DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Ultimate Advanced Practice Nurse
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) empowers nurses who want to practice at the highest clinical level: in addition to making treatment decisions, ordering tests, and prescribing medications, they also lead people and teams and improve systems and safety, occupying roles in academia, as nurse administrators, government affairs leaders, teachers and professors, and chief nursing officers.
Available to students in two pathways, a BSN to DNP pathway and an MSN to DNP pathway, nurses who have earned DNPs are highly sought after by health systems across the country given the expanse of their strengths and capabilities.
Of particular note is the School's newly-structured BSN to DNP pathway, new for fall 2025 entry, which offers an efficient plan of study that meets the needs of today's working nurses. Designed for nurses who have earned a BSN or generalist MSN degree who wish to become advanced practice nurses and achieve the highest level of nursing practice, the DNP offers all the personal, professional, and financial benefits a doctoral degree confers and the UVA pedigree that opens doors.
The BSN to DNP pathway program offers:
- In-person class 6x per semester with the balance of learning completed online (pending SCHEV approval)
- 750 clinical practicum hours, and guidance in finding clinical placements
- 8 specialty areas from which to choose (listed below), and ample preparation for the certification exam of your choice
- 3-year plan of study requires less time and costs less than a traditional DNP program
- No clinical experience required: you can come right in after earning a BSN
- Guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni
- Application deadline: January 5 for entry the following fall
Graduates of the BSN to DNP pathway are prepared for national specialty certification exams in one of eight specialty tracks as advanced practice registered nurses (APRN):
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist + Nurse Practitioner
Upcoming APRN Info Sessions
APRN Info Session Sept 18
Register for the live virtual info session on September 18th, 2024 at 7:30 AM
APRN Info Session Oct 16
Register for the live virtual info session on Oct 16th, 2024 at 7:30 AM
APRN Info Session Nov 20
Register for the live virtual info session on Nov 20th, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Post-BSN DNP [full-time, 12+ credits] (MSN portion of program)
2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
---|---|---|
Tuition | $21,302 | $34,788 |
Regular Session Comprehensive Fee | $3,572 | $4,254 |
University Activity Fee | $58 | $58 |
Nursing Activity Fee | $30 | $30 |
Total | $24,962 | $39,130 |
Post-BSN DNP [part-time] (MSN portion of program)
2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
---|---|---|
Tuition | $888 per credit | $1,450 per credit |
Regular Session Comprehensive Fee | $3,572 | $4,254 |
University Activity Fee | $58 | $58 |
Nursing Activity Fee | $30 | $30 |
Total | $3,660 + Tuition | $4,342 + Tuition |
Post-BSN DNP [full- and part-time] - January and summer terms (MSN portion of coursework)
2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
---|---|---|
Tuition - January 2025 Session | $551 per credit | $1,117 per credit |
January Session Comprehensive Fee | $216 | $246 |
January 2025 Session TOTAL | $216 + Tuition | $246 + Tuition |
Tuition - Summer 2025 Session | $551 per credit | $1,117 per credit |
Summer Session Comprehensive Fee | $475 | $535 |
Summer 2025 Session TOTAL | $475 + Tuition | $535 + Tuition |
Post-MSN DNP [full-time, 12+ credits] - Fall and spring terms
2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
---|---|---|
Tuition | $21,302 | $34,788 |
Special Session Comprehensive Fee | $538 | $658 |
University Activity Fee | $58 | $58 |
Nursing Activity Fee | $30 | $30 |
Total | $21,940 | $35,534 |
Post-MSN DNP [part-time] - Fall and spring terms
2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
---|---|---|
Tuition | $888 credit | $1,450 credit |
Special Session Comprehensive Fee | $538 | $658 |
University Activity Fee | $58 | $58 |
Nursing Activity Fee | $30 | $30 |
Total | $626 + Tuition | $746 + Tuition |
Post-MSN DNP [full- and part-time] - January and Summer Terms
2024-25 | Virginia Resident | Non-Virginia Resident |
---|---|---|
Tuition - January 2025 Session | $551 per credit | $1,117 per credit |
January Session Comprehensive Fee | $216 | $246 |
January 2025 Session TOTAL | $216 + Tuition | $246 + Tuition |
Tuition - Summer 2025 Session | $551 per credit | $1,117 per credit |
Summer Session Comprehensive Fee | $475 | $535 |
Summer 2025 Session TOTAL | $475 + Tuition | $535 + Tuition |
Austin Stajduhar, M.Ed.
Assistant dean for admissions
(434) 924-0066
nursing-admissions@virginia.edu
Set up a one-on-one admissions advising meeting
Beth Quatrara, DNP, RN, CMSRN, ACNS-BC
Associate Professor
Graduate Program Lead and CNS Specialty Lead
bad3e@virginia.edu
Schedule a one-one-one advising session with DNP program director
Want to learn more?