Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The DNP is a practice-focused degree designed to prepare graduates at the highest level in specialty practice or to assume leadership positions in health care.Become a Leader With Your Doctorate in NursingGraduates of the DNP program focus on providing care to populations and communities with an emphasis on improving quality and access to underserved and diverse populations. Graduates employ abilities and skills in these areas to advocate for reasonable, rational and data driven health regulations, standards, and practices; sustain collaborative and strategic relationships; promote innovative, effective health care programs; and form partnerships with diverse groups to address health disparities.The DNP curriculum includes the development of a practice or leadership focused project. All courses are offered in a distance accessible format and students develop the scholarly project under the direction of a team, including program faculty, the student, the clinical advisor, the faculty advisor and alumni mentors.Note: This program requires a clinical component. It is the student’s responsibility to identify a site and an appropriate clinical advisor.If you hold a BSN and are interested in the DNP, please contact Vickie Samuel, Graduate Recruitment and Retention Liaison, at or (205) 348-8163.The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at The University of Alabama is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Doctor of Nursing Practice consortium program at the Joint DNP Program University of Alabama (consortium of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and The University of Alabama) is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.CurriculumThe Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) post-master’s program requires 35 credit hours. Students can complete the program in two years and may start in the Fall, Spring or Summer semester. Please note that courses are subject to change.