The online Register Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice with Master of Science in Nursing curricular pathway is for highly qualified practicing ADN and diploma registered nurses. It offers an alternative route for RNs to achieve Master’s and Doctoral degrees as Nurse Practitioners at UM-Flint.
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In most cases, the RN to DNP with MSN curricular pathway includes 20-23 prerequisite credit hours of coursework that must be completed before starting into the DNP core courses. You can transfer courses from another institution. Please speak with advisors Brooke Michael or Tiffany Bishop for help with the transfer process.
Whether or not you have a bachelor’s degree in other non-nursing fields, you can follow the RN to DNP with MSN pathway: RN to DNP with MSN.
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Advance to Nurse Practitioner with Both MSN and DNP Degrees
The University of Michigan-Flint’s innovative online RN to DNP with MSN program empowers you to elevate your nursing career and provide quality patient care as a competent nurse practitioner.
You can start the program as a registered nurse without a BSN degree. Once you have completed the MSN portion of the program, you can become a licensed and board-certified nurse practitioner and clinically practice while completing the DNP with as little as 15 additional credits.
The University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing offers unique learning experiences and pathways for RNs-prepared nurses who desire to become nurse practitioners. With one application, students can apply to the RN to DNP with MSN program and be eligible for both MSN and DNP degrees. The program allows a student to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree as a nurse practitioner in one of four specialty concentrations, to sit for the corresponding board certification exam, and to practice as a nurse practitioner. After completion of the MSN degree, students will continue toward completion of the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
Why Choose UM-Flint’s Online RN-DNP with MSN Program?
High Nurse Practitioner Certification Pass Rate
With the aim to cultivate effective nurse leaders, UM-Flint’s RN-DNP with MSN online program provides excellent preparation for the Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Exam. Through our robust curriculum, you are well-equipped with the knowledge and clinical experiences to become a Certified Nurse Practitioner.
Flexible Program Format: Online, Part-time/Full-time
Designed for busy working nurses, UM-Flint’s RN to DNP with MSN program is offered in a convenient online format with minimal campus visits. Campus visits coincide with health residencies, simulation activities, and hooding and graduation ceremonies.
You may also pursue your degree on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on your availability and schedule. Reflecting our commitment to student success, UM-Flint’s Nursing faculty make themselves available to students outside the normal course schedule with flexible office hours and online availability.
Hands-on Clinical Experiences
The RN to DNP with MSN program integrates in-depth online courses with valuable hands-on learning, allowing you to become part of the real-world healthcare team. You complete clinical practicums under the close supervision of experienced professionals and have the opportunity to develop meaningful mentorships with faculty and instructors who inspire as well as impart knowledge.
Research Opportunities & University of Michigan Resources
Our Nursing faculty members are actively involved in a wide range of relevant research projects with DNP students. You have the opportunity to pursue specific research interests while helping improve healthcare services to patients from diverse communities, cultures, and backgrounds.
As part of the world-renowned University of Michigan community, you also have access to research resources on the UM-Dearborn and UM-Ann Arbor campuses.
Concentration Options
The online RN to DNP with MSN program offers four individual concentrations to help you achieve your specific career goals. Depending on your selected concentration, you are required to complete certain clinical hours.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners treat acute and chronic illness and guide transition back to the community and primary care providers. Graduates are qualified to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Examination. The curriculum for the AGACNP concentration consists of 55 credits of core courses for the MSN or 73 credits of core courses for the MSN and DNP.
Admissions Requirements Specific to the AGACNP Concentration
At least one year of full-time experience as a registered nurse with preferred experience in intensive care units such as Medical, Surgical, Neuro, Trauma, Burn and Cardiac ICU. It is preferred that the applicant have working knowledge of invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial), mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor titration. Consideration may be given to applicants who do not fully meet the above intensive care skills in such units as Perioperative Unit/Pre-op/PACU, Step-down, Emergency departments, and other specialty units such as Cath lab on an individual basis based on experience and an interview with the Lead Faculty of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Program.
- A letter to verify ICU skills/experience from the Candidate’s Nurse Manager will be requested prior to the beginning of the acute care track.
- Current certification as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider prior to the start of the acute care track.
- Current certification as a Basic Life Support Provider. An unencumbered RN License to practice.
- All students will be required to come to campus each semester (3 total) for on-ground learning and skills activities during the acute care program in NUR 861, 863, and 865. Time on campus can vary between 1-2 consecutive days.
- If the student is not a Michigan resident, the student will be required to have a Michigan Nursing license and will attend clinicals in Michigan during the first and third semesters, the second may be in the state of residency if the state and facility allow the student to attend out of state universities and there is an existing contract with the University of Michigan, Flint.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner is a provider of primary health care services to adolescents, middle-aged and older adults, emphasizing disease prevention, health promotion, and the management of patients with acute and chronic multi-system health problems. Graduates are qualified to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Examination.
The curriculum for the AGPCNP concentration consists of 52 credits of core courses for the MSN or 70 credits of core courses for the MSN and DNP.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioners act as the primary health care professionals to individuals, families, and groups. FNPs provide management of acute and chronic disease and emphasize health promotion and disease prevention across their patient’s lifespan. Graduates are qualified to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Examination.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner provides mental health services across a patient’s lifespan. These practitioners have the credentials to practice in a collaborative relationship with other mental health team members and treat mental health disorders. Graduates are qualified to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Examination.
The curriculum for the PMHNP concentration consists of 54 credits of core courses for the MSN or 72 credits of core courses for the MSN and DNP.
Effective July 1, 2024, the University of Michigan-Flint will implement new enrollment criteria for programs leading to professional licensure and certifications. Only applicants who are located in a state where the program’s educational requirements are known to be satisfied will be eligible for initial enrollment.
Refer to School of Nursing Statement 2024 for more information.
Prerequisite Requirements
These prerequisites are online at UM-Flint & must be completed prior to starting into graduate coursework. You can begin these prerequisites at UM-Flint after you are admitted to the RN to DNP with MSN program.
- All Prerequisites must be finished within two years of application.
- A deadline will be given to each accepted student for prerequisite completion.
A minimum of a B grade or better is required in prerequisite courses. The exception is English: a grade of C is acceptable.
- ENG 112- English Composition II (3 credits) Waived with previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree
- NSC 178/180- Legal/Moral Dec in NUR/HCR (3 credits)
- NUR 300- Transition to Prof Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 307 Integrated Case Studies in Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 316- Nursing Research (3 credits)
- NUR 413- Theory & App of Pop Health RNs (3 credits)
- NUR 414*- Synthesis of Pop Health RNs (2 credits)
*Approximately 16 volunteer hours in your community along with online coursework.
Online DNP with MSN Program Curriculum
After completion of the undergraduate prerequisite courses, RN to DNP with MSN students will continue to the MSN/DNP Curriculum according to your admitted area of emphasis. You cannot start graduate-level coursework until you have successfully completed all prerequisite courses. There is a fall and winter start into the graduate-level coursework. There is no summer start for graduate students. Work closely with your advisor to finish your prerequisites in time to start in the fall or winter semester.
| Part-time Curriculum | Full-time Curriculum |
|---|---|
| Winter start (January) | Winter start (January) |
| Fall start (August) | Fall start (August) |
RN to DNP with MSN Applicants Admission Requirements
The number of individuals admitted into the RN to DNP with MSN program is limited. You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for admission:
- Must have an Associates Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution with an average GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for their last 60 credit hours.
- If your ADN degree does not meet the 60-credit minimum, the most recent 60 college-level credits will be considered.
- Must have a current unencumbered RN license in the United States
- At least one year of RN experience is preferred.
State Authorization for Online Students
In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to comply with the distance education laws of each state. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in an online program, please visit the State Authorization page to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.
How to Apply to the Online DNP with MSN Program
To be considered for admission to UM-Flint’s online RN to DNP with MSN program submit an application below. Other materials can be emailed to [email protected] or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs.
RN to DNP with MSN Applicants
- Application for RN to DNP with MSN
- Click the “Sign Up” link at the bottom if you have never started an application with the University. If you have previously applied to the university, you can sign in.
- Click the “Start New” button.
- Under Level of Study, select “Graduate,” even if you are applying as an RN to DNP with MSN student.
- Under the Program of Study, select “Nursing (DNP with MSN option) – RN and/or Bachelor’s prepared.
- $55 non-refundable application fee (receive a waiver for the UM-Flint application fee by attending one of our webinars)
- $55 non-refundable application fee (receive a waiver for the application fee by attending one of our webinars)
- A completed supplemental application located within your Applicant Portal
- Copy of current RN license (submit either a license verification printout or a photocopy of your license)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- For any degree completed at a non-US institution, official transcripts must be submitted for credential review to an approved credentialing agency. You must submit your transcripts for a course-by-course evaluation. Once the evaluation is completed, the transcript course-by-course evaluation report must be submitted to the University of Michigan-Flint. This document must be submitted directly from the transcript evaluation company.
- If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
- Three letters of recommendation from any combination of the following sources:
- Faculty from a recent nursing program
- A supervisor in an employment setting
- An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Physician’s Assistant, MD or DO.
- Curriculum vitae or résumé
- Professional Goal Statement should be a one-two page typewritten document in APA format, double-spaced.
Please include:- Your reasons for pursuing a DNP, your professional plans and career goals, and why you want to attend UM-Flint
- Your past nursing experiences and how they will prepare you for an advanced nursing degree
- Past achievements in nursing, including any professional organization memberships or positions, awards, scholarships, nominations, certifications, committee/project work, or other accomplishments such as scholarly publications.
- Any special circumstances applicable to your application
- Describe your research interests
- Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
- A phone or in-person interview may be required.
Admissions Requirements Specific to the AGACNP Concentration ONLY
At least one year of full-time experience as a registered nurse with preferred experience in intensive care units such as Medical, Surgical, Neuro, Trauma, Burn and Cardiac ICU. It is preferred that the applicant have working knowledge of invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial), mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor titration. Consideration may be given to applicants who do not fully meet the above intensive care skills in such units as Perioperative Unit/Pre-op/PACU, Step-down, Emergency departments, and other specialty units such as Cath lab on an individual basis based on experience and an interview with the Lead Faculty of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Program.
- A letter to verify ICU skills/experience from the Candidate’s Nurse Manager will be requested prior to the beginning of the acute care track.
- Current certification as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider (ACLS) prior to the start of the acute care track.
- Current certification as a Basic Life Support Provider (BLS). An unencumbered RN License to practice.
- All students will be required to come to campus each semester (three total) for on-ground learning and skills activities during the acute care program in NUR 861, 863, and 865. Time on campus can vary between one-two consecutive days.
- If the student is not a Michigan resident, the student will be required to have a Michigan Nursing license and will attend clinicals in Michigan during the first and third semesters, the second may be in the state of residency if the state and facility allow the student to attend out of state universities and there is an existing contract with the University of Michigan, Flint.
Supporting materials may be emailed to [email protected].
International Students
This program is an online program with mandatory on-campus meetings. Admitted students will not be able to obtain a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].
Enrollment Deposit & Application Fee
Our program requires a $55 application fee. You can receive a waiver for this fee by attending one of our webinars (only good for the UM-Flint application). Once selected for admission to the RN to DNP with MSN program, you will be required to pay a $100 enrollment deposit (non-refundable) to reserve your seat. The deadline to pay the deposit will be indicated in your letter of admission. This enrollment deposit will be waived for students who graduated from any UM-Flint RN program.
Campus Orientation
If admitted to the program, you must attend a Graduate Nursing Orientation on campus before your graduate coursework program begins. The orientation date(s) will be indicated in your letter of admission. They are usually held in mid-May and mid-October.
Application Deadlines
Admission decision letters are sent out via email. To be considered for admission, submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs by 5 p.m. on the 1st day of the month:
RN to DNP Prerequisite Coursework Start Term Final Deadlines:
- Fall (final deadline) – Aug. 1*
- Winter (final deadline) – Nov. 1
- Summer (final deadline)– April 1
Applications submitted by the 1st of each month between September and April will be reviewed within approximately one month. All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted before the final deadline to be evaluated for admission for that term.
* If you apply for a fall start between May and August, the application will be reviewed in September each year. Students can still start on prerequisite coursework in fall terms but they will be in Part of Term 3 (2nd 7-week session).
Affordability and Financial Aid
The Online RN to DNP with MSN program offers affordable tuition rates for you to earn a respected University of Michigan degree. Undergraduate prerequisite classes will be offered at the undergraduate tuition rate. Once you have completed all prerequisites, your remaining coursework will be at the graduate tuition rate. Financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and loans, are also available.
Are you interested in pursuing a Nursing faculty position? Through our Nurse Faculty Loan Program, you can get your school paid for while gaining the skills and expertise required of faculty in the field of Nursing.
The Behavioral Health Workforce Education & Training Scholarships grant offers six scholarships available for Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students, with a total possible funding of $28,350 (disbursed in three equal payments during the Winter, Spring, and early Fall semesters).
The School of Nursing has been awarded a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Residency program grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration. This is a one-year paid position with full University of Michigan benefits. Residents will be provided with the opportunity to practice in many different types of psychiatric settings including special rotations and become certified in additional therapies.
Academic Advising
Do you want to talk to a knowledgeable academic advisor about the Online RN to DNP with MSN program? At UM-Flint, we are proud to have many dedicated advisors who can guide your unique educational journey. Book an appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start?
- RN to DNP students wanting to start on the prerequisite coursework can be admitted in fall, winter, or summer.
- You will start into the MSN/DNP curriculum AFTER you have completed all prerequisites.
- The MSN/DNP curriculum’s main start is in FALL each year.
- We admit for a winter semester as well, but it will not speed up your graduation.
- Work closely with your advisor to complete the prerequisite coursework in time to start graduate coursework in a fall or winter semester.
- There is no summer start date for graduate-level courses.
Is the degree a University of Michigan degree?
- Yes, it is the same diploma. It doesn’t matter if you went to Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint.
- You have the same alumni benefits.
Do I have to take the GRE?
- No
Will I get a BSN partway through?
- No, you will not have your BSN.
- There is no stop-out for the BSN. If you think you may want the BSN, please look into our RN to DNP program with early assurance into the MSN/DNP curriculum.
- You will have an MSN or DNP once you complete all coursework.
Do I have to come to Flint?
- During your prerequisite coursework, you do not have to come to Flint.
- Once you start into graduate-level coursework, you will come to Flint around 3-5 times a year.
Can I go part-time?
- Yes, students must apply for either the Part-Time or Full-Time curriculum at the time of application.
How long will it take?
- Prerequisite Coursework:
- You have up to two years to complete all prerequisites after you are admitted.
- You can complete the prerequisite coursework in as little as two semesters if you want to be full-time.
- You cannot start into graduate-level coursework until you have completed all the prerequisites.
- FALL Graduate Coursework- This is from the first day you start graduate coursework and does not include the time it takes to complete the prerequisites:
- MSN
- Part-time: two years and eight months
- Full-time: one year and eight months
- DNP
- Part-time: three years and eight months
- Full-time: two years and eight months
- MSN
If you start in the winter semester, it will not speed up your graduation but just lighten the load in a few semesters.
Can I work full-time?
- During the prerequisites, yes because you have up to two years to complete.
- Once you start graduate coursework, it depends if you are full-time or part-time.
- We do not recommend it if you are completing the program full-time.
How many classes do I take each semester
- During the prerequisites, you can go as fast or slow as you want.
- You can take one class a semester or up to four classes a semester.
- Once you start into graduate coursework, it is a cohort program and you follow a specific curriculum.
- Part-time is an average of two classes a semester.
- Full-time is an average of four classes a semester.
Can I take time off?
- Yes, during your prerequisite coursework.
- Not suggested during graduate coursework.
- The coursework is a cohort and builds upon itself.
- You must complete the courses in order, and they are only offered so often.
- If you stop out, it could delay your program by up to a year.
Will you help with clinical placement in the MSN/DNP?
- We allow students to do their clinical experiences in their own communities.
- We have a clinical coordinator who helps with finding placement within two hours of your home.
- You will need to participate in the process and work closely with the clinical coordinator to find placement in your area.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career—Earn a DNP Degree!
Apply to the University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing’s Online RN to DNP with MSN program to take your nursing expertise to the next level!
Do you have more questions about the program? Submit a request for information form to learn more!