Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Master's)
Build on your experience, develop new skills, and enhance your education with a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree from UW-Eau Claire.
Take the Next Step in Your Education
Continue your nursing education with a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Designed for professionals interested in pursuing education in advanced practice nursing, our rigorous, accredited program is an excellent option for those who have a master's degree in nursing and are looking to build on their existing education and experience. Our post-master's DNP program includes an advanced clinical practice option, an administration/nurse executive option, or a nursing education leadership option.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree in nursing, representing the highest level of education available for practice-based training. The DNP is designed to produce leaders in nursing with advanced clinical skills and expertise, preparing graduates to influence healthcare outcomes through organizational leadership, health policy implementation, and direct patient care. Key aspects of the DNP program include advanced clinical training, leadership development, health policy, and evidence-based practice. DNP-prepared nurses often work in clinical settings, leadership roles, or as educators, contributing significantly to the future of healthcare.
In the MSN to DNP Program Plan, you will find information that outlines the part-time program plan for the post-master’s option, which is 2 1/2 years. Courses are offered over the spring, summer, fall, and Winterim terms, with a required spring start. The post-master’s option is composed of 31 credits, encompassing core courses, DNP seminars and clinical practice credits, representing a total of 450 clinical hours for APRNs and 525 clinical hours for nurse executives and nursing education leadership students. You will have the opportunity to select a track within nursing education leadership, administration/nurse executive, or advanced clinical practice.
All graduate coursework is taught by nursing faculty who hold doctoral degrees. Courses for the DNP program will be offered via a combination of classroom immersion days, remote synchronous online days (either on Tuesday or Wednesday) and asynchronous online instruction. Clinical practicums require additional time scheduled during the week, though many of these hours can be arranged in your home community/region.
Program Details
Accreditation Information
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791, through December 31, 2031.
The programs are also approved by the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing.
Licensure Information
The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure about whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification.
The requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: Minnesota, Wisconsin
The requirements of this program do not meet licensure in the following states: N/A
It has not been determined whether the requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming.
UWEC’s collaborations with renowned health care organizations allow students to be a part of innovative research while also networking with a wide array of health care providers. Education and health science graduate students also have access to a variety of research opportunities while working with clients in on-campus clinical facilities using state-of-the-art technology.
We understand that you may have other things to juggle in addition to graduate school, such as working full time or family obligations. Our program is intentionally structured so that you are able to further your education while continuing to work, and advisors are here to help you plan your schedule each step of the way.
Blugold Stories
Where can the DNP program lead me after graduation?
Continuing your nursing education allows you to explore new careers, increase your salary and improve the skills you already have. Our CCNE-accredited program will give you the opportunity to work as a nurse practitioner, as well as many other executive nursing roles.
Example Careers
- Nurse practitioners
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Certified nurse midwives
- Certified nurse anesthetists
- Nurse administrators
Our DNP curriculum is designed to expand your education by integrating the art and science of nursing with theory and knowledge in areas like biophysics, politics, ethics and more. You'll learn how to integrate clinical expertise with population-focused management, explore evidence-based practices, and better understand health care policy. Courses are taught via immersion days on campus, with some online/hybrid content. Toward the end of earning your degree, you'll showcase your new knowledge with a presentation on a topic of your choice.
Here are a few courses in Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Master's) at UW-Eau Claire.
NRSG 809
Organizational Leadership and Health Policy for Advanced Nursing Practice
Course will focus on the systematic collection of information about the activities, characteristics, and outcomes of programs to improve health care and inform future programmatic decisions. Emphasis is placed on the strategies used in needs assessment and implementation of effective health care interventions, programs, and policies. This course prepares the advanced nursing professional to respond to current realities and provide enhanced leadership for future policy development and professional practice.
NRSG 800
Advanced Nursing Practice and Informatics
Application of computer and information technologies to support and improve patient care and health care systems. Identification of information processing challenges and evaluation of informatics solutions.
NRSG 803
Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Population Health
Epidemiological research and concepts are synthesized and applied to clinical and population-based health to best identify and analyze the determinants of health, health promotion and risk reduction strategies, and to evaluate the distribution of health conditions. Epidemiological, biostatistical, and other scientific approaches are used to analyze population data to better understand determinants of health and illness.
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