Population Health DNP
Highlights of the DNP Population Health Track
In this track, you will:
- Have opportunities to connect with national experts, experience health care globally, and engage in policy at local, state, and federal levels.
- Focus on providing the bridge between epidemiological data and the community’s lived experience of illness and health.
- Conduct population and community assessments to understand and design systems-level programs.
- Learn ways to strengthen community resilience to weather the impacts that environmental and planetary climate threats pose.
Application window:
September-February 15
Take Your Next Step
Online delivery
2-4-yeartime frame
Networking opportunities
Your Population Health DNP Experience
Flexible Online Learning
Complete all coursework asynchronously, allowing you to learn on your own schedule. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with faculty and peers through live discussions and virtual office hours held several times each semester.
Personalized Practicum Experiences
Tailor your practicum to match your interests and career goals. Collaborate with national, state, and local health organizations on population health initiatives, engage with community partners, and explore global health experiences.
Share Your Scholarly Excellence
Your scholarly experience includes literature review, interviews, and policy responses. You’ll collaborate with programs that bridge health care and communities, integrating holistic nursing practices to develop sustainable, real-world solutions.
We Support Your Career Growth
Engage in hands-on learning, real-time coaching, a tight-knit community, and ongoing professional support. Our expert faculty provide personalized mentorship grounded in diverse, real-world experience.
Advanced Practice Certificates
Broaden your clinical expertise with advanced practice certificates from UW–Madison. These certificates complement the curriculum and set you up for success.
Outstanding Clinical Placements
Our clinical placement coordinators arrange clinical experiences at nationally ranked level-one trauma centers, acute and critical care hospitals, community hospitals, and critical access centers.
100%
of clinical placements arranged for you
524
clinical site partners in Wisconsin in 136 municipalities
110
DNP clinical placements for 43 students in 2025-26
36 miles
Average driving distance from student’s home to clinical site
Advance Practice Badger Nurses in Action
Ashley Smith, MSN, RN, PHN, DNPx26, shares how the UW–Madison DNP program helped her become a change agent in nursing. The program’s flexible online learning, personalized faculty support, and unique clinical placements equipped her to lead and innovate in healthcare. She values nurse leadership, peer collaboration, and the strong community within her cohort, highlighting the cutting-edge curriculum for real-world success.
Student & Alumni Stories
-
System Change Begins with You: Joshua Hermsdorf’s Decision to Lead
From farm kid to nurse leader, Joshua Hermsdorf is devoted to transforming systems and elevating patient care.
-
Nurse Advocacy for Better Policies and Better Health
Laura Vergenz, BSN, RN, a graduate student in the systems leadership and innovation track of the UW–Madison School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, is a strong advocate for older adults.
-
From Battlefield to Clinic: Brenda Coupar’s Path from Combat Lifesaver to DNP
Brenda Coupar ’09, DNP’18, knows the true meaning of service. “I didn’t choose nursing. Nursing chose me,” she says.