Graduate Programs Doctor of Nursing Practice

1st DNP Program in the U.S.

Our program was founded in 2001 and we've been preparing nurses for advanced practice, clinical leadership, and executive positions in healthcare systems ever since.

Top 6% of DNP programs in the nation

U.S. News and World Report, 2023

When it began in 2001, the University of Kentucky College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program was the first of its kind in the United States. Under the guidance of Dr. Carolyn Williams, 3rd dean of the College, the program was implemented by co-directors Dr. Julie Sebastian and Dr. Marcia Stanhope. The tradition of excellence continues to this day – the program is ranked in the top 5% of DNP programs nationwide.

Dr. Williams has had a profound impact on nursing education and community health through the development of the UK DNP program. The deans and academic leadership that succeeded her carried the vision forward. Graduates of the program are experts in designing, implementing, managing and evaluating health care delivery systems and are prepared to lead at the highest clinical and executive ranks.

There are two entry points to the DNP Program. We offer a Post-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) entry option for those with an awarded master's degree in nursing who are already prepared in the role of the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). A Post-Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) entry option is offered as well, which builds on the BSN degree and prepares individuals for the advanced practice role. Both options culminate with the DNP degree.

The program is known for:

DNP faculty known nationally and internationally for work in their specialties
Close work with clinical mentors
Classes that mix online work with on-campus work

Learning Outcomes

This program prepares individuals to:

Integrate, translate, and apply established and evolving advanced disciplinary nursing knowledge and ways of knowing, as well as knowledge from other disciplines.
Provide person‐centered care that is holistic, individualized, just, respectful, compassionate, coordinated, evidence‐based, and developmentally appropriate.
Promote population health that spans the healthcare delivery continuum system from public health prevention to disease management of populations for the improvement of equitable population health outcomes.
Generate, synthesize, translate, apply and disseminate evidence‐based nursing knowledge to continually improve health and transform health care.
Employ established and emerging principles of safety and improvement science and design new strategies for maximal outcomes.
Collaborate and lead across professions and with care team members, patients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to optimize care, enrich the healthcare experience, and strengthen outcomes.
Lead within complex systems to effectively and proactively coordinate resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations.
Provide innovative care, gather data, formulate information to drive strategic decision making, and support professionals in the management, improvement, and delivery of safe, high‐quality, and efficient healthcare services in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards.
Cultivate a sustainable professional identity, including accountability, perspective, collaborative disposition, advocacy, and comportment, that reflects professional nursing’s characteristics and values.
Participate in activities and self‐reflection that foster personal health, resilience, and well‐being, contribute to lifelong learning, and support the acquisition of nursing expertise and the assertion of leadership.

The Post-MSN Option can be completed in two years, and the Post-BSN Option can be completed in three years of full-time study. Part-time plans are also available.

Our DNP Program has Full Approval status from the Kentucky Board of Nursing based on the letter of accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

There are two program entry points:

BSN-DNP Option

The BSN-DNP option prepares individuals for the advanced practice role and can be completed in three years of full-time study.

MSN-DNP Option

The MSN-Option is for those with an awarded master's degree in nursing.