Post-master’s DNP

• Hybrid online curriculum with required on-campus visits twice a semester
• On-site requirements provide opportunities for networking with peers and faculty, formative learning, and engagement in scholarly inquiry.
• Synchronous online course meetings will occur throughout the semester for course discussion, content review, and presentation. These mandatory online course meetings will be scheduled prior to the beginning of the term so students may arrange their schedules accordingly.

Prospective applicants can review the current Program of Study to learn more about the sequencing of courses and timeline for the program.

2025 Program of Study

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.

Eligibility

In addition to the minimum DNP Eligibility requirements, a complete Post-master’s DNP application will consist of

• Hold a master’s degree (MSN or MS) in Nursing from a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education accredited school of nursing with an APRN concentration/role (NP, CRNA, CNM, or CNS).
• Requirements of the master’s degree must have included:
  • Supervised clinical practice in a specified population focus area.
  • Successful completion of graduate courses in advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology.
  • Applicants may apply pending completion of a master’s degree. Degree conferral is required before the selected application term.
• Hold current national certification in a specified APRN population focus. Applicants may apply pending board certification. Board certification must be awarded before the selected application term.

**Please note: A Bachelor’s degree in nursing is required for admission into all concentrations of the DNP program, including the Post-master’s concentration.  Applicants with a Master’s degree in nursing but do not hold a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (i.e. applicants who have completed master’s entry or ADN to MSN programs) are not eligible for admission.

Admission

In addition to the minimum DNP application requirements, a complete Post-master’s DNP application will consist of

• Recommendations from three graduate-level faculty, administrators, or nurse/provider colleagues who have supervised the applicant’s professional work. If the applicant has completed a graduate degree in the last 2 years, one rating form must be completed by a faculty member from the program.

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. Additionally, 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.

For more information regarding fees please visit our Graduate Tuition & Fees page.