Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice doctorate that prepares clinical scholars recognized for outstanding leadership and innovative evidence-based patient/population centered care in nursing and healthcare delivery that improves systems of care and influences patient outcomes.  The program focuses on interprofessional collaboration and developing competencies in quality improvement and safety that lead to enhanced outcomes important to patients, families, providers, and organizations. 

The post-master’s DNP program that admits nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), nurse leaders, and nurses focused on informatics. The part-time program offers flexibility to accommodate working professionals.  Note that BSN-prepared nurses interested in becoming nurse anesthetists or nurse practitioners should review the BSN-DNP in Nurse Anesthesia or the BSN-DNP Nurse Practitioner information.

 The DNP program is the highest ranked in Texas and was the first DNP program created in the state. The campus is located in the Texas Medical Center where student enjoy the resources of a distinguished academic health science center within the world’s largest medical center. 

The Curriculum

Cizik School of Nursing provides program options for nurses who are:

• Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Nurse Executives
• Nurse Anesthetists
• Nurse Informaticists

Students attend classes at the Houston campus for three two-day sessions per semester and also engage in online learning.  The CRNA students have a 6 semester curricular plan.  The nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse executives, and nurse informatics follow a 7 semester curricular plan.  All clinical experiences are individualized to support the student’s goals and achievement of the national DNP competencies.

• NP/CNS
• Nurse Executive
• Informatics
• Nurse Anesthetist

The Clinical Scholarship Portfolio (CSP)

The Clinical Scholarship Portfolio (CSP) is a collection of required components demonstrating a student’s clinical scholarship practicing at the highest level of advanced practice. It provides evidence of competency in all domains of DNP practice.  The CSP includes a major DNP Project, comprehensive cases studies, and other examples of scholarly work related to the competencies outlined in the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) Essentials. 

Student-Centered Support

Each DNP student is assigned an advisor/faculty mentor at the time of enrollment in the DNP program. The advisor works with the student throughout the DNP program.

Scholarships and Financial Aid 

The School of Nursing is proud of its commitment to doctoral education through the offering of merit and need-based scholarships and grants. The application process is competitive and begins during the application review cycle. 

Students interested in a DNP scholarship are encouraged to submit the Cizik School of Nursing Scholarship Application after receiving the acceptance offer letter of admissions.

Advantages of the Program

• Access to resources and experts in the largest medical center in the world
• On-line courses 
• Ability to pursue your degree while maintaining full time employment
• The DNP project may be conducted in your work environment or with community partners
• Students have access to clinical partnerships with Magnet and other high-level clinical facilities
• Nationally recognized faculty with expertise and broad experience in advanced clinical practice, leadership, informatics, and quality improvement and safety
• Student have an advisor/mentor throughout the DNP program

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post graduate APRN completion programs at the Cizik School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).