DNP Programs in Wisconsin (WI)
Registered Nurses and Nursing Administrators in the Badger State have several options if they are seeking to advance their professional careers. There are several nationally accredited colleges and universities that offer Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs in Wisconsin. These schools with DNP programs are located across the state in cities like Milwaukee, Madison, and Mequon.
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Concordia University Wisconsin
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community. Their Doctor of Nursing Practice program is the institution’s second doctoral program. The DNP program at Concordia is an MSN to DNP pathway. While they don’t specifically offer a BSN to DNP program, you can earn your MSN degree through Concordia and then move into the DNP program.
The program is delivered to students online in an e-learning format utilizing a web-based course management system. Students are required, however, to attend an initial orientation and final group meeting with their cohort on campus.
Entrance into the DNP program requires a Master of Science in Nursing from an accredited program with a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must be board certified in a Family, Adult, or Geriatric Nurse Practitioner specialization and hold both an unencumbered RN license and an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license in the US.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
12800 N Lake Shore Drive
Mequon, WI 53097
(800) 330-9866
Marquette University
College of Nursing
Marquette University’s College of Nursing has had a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program since 2008. Their program was actually the first DNP program in the state of Wisconsin. Marquette offers both a post-Bachelor’s and post-Master’s pathway into their DNP program.
The programs at Marquette are primarily classroom based and require students to attend on campus. Some of the classes, however, are offered as hybrid courses that combine online and on campus work.
The post-Bachelor’s DNP pathway must be completed within 8 years of entering the program. It generally takes 3-4 years as a full-time student depending on the specialization chosen. It is designed such that students will earn a Master of Science in Nursing on their way to the DNP.
The following specializations are offered as part of the BSN to DNP program:
- Adult – Older Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult – Older Audlt Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult – Older Audlt Primary Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Older Adult Nurse Practitioner
- Older Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery
- Health Care Systems Leadership
- Clinical Nurse Leader
Applicants are required to have at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program with a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale as well as an unencumbered RN license in Wisconsin.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
530 N 16th Street
Wilwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 288-3800
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire’s of Nursing and Health Sciences offers two pathways to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree: a BSN to DNP pathway and an MSN to DNP pathway. The program is designed for nurses planning to assume leadership roles in advanced clinical practice or nursing administration.
The BSN to DNP pathway requires students preparing for a nursing administration role to complete approximately 67 credit hours of course work and 1,050 clinical hours. Students preparing for nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist roles will be required to complete approximately 76 credit hours of course work and 1,230 clinical hours. Full-time students can complete the BSN to DNP in about 3 years. Part-time students require 4 or 5 years to complete. Most courses are taught on campus for the first 2/3rds of the program. After that, they courses are taught in a blended format combining online courses with on campus intensive session.
Applicants to the post Bachelor’s program must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. They must also have a license as a registered nurse in Wisconsin.
The MSN to DNP pathway requires 30 hours of course work and 450 clinical hours. It is taught in a blended format. The program combines online course work with on campus intensive sessions. The program can be completed in one year (4 quarters) for full-time students or over a two year period for part-time students.
Applicants to the post Master’s program must hold a Master’s degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited (CCNE or NLNAC) program with a role specialization in advanced nursing practice as a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Nurse Administrator. Prospective students must be licensed as an RN in Wisconsin.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
PO Box 4004
Eau Claire, WI 65702
(715) 836-5415
University of Wisconsin – Madison
School of Nursing
University of Wisconsin – Madison’s School of Nursing admitted their first cohort to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program in the Fall of 2010. Their DNP program offers two different pathways – a post-BS pathway and a post-MS pathway.
The post-BS or BSN to DNP pathway can be completed in three years of full-time study or five years of part-time study. The program is a blended program with online and on campus courses.
The BSN to DNP pathway prepare students for the following specialties:
- Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
Students can also prepare to be a Nurse Educator.
Applicants to the post-MS or MSN to DNP pathway must hold a Bachelor’s and Master of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative MSN GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Prospective students must be licensed as an RN and be certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (if applicable).
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
School of Nursing
K6/140
Clinical Sciences Center
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792
(608) 263-5258
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
College of Nursing
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee’s College of Nursing offers two Doctor of Nursing Practice pathways. They have a BSN to DNP pathway and a post-Master’s DNP pathway.
The BSN to DNP pathway offers students several clinical specializations. Their advanced practice tracks include:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Childbearing Nurse Specialist
- Pediatric Nurse Specialist
- Psychiactric – Mental Health Nurse Specialist
They also have the choice of two non-clinical tracks:
- Systems Leadership
- Community Health
The post-Master’s pathway is an online program in advanced practice nursing. The program is a part-time 28 credit program.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
College of Nursing
PO Box 413
1921 E Hartford Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53201
(414) 229-4801
