Doctor of Nursing Practice
Program Highlights:
- Curriculum designed to develop leaders who are able to expand their impact on the health of society by improving quality of care, patient outcomes, and health policy
- Features an integrative health perspective, which prepares graduates as holistic practitioners
- Courses are conducted using a blended format of in-person immersion weekend sessions and web-based learning modalities
- Post baccalaureate students enroll in a 3-year program of study (BSN-DNP) and Post-Master's nurse practitioner students retain their specialty and enroll in a 2-year program of study
- Successful completion of the DNP program qualifies post-baccalaureate students to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification examination or Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification examination
- Approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing for licensure.
For more program specific information, visit the School of Nursing.
Already a Nurse Practitioner seeking a doctorate degree?
Registered nurses who are currently nurse practitioners retain their specialty and earn the DNP degree. This NP to DNP program is 40 credits. Full time coursework is completed in 6 semesters.
Nurse Practitioners seeking a doctoral degree, select the NP-DNP application.
Candidates with a bachelor's degree select one of these concentrations:
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
The DNP-FNP degree prepares students to be family nurse practitioners at the doctoral level. These health care professionals are prepared to work independently, and collaboratively with other health care professionals, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic health conditions, and promote health and wellness to families and individuals of all ages.
The University of Portland’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program meets the state educational requirements for FNP licensure in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and Hawaii. The University of Portland has not determined whether the program meets the FNP licensure requirements for other states, but can do so on a case by case basis. Please contact Stacey Boatright at boatrigh@up.edu if you have questions about a state not listed above.
*NEW* Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
The DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program is a three-year, nine semester post-baccalaureate program of study. Students will receive advanced training in geriatric and palliative care.
The University of Portland’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program meets the state educational requirements for AGPCNP licensure in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and Hawaii. The University of Portland has not determined whether the program meets the AGPCNP licensure requirements for other states, but can do so on a case by case basis. Please contact Stacey Boatright at boatrigh@up.edu if you have questions about a state not listed above.
Graduate School Application
Bachelor's in Nursing to DNP (FNP or AGPCNP) Admission Requirements:
- DNP Writing Sample
- Essay prompts are provided within the application, specific to the FNP or AGPCNP focus.
- Current Resume
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- The online application will prompt you to provide email addresses for three references. A request will be sent directly to your references and they can upload a Word document or PDF letter.
- Alternatively, completed letters of recommendation may be emailed as a signed attachment to gradschl@up.edu or sent via mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97203, directly by the reference.
- Official Transcripts (from all previously attended academic institutions)
- Must be submitted directly from the institution
- Electronically to gradschl@up.edu
- By mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97203.
- A bachelor's degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body
- International Applicants: Transcripts from foreign universities must follow the above guideline as well as be in English or be accompanied by an English translation certified as authentic
- Current unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license to practice in state of residence
- RN licensure in Oregon is recommended
- Additional cost may be incurred for clinical placements outside of Oregon
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the most recently completed nursing program
- Preference given to Oregon and Washington applicants with at least 2 years experience as an RN
- International Applicants: An official score from either the TOEFL (minimum score of 100) or IELTS (minimum score of 7.5) exam is required
- International Applicants: Proof of financial support will be required to attend the University of Portland, but is not required for application review
Nurse Practitioner to DNP Admission Requirements:
- DNP Writing Sample
- Essay prompts are provided within the online application.
- Current Resume
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- The online application will prompt you to provide email addresses for three references. A request will be sent directly to your references and they can upload a Word document or PDF letter.
- Alternatively, completed letters of recommendation may be emailed as a signed attachment to gradschl@up.edu or sent via mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97203, directly by the reference.
- Official Transcripts (from all previously attended academic institutions)
- Must be submitted directly from the institution
- Electronically to gradschl@up.edu
- By mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97203.
- A master's degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body
- International Applicants: Transcripts from foreign universities must follow the above guideline as well as be in English or be accompanied by an English translation certified as authentic
- Current unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license to practice in state of residence
- Current nurse practitioner license in state of practice and currently employed as a nurse practitioner in a clinical setting
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the most recently completed nursing program
- International Applicants: An official score from either the TOEFL (minimum score of 100) or IELTS (minimum score of 7.5) exam is required
- International Applicants: Proof of financial support will be required to attend the University of Portland, but is not required for application review
Application Timeline:
- Application Deadline: April 1
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis beginning one year prior to the cohort start.
- Completed applications will be reviewed January-February
- Qualified candidates will be invited for interviews March-April
- Summer semester begins in May (please refer to the academic calendar for specific dates)
Program Contact:
International Applicants:
- Please note the additional application requirements listed above in the "Admission Requirements" section
- For additional information, visit International Student Services
