Nursing (MSN to DNP)

The University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Nursing offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, which provides the knowledge and skills necessary for advanced nursing practice in multiple health care settings. The program is taught in a distance-learning (online) format.

The development of the Doctor of Nursing Practice is based on strong national and state trends in the health care environment to provide expert nursing care  at the doctoral level. The DNP degree allows students to focus on in-depth professional and clinical studies to meet the ever-increasing practice challenges of providing the highest quality health care in the 21st century.

Graduates (1) make independent and collaborative health care decisions; (2) engage in clinical practice as expert clinicians who use theory and evidence-based practice to provide care and and evaluate outcomes; (3) demonstrate leadership as consultants, educators, researchers and administrators, and (4) participate in legislative and professional activities to promote professional advancement and health related social policies.

Career opportunities for doctorally prepared nurses are continually expanding and include positions in hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health care agencies, schools, universities, industry, nursing homes, wellness centers, employee health programs, physicians’ office practices, community mental health agencies, public health agencies, acute care facilities and private practice.

 Two pathways are available in the MSN to DNP program for

1. Advanced Practice focus for those that are  certified as NP, CNS, CRNA, and CNM
2. Nurse Executive concentration

The program is also offered as a Nursing Practice/Business Administration (Dual DNP/MBA)  dual degree program.

A Post-Graduate Certificate is also available for master’s prepared nurses seeking certificate as a Nurse Educator.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should check the Office of Graduate Programs website for the application deadline. Students are admitted for the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters.

Before applying, out-of-state students, or those who may relocate during the program, should contact the School of Nursing to confirm that the University of Michigan-Flint is authorized to offer distance education in the student’s state of residence. The School of Nursing, in conjunction with the Office of Extended Learning, will determine the university’s status in that state.

Applicants must have:

1. A current unencumbered RN license in the United States and either
   1. For the Advanced Practice focus for APRN’s, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited college or university for the Advanced Practice Focus , with an overall minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (3.5 for graduate work) and certification as an APRN or
   2. For the Executive Leadership Concentration, a Master’s degree in one of the following areas: Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Public Health, Business Administration, Public Administration, Health Care Administration, or a related administrative or nursing field deemed acceptable to SON faculty with an overall minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (3.5 for graduate work)

Application for Admission

With the application for Graduate Admission, the following are required:

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• A curriculum vitae or resume
• Proof of current RN licensure
• A copy of certification in the applicant’s advanced practice nursing specialty (for the Advanced Practice focus)
• Proof of employment as a mid-level administrative or higher position (nurse manager, supervisor, director, assistant director, etc.) or a faculty position teaching graduate students nursing administration or a nursing management or executive consultation position full-time for 24 months in the last five years and proof of completion of 30 hours of continuing education in nursing administration within the last three years (for the Nurse Executive concentration) .
• A professional goal statement
• Three complete recommendation forms

International students must submit additional documentation, and an interview with a faculty member either by phone or in person to delineate clear clinical interests that are compatible with the mentoring capacity of the School of Nursing faculty. 

Academic Rules and Regulations

See the School of Nursing (SON)  and Graduate Study  sections of this Catalog for academic rules and regulations pertaining to graduate programs offered by the School.