Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Howard ranks as one of the highest producers of the nation’s Black professionals with a goal of eliminating inequities due to race. The DNP program aligns with this vision and aims to produce African-American Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) with a terminal practice focused degree. Our DNP prepared nurse is poised and committed to addressing the healthcare needs of underserved communities and reducing health disparities.

There are 2 tracks for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) with a master’s degree: Generic DNP and Psych-mental health nurse practitioner-DNP.

This is an online program offered in a blended format with classes that are synchronous and asynchronous.

Clinical preceptorships are in person. Hours required are 1000, and hours completed in your master’s programs are transferrable.

Both full-time and part-time enrollments are offered.

The generic DNP comprises of 38-41 credits and the PMHNP-DNP is 78 credits.

Scholarship opportunities with the William and Joanne Conway Nursing Scholarship

Student learning outcomes include:

• Integrate nursing science with knowledge from ethics, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational science as the basis for the highest level of nursing practice.

• Employ principles of business, finance, economics, and health policy to develop and implement effective plans for practice-level practice initiatives that will improve the quality of care delivery.

• Use analytic methods to critically appraise existing literature and other evidence to determine and implement the best evidence for practice.

• Lead interprofessional teams in the analysis of complex practice and organizational issues.

• Analyze epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental, and other appropriate scientific data related to individual, aggregate, and population health.

• Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes.

Admission Requirements 

The applicant must:  

• Have graduated from an accredited nursing program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Bachelor of Nursing (BN) Degree with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. 
• Have graduated from an accredited nursing program with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Master of Nursing (MN) Degree with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.  
• Have successfully completed a statistics course with a minimum grade of a ‘C’.  
• Hold a Registered Nurse license and Nurse Practitioner certification in the United States including the state they will complete the clinical components.   

The applicant must submit the following documents for review:  

• NursingCas Application 
• Three (3) letters of recommendation. Recommendations are to be completed by at least one member of academia from your master’s program, one clinical member from your nurse practitioner practice who can attest to the applicant’s professional character and one from an individual who can attest to the applicant’s personal character.   
• Application fee  
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume  
• Official transcript(s) of all college course work  
• Professional goal statement. A 500–750-word essay explaining how the DNP degree will impact your future professional and personal goals. Include any accomplishments you have that will support your goal. 
• Capstone essay. A 500-word essay outlining your general area of study and why. 

 For admission inquiries, please email Dr. Caron Strong at caron.strong@howard.edu

The deadline for Spring applications is November 1.

The deadline for Fall applications is May 1.