Doctor of Nursing Practice

FAQ for the DNP Program

What is the general structure of the program?

The program is configured in a cohort model and includes classroom courses, supervised practice, portfolio development, dissemination of scholarly, peer reviewed work, and a final intensive practicum. The curricular content enables the graduate to make complex diagnoses, provide evidence-based treatment modalities, utilize sophisticated informatics and decision-making technology, and assimilate in-depth knowledge of biophysical, psychosocial, behavioral, and clinical sciences. Upon completion of the DNP degree, graduates are eligible for professional certification and state licensure in their advanced practice specialty. 

How is the Columbia DNP different from other DNP programs?

The Columbia Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) represents the highest degree in nursing practice and is structured to educate advanced practice nurses for fully accountable expert care to patients and enable graduates to independently provide complex care across all settings including ambulatory, acute, community, and home settings. The DNP graduate is prepared to fill the growing need for expert clinicians to meet the health care challenges for complex and chronic conditions, the growth of information and biomedical technology, the aging and increasingly diverse population, and identified disparities in care.

How does the DNP differ from the PhD or other research doctorates?

The DNP, or practice doctorate, prepares the graduate to practice independently with complex patients across settings, utilizing complicated informatics and evidence-based decision-making. The PhD, or research doctorate, prepares graduates to design and implement research studies to improve health and inform health policy, both independently and as part of interdisciplinary research teams.

Can DNP students continue to work during the program?

Students in the post-BS DNP may be able to work part-time or per diem. Please discuss details of the schedule with the program director. 

Do you offer a DNP program for advanced practices nurses (APRNs)?

We do not currently offer a DNP program for advanced practice nurses.

What resources do you offer applicants if they are seeking to understand the various specialty areas?

It is strongly recommended that applicants do research on the program and/or specialty they are applying to. We recommend the following websites to get you more acquainted with the role: