Post-Master’s DNP

The post-master’s DNP concentration prepares practicing advanced practice nurses to positively impact patient, population, and systems outcomes through implementing and leading evidence-based practice improvement initiatives. We aim to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to broaden their view of health care, lead change, improve health, and enhance their practice as an APRN. 

Residence and Licensure  

Special note for prospective students with residence and licensure outside of Tennessee: Graduate students may only complete professional practice or project immersion hours in the state of their official residence and licensure. Students wishing to complete professional practice or project immersion hours in a state other than Tennessee are responsible for ensuring the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing has a state authorization with the Board of Nursing in their state of residence.  

Students who reside outside of Tennessee and plan to complete professional practice or project immersion in clinical settings in a state other than Tennessee, will need to take additional steps to comply with the requirements of that state. 

Curriculum

The program of study for this concentration requires 500 hours of direct and indirect patient care hours. These hours encompass developing and implementing an evidence-based practice improvement project and professional practice immersion experiences. Professional practice immersion hours are individualized to meet each student’s interests and needs in conjunction with program faculty. The post-master’s concentration is intended to enhance the student’s advanced nursing practice within their defined scope, population, and certification. Students seeking to add an additional population or practice role should apply to the appropriate BSN to DNP specialty concentration. 

Post-master’s DNP Program of Study (effective Fall 2025)

Year One

Fall Semester

  • N604: Principles of Population Health (3)
  • N622: Evidence-based Practice Improvement I (3)
  • N628: Evidence Acquisition, Appraisal and Synthesis (3)

Total of 9 hours

Spring Semester

  • N557: Introduction to Health Care  Informatics (3)
  • N624: Evidence-Based Practice Improvement II (3)
  • N632: Enhanced Professional Practice Immersion for APRNs (2)

Total of 8 hours

Summer Semester

Full Summer

  • N630: DNP Scholarly Project Proposal (3)
  • N632: Enhanced Professional Practice  Immersion for APRNs (1)
  • N633: DNP Scholarly Project  Immersion (2)

Summer I

  • N631: Evaluation Methods for Evidence-  based Practice Improvement (2)

Total of 7 hours in the summer

Year Two

Fall Semester

  • N612: Health and Healthcare Policy (3)
  • N613: Nursing Leadership in Complex Systems (3)
  • N633: DNP Scholarly Project  Immersion (2)

Total of 8 hours

Spring Semester

  • N633: DNP Scholarly Project Immersion (1)
  • N634: DNP Scholarly Project  Dissemination (1)
  • N632: Enhanced Professional Practice Immersion for APRNs (2)

Total of 4 hours

1 credit hour = 60 Project or Professional Immersion Hours

Total of 36 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions and Aid

Request Information

Should you have any questions about the application process or our curriculum, we’re here to support you every step of the way.