The program includes 69.5-76 credits of coursework and 800-870 clinical hours, as well as 240 practicum hours associated with the DNP project.

A student with a bachelor's degree may complete the program in 3 1/2 years. Nurses with a master's degree in nursing may complete a postgraduate D.N.P. degree in primary care or as an executive nurse leader. A full-time student with a master's degree in nursing may expect to earn the degree in approximately two years. 

Degree Requirements – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (69.5 Credits)

Semester 1

• GRNS 6350: Advanced Pathophysiology
• GRNS 7040: Advanced Pharmacology
• GRNS 7060: Advanced Health Assessment
• STAT 5000: Biostatistics & Epidemiology

Semester 2

• GRNS 7070: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
• GRNS 7080: Practicum: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
• GRNS 7050: Advanced Neuropharmacology
• NH 6899: Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry

Semester 3

• GRNS 6240: Theoretical Foundation of Nursing Science
• GRNS 6260: Health Care Ethics, Policy & Politics

Semester 4

• GRNS 7120: Adv. Nursing Practice of Older Adults
• GRNS 7130: Practicum: Nursing Older Adults
• GRNS 6210: Professional Role Development
• GRNS 6270: Advanced Topics in Health Informatics

Semester 5

• GRNS 7170: Management of Women Gendered Health Care
• GRNS 7180: Practicum: Women Gender Specialty
• GRNS 6280: Quality in Health Care
• GRNS 6250: Genetics for Clinicians
• GRNS 7220: DNP Project & Seminar I

Semester 6

• GRNS 7000: Population-Based Health for Advanced Practice Nursing
• GRNS 7230: DNP Project Practicum I
• GRNS 7300: Practicum: Immersion

Semester 7

• GRNS 7140: Primary Care Management of Acute & Common Health Conditions
• GRNS 7150: Practicum: Acute & Common Health Conditions AGNP
• GRNS 6220: Organization, Delivery & Financing of Health Care
• GRNS 7240: DNP Project & Seminar II
• GRNS 7250: DNP Project Practicum II

Semester 8

• GRNS 7190: Primary Care Management of Chronic & Complex Conditions
• GRNS 7200: Practicum: Chronic & Complex Conditions
• GRNS 7010: Leadership of Health Care Systems
• GRNS 7260: DNP Project & Seminar III

Total Credits: 69.5

Total Clinical Hours: Minimum of 1000 direct + indirect clinical practice hours

NOTES:

Upon completion of the program, DNP graduates are eligible to sit for the national APRN certification exam. The UVM Course Catalogue details specific requirements as designated by catalogue year. Academic standards are outlined in the CNHS Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.

Degree Requirements – Family Nurse Practitioner (76 Credits)

Semester 1

• GRNS 6350: Advanced Pathophysiology
• GRNS 7040: Advanced Pharmacology
• GRNS 7060: Advanced Health Assessment
• STAT 5000: Biostatistics & Epidemiology

Semester 2

• GRNS 7070: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
• GRNS 7080: Practicum: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
• GRNS 7050: Advanced Neuropharmacology
• GRNS 7090: Pediatrics Concepts for APRNs
• NH 6899: Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry

Semester 3

• GRNS 6240: Theoretical Foundation of Nursing Science
• GRNS 6260: Health Care Ethics, Policy & Politics

Semester 4

• GRNS 7100: Primary Care Management of Children and Adolescents
• GRNS 7110: Primary Care Management of Children and Adolescents Practicum
• GRNS 7120: Advanced Nursing Practice of Older Adults
• GRNS 6210: Professional Role Development
• GRNS 6270: Advanced Topics in Health Informatics

Semester 5

• GRNS 7170: Management of Women Gendered Health Care
• GRNS 7180: Practicum: Women Gender Specialty
• GRNS 6280: Quality in Health Care
• GRNS 6250: Genetics for Clinicians
• GRNS 7220: DNP Project & Seminar I

Semester 6

• GRNS 7000: Population-Based Health for Advanced Practice Nursing
• GRNS 7230: DNP Project Practicum I
• GRNS 7300: Practicum: Immersion

Semester 7

• GRNS 7140: Primary Care Management of Acute & Common Health Conditions
• GRNS 7160: Practicum: Acute & Common Health Conditions FNP
• GRNS 6220: Organization, Delivery & Financing of Health Care
• GRNS 7240: DNP Project & Seminar II
• GRNS 7250: DNP Project Practicum II

Semester 8

• GRNS 7190: Primary Care Management of Chronic & Complex Conditions
• GRNS 7200: Practicum: Chronic & Complex Conditions
• GRNS 7010: Leadership of Health Care Systems
• GRNS 7260: DNP Project & Seminar III

Total Credits: 76

Total Clinical Hours: Minimum of 1000 direct + indirect clinical practice hours

NOTES: Upon completion of the program, DNP graduates are eligible to sit for the national APRN certification exam. The UVM Course Catalogue details specific requirements as designated by catalogue year. Academic standards are outlined in the CNHS Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.

• Bachelor's degree in nursing
• RN licensure in Vermont prior to initiating coursework
• College grade point average of 3.0 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation
• Prerequisite courses
  • Basic physical assessment
  • Statistics

Practice experience preferred. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required, but may be included to complement your application.

For International Applicants:

• International students are eligible to receive an I-20 immigration document to participate in this program. However, whether a student has Vermont RN licensure or not to begin the program, UVM is unable to authorize students for nursing employment experiences while in the Program as off-campus authorization (CPT) would not be possible because of the curricular structure of our program. While limited on-campus work would be possible, the UVM Medical Center is not an on-campus employment location, so students should expect not to have any paid nursing opportunities if they come to the program as an F-1 student. Post-Graduate OPT would be an option for students completing the program. This program is not on the STEM Designated list and thus not eligible for OPT beyond one year. Further questions can be directed to internationalstudents@uvm.edu.

Will courses be online or on campus?

Some courses are offered live on campus at scheduled times; others are offered in hybrid format with remote synchronous delivery or asynchronous delivery online. A car is needed for travel to rural sites.

What about financial aid and tuition costs for the program?

For current information about financial aid, tuition, and fees, refer to the Student Financial Services website. For questions about in-state or out-of-state residency, refer to the Registrar's Residency Policy.

How will I know my transcripts and other materials have been received?

UVM will notify you when application materials are received.

Can international students work while in the program?

International students are eligible to receive an I-20 immigration document to participate in this program. However, whether a student has Vermont RN licensure or not to begin the program, UVM is unable to authorize students for nursing employment experiences while in the Program as off-campus authorization (CPT) would not be possible because of the curricular structure of our program. While limited on-campus work would be possible, the UVM Medical Center is not an on-campus employment location, so students should expect not to have any paid nursing opportunities if they come to the program as an F-1 student. Post-Graduate OPT would be an option for students completing the program. This program is not on the STEM Designated list and thus not eligible for OPT beyond one year. Further questions can be directed to internationalstudents@uvm.edu.