• NP

Prepare for national certification as a nurse practitioner with UVM's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Designed for the registered nurse with a bachelor's degree or higher in nursing or another field, the program prepares graduates to provide primary care as advanced practice registered nurses in one of two tracks: adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP), or family nurse practitioner (FNP).

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Unique on Purpose: Nurse Practitioner Primary Care

UVM Nursing students

A feature of the DNP program is the nurse practitioner managed Appletree Bay Primary Care Clinic, which offers outpatient services and opportunities for students to work side-by-side with UVM clinical faculty. Learn more >>

Evidence-Based Practice

Burlington University Health Center

Prior to graduation, students implement a practice-focused scholarly project with the purpose of translating evidence into practice. View current projects >>

Curriculum

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. Learn what faculty, staff, and students have to say about Nursing at UVM >>

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

Semester 1

  • GRNS 335: Advanced Pathophysiology
  • GRNS 404: Advanced Pharmacology
  • GRNS 406: Advanced Health Assessment
  • STAT 200: Biostatistics & Epidemiology

Semester 2

  • GRNS 407: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
  • GRNS 408: Practicum: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
  • GRNS 405: Advanced Neuropharmacology
  • NH 399: Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry

Semester 3

  • GRNS 324: Theoretical Foundation of Nursing Science
  • GRNS 326: Health Care Ethics, Policy & Politics

Semester 4

  • GRNS 412: Adv. Nursing Practice of Older Adults
  • GRNS 413 Practicum: Nursing Older Adults
  • GRNS 321: Professional Role Development
  • GRNS 327: Advanced Topics in Health Informatics

Semester 5

  • GRNS 417: Management of Women Gendered Health Care
  • GRNS 418 Practicum: Women Gender Specialty
  • GRNS 328/CTS 302: Quality in Health Care
  • GRNS 325: Genetics for Clinicians
  • GRNS 422: DNP Project & Seminar I

Semester 6

  • GRNS 400: Population-Based Health for Advanced Practice Nursing
  • GRNS 423: DNP Project Practicum I
  • GRNS 430: Practicum: Immersion

Semester 7

  • GRNS 414: Primary Care Management of Acute & Common Health Conditions
  • GRNS 415: Practicum: Acute & Common Health Conditions AGNP
  • GRNS 322: Organization, Delivery & Financing of Health Care
  • GRNS 424: DNP Project & Seminar II
  • GRNS 425: DNP Project Practicum II

Semester 8

  • GRNS 419: Primary Care Management of Chronic & Complex Conditions
  • GRNS 420: Practicum: Chronic & Complex Conditions
  • GRNS 401: Leadership of Health Care Systems
  • GRNS 426: 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 335: Advanced Pathophysiology
  • GRNS 404: Advanced Pharmacology
  • GRNS 406: Advanced Health Assessment
  • STAT 200: Biostatistics & Epidemiology

Semester 2

  • GRNS 407: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
  • GRNS 408: Practicum: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
  • GRNS 405: Advanced Neuropharmacology
  • GRNS 409: Pediatrics Concepts for APRNs
  • NH 399: Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry

Semester 3

  • GRNS 324: Theoretical Foundation of Nursing Science
  • GRNS 326: Health Care Ethics, Policy & Politics

Semester 4

  • GRNS 410: Primary Care Management of Children and Adolescents
  • GRNS 411: Primary Care Management of Children and Adolescents Practicum
  • GRNS 412: Advanced Nursing Practice of Older Adults
  • GRNS 321: Professional Role Development
  • GRNS 327: Advanced Topics in Health Informatics

Semester 5

  • GRNS 417: Management of Women Gendered Health Care
  • GRNS 418 Practicum: Women Gender Specialty
  • GRNS 328/CTS 302: Quality in Health Care
  • GRNS 325: Genetics for Clinicians
  • GRNS 422: DNP Project & Seminar I

Semester 6

  • GRNS 400: Population-Based Health for Advanced Practice Nursing
  • GRNS 423: DNP Project Practicum I
  • GRNS 430: Practicum: Immersion

Semester 7

  • GRNS 414: Primary Care Management of Acute & Common Health Conditions
  • GRNS 416: Practicum: Acute & Common Health Conditions FNP
  • GRNS 322: Organization, Delivery & Financing of Health Care
  • GRNS 424: DNP Project & Seminar II
  • GRNS 425: DNP Project Practicum II

Semester 8

  • GRNS 419: Primary Care Management of Chronic & Complex Conditions
  • GRNS 420: Practicum: Chronic & Complex Conditions
  • GRNS 401: Leadership of Health Care Systems
  • GRNS 426: 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.

Admission Requirements

  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

 

Accreditation: The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Vermont is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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PROGRAM SNAPSHOT

Application Deadline: April 1

Term Start Date: August

Credits: 69.5 - 76

Duration: 2 - 3 1/2 years

Learning Format: On campus

For tuition information, visit the UVM Student Financial Services website. Scroll down to the Estimated Graduate Programs with Alternate Pricing and click to find DNP tuition.

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