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Nursing Practice (Professional Program: DNP)
Mailing Address:
College of Nursing (MC 802)
845 South Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612-3727
Contact Information:
Campus Location: 507 NURS
(312) 996-7800
con@uic.edu
www.nursing.uic.edu
Administration:
Dean of the College: Eileen Collins
Director of Graduate Studies: Elizabeth Aquino
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is designed for professional nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing with a focus on clinical or administrative practice. The DNP program is consistent with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s call to produce advanced nursing clinicians who are able to address complex care needs. In addition, it is supported by the National Academy of Science which has advocated for the development of professional practice doctorates as a route to advanced clinical work in nursing. The DNP is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The DNP degree curriculum at UIC consists of three domains of competencies for advanced practice in direct clinical care or systems: a) core practice competencies, b) specialty-specific practice competencies, and c) role competencies. Our mission is to develop advanced practitioners of nursing into evidence-based, intra-disciplinary providers who meet the needs of a rapidly expanding healthcare field.
The DNP requires completion of 60–97 semester hours (dependent on specialty focus), and can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Most students will complete the DNP degree within 3–5 years. The Doctor of Nursing Practice has multiple routes of entry. The program can be completed at any of the six regional campuses (Chicago, Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, Urbana).
The following specialty concentrations are available:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Advanced Population Health Nursing
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Health Systems Leadership
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Midwifery
- Nurse Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Acute Care
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Primary Care
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
The DNP also has one affiliated supplemental concentration:
- A concentration in Primary Care Mental Health (PCMH) is offered as a part of the DNP for students in the six primary care specialties: family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner—primary care, nurse midwifery, nurse midwifery/women’s health nurse practitioner, and women’s health nurse practitioner. The concentration includes elective course work to provide additional academic preparation for the care of patients who present with common mental health problems that are within the existing scope of primary care practice, such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD and substance use disorders. The primary care mental health concentration does not qualify students to obtain certification as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice at UIC is considered a professional program and is not administered by the Graduate College. Applications for this program are processed through the College of Nursing. Additional information on the DNP program is available on the College of Nursing website.
Interdepartmental Concentrations
Students earning this degree may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include:
Admission Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree with an upper-division major in nursing from a CCNE or NLN accredited program OR a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in a field other than nursing plus an RN license. Applicants may apply as they are completing their degree but all students enrolling in the DNP program must have a bachelor’s degree before matriculating into the program.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for all work beyond the baccalaureate level and at least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester of the first baccalaureate degree.
- Test Required None
- Letters of Recommendation Three required; the letters should describe the applicant's academic skills and accomplishments.
- Application Essays Required. Applicants will be prompted to answer essay questions within the application. Questions can be found on the College of Nursing website.
- Resume/CV Required.
- Interview All applicants with completed applications will be contacted by the College of Nursing for an application interview. The interview is a required part of the application process. Applicants who do not sign up for an interview will not be considered for admission.
- Other Requirements All students must have a valid license to practice professional nursing in at least one jurisdiction. Applicants may apply before they have passed the NCLEX and attained nursing licensure.
- Focus-Area-Specific Admission Requirements
- Applicants to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program must have a minimum of one year of RN experience in an adult acute care setting by the time of admission. ICU experience is preferred.
- Applicants to the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program must have a minimum of one year, full-time, RN experience in a pediatric acute care setting by the time of admission. Pediatric emergency department or ICU experience is preferred.
Degree Requirements
- Minimum Semester Hours Varies by focus area; minimum required hours are listed under each focus area section.
- Course Work
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DNP Core Courses (required for all focus areas) | ||
| Epidemiology & Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice | ||
| EBP 1: Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Practice | ||
| EBP 2: Implementing Evidence-Based Practice | ||
| Leadership, Policy, and Interprofessional Collaboration: Effecting Change in Complex Health Systems | ||
| Quality and Safety Through Health Technologies | ||
| Health Equity and Social Determinants | ||
| Nursing Information Systems and Technology: Supporting care and generating evidence | ||
| Health Promotion Theories and Population-focused Interventions | ||
| Strategic and Financial Planning for Clinical Programs | ||
| DNP Practicum/Project Courses (required for all focus areas) | ||
| EBP 3: DNP Proposal Development for Translating Evidence to Practice | ||
| EBP 4: DNP Project Planning and Implementation | ||
| EBP 5: DNP Project Evaluation and Dissemination | ||
DNP Focus Areas
In addition to DNP Core Courses, students must complete requirements in their focus area. The courses listed below reflect the requirements for a student with a BSN. Individual programs plans are developed based on previous degrees and course work. See the College of Nursing website for descriptions of each of the focus areas.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Students pursuing the focus area of Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner must complete a total of 77 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
| Applied Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice in Nursing | ||
| Advanced Physiological Principles Across the Lifespan | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Focus Area Courses | ||
| Management of Health and Illness I: Adult-Gerontology NP Acute Care and Primary Care | ||
| Management of Health & Illness II: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care | ||
| Nurse Practitioner Practicum I: Management of Health and Illness in Adults | ||
| Nurse Practitioner Practicum II: Management of Health and Illness in Adults | ||
| Nurse Practitioner Practicum III: Management of Health and Illness in Adults | ||
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Students pursuing the focus area of Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner must complete a total of 77 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
| Applied Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice in Nursing | ||
| Advanced Physiological Principles Across the Lifespan | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Focus Area Courses | ||
| Management of Health and Illness I: Adult-Gerontology NP Acute Care and Primary Care | ||
| Management of Health and Illness II: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care | ||
| Nurse Practitioner Practicum I: Management of Health and Illness in Adults | ||
| Nurse Practitioner Practicum II: Management of Health and Illness in Adults | ||
| Nurse Practitioner Practicum III: Management of Health and Illness in Adults | ||
Advanced Population Health Nursing
Students pursuing the focus area of Advanced Population Health Nursing must complete a total of 60 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Population Health Nursing Focus Area Courses | ||
| Issues in Advanced Population Health Nursing | ||
| Advanced Population Health Evaluation and Policy | ||
| Advanced Systems Level Nursing Leadership | ||
| Clinical Option: Advanced Systems Level Nursing Practice | ||
| Advanced Population Health and Program Planning | ||
Family Nurse Practitioner
Students pursuing the focus area of Family Nurse Practitioner must complete a total of 79 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
| Advanced Physiological Principles Across the Lifespan | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Family Nurse Practitioner Focus Area Courses | ||
| Health Management in Primary Care I | ||
| Health Management in Primary Care II | ||
| Health Management in Primary Care III | ||
| Family-Focused Health Management in Primary Care | ||
| Clinical Practice in Primary Care I | ||
| Clinical Practice in Primary Care II | ||
| Clinical Practice in Primary Care III | ||
Health Systems Leadership
Students pursuing the focus area of Health Systems Leadership must complete a total of 62 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Health Systems Leadership Focus Area Courses | ||
| Data-driven Health Care Improvement | ||
| Advanced Systems Level Nursing Leadership | ||
| Clinical Option: Advanced Systems Level Nursing Practice | ||
| Financial Management and Budget Planning | ||
| Human Resources and Org Behavior | ||
| Leading the Transformation of Health Care and System | ||
| Healthcare Economics | ||
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Students pursuing the focus area of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner must complete a total of 82 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Applied Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice in Nursing | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Focus Area Courses | ||
| Biological Basis for Women's Health and Perinatal Nursing II | ||
| Advanced Neonatal Management I: The High Risk Neonate | ||
| Advanced Neonatal Management II: The Acutely Ill Infant | ||
| Advanced Neonatal Management III: The Gravely Ill Infant | ||
| Essentials of Patient and Family Centered Care | ||
| Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Neonatal Nursing Practice | ||
| Advanced Neonatal Nurse Clinical Practicum | ||
Nurse Midwifery
Students pursuing the focus area of Nurse Midwifery must complete a total of 88 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Nurse Midwifery Focus Area Courses | ||
| Biological Basis for Women's Health and Perinatal Nursing I | ||
| Biological Basis for Women's Health and Perinatal Nursing II | ||
| Issues for Research and Practice in Women's Health | ||
| Health Care of Women I | ||
| Health Care of Women II | ||
| Health Care of Women III | ||
| Dimensions of Midwifery and Women's Health Practice | ||
| Assessment and Care of the Newborn | ||
| Practicum: Health Care of Women | ||
| Practicum: Birth and the Newborn | ||
Nurse Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Students pursuing the focus area of Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner must complete a total of 95 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Applied Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice in Nursing | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Focus Area Courses | ||
| Biological Basis for Women's Health and Perinatal Nursing I | ||
| Biological Basis for Women's Health and Perinatal Nursing II | ||
| Issues for Research and Practice in Women's Health | ||
| Health Care of Women I | ||
| Health Care of Women II | ||
| Health Care of Women III | ||
| Dimensions of Midwifery and Women's Health Practice | ||
| Assessment and Care of the Newborn | ||
| Practicum: Health Care of Women | ||
| Practicum: Birth and the Newborn | ||
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Acute Care
Students pursuing the focus area of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Acute Care must complete a total of 81 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
| Applied Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice in Nursing | ||
| Advanced Physiological Principles Across the Lifespan | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Acute Care Focus Area Courses | ||
| Primary Care of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent | ||
| Management of Acute and Chronic Conditions in Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults | ||
| Management of infants, children, adolescents, young adults with complex, acute, & critical illness | ||
| Practicum: Health maintenance & management of common acute illness in the infant, child, adolescent | ||
| Practicum: Management of Infant, Child, Adolescent/Young Adult with Chronic Illness | ||
| Practicum in the Care of the Critically Ill Child | ||
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Primary Care
Students pursuing the focus area of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Primary Care must complete a total of 75 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Concentration Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
| Applied Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice in Nursing | ||
| Advanced Physiological Principles Across the Lifespan | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Primary Care Focus Area Courses | ||
| Primary Care of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent | ||
| Management of Acute and Chronic Conditions in Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults | ||
| Practicum: Health maintenance & management of common acute illness in the infant, child, adolescent | ||
| Practicum: Management of Infant, Child, Adolescent/Young Adult with Chronic Illness | ||
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Students pursuing the focus area of Psychiatric—Mental Health Nurse Practitioner must complete a total of 85 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
| Applied Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice in Nursing | ||
| Advanced Physiological Principles Across the Lifespan | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner—Primary Care Focus Area Courses | ||
| Group Dynamics, Behavior and Intervention | ||
| Child and Adolescent Mental Health Assessment and Intervention | ||
| Mental Health Assessment of Acute and Chronic Illness | ||
| Mental Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | ||
| Family Behavioral Health | ||
| Mental Health Assessment of Acute and Chronic Illness Practicum I | ||
| Mental Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | ||
| Professional Role and Policy Development | ||
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Students pursuing the focus area of Women's Health Nurse Practitioner must complete a total of 87 semester hours, including DNP Core Courses, APRN Core Courses, Focus Area Courses, and DNP Practicum/Project courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Courses | ||
| Pharmacotherapeutics | ||
| Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | ||
| Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan | ||
| Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing and Policy Implications | ||
| Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Focus Area Courses | ||
| Biological Basis for Women's Health and Perinatal Nursing I | ||
| Biological Basis for Women's Health and Perinatal Nursing II | ||
| Issues for Research and Practice in Women's Health | ||
| Health Care of Women I | ||
| Health Care of Women II | ||
| Health Care of Women III | ||
| Dimensions of Midwifery and Women's Health Practice | ||
| Practicum: Health Care of Women | ||
Additional Concentrations
Primary Care Mental Health
Admission Requirements
In order to be part of the PCMH concentration, students must first apply for and meet the requirements for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. In addition, they must apply separately to the PCMH concentration. Candidates for the PCMH concentration would need to meet the following requirements:
- Admission to one of the following eligible DNP programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—Primary Care, Nurse Midwifery, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner; or current certification as a primary care APRN and admission to the DNP program as a post-master's no new specialty student.
- Interview and favorable recommendations from the PCMH concentration faculty.
- Intention to complete all five courses in the PCMH concentration.
Concentration Course Work
The five required courses in the PCMH concentration are regularly offered at all College of Nursing campuses. All courses are delivered via distance learning technology. The majority of the courses in the program require weekly synchronous online course meetings. The PCMH concentration allows for flexibility in degree planning. However, most students will complete the PCMH concentration course work across a five-semester sequence in the latter two years of their respective programs.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Group Dynamics, Behavior and Intervention | ||
| Child and Adolescent Mental Health Assessment and Intervention | ||
| Mental Health Assessment of Acute and Chronic Illness | ||
| Mental Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | ||
| Applied Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice in Nursing | ||