Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Plans
This page provides sample plans of study for UMass Dartmouth’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. Each plan outlines a typical term‑by‑term course sequence so you can see prerequisites, clinical scheduling, and expected time to degree. Plans are examples and may change based on prior coursework, transfer credit, or course availability. Always confirm your final plan with your academic advisor and consult the current University Catalog.
Choose your plan of study: 4-Year Plan | 5-Year Plan
BS to DNP — Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (Optional 4-Year Plan)
Total practicum hours for the entire 4-year plan: 1008
Year 1 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 4-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 500 Theoretical Foundations for Advancing Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 520 Healthcare System | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 550 Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 511 Translating Research Evidence to Advance Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 547 Promoting the Health of Populations | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 553 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Year 1 total | 18 | |
Year 2 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 4-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 508 Healthcare Economics and Managing Healthcare Finance | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 552 Advanced Health / Physical Assessment | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 770 Seminar I: Advanced Practice Nurse as Leader in Health Systems Change | 4 |
| Spring | NUR 557 Introduction to Primary Care for the Advanced Practice Nurse | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 771 DNP Seminar II: Genetics, Ethics, and Innovations in Advanced Nursing Practice | 4 |
| Spring | NUR 558 Introduction to Primary Care for the Advanced Practice Nurse — Practicum | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 605 Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| Year 2 total | 22 | |
Year 3 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 4-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 656 Primary Care II for the Advanced Practice Nurse | 2 |
| Fall | NUR 657 Primary Care II for the Advanced Practice Nurse — Practicum | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 658 Chronic Illness Management | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 659 Chronic Illness Management — Practicum | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 772 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice I | 2 |
| Year 3 total | 12 | |
Year 4 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 4-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 774 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice II: Project Implementation and Analysis | 1 |
| Fall | NUR 773 DNP Residency I | 4 |
| Winter/Intersession | NUR 775 DNP Residency II | 1 |
| Spring | NUR 776 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice III: Dissemination of Findings | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 777 DNP Residency III | 4 |
| Year 4 total | 12 | |
Grand total (all 4 years): 64 credits
BS to DNP — Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (Optional 5-Year Plan)
Total practicum hours for the 5-year plan: 1008
Year 1 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 500 Theoretical Foundations for Advancing Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 520 Healthcare System | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 511 Translating Research Evidence to Advance Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 547 Promoting the Health of Populations | 3 |
| Year 1 total | 12 | |
Year 2 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 508 Healthcare Economics and Managing Healthcare Finance | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 550 Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 771 DNP Seminar II: Genetics, Ethics, and Innovations in Advanced Nursing Practice | 4 |
| Summer | NUR 553 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Year 2 total | 13 | |
Year 3 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 552 Advanced Health / Physical Assessment | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 770 Seminar I: Advanced Practice Nurse as Leader in Health Systems Change | 4 |
| Spring | NUR 557 Introduction to Primary Care for the Advanced Practice Nurse | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 558 Introduction to Primary Care for the Advanced Practice Nurse — Practicum | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 605 Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| Year 3 total | 15 | |
Year 4 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 656 Primary Care II for the Advanced Practice Nurse | 2 |
| Fall | NUR 657 Primary Care II for the Advanced Practice Nurse — Practicum | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 658 Chronic Illness Management | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 659 Chronic Illness Management — Practicum | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 772 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice I | 2 |
| Year 4 total | 13 | |
Year 5 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 774 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice II: Project Implementation and Analysis | 1 |
| Fall | NUR 773 DNP Residency I | 4 |
| Winter/Intersession | NUR 775 DNP Residency II | 1 |
| Spring | NUR 776 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice III: Dissemination of Findings | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 777 DNP Residency III | 4 |
| Year 5 total | 12 | |
Grand total (all 5 years): 64 credits
Choose your plan of study: 4-Year Plan | 5-Year Plan
BS to DNP — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Optional 4-Year Plan)
Total practicum hours for the 4-year plan: 1008
Year 1 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 4-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 500 Theoretical Foundations for Advancing Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 520 Healthcare System | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 550 Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 511 Translating Research Evidence to Advance Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 547 Promoting the Health of Populations | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 553 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 554 Neuro-psychopharmacology and Biologically Based Treatments | 3 |
| Year 1 total | 21 |
Year 2 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 4-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 508 Healthcare Economics and Managing Healthcare Finance | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 552 Advanced Health / Physical Assessment | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 770 Seminar I: Advanced Practice Nurse as Leader in Health Systems Change | 4 |
| Spring | NUR 564 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 565 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I — Practicum | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 771 DNP Seminar II: Genetics, Ethics, and Innovations in Advanced Nursing Practice | 4 |
| Summer | NUR 605 Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| Year 2 total | 22 |
Year 3 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 4-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 676 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II | 2 |
| Fall | NUR 677 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II — Practicum | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 678 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 679 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III — Practicum | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 772 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice I | 2 |
| Year 3 total | 12 | |
Year 4 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 4-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 774 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice II: Project Implementation and Analysis | 1 |
| Fall | NUR 773 DNP Residency I | 4 |
| Winter/Intersession | NUR 775 DNP Residency II | 1 |
| Spring | NUR 776 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice III: Dissemination of Findings | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 777 DNP Residency III | 4 |
| Year 4 total | 12 | |
Grand total (all 4 years): 67 credits
BS to DNP — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Optional 5-Year Plan)
Total practicum hours for the 5-year plan: 1008
Year 1 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 500 Theoretical Foundations for Advancing Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 520 Healthcare System | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 511 Translating Research Evidence to Advance Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 547 Promoting the Health of Populations | 3 |
| Year 1 total | 12 |
Year 2 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 508 Healthcare Economics and Managing Healthcare Finance | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 550 Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 771 DNP Seminar II: Genetics, Ethics, and Innovations in Advanced Nursing Practice | 4 |
| Spring | NUR 553 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 554 Neuro-psychopharmacology and Biologically Based Treatments | 3 |
| Year 2 total | 16 |
Year 3 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 552 Advanced Health / Physical Assessment (2 cr and 1 lab) | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 770 Seminar I: Advanced Practice Nurse as Leader in Health Systems Change | 4 |
| Spring | NUR 564 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 565 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I — Practicum | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 605 Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| Year 3 total | 15 |
Year 4 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 676 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II | 2 |
| Fall | NUR 677 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II — Practicum | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 678 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 679 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III — Practicum | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 772 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice I | 2 |
| Summer | *Option to take NUR 605 here if not completed | |
| Year 4 total | 12 |
Year 5 required courses and credits — BS to DNP 5-Year Plan
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 774 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice II: Project Implementation and Analysis | 1 |
| Fall | NUR 773 DNP Residency I | 4 |
| Winter/Intersession | NUR 775 DNP Residency II | 1 |
| Spring | NUR 776 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice III: Dissemination of Findings | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 777 DNP Residency III | 4 |
| Year 5 total | 12 |
Grand total (all 5 years): 67 credits
Post-Master's to 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.
Post-Master’s to DNP (Sample Plan of Study)
Year 1 required courses and credits — Post-Master’s to DNP
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 508 Healthcare Economics and Managing Healthcare Finance | 3 |
| Fall | NUR 770 Seminar I: Advanced Practice Nurse as Leader in Health Systems Change | 4 |
| Spring | NUR 771 DNP Seminar II: Genetics, Ethics and Innovations in Advanced Nursing Practice | 4 |
| Spring | NUR 547 Promoting the Health of Populations* | 3* |
| Summer | NUR 605 Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 772 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice I | 2 |
| Year 1 total | 16 | |
*If not completed in master's program
Year 2 required courses and credits — Post-Master’s to DNP
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 774 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice II: Project Implementation and Analysis | 1 |
| Fall | NUR 773 DNP Residency I | 4 |
| Winter | NUR 775 DNP Residency II | 1 |
| Spring | NUR 776 Translating Research for Evidence Based Practice III: Dissemination of Findings | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 777 DNP Residency III | 4 |
| Year 2 total | 12 | |
Grand total (all 2 years): 28 credits
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
The certificate programs provides nurses with the required coursework and clinical experiences for certification as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
CAGS — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Sample Plan of Study)
Total practicum hours: 500
Year 1 required courses and credits — CAGS Psychiatric Mental Health
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | NUR 564 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 565 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I — Practicum | 3 |
| Summer | NUR 554 Neuro-psychopharmacology and Biologically Based Treatments | 3 |
| Year 1 total | 8 | |
Year 2 required courses and credits — CAGS Psychiatric Mental Health
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 676 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II | 2 |
| Fall | NUR 677 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II — Practicum | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 678 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 679 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III — Practicum | 3 |
| Year 2 total | 10 | |
Grand total (all 2 years): 18 credits
CAGS — Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Sample Plan of Study)
Total practicum hours: 500
Year 1 required courses and credits — CAGS Adult Gerontology
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 550 Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 553 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Year 1 total | 6 | |
Year 2 required courses and credits — CAGS Adult Gerontology
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 552 Advanced Health / Physical Assessment | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 557 Introduction to Primary Care for the Advanced Practice Nurse | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 558 Introduction to Primary Care for the Advanced Practice Nurse — Practicum | 3 |
| Year 2 total | 8 | |
Year 3 required courses and credits — CAGS Adult Gerontology
| Term | Course (number and title) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | NUR 656 Primary Care II for the Advanced Practice Nurse | 2 |
| Fall | NUR 657 Primary Care II for the Advanced Practice Nurse — Practicum | 3 |
| Spring | NUR 658 Chronic Illness Management | 2 |
| Spring | NUR 659 Chronic Illness Management — Practicum | 3 |
| Year 3 total | 10 | |
Grand total (all 3 years): 24 credits
Notes:
- NUR 550, NUR 553, and NUR 552 are not required for licensed advanced practice nurses (APRNs) based on transcript review. These course requirements may be fulfilled with transfer credit at the discretion of the DNP Admissions Committee.