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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Nursing, D.N.P.
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 Return to: Graduate Majors (A-Z)
Concentrations (BSN to DNP):
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Occupational Health Nursing Sub-Specialty
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
This Major shares core requirements with the Nurse Anesthesiology, D.N.P.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) major prepares graduates for advanced independent clinical practice. Nursing practice, as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, refers to any nursing intervention that influences health care outcomes for individuals or populations. Objectives for the major are based upon recommendations for essential curriculum elements as identified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2021) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF, 2022).
Accreditation:
Major Research Areas:
Nursing, Health, Healthcare, Practice, Clinical Prevention, Health Assessment, Health Management, Acute Care, Primary Care
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Admission Information
Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements, as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below. All Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) applicants must have: - Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution. Additional requirements for Post-Master’s Applicants:
- Upon acceptance, a gap analysis will be conducted to ensure competency achievement aligning with current professional standards. This may result in the addition of courses.
- A current, unencumbered license as an Advanced Practice registered nurse (APRN) in the State of Florida before October 30th
- National certification in area of advanced practice.
- A minimum 3.00 GPA in nursing courses.
- Only ASN, BSN, and/or graduate nursing coursework included in the overall nursing GPA calculation
- Current unencumbered Florida RN license before October 30th
- Compact/multi-state registered nursing license is acceptable
- Applicants must have a RN license in the United States before applying
- GRE is not required.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Three letters of recommendation, indicating potential for graduate study, from persons who can attest to the applicant’s academic ability, clinical competence, and commitment. These letters must be from a nursing faculty, clinical supervisor, and/or healthcare provider (APRN, PA, DO, or MD). Letters from acquaintances, friends, or family are not acceptable submissions.
- Pre-Requisite: Completion of a 3-credit hour undergraduate or higher-level statistics course with a grade of B or better.
Applicants interested in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration must have at least one year [12 months] of full-time experience in critical care (intensive care unit) or high-acuity patient care before matriculation to meet professional practice requirements for clinical placement. Clinical experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by faculty. Please send all official transcripts from every institution attended directly to NursingCAS. Do not send official transcripts to USF Admissions. Once a student is admitted, the College of Nursing will move all official transcripts and documents from NursingCAS to USF Admissions. Applicants that have less than twelve (12) months of RN experience will be automatically placed on a the new graduate program plan so that they can continue gaining work experience while enrolled in the graduate nursing program. RN experience in an area relevant to the concentration of choice is strongly preferred. Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Occupational Health Nursing Sub-Specialty candidates are not eligible for this option . Please note before starting the application process, international students may have additional restrictions stipulating course delivery format for their program of choice. Applicants attending USF on F-1 student visa are not eligible for admission due to regulatory limitations for online study. Please refer to USF World for further information on these requirements. Curriculum Requirements
Post-Bachelor’s – Total Minimum Hours: 77 hours • Shared Core Requirements - 13 Credit Hours
• Foundational Courses – 21 Credit Hours
• DNP required courses - 6 Credit Hours
• Concentrations – 18 Credit Hours minimum
• Electives – 7 Credit Hours Minimum
• DNP Project - 12 Credit hour minimum
The sequencing of courses is particularly important and academic advisors work with students to design program plans in the major. All foundational level courses in the advanced practice nursing tracks must be completed in sequence per an approved program plan unless otherwise approved by faculty. Concentration courses and clinical hours will be adapted when offered in Fall 2026 to meet accreditation requirements. Concentration directors and advisors can provide a sample program plan upon request. Shared Core Requirements (13 Credit Hours Minimum)
Foundational Courses (21 credit hours)
Sequencing of courses is particularly important and core requirement courses below must be successfully completed prior to beginning clinical coursework. All foundational level clinical courses in the advanced practice nursing tracks must be completed in sequence per an approved program plan unless otherwise approved by faculty. Required DNP Courses (6 Credit Hours Minimum)
Concentrations (18 Credit Hours Minimum)
Students select one of the following concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (21 Credit Hours)
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (18 Credit Hours)
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Occupational Health Nursing Sub-Specialty (35 Credit Hours)
Students may also complete nurse practitioner concentration coursework in a new specialty area including sub-specialization in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Occupational Health Nursing Sub-specialty. This is in addition to the other requirements and these credit hours are above the total minimum hours for the program. Students may also complete the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education for additional credits. Students must complete the following courses: Family Nurse Practitioner (25 Credit Hours)
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (18 Credit Hours)
Electives (7 Credit Hours)
Students take electives selected with the Concentration Director. Comprehensive Qualifying Exam
All D.N.P. students must satisfactorily complete a proposal, a scholarly report/manuscript, a poster presentation, and a portfolio. In addition, B.S.N.-D.N.P. students must take a comprehensive exam in their final didactic clinical course to prepare them for their NP certification exam at the national level. M.S.N.-D.N.P. students take their state NP certification exam prior to matriculation. DNP Project (12 Credit Hours Minimum)
- The DNP Project courses provide for synthesis and application of knowledge of skills acquired in previous courses through the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of a practice improvement project.
- Completion of a minimum of 125 hours of practicum per semester is required.
- D.N.P. students in a CCNE accredited program must complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate supervised practice hours (direct clinical and practicum). .
- The DNP Project with Practicum hours must be completed in Florida.
- This is a clinical degree that does not require a dissertation.
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Return to: Graduate Majors (A-Z)
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