Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the Hunter College School of Nursing currently offers four specialization tracks:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Open to certified FNPs only
• Nurse Anesthesia Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (CRNA)

The DNP program requires completion of 48-90 credits and 1000 supervised clinical hours.

Admitted students without a prior master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program complete 90 credits and 1130 supervised clinical hours.

Students with a prior master’s degree in nursing may be eligible for advanced standing, based on an assessment of the student’s prior graduate record. Up to 42 credits for master’s courses completed with a grade of ‘B’ or better, including relevant clinical hours completed for the master’s degree, may be counted toward the 90 credits required for the DNP degree. DNP Capstone courses require a total of 500 clinical practicum hours.

You must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for admission. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the program. The GRE is not required for admission into the DNP program.

Post-Baccalaureate Applicants

For applicants without a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program

• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (both cumulative and in the nursing major).
• Completion of an undergraduate statistics course and a discrete undergraduate nursing research course.
• New York State RN license and current registration.
• At least two years of post-baccalaureate full-time registered nursing experience.
• Two letters of recommendation. These letters are an important part of the admissions process. They should be from individuals who can address your potential for success in graduate studies and in the advanced role you have chosen.
• A statement of purpose of approximately 500 words describing your objectives in undertaking graduate study in the desired specialization.
• Satisfactory interview

Post-Master’s Applicants

For applicants who hold a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program:

• Graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• New York State RN license and current registration.
• National certification at an advanced level (i.e., requiring a graduate degree) from a national nursing certifying body.
• Satisfactory written descriptions of career goals and capstone project interests.
• Two letters of recommendation. These letters are an important part of the admissions process. They should be from individuals who can address your potential for success in graduate studies and in the advanced role you have chosen.
• A statement of purpose of approximately 500 words describing your objectives in undertaking graduate study in the desired specialization.
• Satisfactory interview

Diagnose and treat patients across various specialties, prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and manage chronic conditions. Examples: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Salary Range: $100,000-$200,000

Provide expert clinical care in specific areas (e.g., oncology, cardiac, pediatrics), lead research and quality improvement initiatives, and serve as educators and consultants for staff. Salary Range: $100,000-$150,000

Manage nursing operations, oversee budget and staffing, develop policies and procedures, and represent the nursing department at administrative and executive levels. Salary range: $120,000-$200,000

Analyze healthcare data, conduct research, evaluate and develop healthcare policies, and advocate for healthcare reform on a local and national level. Salary Range: $80,000-$120,000

Implement and manage electronic health records systems, develop and analyze healthcare data, and ensure data security and compliance. Salary Range: $100,000-$150,000

Teach nursing students and nurses in clinical settings, develop and deliver educational programs, and conduct research in nursing education. Salary Range: $70,000-$100,000

Design and conduct nursing research studies, analyze data, publish findings, and contribute to improving healthcare practices and patient outcomes. Salary Range: $80,000-$120,000

Promote health in communities, address public health concerns, manage disease outbreaks, and educate the public about health promotion and disease prevention. Salary Range: $70,000-$100,000

Provide virtual healthcare consultations and diagnoses, manage chronic conditions, and collaborate with other healthcare providers using telehealth technology. Salary Range: $100,000-$150,000

Manage complex wounds, ostomies, and incontinence issues, provide specialized care and education to patients, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. Salary Range: $80,000-$120,000