Study Doctor of Nursing Practice at University of Massachusetts - Lowell in the USA, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences

Doctor of Nursing Practice

USA

4

What will I learn?

Build the skills to lead, improve outcomes and drive innovation in health care systems with your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at UMass Lowell. The online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at UMass Lowell prepares you to advance your career as a clinical leader and change agent in health care. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this program is designed for advanced practice nurses who want to improve health care systems and patient outcomes. You’ll deepen your clinical expertise, expand your leadership skills, and gain the tools to translate evidence into practice. Offered in a flexible format, the DNP program combines online courses with four two-day on-campus intensives - providing valuable opportunities for networking, mentorship, and scholarly collaboration. This doctorate degree can be completed in two years as a full-time student or within three years when pursued part-time.Choose between two pathways for completion of the DNP degree:Master of Science (MS) to DNP Degree Pathway - This 33-credit (for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - APRN) and 36-credit (for non-APRN) online pathway is for applicants with an MS in nursing.Bachelor of Science (BS) to DNP Degree Pathway - This 75-credit direct degree pathway is for applicants with a BS in nursing. Be prepared as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or a Family Nurse Practitioner.You will also complete a final scholarly project, using evidence-based research to design, implement, and evaluate a project that improves outcomes and demonstrates your leadership in practice.

Which department am I in?

Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences

Study options

Online/Distance with attendance (2 Years)

Tuition fees
US$29,250.00 per year
Food Plan Rates (Bourgeois Hall) Cost Per Year - $9,990.00
Start date

January 2027

Venue

UMass Lowell Campus

220 Pawtucket St., Suite 420,

Lowell,

Massachusetts,

01854, Northeast, United States

Online/Distance with attendance (2 Years)

Tuition fees
US$29,250.00 per year
Food Plan Rates (Bourgeois Hall) Cost Per Year - $9,990.00
Start date

September 2027

Venue

UMass Lowell Campus

220 Pawtucket St., Suite 420,

Lowell,

Massachusetts,

01854, Northeast, United States

Entry requirements

For international students

  • Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (maximum 2 pages).
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's and Doctor of Nursing Practice, three (3) for doctoral applicants.
  • Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but if accepted, official transcripts are required. We do not accept opened, photocopied, emailed PDFs or faxed official transcripts.
  • Resume: All programs require a resume except for the following: Doctor of Physical Therapy and all Master of Public Health programs
  • Test Scores: UMass Lowells school code is 3911. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are only required for the following programs:
    • Public Health (Doctor of Science)
    • Physical Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed. To add supporting documents, please log in to your application and select "Program Materials."

International Applicants

International transcripts must indicate completion of a four-year bachelors degree (equivalent of an American bachelor's degree) before an application will be processed. The Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credentials evaluated. Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee from:

For All Non-APRN MS Prepared Applicants

(Per Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 2024, CCNE III-D)

DNP programs incorporate separate comprehensive graduate level courses to address the APRN core, defined as follows:

  • Advanced Pharmacology- across the lifespan, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics for 3 credits.
  • Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology across the lifespan 3 credits.
  • Advanced Health Assessment and diagnostics across the lifespan including assessments of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches. 3 credits.

All applicants must have completed, within the last 5 years, the above 3 courses at the graduate level from an accredited nursing school with a grade of a “B” or better prior to their application being considered. This is a CCNE requirement for all DNP students since this degree is a Clinical Doctorate.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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