Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctoral Program Mission Statement
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program provides the terminal academic preparation for advanced nursing practice and leadership roles in the healthcare system. Advanced practice nurses (APN) function in an increasingly complex and challenging healthcare environment both locally and globally. The integral components of the curriculum are population health, and disaster preparedness. Utilizing knowledge from the sciences and analytical methods for evidence-based practice, the DNP graduate is prepared to meet the needs of diverse individuals, aggregates, and populations.
The DNP at Wagner College is a post-master’s program and provides the terminal academic preparation for nursing practice. Students must have completed a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner. The program requires 39 credits and can be completed in seven semesters which includes two summer sessions. The course work incorporates the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) competencies for DNP graduates and the Criteria of the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education.
ACEN contact information
3390 Peachtree Road NE Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975 5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the clinical doctorate nursing program is initial accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org
The faculty in our department take great care to work with students individually, providing a caring environment that results in a very high completion and satisfaction rate. This program draws not just from nursing, but also from microbiology, philosophy, business, and community leaders.
The program is open to:
- Advanced practice nurses holding an Master’s in nursing with an FNP focus from a program accredited by a national organization.*
- A 3.4 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale for Master’s coursework
- Current unencumbered Registered Professional Nurse License in NYS and a NYS certificate as Family Nurse Practitioner
National Board Certification required - Documentation demonstrating current clinical practice
- Current resume
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals able to comment on the academic ability, clinical expertise and professionalism of the applicant
- Professional writing sample written on site
- Interview
*Students with an Advanced Nursing Practice focus other than a Family Nurse Practitioner will be individually evaluated, and a gap analysis will be conducted to determine additional courses required to complete the DNP/FNP degree. A total of 1000 supervised clinical hours are required for the DNP degree. Six hundred hours are direct care hours. Students who enter the DNP Program without completing 600 direct care hours will be individually evaluated and a gap analysis will be conducted to determine the courses and/or hours required to fulfill this requirement. The DNP courses contain 400 required clinical hours.
* Additional fees for DNP students may include, but not limited to the following:
1. Typhon for DNP Portfolio
2. Complio for health and vaccination records
3. Webinar or conferences for non-clinical hours
4. Intellectus Statistical Program
For more information:
Application deadline for August admission: August 15th
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program outcomes, as well as perform role competencies as established by national
organizations for nurse practitioners:
- Â Synthesize scientific nursing knowledge and theory from related disciplines to enhance advanced practice, research, education, and healthcare policy.
- Lead interprofessional teams to develop a person-centered plan of care which is built on a scientific body of knowledge and compassion with respect for diversity, values, needs, resources, and the determinants of health unique to the individual, family, and venerable populations.
- Advise on strategies which address health care disparities and address population focused priorities of care which contribute to advocacy approaches and global policy development to improve population health.
- Translate scholarly research which contributes to nursing knowledge and evidenced based practice.
- Disseminate evidenced based quality improvement innovations which enhance and promote a culture of safety and delivery of quality health care.
- Coordinates the health care team to enhance interprofessional partnerships and desired outcomes to improve population health.
- Develop innovative solutions based on evolving health care systems to optimize organizational strategic planning across the continuum of healthcare.
- Evaluate the use of informatics and health care technology which is in accordance with the ethical, legal, professional, and regulatory standards for managing and improving the delivery of safe, high quality and efficient healthcare services.
- Emulates the professional identity of nursing in leadership and practice to ensure optimal healthcare outcomes.
- Sustain personal and professional development, reflection, life-long learning, and leadership in a variety of contexts.
Doctoral Nursing Student Handbook 2025-2026 Edition