Ranked public DNP program nationally with multiple top-ranked tracks
U.S. News & World Report 2026
Unique specialty tracks
of Washington state DNP-prepared nurses graduate from the UW School of Nursing
of your clinical placements are arranged by the UW School of Nursing
An online path to the highest level of nursing practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program combines advanced specialty preparation with the leadership and systems expertise needed to improve health and healthcare. Through rigorous coursework, clinical training and mentorship from nationally recognized faculty, you’ll build advanced expertise in your specialty area and develop the skills to translate evidence into practice, transform healthcare systems and improve outcomes for patients, families, communities or populations.
The UW DNP program combines online coursework, including required live online sessions, with purposeful on-campus intensives and coordinated clinical experiences. Online coursework includes both required live sessions and asynchronous work you complete on your own schedule. Part-time plans of study may be available for select specialty tracks based on space availability.
Next application deadlines
Jan 15, 2027
May 1, 2027
Mar 2027 (priority),
Jun 2027 (space-available)
Have a question?
Join an information session
Request more information
asknursing@uw.edu
Eight tracks, many ways to lead
Whether you want to provide direct patient care or shape the systems that make better care possible, the UW DNP offers a track aligned with your goals.
Seven tracks prepare you for advanced practice as a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife. The Population Health & Systems Leadership track prepares you to lead programs, policies and organizations that improve health across communities.
Advanced practice
Systems leadership
What makes our DNP program different?
An online format, coordinated clinical placements and a connected cohort experience help you focus on becoming the advanced nurse and leader you came here to be.
We coordinate your clinical placements
Many DNP programs expect you to find your own preceptors. UW coordinates placements across Washington state, so you can spend more time learning and less time searching.
Online coursework, purposeful time on campus
Come to campus for up to one focused two- to four-day intensive each quarter.* The rest of your coursework is online, combining required live sessions on a consistent weekday with asynchronous work you complete on your own schedule.
A top-ranked education without private school tuition
At Washington’s flagship public research university, you get the depth of a nationally recognized program with no out-of-state tuition premium.
*Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner students attend regular on-campus coursework and simulation beginning in year two.
Your DNP program progression, at a glance
The UW DNP program is structured to help you move from core doctoral coursework to specialty preparation, clinical training and your final DNP Project. You’ll begin with online coursework that includes required live online sessions with faculty and classmates, then transition into clinical placements in Washington state as you advance through the program. Required live sessions and quarterly on-campus intensives continue throughout the program.
The progression below reflects full-time plans of study (9 or 10 quarters, including summers, depending on specialty track). Part-time study may be available for select specialty tracks based on space availability. In the four-year part-time plan of study, clinical placements begin in year 3. All clinical placements are arranged by the UW School of Nursing and are located in Washington state.
Important notes
- Residency and licensure: You’ll need an active, unrestricted Washington state RN license, or an active license from a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, before you begin the program. Coursework is online through year one and the first two quarters of year two in the full-time plan of study, so you can complete it from where you live. Clinical placements begin in spring quarter of year two (year three for part-time). All clinical placements are arranged by the UW School of Nursing and are located in Washington state.
- Live online sessions: Online coursework includes required live sessions scheduled on a consistent weekday during daytime hours, in addition to asynchronous work. Session frequency varies by course and quarter. The session day and full schedule are confirmed and published in advance of each academic year.
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track applicants: Year one follows the standard program model. Starting in year two, you’ll participate in regular on-campus coursework and simulation to support your advanced acute care preparation.
- Coursework outside the School of Nursing: Some courses you take outside the School may follow a traditional in-person format and require additional campus attendance beyond your quarterly intensive.
What to know before you apply
UW’s DNP was built around a simple idea: your doctoral education should fit into the life you already have for as long as possible. You’ll need an active, unrestricted Washington state RN license, or an active license from a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, before you begin the program.
The program combines online coursework, required live online sessions and up to one on-campus intensive each quarter. Live sessions are scheduled on a consistent weekday during daytime hours. Students enrolled in multiple courses will have sessions in most weeks, and some weeks include more than one session. The session day and full schedule are confirmed and published in advance of each academic year, so you can plan work and clinical commitments ahead.
Clinical placements don’t begin until spring quarter of the second year of the full-time plan of study (third year for part-time), so you can complete the early portion of the program from where you live. All clinical placements are arranged by the UW School of Nursing and are located in Washington state. If you’re applying from outside the region, plan ahead for Washington licensure and relocation, and contact asknursing@uw.edu with questions.
Both are doctoral degrees in nursing, but they prepare you for different kinds of work.
The DNP is a practice-focused degree. It prepares you to translate research into practice, lead in clinical and organizational settings and drive improvements in patient outcomes and health systems. If your goal is advanced clinical practice, leadership or healthcare administration, the DNP is the right degree for you.
The PhD is a research-focused degree. It prepares you to generate new nursing knowledge, lead programs of research and shape the scientific foundation for nursing practice and health policy. If your goal is a faculty or research career, the PhD is the right degree for you.
The two programs also differ in format. The PhD is an in-person program based in Seattle. The DNP combines online coursework with quarterly on-campus intensives and clinical placements in Washington state. Some nurses pursue both degrees over the course of their careers. If you are still deciding, contact us. We’re happy to help you consider which degree best aligns with your goals.
Not sure? Contact us and we can help you think through the decision.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program has nine goals focused on preparing advanced practice nurses who are able to:
- Utilize integrated, translated and applied evolving disciplinary nursing knowledge to deliver person-centered advanced nursing care to individuals, families, communities and/or populations to promote health.
- Maintain and advance nursing scholarship through application, generation, synthesis, translation and dissemination of nursing knowledge to improve health and transform healthcare.
- Enhance quality care and safe practice by applying safety science to ensure system-level effectiveness and individual performance.
- Provide leadership in interprofessional partnerships to promote quality health outcomes through consistent demonstration of core professional values across healthcare professions, communities and other partners.
- Integrate information and communication technologies and informatics processes to drive decision-making and support professional practice to improve delivery of safe, high-quality and efficient health services.
- Maintain and enhance professionalism and high ethical standards through professional growth, self-reflection and lifelong learning.
- Engage in advanced nursing practice across the health and wellness continuum from health promotion and illness prevention to health management and restorative care to achieve equitable population health outcomes.
- Evaluate, advocate for and influence policies at local, state and national levels.
- Demonstrate critical interrogation of positionality, recognition of implicit biases, as well as knowledge and application of anti-racism principles to promote health equity.
- A completed bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE, NLN or ACEN). Your nursing degree must be completed before beginning the program.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter graded credits.
- An approved, graded, for-credit statistics course (3 credits minimum) completed within 5 years of your intended start date. View approved statistics courses (PDF).
- An active, unrestricted Washington state RN license, or an active license from a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. If you hold an ARNP license, that must also be active and unrestricted in Washington state.
- International applicants must hold an active, unrestricted U.S. RN license at the time of application.
- Any ARNP license must also be an active, unrestricted U.S. license.
- Some tracks have additional requirements. Review track-specific requirements before applying.
Questions about your eligibility? Email asknursing@uw.edu or join an upcoming information session.
Applications are submitted through the UW Graduate School online application system. The GRE is not required.
You will need to submit:
- Transcripts from every college or university attended (unofficial accepted for review; official required if admitted)
- A current resume covering education, clinical and professional experience, leadership, certifications, research and community involvement
- Responses to required essay prompts about your professional goals, clinical expertise and alignment with doctoral nursing practice
- Three letters of recommendation submitted through the application system
- Statistics course information
- RN license information
- Proof of English proficiency if your first language is not English
- An optional statement to provide context about academic challenges or significant life circumstances, if applicable
International applicants must have:
- An active, unrestricted U.S. RN license at the time of application
- Any ARNP license must also be an active, unrestricted U.S. license.
- Proof of English language proficiency (spoken and written)
- Official English translation and credential evaluation for degrees completed outside the U.S.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Washington is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Discover the UW DNP program
“We’ve built strong relationships with all of the major healthcare organizations in the state, so students can expect a broad, well-rounded experience in a variety of healthcare settings with preceptors who are passionate about teaching.
Throughout the program, students are going to be able to build close relationships with their faculty and establish mentor relationships that extend well past graduation.”
Application deadlines
You may apply to each specialty track once per admissions year.