DNP Programs in Connecticut (CT)
The state of Connecticut, though small in land mass, has an decent number of colleges and universities offering a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. In addition to the schools in Connecticut, there are other schools in close proximity (New York for example) that offer DNP programs as well.
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Fairfield University
School of Nursing
Fairfield University’s School of Nursing offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The DNP is a clinical-based doctorate degree in an advanced nursing practice specialty area. The program is designed to prepare nurses for leadership roles in the increasingly complex healthcare system of today.
Fairfield offers two different pathways to earn a DNP:
- the BSN to DNP
- the MSN to DNP
The BSN to DNP program typically takes 3 years of full-time study or 4 years of part-time study to complete. There are 3 possible specialization tracks offered in the Fairfield BSN to DNP program:
- Family Nurse Practitioners
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Anesthetist
The NP tracks have fall semester start dates while the Nurse Anesthetist track has a summer semester start date.
Applicants to the BSN to DNP program are generally required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally or nationally accredited institution with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
Note: RN applicants with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree can be accepted on a case-by-case basis, but will only be eligible for the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner tracks. They will not be eligible for the Nurse Anesthetist track.
Additionally, all applicants will be required to have a current RN license in Connecticut upon admission.
Nurse Anesthetists applicants to the BSN to DNP program have additional requirements. They must have a BSN from a regionally or nationally accredited institution. They must have two semesters of biology, one semester of chemistry, one semester of microbiology, and one semester of college math. They must have an RN license in the US at time of application as well as a Connecticut RN license at time of admission. Applicants must have at least one year of experience as an RN in a critical care setting, and they must have current BCLS, ACLS, and PALS certification.
MSN to DNP applicants are required to have a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution with a 3.2 or higher GPA. They must also be eligible for APRN licensure in Connecticut.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06835
(203) 254-4000
Sacred Heart University
College of Health Professions
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Sacred Heart University is a post-Master’s program designed to prepare expert Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Anesthetists, Midwives, Nurse Executives, and Nurse Educators. The school offers two tracks within their DNP program:
- Doctoral Clinical Practice in Health Care
- Doctoral Leadership in Health Care
The Doctoral Clinical Practice in Health Care track was designed specifically for those advanced practice nurses who would like to continue in the clinical practice field.
The Doctoral Leadership in Health Care track was designed for those graduates seeking a career in executive nursing management or nursing eduation.
Sacred Heart University’s DNP program utilizes a blended format of online discussions and intense classroom experiences. Students are required to attend two weekend residency experiences each semester.
Applicants are required to hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree in the proposed field of study or its equivalent from an accredited institution. Prospective students must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale and have an unencumbered RN license somewhere in the US.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06835
(203) 371-7999
University of Connecticut
School of Nursing
University of Connecticut’s School of Nursing was the first in the state to offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The DNP program was designed for those advanced practice nurses and administrators who prefer a clinical doctoral program over those foxucsed on research.
UCONN offers two pathways to their DNP: a BSN to DNP pathway and a MSN to DNP pathway. Full-time and part-time programs of study are available for each pathway.
The BSN to DNP program is designed for students holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree who plan to have a career as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, a nurse executive, or a clinical nurse educator.
Applicants can choose from the following specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner: Primary Care
- Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner: Acute Care
- Neonatal Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
In addition to holding a BSN, prospective students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and should be eligible for licensure as an RN in Connecticut.
The post-Master’s DNP program requires a Master of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution. Applicants must have Master’s level certification in their area of specialization (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Nurse Executive Advanced). They must have a 3.0 or higher GPA in all courses of record.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
231 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2026
Storrs, CT 06269
(800) 414-5756