Type of Degree

D.N.P.

School or College

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Area of Study

Health and medicine

Program Format

Hybrid, Full-time

Credit hours to graduate

106 - 112.5

Program Overview

UVM's Direct Entry D.N.P. program offers a swift and effective path to advance your nursing career, enabling you to become an advanced practice registered nurse in primary care without requiring a bachelor's degree in nursing. Opting to specialize as either an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) or a family nurse practitioner (FNP), the program paves the way for rapid professional development and opens doors to new opportunities for career progression.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Vermont are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Master of Nursing program is a new program and as such is currently under review in the accreditation process.  The Office of Professional Regulation in the Vermont Secretary of State's office governs Vermont licensure requirements.

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? The first step is completing the DEPN application. 

Apply Now

Concentrations

  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Curriculum

You can fast-track your nursing career with our direct-entry D.N.P. program, designed to be completed in 11 semesters by individuals holding a non-nursing bachelor's degree. There's no requirement to obtain a B.S.N. degree first—advance straight to the D.N.P. and begin your graduate nursing education earlier. The program blends on-site and online learning methods. The first year requires on-site attendance, followed by the option to complete the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) in hybrid format. The pre-RN licensure year is not a stand-alone program and does not provide a bachelor’s degree in nursing. 

To graduate with a D.N.P. degree, successful completion of nurse practitioner coursework (semesters 4-11) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, clinical practice experiences, and a comprehensive exam is required. Our program ensures that you are thoroughly prepared to pass the national nurse practitioner certification exam and start your career as a primary care provider.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

Semester 1 Courses

  • Professional Nursing Issues
  • Pharmacology
  • The Science of Nursing: Adults and Elders I
  • Practicum: Adults and Elders
  • Pathophysiology

Winter Intersession Courses

  • Practicum: Adults and Elders II

Semester 2 Courses

  • Practicum: Complex Nursing Care of Adults and Elders
  • The Science of Nursing: Mental Health
  • The Science of Nursing: Women and Newborns
  • Practicum: Women and Newborns
  • The Science of Nursing: Children
  • The Science of Nursing: Adults and Elders II

Semester 3 Courses

  • Practicum: Mental Health
  • Practicum: Children
  • The Science of Nursing: Community/Public Health
  • Practicum: Community/Public Health

Semester 4 Courses

  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Biostatistics & Epidemiology

Semester 5 Courses

  • Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
  • Practicum: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
  • Advanced Neuropharmacology
  • Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry

Semester 6 Courses

  • Theoretical Foundation of Nursing Science
  • Health Care Ethics, Policy & Politics

Semester 7 Courses

  • Advanced Nursing Practice of Older Adults
  • Practicum: Nursing Older Adults
  • Professional Role Development
  • Advanced Topics in Health Informatics

Semester 8 Courses

  • Management of Women's Gendered Health Care
  • Practicum: Women's Gender Specialty
  • Quality in Health Care
  • Genetics for Clinicians
  • DNP Project & Seminar I

Semester 9 Courses

  • Population-based Health for Advanced Practice Nursing
  • DNP Project Practicum I
  • Practicum: Immersion

Semester 10 Courses

  • Primary Care Management of Acute & Common Health Conditions
  • Practicum: Acute & Common Health Conditions AGNP
  • Organization, Delivery & Financing of Health Care
  • DNP Project & Seminar II
  • DNP Project Practicum II

Semester 11 Courses

  • Primary Care Management of Chronic & Complex Conditions
  • Practicum: Chronic & Complex Conditions
  • Leadership of Health Care Systems
  • DNP Project

Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

Semester 1 Courses

  • Professional Nursing Issues
  • Pharmacology
  • The Science of Nursing: Adults and Elders I
  • Practicum: Adults and Elders
  • Pathophysiology

Winter Intersession Courses

  • Practicum: Adults and Elders II

Semester 2 Courses

  • Practicum: Complex Nursing Care of Adults and Elders
  • The Science of Nursing: Mental Health
  • The Science of Nursing: Women and Newborns
  • Practicum: Women and Newborns
  • The Science of Nursing: Children
  • The Science of Nursing: Adults and Elders II

Semester 3 Courses

  • Practicum: Mental Health
  • Practicum: Children
  • The Science of Nursing: Community/Public Health
  • Practicum: Community/Public Health

Semester 4 Courses

  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Biostatistics & Epidemiology

Semester 5 Courses

  • Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
  • Practicum: Optimizing Health & Management of Community Health Issues
  • Advanced Neuropharmacology
  • Pediatrics Concepts for APRNs
  • Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry

Semester 6 Courses

  • Theoretical Foundation of Nursing Science
  • Health Care Ethics, Policy & Politics

Semester 7 Courses

  • Primary Care Management of Children & Adolescents
  • Primary Care Management of Children & Adolescents Practicum
  • Advanced Nursing Practice of Older Adults
  • Professional Role Development
  • Advanced Topics in Health Informatics

Semester 8 Courses

  • Management of Women's Gendered Health Care
  • Practicum: Women's Gender Specialty
  • Quality in Health Care
  • Genetics for Clinicians
  • DNP Project & Seminar I

Semester 9 Courses

  • Population-based Health for Advanced Practice Nursing
  • DNP Project Practicum I
  • Practicum: Immersion

Semester 10 Courses

  • Primary Care Management of Acute & Common Health Conditions
  • Practicum: Acute & Common Health Conditions FNP
  • Organization, Delivery & Financing of Health Care
  • DNP Project & Seminar II
  • DNP Project Practicum II

Semester 11 Courses

  • Primary Care Management of Chronic & Complex Conditions

The Direct-Entry (DEPN) program aims to ready students for progression to the DNP-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track. It is neither an accelerated path for completing Registered Nurse (RN) credentials nor does it award a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Completion of the initial direct-entry phase (semesters 1-3) enables students to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) in Vermont. Passing the NCLEX-RN and obtaining a Vermont nursing license allows one to practice as a Registered Nurse. Completing your nurse practitioner clinical training also opens up a wealth of opportunities for career advancement and specialization. For licensing requirements, consulting the specific state board of nursing is crucial, as the initial direct-entry year's completion may not transfer to other states for RN licensure. The UVM Course Catalog outlines specific requirements based on the catalog year, while the Nursing Graduate Student Handbook provides detailed academic standards.

Deadlines

Priority Deadline: November 15
Final Deadline: April 1

Admissions

  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum college GPA of 3.0
  • Three recommendation letters
  • Personal statement and resume
  • Prerequisite courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Nutrition, Statistics
  • GRE scores are optional but may be submitted to strengthen your application.

International students are eligible to receive an I-20 immigration document to participate in this program. However, whether a student has Vermont RN licensure or not to begin the program, UVM is unable to authorize students for nursing employment experiences while in the Program as off-campus authorization (CPT) would not be possible because of the curricular structure of our program. While limited on-campus work would be possible, the UVM Medical Center is not an on-campus employment location, so students should expect not to have any paid nursing opportunities if they come to the program as an F-1 student. Post-Graduate OPT would be an option for students completing the program. This program is not on the STEM Designated list and thus not eligible for OPT beyond one year. Further questions can be directed to internationalstudents@uvm.edu.

Questions before you apply?

If you have any questions before starting your application, reach out to us at cnhsgrad@med.uvm.edu. Once you begin the application, you will find guidance in the University of Vermont Graduate College application portal. You do not need to apply all in one session; you'll have the option to save and return to it later. We're here to help make the process as seamless as possible. 

Outcomes

UVM's Direct Entry D.N.P. program offers unparalleled hands-on experience and expertise, distinguishing you in the competitive field of nursing. Prepare to excel and emerge as a leader in the profession.

In 2023, UVM students achieved a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX-RN and surpassed a 95% pass rate for the FNP and A/GNP certification exams.

Costs and Funding

Learn more about DEPN tuition costs and financial aid opportunities.

More

How long will the program take to complete?

A full-time student may anticipate finishing the program in at least four years. For graduate students, maintaining full-time status requires enrolling in 9 credits each semester. 

Students in UVM's direct-entry DEPN program do not earn a degree upon completion of the pre-RN licensure year. The program is designed to allow students to progress directly to the D.N.P. - APRN program of study. Completion of the pre-RN licensure DEPN program allows the student to take the NCLEX in the State of Vermont. This is not necessarily transferable to other states. The pre-RN licensure year is not a stand-alone program and does not provide a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students who complete their D.N.P. degree and successfully complete the NCLEX are eligible to practice in any state.

Will courses be online, hybrid, or on campus?

Some courses are available live on campus at set times, while others are provided in a hybrid format with either synchronous remote or asynchronous online delivery. Travel to rural sites requires a car.

How can I find out if UVM has received my transcripts (or any other materials)?

UVM will inform you upon the receipt of your application materials.

When will I learn whether I have been admitted to the program?

All applications will undergo review in December, and decisions will be communicated by the end of January.

Can international students work while in the program?

International students are eligible to obtain an I-20 immigration form to participate in this program. Regardless of whether a student holds Vermont RN licensure at the start of the program, UVM cannot grant authorization for nursing employment experiences within the program, as the curricular structure does not permit off-campus authorization (CPT). Although limited on-campus employment is feasible, the UVM Medical Center does not qualify as an on-campus job site. Consequently, students should anticipate that there will be no paid nursing positions available to them if they enroll in the program with an F-1 visa status. Post-Graduate OPT would be an option for students completing the program. This program is not included in the STEM Designated Degree Program list, therefore it does not qualify for the OPT extension beyond one year. For further inquiries, direct your questions to internationalstudents@uvm.edu.

Information Sessions

To learn more, attend an information session. Register by emailing cnhsgrad@med.uvm.edu.