DNP program overview
The DNP program at the UMass Dartmouth College of Nursing prepares advanced practice nurses who will:
- function as nurse practitioners working in increasingly diverse populations, complex healthcare systems and clinical nursing education
- transform patient care through interdisciplinary collaboration, population-focused and evidenced-based health interventions, and measurement of the outcomes of these interventions at both the individual and community aggregate levels
- be the future leaders that advance nursing and health care practices in Southeastern Massachusetts, the Commonwealth, and beyond
Program highlights
The College of Nursing faculty create rich and meaningful student experiences that build on undergraduate education and clinical competencies to address the career aspirations of the student. Classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences are structured to expand the skills and grow the confidence of the student as APRNs and nurse leaders. The support and collaboration of community partners—both clinicians and health care agencies—are essential components of this program.
The program offers two plans:
- BS-DNP Plan - with tracks for Adult Gerontology Primary Care and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-MS-DNP Plan for Advanced Practice Nurses
BS-DNP Plan
Adult Gerontology Primary Care track
The Adult Gerontology Primacy Care DNP will lead the transformative reform of health systems to achieve and maintain safe clinical practice environments; promote health, wellness and high quality patient care; and translate research into innovative practices that improve health outcomes and contain health care costs to both patients and society.
The DNP course work includes translation research methods, theory, health policy, population health, informatics, systems leadership, leadership residencies, and a capstone project to achieve the goals for the DNP and to meet national accreditation and certification standards.
Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Program Plan (PDF)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track
This track educates registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree for an advanced practice role in psychiatric healthcare.
Nurses with a DNP are prepared to serve as clinical leaders and integral members of the healthcare team. Their expertise in quality improvement and systems leadership influences health care systems, health policy, and health care outcomes for individuals, families, and underserved populations.
The Psychiatric and Mental Health DNP program is offered as a part-time option. Courses will be a combination of on-campus and blended.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Plan (PDF)
Post-MS-DNP Plan
A 27-credit, post-MS to DNP program is available for nurses who hold an MS in Nursing and certification as an APRN.
Research
The faculty of the College of Nursing conduct research in two broad areas—living with chronic illness and innovations in nursing education. Support for this work comes from a variety of sources:
- the US Department of Health Education and Welfare
- the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
- professional groups and community agencies
Our faculty of the College of Nursing are recognized experts and are actively involved in service projects in Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. Our faculty serve as consultants for our practice partners and professional groups. Faculty are frequently invited speakers at professional meetings and give peer-reviewed poster and podium presentations throughout the US. Many faculty volunteer for local, regional, national and international health initiatives.
Recently, Dr. Kristen Sethares’ work on congestive heart failure and patient self-care was recognized when she was an invited presenter at the Chancellor’s Colloquium.
Degree requirements
BS to DNP students complete 63 academic credits that include over 1,000 hours of clinical practice. In addition, students complete a scholarly project that translates research into practice and measures the effectiveness of this intervention in terms of both health outcomes and cost effectiveness.
Post-MS to DNP students complete 27 credits, with a focus on advanced practice, leadership, and innovation. Students also complete a project that translates research into practice, emphasizing implementation, analysis, and dissemination of findings.
The faculty of the College of Nursing conduct research in two broad areas—living with chronic illness and innovations in nursing education. Support for this work comes from a variety of sources:
- the US Department of Health Education and Welfare
- the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
- professional groups and community agencies
Our faculty of the College of Nursing are recognized experts and are actively involved in service projects in Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. Our faculty serve as consultants for our practice partners and professional groups. Faculty are frequently invited speakers at professional meetings and give peer-reviewed poster and podium presentations throughout the US. Many faculty volunteer for local, regional, national and international health initiatives.
Recently, Dr. Kristen Sethares’ work on congestive heart failure and patient self-care was recognized when she was an invited presenter at the Chancellor’s Colloquium.
BS to DNP students complete 63 academic credits that include over 1,000 hours of clinical practice. In addition, students complete a scholarly project that translates research into practice and measures the effectiveness of this intervention in terms of both health outcomes and cost effectiveness.
Post-MS to DNP students complete 27 credits, with a focus on advanced practice, leadership, and innovation. Students also complete a project that translates research into practice, emphasizing implementation, analysis, and dissemination of findings.
Kathleen Elliott, DNP
Doctoral project teaches the art of building trust with substance-use disorder patients.
Alumni achievements
The UMass Dartmouth graduate nursing program opened in the late 1980s and has produced more than 250 graduates who work in southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. In 2007, the PhD in Nursing admitted its first cohort of students and has grown steadily.
The new BS-DNP program positions the graduates of UMass Dartmouth to meet certification criteria as an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.
Many graduates continue their affiliation with the College of Nursing by serving as preceptors, mentors, clinical instructors, and guest lecturers for our students—such as:
- Dr. Mary McCurry, Associate Professor: a graduate of the ANP track of the MS program.
- Dr. Margaret Rudd-Arieta, DNP Faculty: a graduate of the Post-MS DNP Program.
- Dr. Christine Gadbois, Vice President, Seven Hills Rhode Island, and DNP Adjunct Faculty: a graduate of the Post-MS DNP Program.
We are proud of the many accomplishments of our graduates and their continuing commitment to UMass Dartmouth.
- Deborah Armstrong, Assistant Professor; PhD, University of Massachusetts Worcester; Spinal cord injury, Pathophysiology
- Anne Marie Caron, Lecturer; DNP, RN,ANP-BC, University Massachusetts Dartmouth; Long term care, geriatric medicine, antibiotic stewardhsip, chronic illness management
- Elizabeth Chin, Assistant Professor; PhD, University of Massachusetts Worcester; COPD, self-management, symptom management, qualitative methodology, learning differences
- Kathleen Elliot, Lecturer and DNP Clinical Coordinator, DNP, ANP-BC, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; Substance Misuse Disorders and Medically Underserved populations
- Christine Gadbois, Lecturer, DNP, APHN-BC, University Massachusetts Dartmouth; Administration, public health, public policy, behavioral health, disabilities, home health
- June Andrews Horowitz, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research & Professor; PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, New York University (PhD); family mental health, perinatal/postpartum mental health disorders—specifically postpartum depression, mother -infant interaction, neurophysiologic markers for depressed mothers and their infants, intervention research, mixed methods research
- Susan Hunter Revell, Associate Professor; PhD, University of Rhode Island; Spinal cord injury, technology in the classroom, theory
- Sharon Keating, Lecturer, RN, FNP, University Rhode Island; Technology to improve weight loss in adolescents, emerging adults patients
- Mary McCurry, DNP Graduate Program Director, Associate Professor; PhD,RNC, ANP, ACNP, Boston College; Decision making, family care givers,technology in the classroom, theory and philosophy of nursing science
- Margaret Rudd-Arieta, Lecturer, DNP, PPCNP-BC, University Massachusetts Dartmouth, Board Certified Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner; Emerging adults, Type I Diabetes, asthma, informatics
- Gail Russell, Professor Emeritus; EdD, NEA-BC, Columbia University; Leadership in health systems
- Monika Schuler, Lecturer, PhD, RN, CNE, Northeastern University; Role development and nursing education
- Kristen Sethares, Graduate Program Director of PhD, Professor; PhD, CNE, Boston College; Chronic cardiac illness, self care, symptom management, quantitative methodology
- Janet Sobczak, Associate Professor; PhD, PMHNP-BC, PPCNS-BC, Medical School of Georgia; Substance addictions, Eating disorders, Trauma, Women's mental health, Sexuality Qualitative methods, Mixed methods
- Caitlin Stover, Interim Graduate Program Director of MS, Assistant Professor; PhD, RN, PHCNS-BC, CNE, University of Massachusetts Worcester; Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender health care, community program planning and evaluation
- Jennifer Viveiros, Lecturer, PhD, CNE, Univrersity Massachusetts Dartmouth; Memory, cognitive impairment, education
In addition to completing the UMassD graduate admission package, applicants to the DNP program must:
- have a GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate study.
- hold a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE. Registered Nurses with a bachelor degree in a related field may seek admission through the GAP program.
- hold a current license to practice professional nursing in MA or be eligible to obtain a license. Please submit a copy of your license.
- have at least one year of clinical experience in acute care nursing.
- submit three references that document competence and leadership in professional nursing practice. If possible, one reference should be from a supervisor who is a professional nurse that holds a DNP and one from a nurse educator.
The GRE is NOT required.
Applications are due March 15 for Fall matriculation. Applications submitted by March 15 will receive priority. All applications received after March 15 will be reviewed on a rolling admission basis through May.
Contact
Sharon Keating
Full Time Lecturer
Nursing / Community
Dion 318D
508-910-6519
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The bachelor's and master's degree programs in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at UMass Dartmouth are accredited by the Commission on College Nursing Education.
