
Practice at the Highest Level of Nursing
The UW–Madison School of Nursing leverages the resources of the larger university and surrounding community to provide students with a rich and dynamic education. Our graduates improve outcomes and systems of care through exceptional advanced nursing practice.
Students specialize in one of seven different areas, allowing for careers as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, population health providers, nurse educators, or leaders in systems-level care.
Taught by experienced faculty with currency in practice, our DNP curriculum emphasizes systems-thinking, practical leadership, applied scholarship, and the specialized knowledge and skills that assure graduates are ready for contemporary practice at the highest levels of nursing.
Program Features
- Experienced faculty All DNP courses are taught by doctorally-prepared faculty with diverse experiences and expertise in practice, research, public health, and systems leadership. All specialty-practice courses are taught by congruently-certified faculty with authentic expertise in real world practice.
- Robust range of specialty options Students can choose from seven specialty options the area of practice that fits their interest and aspirations. There are five hybrid options for APRN preparation and two online options for preparation in systems-level leadership and population health.
- Thoughtful curriculum and course design Hybrid or online coursework allows most students to continue working as they complete their degree. Course scheduling is designed for adult learners. Our long-standing relationships with community- and clinical-partners allow for high-quality practicum experiences, interdisciplinary education, and a diversity of expertise to assure that the quality and relevance of our curriculum is top notch.
- Quality practicum experiences The practicum experiences prepare students for the full scope of specialty practice. Regardless of specialty, a dedicated team of UW-Madison faculty and staff will arrange and oversee all precepted practica. Precepted practicum are selected by faculty to fit the learning needs and geography of individual students.
- Collaborative cohort model Small class sizes and a cohort model of education set the stage for personalized mentorship, rigorous education, and authentic relationships with faculty and peers that lead to collaboration in practice.
- Strong certification pass rate The DNP program has a consistent record of student success. The cumulative pass rate for national APRN certification among graduates from all clinical specialty tracks is 100% since the inception of the DNP program.
Delivery: In-person and/or online
Credits: Post-BS: 68 (up to 18 waived); Post-MS: 32; 3-credit graduate statistics
Time Frame: 2–4 years
Application opens: Early September
Deadline: December 1
Extended Deadline: April 1 (CNS, Population Health, and Systems Leadership & Innovation tracks) (interviews to be scheduled at a later date)
Upcoming DNP Events
- July
- July 21
- August
- August 9
Seven Specialties, Including Two Online Programs
Two New Doctor of Nursing Practice Specialties Introduced
The School of Nursing has added two new online specialty tracks to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. In addition to five existing specialties, these advanced nursing practice DNP tracks in either Population Health or Systems Leadership and Innovation create options for nurses to advance their careers.
More Program News
Q&A with Sarah Endicott, DNP, RN, GNP-BC
A conversation about the role of the preceptor in the educational experience of clinical graduate students.
UW–Madison DNP Program Tops Wisconsin in U.S. News & World Report
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing’s DNP program earned the U.S. News & World Report's top Wisconsin spot in its 2021 rankings of Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Choose your practice
The DNP program develops expert nurses in specialized advanced practice. All specialty tracks are based on leadership and practice-based experiential learning for planning and team building, as well as implementation and dissemination of impactful, evidence-based systems.
Seven specializations support different paths for career advancement. Five advanced clinical practice tracks ready students for advanced practice certification as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or nurse practitioner (NP) with select patient populations in acute, specialty, or primary care. All coursework and clinical education are delivered through a hybrid mix of online and face-to-face classes.
Two additional online specialty tracks prepare students for expert nursing practice in Population Health or Systems Leadership and Innovation. Graduates of these programs will be positioned to lead systems, shape policy, design new models of care, and foster population health improvement.
Hybrid Programs
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Adult/Gerontology CNS
- Hybrid course delivery
- APRN
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- ANCC Adult-Gerontology CNS
Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Hybrid course delivery
- APRN
- Nurse Practitioner
- ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
Adult/Gerontology Primary Care NP
- Hybrid course delivery
- APRN
- Nurse Practitioner
- ANCC Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
Pediatric Primary Care NP
- Hybrid course delivery
- APRN
- Nurse Practitioner
- PNCB Primary Care Pediatric NP
Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- Hybrid course delivery
- APRN
- Nurse Practitioner
- ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
Online Programs
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Population Health
- Online course delivery
- Population health positions
- No certification exam
Systems Leadership and Innovation
- Online course delivery
- Leadership positions
- No certification exam
Clinical Practice at the School of Nursing

Leadership & Careers
Rewarding careers in health care await our graduates after they complete our DNP program. Our alumni have moved into positions across the state and country with titles including: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, clinical faculty, program director, nurse manager, nurse prescriber, executive director of a clinic, and more. Two new specialty tracks in 2020 offer unique paths to leadership roles in Population Health and Systems Leadership and Innovation.
School of Nursing Welcomes Seven New Faculty for Upcoming Academic Year
The School of Nursing welcomes seven new faculty members ahead of the 2021-22 academic year. The appointees bring with them a wide array of expertise, including one tenure track member and six new clinical faculty members.
Introduction to Guided Participation
The online course “Guided Participation for Clinical Practice with Parents and Children” allows me to share what my students, colleagues, and I have developed over many years of doing research with parents to make teaching/learning of caregiving competencies clear, manageable, and effective.
Time for Full Practice Authority
Opinion | By Sarah Endicott DNP ’13 While there is no single solution to the problem of increasing access to high quality health care, there are answers. One is to allow advanced practice registered nurses to practice to the full extent of their education, training and experience.

Advanced Practice & Experiential Learning
As part of the DNP program, students complete a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours. Practica are arranged and overseen by the School of Nursing, taking advantage of established academic partnerships with major health care systems and community partners across Wisconsin.
Andrew O’Donnell ’11, DNP’14
Andrew O’Donnell is currently working on the front lines of COVID-19 as the interim co-manager of the Trauma Life Support Center at UW Health, supporting a staff of 120 employees, including 90 ICU nurses.
Rural Placements for Nursing Students Help Address Rural Health-care Shortage
A partnership between the Monroe Clinic-SSM Health and the UW–Madison School of Nursing provides DNP students opportunities to engage in rural practice, and many return to it.
A Heart and Mind for Home Health
DNP student Troy Lawrence has a favorite clinical setting. The kitchen table. Lawrence believes home health is a better alternative to clinic-based care for many older-adult patients. Plus, it captures the essence of nursing—of meeting patients where they are—in both the literal and figurative sense.
“Now that I have my DNP, not only do I still get to help families, but I also get to focus on improving the process at a higher level for our team. I’m able to perform literature reviews, data collection, and change our process using my clinical background.”
Adam Schneider, DNP ’17, Senior Organ Procurement Coordinator, UW Organ and Tissue Donation
Curriculum
The Experience
We use a cohort model—students progress in a group, following the course sequence of the program. By taking classes with the same people every semester, students are able to strengthen their relationships and build on shared experiences to challenge each other academically and professionally.
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A Blend of Online and Classroom Learning
Our hybrid classes offer the best of both worlds: the convenience of online classes combined with the benefits of classroom learning. It’s a format that’s been proven effective in keeping students engaged and improving learning outcomes. On-campus meetings are required for all clinical track courses—their frequency varies based on where you are in the program plan. These in-person class meetings offer dynamic discussions and case studies, as well as the opportunity to get to know your classmates and professors.
Clinical and Leadership Practicum Experiences
As part of the DNP program, Post-BS students complete a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours: 500 hours in clinical practice and 500 hours in clinical leadership. Post-MS students complete a minimum of 500 hours in clinical leadership. All clinical placements are arranged by the School of Nursing, taking advantage of established academic partnerships with major health care systems across Wisconsin. We do our best to honor student requests to complete clinicals near their home community or another site of interest, provided the site meets the requirements for the course and a qualified preceptor is available.
Requirements
The curriculum is organized around three components: Systematic Evaluation of Practice, Leadership/Policy, and Clinical Practice. Requirements are met through a combination of coursework, a scholarly project, and supervised clinical hours.
Post-BS Option
The Post-BS option requires a minimum of 71 credits (68 in program plan plus 3-credit graduate statistics requirement). Nurses who have a non-APN master’s degree in nursing are considered Post-BS students. They are able to waive up to 18 credits based on previous graduate coursework.
Three-year and four-year program options are available.
Note: Whether three- or four-year, most students reduce work hours when completing their clinical courses.
Post-MS Option
The program of study for Post-MS students who have a master’s degree in a specialty track and are certified (or eligible for certification) as advanced practice nurses requires a minimum of 51 credits; 32 credits completed as part of the DNP program with up to 18 credits recognized from the MS degree.
Nurse Educator Certificate Option
Students interested in dual preparation as an advanced practice nurse and nurse educator may add a nine-credit nursing education focus.
Program Learning Outcomes
Each academic program at UW-Madison has student learning outcomes that describe what students are expected to know or be able to do upon completion of the program. The DNP program’s learning outcomes are listed in The Guide.
Scholarly Project
In the final year of the program each student completes a scholarly project, which represents the culmination of a student’s doctoral education. The project uses evidence to improve either practice or patient outcomes and may take the form of a program evaluation, program development proposal, or quality improvement project.
Students develop their scholarly project over three semesters to produce a paper of publishable quality and deliver an oral presentation to faculty, students, and the community.
Program Standards
The program meets the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice and the NTF Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Program Plans & Course Descriptions
2–4
Years to graduate
500–1000
Practicum hours in clinical leadership
7
Specialty tracks
How to Get In
Post-BS
Post-BS applicants have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Applicants who have a non-APRN master’s degree (i.e., nurse education) are considered Post-BS applicants and are able to waive up to 18 credits based on previous graduate coursework, pending review of syllabi.
Post-BS Eligibility Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate program
- RN license (unencumbered, active)
- If applicant does not have a WI RN license, they must be eligible to obtain one
- GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 credits for the baccalaureate degree
- One year of professional nursing experience
- Grade of B or better in a graduate level statistics course within the last 5 years. (Note: The course does not need to be taken before applying, but must be successfully completed prior to the start of the fall term.)
Post-MS
For certified advance practice nurses (APRNs) with a master’s degree, there is a post-MS option to complete the DNP degree. Post-MS applicants have a master’s degree in a specialty track and are certified (or eligible for certification) as advanced practice nurses.
Post-MS Eligibility Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate program
- RN license (unencumbered, active)
- If applicant does not have a WI RN license, they must be eligible to obtain one
- Master’s degree in a specialty track from an accredited nursing program
- GPA of 3.5 for the Master’s degree
- Certification as an advanced practice nurse
- One year of professional nursing experience
- Grade of B or better in a graduate level statistics course within the last 5 years. (Note: The course does not need to be taken before applying, but must be successfully completed prior to the start of the fall term.)
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
- CGFNS Certification
- Minimum English proficiency scores in one of the following:
- TOEFL (600 PBT, 100 iBT)
- IELTS (8)
- MELAB (85)
Applies to Population Health and Systems Leadership and Innovation Specialties
Post-BS
Post-BS applicants have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Applicants who have a non-APN master’s degree (i.e., nurse education) are considered Post-BS applicants and are able to waive up to 18 credits based on previous graduate coursework, pending review of syllabi.
Post-BS Eligibility Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate or Master’s program
- RN license
- GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 credits for the baccalaureate degree
- At least one year of experience in nursing, public health, or a health-related field
- Grade of B or better in a graduate level statistics course within the last 5 years. (Note: The course does not need to be taken before applying, but must be successfully completed prior to the start of the fall term.)
Post-MS
For certified advanced practice nurses (APRNs) with a masters degree, there is a post-MS option to complete the DNP degree.
Post-MS applicants have a master’s degree in a specialty track and are certified (or eligible for certification) as advanced practice nurses.
Post-MS Eligibility Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate program
- RN license
- Master’s degree in a specialty track from an accredited nursing program
- GPA of 3.5 for the master’s degree
- Certification as an advanced practice nurse
- At least one year of experience in nursing, public health, or a health-related field
- Grade of B or better in a graduate level statistics course within the last 5 years. (Note: The course does not need to be taken before applying, but must be successfully completed prior to the start of the fall term.)
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
- CGFNS Certification
- Minimum English proficiency scores in one of the following:
- TOEFL (600 PBT, 100 iBT)
- IELTS (8)
- MELAB (85)
DNP students pay a differential tuition. Rates are subject to change by term.
For APRN tracks, see Tuition Costs Per Credit (select Doctor of Nursing Practice from the ‘Choose a program’ menu). The Graduate School Cost of Attendance may help in estimating costs—you will need to substitute the DNP tuition rate.
For non-APRN tracks (Population Health, Systems Leadership and Innovation), the tuition rate is $1,150 per credit (online/distance tuition rate). The Graduate School Cost of Attendance may help in estimating costs—you will need to substitute the DNP online/distance tuition rate. Please note that DNP online/distance students will not be assessed the segregated fees and will not have access to the associated services, programs and facilities.
Financial Support
Graduate students in the School of Nursing have access to traineeships, fellowships, scholarships, loans, and research and teaching assistantship positions that may come with full tuition remission. The majority of funding decisions are made in the Spring for the following academic year. All students are encouraged to apply for funding.
Visit the Costs & Financial Aid page for full information about financial support.
The faculty admissions committee will review applications once each year for fall admission. All DNP program applicants must complete the Graduate School’s online application and submit the required supplementary materials.
- Application opens: Early September
- Deadline: December 1
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Extended Deadline: April 1 (CNS, Population Health, and Systems Leadership & Innovation tracks) (interviews to be scheduled at a later date)
- Interviews: January 13-14, 2022. Interview dates and times will be assigned by the School of Nursing.
For the purposes of application review, unofficial transcripts may be uploaded directly to the application. Official records will be requested by the Graduate School for all candidates who are recommended for admission.
Applicants may only apply to one specialty track and must indicate whether or not they intend to follow the three- or four-year program plan as part of the application. Requests to switch population focus areas after starting the program are only seldom possible and considered on a case by case basis.
After an initial application review, eligible applicants will be invited for an interview in mid-January through late-February. All applicants must participate in an interview in order to be considered for this program. Interview dates and times will be assigned by the School of Nursing.
Application Materials
Supplemental application materials
- Transcripts from all previously attended and currently attending institutions
- Copy of all nursing and professional licenses
- Three (3) professional letters of recommendation
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- CGFNS Certification, if you are an international applicant
- Official TOEFL, ILETS, or MELAB scores, if you are an international applicant
- Reasons for Graduate Study/Statement of Purpose
Note: Within the Graduate School online application, there are two locations to upload a Statement of Purpose document. Please upload your Statement of Purpose document in both locations within the application: the Supplemental Apps tab and the Statements & CV tab. Share your experiences and motivation for pursing a DNP degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing. Your statement must address ALL of the following in 1,600 words or less (5 pages maximum, double-spaced, PDF format):
Please note that DNP students must possess strong writing abilities. The Statement of Purpose is an important component of the application process and serves as evidence of your ability to communicate your thoughts and ideas in a logical and analytical manner. Your Statement of Purpose will be assessed in the following areas:
a. Ability to address the entire prompt
b. Ability to write in a logical, analytical, and meaningful manner
c. Ability to be concise and utilize proper grammar and syntax
d. Prior to writing your Statement of Purpose, please review the Essentials of DNP Education.
- Share your motivation for pursuing a practice doctorate in nursing. Describe your professional goals and the specific skills and knowledge you hope to gain from this program.
- What has inspired and prepared you to pursue your chosen specialty track (i.e., Adult/Gerontology Acute Care, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care, Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health, Population Health, Systems Leadership & Innovation)?
- A key role of the DNP-prepared nurse is to translate evidence into practice. Describe a significant clinical, population health, and/or system problem in healthcare that you have encountered firsthand. Address the following questions in your response.
- What was the problem?
- Who was most impacted?
- What research, best practice guidelines or innovations could provide potential solutions to the problem?
- Identify how the role of a DNP could impact change for this problem.
- Each student will bring a unique set of personal attributes, characteristics, culture, and experiences to contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment.
- What have you done to further your knowledge about diversity, equity, and inclusion?
- How have you demonstrated what you have learned?
- What are your greatest opportunities for growth in this area?
Optional statement
If you believe that your academic record or test scores do not accurately reflect your ability to be successful in graduate work, you may submit a statement that describes additional factors that you feel merit consideration. This optional statement must be 250 words or less (1 page maximum, double-spaced, PDF format).