Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses with the knowledge and skills to care for individuals, populations and lead in today's complex health care systems. Learning can be tailored to specific populations based on the selected subprogram.
Programs designed to lead to professional licensure are subject to federal regulations regarding informational disclosures. Please see Professional Licensure Disclosures by Program for further information.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- synthesize unique knowledge from nursing with natural and social sciences and the humanities to inform the generation, application, evaluation, and dissemination of knowledge to support delivery of high-quality care to individuals and populations;
- apply person-centered and population health principles across the continuum of care to improve health equity and influence health outcomes for individuals and local, national, and global communities;
- demonstrate adaptive leadership and futuristic mindset by using improvement science, innovation, informatics, and healthcare technology to provide quality care to diverse populations in complex healthcare systems;
- advocate for social and environmental change that improves the health of populations, as well as for the role of nursing in health care, health systems, regulation, and policy;
- demonstrate formation of nurse identity and professionalism through ethical, inclusive, accountable, collaborative, and leadership behaviors; and
- develop a commitment to personal and professional development that fosters well-being, adaptability, lifelong learning, and service.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) requires a minimum of 72–85 s.h. of graduate credit depending on the student's chosen subprogram. All students must maintain a Graduate College program grade-point average of at least 3.00.
Graduate students in the College of Nursing must adhere to all Graduate College policies regarding academic standing, probation, dismissal, and transfer of graduate credit.
Graduate coursework taken for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at the University of Iowa may apply toward the DNP. An MSN from another institution may be evaluated to determine the amount of transfer credit that can be applied toward the DNP. Similarly, students can petition to have non-MSN graduate coursework evaluated to determine if some credit can be applied toward the DNP; this is especially applicable for students in the health systems subprogram. All transfer credit must be approved by the DNP program director, the College of Nursing associate dean for graduate practice programs, and/or the Graduate College, depending on the type and amount of credit. All students are required to earn a minimum of 39 s.h. of UI credit after program admission.
Students must complete a minimum of 1,000 practice experience hours. Individuals who enter the program having completed an MSN may transfer approved clinical hours from their MSN program to the DNP program. The clinical hours requirement is evaluated for each student who has completed an MSN with a population focus. Students who completed more than 1,000 practice experience hours in an MSN advanced practice program must still complete the number of DNP practicum and project hours determined in consultation with their advisor and the DNP program director.
Subprogram Selection
Earning the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Certification
Students admitted to the DNP after completing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or the MSN with an entry into practice subprogram (or its equivalent) select a DNP with a population subprogram in adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, anesthesia nursing, family nurse practitioner, health systems, pediatric nurse practitioner–acute care, pediatric nurse practitioner–primary care, or psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. These subprograms represent advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) curricula. These subprograms are also available as Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) options for qualified BSN students with the nursing–RN subprogram. Students who wish to earn a second APRN may add a second subprogram. This is called dual certification and allows students to concurrently earn certification in two nurse practitioner populations.
Students with an MSN that does not include APRN certification but who intend to earn APRN certification concurrently with their DNP also select from one of the subprograms listed in the previous paragraph.
Earning the DNP Without Additional Certification
Students admitted with an MSN that does not include APRN certification, and who do not intend to earn APRN certification concurrently with their DNP, pursue the pathway subprogram for the MSN to DNP. If a student is admitted to this subprogram should later wish to earn an APRN, they must transfer into one of the previously listed subprograms with a specified population.
Students admitted with an MSN that includes current APRN certification also join the pathway subprogram, in which they follow a prescribed plan of study focusing on skills that augment the advanced practice nursing role. Should they intend to earn additional population certification, i.e., a second APRN, they may do so by concurrently pursuing a nursing graduate certificate. Refer to the list of programs in the College of Nursing section of the catalog to see available graduate certificate options.
DNP Core and Elective Coursework
Students in all subprograms complete the following basic core, advanced core, and complex core coursework. Students completing any subprogram other than health systems or pathway complete direct science core coursework. Students completing any subprogram other than anesthesia nursing complete elective coursework.
Basic Core
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| NURS:6030 | Innovative Leadership for Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS:6031 | Global Health for Populations | 3 |
| NURS:6032 | Quality Improvement in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS:6033 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 3 |
| NURS:6034 | Health Systems Practice and Transformation | 3 |
| NURS:6035 | Informatics and Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| NURS:6036 | Health Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
Advanced Core
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| NURS:6910 | Scientific Inquiry | 3 |
| NURS:6920 | Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NURS:6930 | Project Design and Evaluation | 3 |
Complex Core
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| NURS:6940 | Doctor of Nursing Practice Seminar I: Fieldwork | 1 |
| NURS:6950 | Doctor of Nursing Practice Seminar II: Proposal | 1 |
| NURS:6960 | Doctor of Nursing Practice Seminar III: Implementation | 1 |
| NURS:6970 | Doctor of Nursing Practice Seminar IV: Analysis | 1 |
| NURS:6980 | Doctor of Nursing Practice Seminar V: Dissemination | 1 |
| NURS:6990 | Professional Identity | 2 |
Direct Science Core
Students in the health systems subprogram and the pathway subprogram for the MSN to DNP are not held to the direct science core requirement.
Students in adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner–acute care, pediatric nurse practitioner–primary care, and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner complete the following coursework to fulfill their direct science core requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| NURS:6002 | Physiology for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| NURS:6003 | Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| NURS:6008 | Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Didactic | 3 |
| NURS:6009 | Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Lab | 1 |
| NURS:6021 | Pharmacology for Advanced Practice | 3 |
Students in the anesthesia nursing subprogram complete the following coursework to fulfill their direct science core requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| NURS:6000 | Human Anatomy for Advanced Practice | 4 |
| NURS:6002 | Physiology for Advanced Practice | 4 |
| NURS:6003 | Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| NURS:6008 | Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Didactic | 3 |
| PCOL:6204 | Pharmacology for Health Sciences: Nurse Anesthetist | 5 |
Electives
Students in all subprograms except anesthesia nursing are required to complete 3 s.h. of elective coursework chosen in close consultation with the student's faculty advisor. Students select from nursing courses (prefix NURS) numbered 6000 or above. Additional courses may also be options with the permission of the student's faculty advisor.
Subprograms
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Subprogram
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Subprogram
- Anesthesia Nursing Subprogram
- Family Nurse Practitioner Subprogram
- Health Systems Subprogram
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Acute Care Subprogram
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Primary Care Subprogram
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Subprogram
- Pathway Subprogram for MSN To DNP
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practitioner (AG–ACNP) Subprogram
The adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner subprogram (AG–ACNP) requires 75 s.h. of graduate credit. In addition to the preceding required DNP core courses and electives, AG–ACNP students complete the following coursework.
AG–ACNP Required coursework
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These core courses: | ||
| NURS:6017 | Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures in Adult Acute Care | 1 |
| NURS:6025 | Adult-Gerontology Acute and Critical Care Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| These clinical theory courses: | ||
| NURS:6110 | Clinical Reasoning I: Complex Adult Gerontology Management | 3 |
| NURS:6120 | Clinical Reasoning II: Adult Gerontology Acute and Critical Care Management | 3 |
| NURS:6130 | Clinical Reasoning III: Advanced Adult Gerontology Acute and Critical Care Management | 3 |
| These clinical practicums: | ||
| NURS:6111 | Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS:6121 | Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS:6131 | Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG–PCNP) Subprogram
The adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner subprogram (AG-PCNP) requires 75 s.h. of graduate credit. In addition to the preceding required DNP core courses and electives, AG-PCNP students complete the following coursework.
AG–PCNP Required coursework
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These core courses: | ||
| NURS:6018 | Primary Care Clinical Skills and Procedures | 1 |
| NURS:6026 | Diagnostic Reasoning and Integrated Pharmacology Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| These clinical theory courses: | ||
| NURS:6610 | Care of Adults and Older Adults I | 3 |
| NURS:6620 | Care of Adults and Older Adults II | 3 |
| NURS:6630 | Care of Adults and Older Adults III | 3 |
| These clinical practicums: | ||
| NURS:6211 | Adult Gerontology-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS:6221 | Adult Gerontology-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS:6231 | Adult Gerontology-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Anesthesia Nursing Subprogram
The anesthesia nursing subprogram requires 85 s.h. of graduate credit. In addition to the preceding required DNP core courses, anesthesia nursing students complete the following coursework.
Anesthesia nursing Required Coursework
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These core courses: | ||
| NURS:6013 | Applied Sciences for Anesthesia Practice | 2 |
| NURS:6014 | Equipment and Technology for Anesthesia Practice | 2 |
| NURS:6028 | Applied Pharmacology for Anesthesia Practice | 3 |
| These clinical theory courses: | ||
| NURS:6710 | General Principles of Anesthesia Practice | 5 |
| NURS:6720 | Anesthesia for Surgical Procedures and Special Populations I | 2 |
| NURS:6730 | Anesthesia for Surgical Procedures and Special Populations II | 2 |
| NURS:6750 | Advanced Principles of Anesthesia Practice | 1 |
| These clinical practicums: | ||
| NURS:6711 | Anesthesia Clinical Practicum I | 2 |
| NURS:6721 | Anesthesia Clinical Practicum II | 2 |
| NURS:6731 | Anesthesia Clinical Practicum III | 2 |
| NURS:6741 | Anesthesia Clinical Practicum IV | 2 |
| NURS:6751 | Anesthesia Clinical Practicum V | 2 |
| NURS:6761 | Anesthesia Clinical Practicum VI | 2 |
| Total Hours | 29 | |
Family Nurse Practitioner Subprogram
The family nurse practitioner (FNP) subprogram requires 81 s.h. of graduate credit. In addition to the preceding required DNP core courses and electives, FNP students complete the following coursework.
FNP required coursework
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These core courses: | ||
| NURS:6018 | Primary Care Clinical Skills and Procedures | 1 |
| NURS:6027 | Diagnostic Reasoning and Integrated Pharmacology for Family Nurse Practitioners | 3 |
| These clinical theory courses: | ||
| NURS:6440 | Comprehensive Care for the Well Child | 3 |
| NURS:6450 | Managing Common Conditions in Pediatric Primary Care | 3 |
| NURS:6610 | Care of Adults and Older Adults I | 3 |
| NURS:6620 | Care of Adults and Older Adults II | 3 |
| NURS:6630 | Care of Adults and Older Adults III | 3 |
| These clinical practicums: | ||
| NURS:6611 | Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS:6621 | Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS:6631 | Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 28 | |
Health Systems Subprogram
The health systems (HS) subprogram requires 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students with previously earned graduate credit will have their transcript evaluated to determine if some of that coursework may be permitted to count toward DNP requirements, including core courses and elective requirements. In addition to the preceding required DNP core courses and electives, students in the HS subprogram are required to complete the following coursework.
HS required coursework
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These clinical theory courses: | ||
| NURS:6820 | Marketing and Communication in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS:6830 | Informatics and Health Care Infrastructure | 3 |
| NURS:6840 | Healthy Work Environments Seminar | 3 |
| NURS:6850 | Executive Coaching | 1 |
| NURS:6851 | Advanced Leadership and Management Didactic | 3 |
| These clinical practicums: | ||
| NURS:6821 | Project Leadership and Change Management | 3 |
| NURS:6831 | Financial Management With Practicum | 4 |
| NURS:6841 | Innovation Seminar with Field Experience | 3 |
| NURS:6852 | Advanced Leadership and Management Practicum | 1 |
| NURS:6861 | Managing Academic and Practice Services in Organizations with Practicum | 4 |
| NURS:6871 | Executive Leadership and Management Practicum | 4 |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Acute Care (PNP–AC) Subprogram
The pediatric nurse practitioner–acute care (PNP–AC) subprogram requires 75 s.h. of graduate credit. In addition to the preceding required DNP core courses and electives, PNP–AC students complete the following coursework.
PNP–AC required coursework
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These core courses: | ||
| NURS:6019 | Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures in Pediatric Acute Care | 1 |
| NURS:6022 | Diagnostic Reasoning and Integrated Pharmacology for Pediatric Acute Care | 3 |
| These clinical theory courses: | ||
| NURS:6320 | Managing Common Conditions in Pediatric Acute Care | 3 |
| NURS:6330 | Managing Complex Conditions in Pediatric Acute Care | 3 |
| NURS:6440 | Comprehensive Care for the Well Child | 3 |
| These clinical practicums: | ||
| NURS:6311 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS:6321 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS:6331 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care (PNP–PC) Subprogram
The pediatric nurse practitioner–primary care (PNP–PC) subprogram requires 75 s.h. of graduate credit. In addition to the preceding required DNP core courses and electives, PNP–PC students complete the following coursework.
PNP–PC required coursework
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These core courses: | ||
| NURS:6018 | Primary Care Clinical Skills and Procedures | 1 |
| NURS:6023 | Diagnostic Reasoning and Integrated Pharmacology for Pediatric Primary Care | 3 |
| These clinical theory courses: | ||
| NURS:6440 | Comprehensive Care for the Well Child | 3 |
| NURS:6450 | Managing Common Conditions in Pediatric Primary Care | 3 |
| NURS:6460 | Managing Chronic Conditions in Pediatric Primary Care | 3 |
| These clinical practicums: | ||
| NURS:6441 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS:6451 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS:6461 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Subprogram
The psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) subprogram requires 75 s.h. of graduate credit. In addition to the preceding required DNP core courses and electives, PMHNP students complete the following coursework.
PMHNP required coursework
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These core courses: | ||
| NURS:6024 | Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| NURS:6540 | Fundamental Communication for Advanced Practice Nursing | 1 |
| These clinical theory courses: | ||
| NURS:6510 | Diagnostics for Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| NURS:6520 | Psychotherapy Concepts and Applications for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| NURS:6530 | Lifespan Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Nursing Theories for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| These clinical practicums: | ||
| NURS:6511 | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS:6521 | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| NURS:6531 | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Pathway Subprogram for the MSN to DNP
The pathway subprogram for the MSN to DNP requires 72 s.h. of graduate credit. In addition to the preceding required DNP core coursework and electives, approved credit from a previously earned MSN can be applied toward the degree, up to a maximum of 32 s.h. Should the student require additional coursework to reach the 72 s.h. minimum, they would complete additional elective coursework chosen in consultation with their advisor.
Pathway subprogam students admitted with a current APRN certification and intending to earn additional population certification, i.e., a second APRN, may do so by adding a concurrent graduate certificate. Refer to the list of programs in the College of Nursing section of the catalog to see available graduate certificate options.
Pathway subprogram students admitted without a current APRN certification who later decide to earn APRN certification must transfer into one of the DNP population subprograms to ensure completion of the Direct Science Core curricula.
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
Applicants to College of Nursing graduate programs must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Applicants must have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00; applicants for the dual certification programs must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.50. A criminal background check is required for all students upon admission. The College of Nursing has additional application requirements, as follows.
Applications are reviewed once a year. To be reviewed, the application must be complete with all materials submitted.
International students who require F–1, F–2, or J–1 student immigration status are not eligible to apply to the DNP program, due to the extensive web-based coursework required. Questions regarding visas and immigration documentation should be directed to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
Admission to the DNP Program
Applicant requirements specific to the DNP program are:
- Bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in nursing from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accredited nursing program;
- active nursing license;
- minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 (for single subprograms);
- minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 (for dual certification applicants); and
- specific clinical experience requirements working as a registered nurse are required if applying to subprograms of adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner–acute care, and anesthesia nursing. Visit DNP Admission Information FAQs on the College of Nursing website for specific work experience requirements.
Applicants must apply to the Graduate College as part of the process for admission to the College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. The first step is to complete the online application through the Graduate Admissions DNP webpage and pay the appropriate fee. As part of the second step, Graduate Admissions will contact the applicant by email to provide instructions on uploading supporting documents, which include the following:
- current written recommendations from three persons knowledgeable about the applicant's competence in the practice of nursing and potential for leadership and scholarship (forms required);
- current résumé, goal statement (statement of purpose), statement of disclosure, and supplemental/information form;
- official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework;
- DNP applicants to the direct care programs with master's degrees in nursing from other schools must provide verification of completed clinical hours from their institution's graduate director or must submit appropriate course syllabi; and
- additional application requirements for the pathway subprogram for the MSN to DNP, those applicants with MSN and ARNP, include providing verification of an MSN in a recognized ARNP specialty and proof of certification.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline for the DNP is Feb.1 for all subprograms except anesthesia nursing and health systems. The anesthesia nursing subprogram application deadline is June 1 and health systems subprogram is July 1.