Texas A&M Establishes Doctoral Nursing Program

With nationally ranked undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, Texas A&M University College of Nursing has expanded degree options to include the college’s first doctoral program, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

This part-time clinical doctoral degree program equips advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and fellow graduate level prepared registered nurses (RNs) to serve in advanced roles as practice-oriented nurse scientists. With courses delivered asynchronously online across seven semesters, course instruction and clinical hours will focus on equipping graduates with skills to translate evidence into practice, measure patient outcomes and transform health care systems.

With a base curriculum of 38-credit hours for APRNs with a minimum of 500 clinical practice hours, or 39- to 41-credit hours for all other applicants, the DNP program builds upon the experiences and education already held by students as professional nurses. Coursework and clinical practicum hours are tailored to address critical health care provider needs by advancing knowledge in systems leadership, outcome improvement and informatics.

“This online doctoral program supports professional working RNs in ensuring they have an evidence-based framework to effectively analyze and evaluate the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care and systems of care,” said Nancy Fahrenwald, dean and professor of the Texas A&M College of Nursing. “As the first terminal degree offered at Texas A&M College of Nursing, our DNP sets the stage to expand clinical and nursing education as we increase access to quality care and develop the next generation of advanced practice nurse leaders.”

Initially approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Feb. 4, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) followed with formal approval for the college to begin program delivery on Oct. 21, 2021.

Earning a doctoral degree in nursing provides the pathway for graduates to pursue or advance their careers as clinical program directors, nurse educators, patient safety and outcome managers, and executives in health care organizations.

The application is set to open Nov. 1 with the first cohort of students beginning their DNP degree coursework at the start of the fall 2022 semester. To learn more about the Texas A&M University College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) admissions criteria and application process, please visit nursing.tamu.edu/degrees.