Doctor of Nursing Practice – DNP

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Doctoral Program

Modes of study:

Low-residency

Get your DNP from the University of Southern Maine

Advance your career with the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Southern Maine (USM) — a flexible, low-residency nursing doctorate designed for working APRNs and master’s-prepared nurses seeking leadership, clinical excellence, and systems-level impact. Our program combines the convenience of asynchronous online learning with the support of a collaborative learning community, offering periodic face-to-face experiences with faculty, peers, and nursing leaders. Build expertise in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, patient safety, and healthcare leadership while earning your degree on a schedule designed for working professionals.

Credit hours

30 —33 credit hours required. Most courses are equal to three credit hours.

Visit the academic catalog

Program duration

Study full-time and finish the Nursing DNP degree in as little as two years, or study part-time and complete your degree in up to four years.

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School

School of Nursing

Admissions

The GRE is not required. You can apply for the fall, spring, or summer term.

View application process and deadlines

What will you learn while getting your Doctor of Nursing Practice at USM?

Online and in-person learning modalities: Benefit from the convenience of asynchronous online classes while still being part of a learning community. You’ll periodically meet face-to-face with faculty, peers, and local nursing experts — building your network in the field of leaders across southern Maine.
Work in a cohort model: Collaborate with your peers to apply evidence-based knowledge, improving healthcare outcomes and creating more sustainable patient care. Begin your project with an on-campus experience in Portland, connecting with faculty, peers, and nursing leaders while strengthening your leadership and systems-level practice skills.
Take part part in a robust curriculum: Study a rigorous, practice-focused curriculum aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials, designed to prepare advanced nurses for leadership in today’s evolving healthcare environment.
National accreditation: Take part in a program approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Unique career opportunities: USM has partnerships with healthcare organizations and nursing leaders across greater Portland and throughout Maine and New Hampshire, creating unique opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and real-world project development.
Fast-track your education by transferring contact hours: If you’re a working nurse who already has your master’s degree, you can transfer 200-600 direct contact hours, shortening the time to earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
Earn an additional graduate certificate: The DNP program includes coursework that fulfills the requirements for the Certificate of Graduate Study in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety through the Muskie School of Public Service, allowing you to graduate with an additional credential.
Dedicated faculty: Our faculty are active in research and policy issues at the state and national level, are board members of state and national nursing associations, and frequently publish in leading nursing journals.

We’re here to help answer questions about costs

Tuition & fees Financial aid Scholarships

As a DNP student at the University of Southern Maine, our low-residency program ensures you receive the experience necessary to succeed after graduation.

New England residents, listen up

If you’re a resident of New England, you may be eligible for reduced tuition thanks to the NEBHE Tuition Break Program.

Learn more!

Students earning their Doctor of Nursing Practice at USM may also earn their Certificate of Graduate Study in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Certificate.

Earn an additional certificate

The DNP program provides you with the necessary requirements for the Certificate of Graduate Study in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety, offered by the Muskie School of Public Service.

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USM has achieved the prestigious INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement.

Endorsed for exceptional standards

The University of Southern Maine School of Nursing has achieved the prestigious INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement™. This recognition highlights our dedication to excellence and innovation in healthcare simulation.

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USM is honored to be accredited by the nationally-recognized Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Accredited in Maine and nationally

The University of Southern Maine is honored to be accredited by the nationally-recognized Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

More about CCNE

Admission information: Nursing — Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Application deadlines

We accept applications on a rolling basis and review them continuously.

Fall term start
Spring term start
Summer term start

Final deadline: August 1

Final deadline: December 15

Final deadline: April 15

This practice doctorate provides graduates with the skills and tools necessary to assess the evidence gained through nursing research, to evaluate the impact of that research on their practice, and, as necessary, make changes to enhance the quality of care. Because this practice doctorate degree offers the highest level of educational and practice preparation, the nursing faculty reserves the right to limit enrollment.

The number of students accepted is based on clinical cohorts. Admission to the program is holistic and focused on inclusive excellence. The DNP graduate program seeks candidates whose preparation in advanced practice nursing, scholastic achievement, professional experience, interest, motivation, and references are predictive of successful terminal degree study.

Each student’s application for admission will be evaluated based on a composite of the following recommended standards:

Nurses with a master’s degree in nursing accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing.
Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a B average.
Resume or CV.
Verification of clinical practicum hours (minimum of 500 hours for advanced practice degrees) or Portfolio (minimum of 200 clinical practicum hours and documentation of practice experience for non-advanced practice nurses).
Proof of unencumbered RN licensure before the start of the graduate program. Students who do not hold this at the time of application can be considered for conditional admission.
Students with a GPA less than 3.3 are encouraged to submit GRE or MAT scores.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

Application: Online application (external link)
Application fee:
- In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
- International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
- International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, we require an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by one of the following transcript analysis agencies
  - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) (external link)
  - Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) (external link)
Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. Get additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Essay: As a potential DNP–prepared nurse, we expect you to become a clinical scholar. As part of our program, you will develop a scholarly project that identifies a gap between current practice and desired outcomes. This can take the form of an innovative practice change, translation of evidence, or implementation of a quality improvement process.
- Please answer the following questions in your essay:
  - In what practice area do you anticipate your scholarly project will focus?
  - How do you anticipate your scholarship to impact practice change or improve outcomes?
Two letters of recommendation reflecting professional practice and academic achievement. These recommendations should come from individuals who are highly qualified in their own field of study and, through direct experience with the applicant’s academic or professional work, to comment on the applicant’s ability to undertake doctoral study.
Evidence (photocopy or PDF) of an unencumbered registered nurse license.

What are the international student application instructions?

What are the English proficiency test score requirements?

Where do I send my application materials?

Next steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer you questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.