Prepare to be a leader in the healthcare field. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Population Health at UNCP equips you to translate research into real-world results. Build on your experience, elevate your impact and become a driving force in the future of healthcare.
Our DNP program is more than a degree — it's a pathway to meaningful leadership in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Whether you’re seeking to lead complex healthcare systems, enhance care in rural and underserved communities, or shape the future of nursing, the DNP equips you with the skills, experience and support to make it happen.
Online
Credit Hours
Or Less to Complete
Advance Your Impact.
With a focus on advanced clinical practice and systems-level leadership, this program
emphasizes the application of evidence-based strategies to improve patient care and
community health. Join a program rooted in service, grounded in research and driven
by your passion to make a difference — because the community needs nurse leaders like
you.
100 %
35
24 Months
Learn more about each course in our catalog. Degree Requirements
To be admitted you must:
Additional requirements include:
Below is a sample plan of study for the Cohort entering the DNP program in January of 2025:
| Semester | Course Number | Course | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | NUR-6000 | Population & Public Health Theory: Problem Discovery | 3 |
| Spring | NUR-6010 | Advanced Nursing Health Policy, Practice and Ethics | 3 |
| Summer | NUR-6031 | Clinical Practicum I: Organizational & Public Health Systems Leadership | 4 |
| Fall | NUR-6020 | Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methods & Clinical Data Management | 3 |
| Fall | NUR-6101 | Nursing Inquiry: DNP Project I | 3 |
| Spring | NUR-6032 | Clinical Practicum II: Population Assessment & Health Promotion Modeling | 4 |
| Spring | NUR-6102 | Nursing Inquiry: DNP Project 2 | 3 |
| Summer | NUR-6033 | Clinical Practicum III: Population Intervention Planning, Implementation and Evaluation Strategies | 4 |
| Fall | NUR-6103 | Nursing Inquiry: DNP project | 3 |
| Fall | NUR-6034 | Clinical Practicum IV: Project Evaluation and Dissemination | 6 |
There are four clinical courses provided throughout the program.
In accordance with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation requirements, a total of one thousand post-baccalaureate clinical hours are required for graduation. Up to 500 clinical hours from MSN or other graduate-level nursing studies may be applied to the total hours if the clinical experiences meet program outcomes. The remainder of the clinical hours will be completed in the four clinical courses in the DNP curriculum.
Find out how to transfer clinical hours from another school.
The DNP project is your opportunity to translate evidence into practice. This is different from a PhD dissertation, which fills research gaps. Instead, the DNP project uses evidence-based research to create solutions for a specific population. This program connects new scientific findings to practical nursing applications. It prepares you to make a real-world impact.
As a DNP candidate, you'll focus on an important issue in your chosen population. You'll use research to study nursing practices or policies and suggest evidence-based changes. Your project may aim to:
You’ll begin your DNP project in your first semester. Here, you'll identify a concern and a population of interest. With faculty guidance, you’ll craft a problem statement based on theoretical, ethical and practical concepts. As you progress, a project mentor will help you gain skills and confidence. By the end of the program, you’ll have developed, implemented and evaluated a project tailored to your population's needs.
If you have previous clinical hours, you can transfer them to your DNP plan of study. Just email your request to the program director for approval. We’ll review your documents to ensure your hard work counts toward your degree. Include:
At UNCP, I’m not just learning the technical skills to become a great nurse — I’m learning how to truly serve the people in my community. The program places a strong focus on rural health care and shows us how to care for the whole person, not just the condition. That’s what makes this experience so meaningful.
Matteo Rojas
Navigating the financial aspects of your education can feel overwhelming. Understanding tuition, fees and available financial aid options is essential for planning your path to success. At UNCP, we're committed to helping you find the resources you need to reach your goals.
Explore Your Options
or call us at 910.521.6271
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
