Nursing - MSN
Open the door to more career opportunities with our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. The MSN program prepares nurses for advanced roles in nursing education, nursing management, or public health.
Overview
Transform nursing practice and education with our online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree prepares nurses at the highest level of nursing education, providing the knowledge and skills to transform practice.
Our 30-credit program is fully online, and you can begin study in either the fall or spring semester. The program is designed to enable working nurses to complete their degrees while continuing full-time employment.
UHart alumni who have completed a bachelor’s degree or Master of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Hartford are eligible for a 25% tuition discount through the Hawk Alumni Scholarship.
About the Program
The DNP is a 30-credit fully online program that prepares nurses to assume leadership roles in healthcare organizations or contribute to educating future practitioners. Courses are offered in 7-week sessions during a 14-week semester. This format allows you to advance through the program while continuing full-time employment.
The complex nature of modern healthcare systems requires practitioners and leaders who not only have a deep understanding of clinical practice but also have broader knowledge of other factors, such as finance and operations, to impact health outcomes. Our interdisciplinary curriculum will give you a strong foundation to be an effective team leader and work with others across health systems.
The DNP program includes at least 500 hours of practicum experiences that integrate classroom learning, promote innovative thinking as an advanced practitioner, and develop new solutions for clinical and/or system practice issues.
DNP students will also complete a scholarly project that aims to improve practice, affording students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills related to scholarship, leadership and teamwork – all essential competencies for nurses in advanced leadership or educational roles.
UHart Benefits
-
Learn in an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes management courses in partnership with UHart’s Barney School of Business. The Princeton Review has ranked the Barney School of Business on its list of Best Business Schools for 16 consecutive years.
-
Become eligible to sit for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, giving you an edge for executive leadership roles.
-
Convenient fully online format.
-
Competitive tuition compared to other area DNP programs.
Curriculum
The DNP is a 30-credit program. Most students will enroll in 6 credits each fall, spring, and summer.
For full course descriptions, please see the course catalog.
- NUR 700 — Knowledge for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 701 — Population Health (3 credits)
- NUR 702 — Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development (3 credits)
- NUR 703 — Quality and Safety in Health Care Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 704 — Systems-Based Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 705 — Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice I (3 credits)
- NUR 706 — Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice II (3 credits)
- MGT 607 — Managing Organizational Processes (3 credits)
- MGT 700 — Innovation and Project Management (3 credits)
- MGT 719 — Advanced Project Management (3 credits)
Admission
Applications are accepted for either a fall or spring semester start.
Requirements:
- M.S. in Nursing from an accredited institution and accredited nursing program, with a GPA of at least 3.0.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended indicating completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing.
- A copy of your current licensure as a registered nurse without restrictions in the state in which you reside.
- A telephone or virtual interview with the Program Director.
- Two letters of recommendation, preferably one from an academic source and one from a current employer.
- Statement of goals and purpose of pursuing the DNP.
DNP Scholarship Opportunities
Admitted Doctor of Nursing Practice applicants are automatically eligible for the following scholarship opportunities:
- UHart alumni who have completed a bachelor’s degree or Master of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Hartford are eligible for a 25% tuition discount through the Hawk Alumni Scholarship.
- Non-UHart alumni are eligible for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarship valued at 15% percent of DNP graduate program tuition. The Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarship is automatically renewable until program completion as long as a 3.0 cumulative GPA and satisfactory academic standing is maintained. Scholarship eligibility is also dependent on enrollment in 6 credits per semester (fall, spring, and summer), excluding the last two semesters in the program.
*The above scholarships cannot be combined with any other non-need based award offers from the University of Hartford (academic scholarships, Graduate Assistantship Benefits, Tuition Abatement, Employee Discount, Education Alliance Discount, Partnership Discount, etc.) as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid. We will assume you would like to accept the highest value award if you are eligible for multiple award programs.
Meet Your Success Counselor
Shannon Saleeba
Assistant Director of Graduate Success
Division of Graduate and Professional Studies
View Full Profile
Additional Information
Mission
To prepare future nurse leaders and advance the level of education of registered nurses while fostering their professional and personal development.
Philosophy
We emphasize quality teaching complemented by scholarly and creative expression, clinical expertise, dedicated community service, and service to the profession of nursing. We are dedicated to the preparation of persons who enrich the nursing profession by responding flexibly and creatively to both professional and societal issues.
We believe that students seek relevant learning experiences grounded in experiential learning and have a clear commitment to the identity of the professional nurse. We believe that the best learning takes place in an environment of support where students are respected, and their life experiences honored. The ideal education setting is a learning community that allows student to realize their full potential as reflective, active, and life-long learners. Because we are committed to the idea that active involvement is essential to effective learning, we foster an environment of interaction among students and faculty. We expect all students to participate in their own learning and to facilitate the learning of others by participating in collaborative learning groups and partnerships, respecting each other’s opinions and questions, and by establishing a commitment to learning and critical and creative thinking. We strive to create a global community of scholarly caring.
- Incorporate scholarship, research, and analytic methods to lead evidence-based practice change and continuous quality improvement.
- Foster interprofessional collaborations to improve health outcomes and quality of healthcare for diverse populations.
- Synthesize advanced theoretical concepts from nursing and other scientific disciplines to support organizational and system leadership strategies.
- Appraise critical healthcare legislation using knowledge of health policy to facilitate advocacy initiatives, social justice and ethical care.
- Incorporate process improvement methods to improve the quality and safety of care delivery.
Tuition
Summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025 tuition rates for the Nursing, DNP program are below.
| Per Credit Rate | |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | $1,030 |
Faculty & Staff
Program Contacts
Department of Nursing
860.768.4252
nursing@mxy163.com
Graduate Admissions Office
860.768.4371
800.945.0712
gradstudy@mxy163.com
Accreditation
The baccalaureate, Master's degree, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in nursing at the University of Hartford College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001; telephone: 202.887.6791. Information about the accreditation process is available at CCNE.
Take the Next Step
Similar Programs
Educational Leadership EdD
The EdD program involves research on higher education leadership, organizational dynamics, and institutional change. Students who complete this program are awarded an EdD with a specialization in educational leadership in higher education.