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Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a practice-focused degree for registered nurses who desire to become an advanced practice nurse in one of several specialty areas or an executive nurse leader.

There are several points of entry into the DNP program, depending on your specialty interest and your nursing degree:

  • Registered nurses with a BSN who are interested in becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) can apply for one of the five APRN concentrations, including Family, Psychiatric Mental Health, Pediatric, and Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs or the Nurse Anesthesia program.
  • Registered nurses with a BSN and an MSN can enter the Post-Master’s DNP program.
  • Registered nurses with a BSN and an MSN (or MHA/MBA under special circumstances) and a minimum of one year in a leadership role, can apply for the Nurse Executive online DNP program.

Earning your degree from Augusta University provides you with the opportunity to be a part of the legacy associated with Georgia’s oldest DNP program.

Nursing Practice is for you if you consider yourself

Adventurous and Active
Analytical and Strategic
Helpful and Nurturing

 

A Calling

like no

other.

Want to learn more about the Nursing Practice program at Augusta University?

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What You'll Study

Coursework

DNP core courses provide a foundation in healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, leadership, and systems management. This prepares graduates to deliver high-quality care in complex healthcare environments. Additional coursework is tailored to your specific concentration.

Curriculum | Admissions Criteria | Tuition and Fees | Application Deadlines

Focal Points

Concentrations

Adult Gerontology Acute Care

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Family Nurse Practitioner

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Nursing Anesthesia

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Pediatric

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Psychiatric Mental Health

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No concentration

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Nurse Executive

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EXPLORE. EXCEL. EXPAND.

Graduate School Advantage

Augusta University's graduate programs are among the best in the nation – and the world – and our graduate students are our most valuable assets. To ensure that our students earn more than a degree, the Graduate School offers a range of opportunities so they can develop the leadership, communication and personal skills needed for a rewarding life and academic, research or professional career.

See what the Graduate School has to offer »

About the Graduate School

Experience-based Education

Outside the Classroom

Whatever the concentration, the program provides the clinical expertise to improve health care outcomes by enabling students to become expert nurse leaders.

Augusta University is the primary health care-focused public research university in Georgia, and the program’s location on the Health Sciences Campus puts you at the heart of the university’s health-focused resources.

Community partnerships like the Costa-Layman Health Fair and the Healthy Grandparents Program give students the opportunity to participate in health-oriented community service.

 

Established Program

Augusta University established Georgia’s first Doctor of Nursing Practice program in 2005 and has been graduating DNPs ever since.

 

Tailored Education

The program has several different concentration depending on a student’s starting point and career objectives.

 

Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to campus-wide scholarships, students may be eligible for one of the scholarships reserved for College of Nursing students.

 

Dedicated Faculty

Augusta University’s nursing faculty are committed to providing innovative nursing education that promotes health, healing and well-being in any health care setting.

Your Future

Career Options

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners is projected to rise much faster than average through 2031.

In 2021, the median pay for a nurse anesthetist and nurse practitioner was $123,780 per year.

Profiles

Student Stories

I believe every day I have a purpose, and completing this degree increases my capabilities to serve, impact positive outcomes, and increase success for individuals at our University and the community at large.

Shelli Larkin

DNP Nurse Executive Track

If you want to learn the process of leading change, this program is for you. If you want to make processes more efficient and based on evidence, this program is for you. And if you want your ideas to actually be adopted into clinical practice, this program is definitely for you.

Laurie Yates

Post MSN DNP Track

Admissions Criteria at a Glance

GPA: Overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the Baccalaureate level calculated on all undergraduate work.

Degree Requirement: Minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university or the completion of a pre-licensure program with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is required.

Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all universities and colleges ever attended. Unofficial transcripts from US colleges and universities can be used in the admissions review process in lieu of official transcripts for this program.

Standardized Test Requirements: None are required for this program.

Prerequisite Coursework: 3 credit hours in statistics or biostatistics with a "B" or higher.

Letters of Recommendation: Recommendations from three individuals must be submitted through the application portal.

Resume or CV: Applicants must submit a resume or curriculum vitae within the application portal.

Writing Sample: An essay addressing experience and autobiographical information must be submitted within the application portal.

Licensure: A current active unrestricted license to practice nursing in the State of Georgia or eligibility for a Georgia RN license is required.

International Students: Please review the verification process for international transcripts and the english proficiency requirement.

Nursing Anesthesia has different admissions requirements. Please review the detailed admissions criteria carefully for this concentration.

Tuition & Fees Estimate

DNP: Adult Gerontology Acute Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric, Psychiatric Mental Health, No Concentration, & Nurse Executive

$5,289*

Estimated total
Full-time / In-State / Per Semester

$441

Tuition Per Hour

$675

Mandatory Fees

View Detailed Program Tuition  

Detailed Program Tuition Information

DNP: Nursing Anesthesia

$9,225*

Estimated total
Full-time / In-State / Per Semester

$769

Tuition Per Hour

$675

Mandatory Fees

View Detailed Program Tuition  

*Tuition & Fees listed here are for in-state students enrolling in the university for Fall 2024 semester

Detailed Program Tuition Information

Please visit the Graduate School for detailed admission criteria and important application process information.

Application Deadlines

Fall '25 Application Period

  • August 9, 2024 - May 15, 2025

Early submission of all application materials is strongly advised.

All required application materials and documents must be received in order for an application to be considered complete and before an admission decision can be made. The program does not accept applications after the published application deadline, however the program will continue to accept application materials up to 2 weeks after the application deadline.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Form I-20 for F-1 student status or Form DS-2019 for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status cannot be issued by Augusta University for enrollment in this online program per U.S. immigration regulations. Questions? Please email International & Postdoctoral Services Office at ipso@augusta.edu.

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Learning Like No Other

Why Augusta?

A wide variety of concentrations means you follow the career path that excites you.

Clinical hours and community partnerships ensure you’re getting rewarding field experience along with strong academic training.

The program has pathways for registered nurses with a BSN or MSN as well as certified advanced practice nurses with an MSN.

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A Calling Like No Other

The College of Nursing at Augusta University trains and educates today’s nursing professionals, preparing them to enter the heath care workforce and immediately improve the lives of the sick and the hurting.