DNP Programs in Kentucky (KY)

Bellarmine University
Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Bellarmine University’s Donna and Allan Laansing School of Nursing & Health Sciences offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The post-Master’s program at Bellarnine is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice.

Students in the Bellarmine DNP program have two possible tracks from which to choose:

• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Advanced Leadership

The programs require 33-36 credit hours for completion.

Admission to the DNP program requires a Master of Science in Nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must also have an unencumbered license as a registered nurse in Kentucky and/or compact states.

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

2001 Newburg Road
Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 272-8131

Frontier Nursing University
School of Midwifery and Family Nursing

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree offered by Frontier Nursing University was designed to prepare Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP), Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNP), and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM). The program offered at FNU is a post-Master’s program.

The Frontier DNP program is an online program which requires students to attend two 3-day on campus experiences during their course of study: an orientation program at the beginning of the program and anotherat the midpoint of the program where they present their proposed projects to their colleagues and faculty.

It should be noted that FNU’s program is a full-time DNP program designed around 33 semester credits spread over five 11-week terms. Students take two courses per term.

The DNP program requires all applicants to have a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Master’s in Nursing (MN) degree from a CCNE or NLNAC accedited program. They must be a Registered Nurse and be nationally certified as a FNP, WHNP, or CNM. Prospective students must have a 3.5 or higher GPA from the most recent degree earned.

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission

185 School Street
Hyden, KY 41749
(606) 672-2312

University of Kentucky
College of Nursing

University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing created the very first Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the nation. UK offers both a BSN to DNP and a post-Master’s DNP pathway. Both part-time and full study option provide flexibility for working nurses or those with a busy lifestyle.

The BSN to DNP pathway offers advanced practice specializations in:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Adult or Family)
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Adult or Family)
• Population and Organizational Systems Leadership

Applicants to the BSN to DNP pathway must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program with an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. They must have satisfactory scores on the GRE including minimum scores of 500 on the Verbal and Qnantitative portions. Prospective students must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state where clinicals will occur. They must also have clinical nursing experience prior to the first DNP clinical course being taken.

Those applying to the post-Master’s program must have a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Master of Nursing (MN) degree from a nationally accredited program (CCNE or NLNAC) with a graduate GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Prospective students must take the GRE have satisfactory scores. They must score a minimum of 500 on the Verbal and Qualitative sections of the exam. Applicants must be licensed t practice in Kentucky or in the state where their clinicals will occur.

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

315 College of Nursing Building
Lexington, KY 40536
(859) 323-5108

Western Kentucky University
School of Nursing

The School of Nursing within the College of Health and Human Services at Western Kentucky University offers an MSN to DNP pathway to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The DNP can be earned in 2 years if students attend full-time or 3 years if attendence is part-time. All work is done primarily online with four on campus weekend seminars per semester required.

Applicants must possess a Master of Science in Nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited nursing program with a 3.25 or higher cumulative GPA. Prospective students must also have an active, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse.

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

1906 College Heights Boulevard
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 745-0111