Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in Temple’s College of Public Health is for nurses seeking the highest degree in nursing practice. Graduates of Temple’s DNP program become leaders who advance health equity and quality of life at individual, community and population levels.
The DNP program at Temple offers two options for admission: one for students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, and one for students with a master’s degree in nursing. The students with non-nursing master’s degrees will be evaluated for admission on an individual basis. For post-BSN students, the focus is on coursework that expands their knowledge base in areas of pharmacotherapeutics, pathophysiology and health assessment. Post-master’s students take advanced coursework that builds on their prior education, professional roles and practice-oriented experiences. As a post-master’s student, you will also gain new knowledge and skills that position you as a leader in advancing nursing practice that is evidence-based and grounded in collaboration and partnership.
Located in the diverse community of North Philadelphia, the Department of Nursing is committed to underserved populations. Many of our faculty are actively engaged in practice, which provides a real-time connection to current trends in healthcare. Faculty also have a high rate of professional participation, including leadership roles on committees and in professional organizations with local, state, national and international reach. The department is building its research footprint, with faculty expertise in the areas of obesity, child and family health, and health disparity.
What sets apart our DNP program?
- Nursing education within a context of population health: The DNP program resides within Temple’s College of Public Health, which includes healthcare and health services disciplines such as physical therapy and health information management, as well as traditional public health fields that include epidemiology and biostatistics.
- One of the few post-baccalaureate DNP programs in the region: Students with a BSN are eligible for admission to the DNP program.
- Designed for working professionals: Classes take place on-site at Temple’s Health Sciences Center and are offered one day a week to facilitate long-term schedule planning. Many courses offer a mix of online and in-person options to accommodate working professionals.
- Preparation for a career in nursing education: Students will earn a Teaching in Higher Education Certificate, preparing graduates for positions in an educational setting.
- An emphasis on nursing scholarship: Faculty members and organization mentors work closely with students to develop a scholarly project that begins in the first year of the program and culminates in the final year with project implementation and dissemination.
Program Format
The DNP Program has two options: Post-Baccalaureate (Post-BSN) and Post-Master’s. Both options are designed for either part- or full-time study.
Post-BSN Option
The Post-BSN option prepares graduates as primary care providers in one of two practice-oriented specialties (Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and Family-Individual Across the Lifespan). Temple’s was one of the first post-baccalaureate programs established in the Philadelphia region. The Post-BSN option is a 68-credit curriculum. Students complete 1,000 clinical hours including 832 direct patient clinical hours and 168 DNP experience hours, and clinical practice sites are selected to maximize learning in the population specialty. The program offers three-year full-time or four-year part-time study options.