Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing Practice, DNP (Post-Master’s)


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The Post-Master’s DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)


The Post-Master’s DNP is a 39-credit doctoral program that will develop advanced practice nurses for the highest level of excellence in nursing practice and clinical leadership. The DNP degree program focus is on increasing the appropriate supply, diversity, and distribution of highly trained advanced practice nurses to meet emerging health care system needs. Graduates will gain knowledge and competence in health systems leadership, policy development, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve health care quality and increase health care access for all populations.

Students build on knowledge acquired in their master’s degree in advanced practice nursing and post-graduate clinical experience. Faculty scholars and clinical leaders distinguished in practice, education, and research guide students as they develop competence in the role of doctor of nursing practice.

The scope of knowledge addressed in the UMass Boston CNHS core and specialty courses reflects the student outcome competencies cited in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006) document, including

  1. advanced scientific underpinnings for practice;
  2. organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking;
  3. clinical scholarship and analytic methods for evidence-based practice;
  4. technology and information for the improvement and transformation of health care;
  5. health care policy for advocacy in health care;
  6. interprofessional collaboration for improving patient and population health care outcomes;
  7. clinical prevention and population health for improving the nation’s health; and
  8. advanced nursing practice at the highest level of clinical expertise.

Admission Requirements


  1. A master’s degree in nursing.
  2. Preparation as an advanced practice nurse.*
  3. GPA of 3.2 or higher in master’s degree program of study.
  4. Applicants must submit the following documentation:
    • official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate programs attended
    • 3 letters of recommendation from health professionals describing professional nursing experience, leadership ability, and/or scholarly achievements
    • a scholarly abstract, of no more than 300 words, of a completed project or academic paper
    • 500-word professional goal statement and listing of five career objectives
    • professional résumé
    • registered nurse license
    • TOEFL scores if needed
    • post-master’s applicants submit evidence of professional certification if applicable

* Special consideration is given to non-APRNs who have a strong background and references supporting expertise in clinical nursing, leadership, and/or nursing education.

Post-master’s applicants may elect to submit related leadership GRE scores as an additional source of supporting data to strengthen their application portfolio. Each prospective student’s plan of study will be based on an individual portfolio review.

Degree Requirements


A total of 39 credits is required in this program. The program of study culminates in the capstone experience. Students are guided by faculty throughout the program in completing a capstone project demonstrating the student’s ability to analyze and guide a change in health care delivery. Knowledge learned in the program is applied to a health-related issue.

Course Plan


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