Washington DC Nursing Doctorate Degree Programs

Catholic University of America: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) & PhD in Nursing Science Program Review
Catholic University of America, 3600 John McCormack Rd., NE, Washington, DC 20064.
Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private university founded in 1887. The university is based in the District of Columbia, and is a four year institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university is the self-proclaimed “national university of the Catholic church in the United States.”

The School of Nursing at Catholic University of America offers both a PhD in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Both degrees are terminal qualifications in the nursing profession.

The DNP program at Catholic University of America focuses on training nurses to provide evidence-based care based on research findings. Though graduates of the DNP program may teach in nursing education programs, the DNP program at Catholic University of America does not prepare students for teaching positions. The post-masters DNP may be completed in 34-37 credits, while the post-BSN DNP requires 71 to 89 credits.

The PhD in Nursing program at Catholic University of America trains advanced nursing professionals to become clinical researchers. The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program requires an exam, a dissertation and successful dissertation defense to earn the PhD in Nursing qualification. Admission requirements to the PhD in Nursing program include a BSN and MSN from a nursing program that is CCNE or NLNAC accredited. Applicants are encouraged to have at least a 3.5 GPA in previous undergraduate and graduate nursing programs for a competitive PhD in Nursing application.

George Washington University: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Review

George Washington University

800 21st Street Northwest

Washington, DC 20052

George Washington University is a private university founded in 1821. The university is located in the District of Columbia. George Washington University has three campuses- Foggy Bottom Campus, the Mount Vernon Campus and the George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus.

The School of Nursing of George Washington University offers a DNP program. For nurses who want to stay in practice and pursue additional education and training, the DNP provides management and leadership education in nursing. Admission requirements include a BSN or MSN with a 3.3 GPA or higher from an accredited university. In addition, masters prepared applicants should have advanced certification in the area of Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Nursing Leadership and Management or Nursing Administration. Students in the NP requirement should hold NP certification. Masters students should also have a graduate level statistics course, and are not required to take the GRE.

The DNP program is delivered primarily online, with students required to attend an orientation, and seminars or project preparation.

Specialization options for BSN applicants include:

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nursing Leadership & Management

Specialization options for MSN applicants include:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Health Care Quality

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

The Post BSN DNP requires 60 to 69 credits, while the Post MSN DNP requires 36-47 credits. The amount of time required to complete the DNP will depend on the student’s area of specialization.