentrations for BSN-DNP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Prepares students to become advanced practice nurses in the psychiatric mental health field.
Nurse Executive Practice
Prepares students for managerial positions in a variety of healthcare settings
Family Nurse Practitioner
Prepares graduates for advanced nursing practice in delivering primary care across the lifespan.
Pediatric Primary/Acute Care Dual Track Nurse Practitioner
Prepares graduates for advanced practice nursing in delivering dedicated care to all children.
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Prepares graduates for advanced nursing practice in delivering primary care to pediatric patience.
Post-Graduate Certificate Options Available With the MSN-DNP Concentration
Healthcare Informatics
Prepares students for careers in connecting people, information, and technology in the healthcare sector.
Health Policy
This program prepares leaders from across disciplines to be active in various policymaking activities.
Nurse Executive Practice
Prepares students for managerial positions in a variety of health care settings.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Prepares students to become advanced practice nurses in the psychiatric mental health field.
Ready to Make a Difference in Your Life & Others?
The Strength of Dreams
With her faith and visions of providing quality care to children, student Jasmine Terrell overcame multiple hardships on the journey to securing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
This degree was what I have always dreamt about…
– Jasmine Terrell, DNP graduate, ‘21
