Program Description

The Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to build upon the MSN degree for those nurses who have completed the MSN in Administration or Family Nurse Practitioner and allow the Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing to maintain a leading position in nursing education. The program has received full initial accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Gessner College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The UH DNP has a practice focus—a post-master’s program educating in evidence-based practice, quality improvement and systems leadership.

The DNP program is offered in a hybrid delivery model utilizing both online and face-to-face modalities two days per term at the University of Houston campus. Additionally, clinical experiences will be available face-to-face in the community setting.

The DNP program is a part time, post master's program designed for working nurses utilizing a hybrid (partially face-to-face and online) delivery method. Students may choose between two options: PM FNP-DNP or PM Administration-DNP. The PM FNP-DNP track and the PM Administration-DNP track will be delivered predominantly in an online format with face-to-face experiences especially in clinical settings.

The degree requirements of the PM DNP program include 37-42 credit hours offered over 8 semesters. All practicum experiences are individualized based on track requirements and the DNP national competencies. The degree requirements dictate successful completion of coursework and clinical practicum hours, a portfolio, and a DNP project.

Post Master’s DNP Administration Track

For Doctor of Nursing Practice applicants looking to complete the Administration track, applicants are expected to have completed a number of clinical hours in their MSN Administration program. Completed clinical hours will be verified in writing from the MSN program director. The number of verified MSN clinical hours completed will be deducted from the 1000 total clinical hours required for completion of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program provides 810 clinical hours for students in the Administration track. If additional hours are required as determined by the DNP Director, the student may take an independent study to complete any hour deficit indicated during the practice hour review and gap analysis.

Post Master’s FNP DNP Track

For Doctor of Nursing Practice applicants looking to complete the Family Nurse Practitioner track, applicants are required to have completed a minimum of 500 clinical hours in their Master of Nursing Science (MSN) program prior to certification and licensure as an APRN. The post-master’s DNP program requires an additional 585 clinical hours to meet the requirements for completion of the program resulting in a minimum of over 1000 clinical hours for graduation with the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.