Dual D.N.P. and Certificate
3.5-year part-time hybrid pathway
The dual D.N.P. and certificate pathway allows students to earn a post-professional certificate and a doctorate concurrently with a minimum of 52 credits rather than the 58 credits necessary if the two plans of study were pursued separately. The D.N.P. prepares graduates to use outcomes to evaluate practice initiatives, use evidence-based practice to implement change, lead advanced decision-making and strategies to influence health policies and facilitate interprofessional collaboration in health care systems. This pathway is an option for nurses with an APRN certification.
Students are eligible to take the nurse practitioner certification exam at the conclusion of their clinical rotations, two semesters prior to graduation, and be awarded the certificate. At the completion of the program, graduates earn their D.N.P.
- Proven success: Graduates achieve high board pass rates with our evidence-based curriculum and expert faculty
- Clinical placement support: We match students with experienced preceptors for hands-on learning in top-tier settings
- Experience team-based health care training: Collaborate across VCU’s health sciences campus and train at VCU Medical Center, the number one ranked hospital in Virginia
Concentrations
Eligible admitted Post-M.S. D.N.P. students can earn their dual degree in one of three different concentrations. VCU Bulletin is the official source for course and academic program information.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) concentration is designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to provide direct, acute care to a diverse adult population, ranging from young adults to older adults. Coursework and practicum experiences focus on advanced clinical skills, preparing you to address complex health issues across the lifespan and continuum of care.
Family Nurse Practitioner
The family nurse practitioner (FNP) concentration focuses on wellness, preventive care and the management of episodic and chronic conditions for patients of all ages, from children and adolescents to pregnant women, adults and seniors. Through comprehensive coursework and practicum experiences, you will develop the clinical skills necessary to offer advanced, evidence-based care to families across the lifespan.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) concentration prepares graduates to deliver psychiatric care to individuals and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of care. Coursework focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders, emphasizing a holistic approach to mental health. You will learn about interventions such as psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, nonpharmacologic methods and advanced therapeutic communication.
Application Info
| Application Opens | Application Closes | Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2027 | September 1, 2027 | October 15, 2027 |
| Application Opens | Application Closes | Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2028 | September 1, 2028 | October 16, 2028 |
Please Note
- In order to be reviewed for admission, all components of the application must be delivered by the deadline. Incomplete applications after the deadline will not be reviewed for the spring semester start.
After being admitted to the Post-M.S. to D.N.P. program, eligible students can apply to the respective nurse practitioner certificate following the date chart above.
Components
Submit the following materials with your application:
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement
- Resume or a curriculum vitae
- RN license
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
Cost
The application fee is $75.
Application Link
The application link will be posted in spring 2027.
We're here to help! Contact us at VCU_Nurse@vcu.edu with your admissions questions.
Review the functional and technical standards required for participation in the academic programs of the School of Nursing.
Prospective students with a conviction showing on their criminal history record may not be eligible to participate in clinical experiences at selected sites. This may impact the student’s ability to successfully complete program requirements. Applicants with a criminal history record are advised to review eligibility and licensure requirements for states in which they may seek employment (see Virginia eligibility requirements).
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have already completed a master’s degree in an advanced nursing specialty and are seeking both a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and an additional APRN certification. After being admitted to the Post-M.S. D.N.P. program, eligible students can apply to the nurse practitioner certificate of their choice.
Lecture courses are conducted through a mix of online and hybrid formats. About half are fully online, while the rest require one on-campus day per week. Clinical courses are conducted in-person in a clinical setting.
It is a part-time, three-and-a-half-year program, spanning ten consecutive semesters.
No, students do not need to find their own preceptors. Each semester, students are matched with preceptors based on availability and course needs. Students may request specific preceptors or sites for consideration, though requests are not guaranteed.
No, the D.N.P. degree is practice-focused, not research-focused. D.N.P. students complete a project during which they identify a systemic problem, implement an evidence-based solution and evaluate its impact on health care outcomes. This project showcases their advanced skills in applying research to real-world practice.
Yes, you can complete your D.N.P. project at your place of employment. The project must be approved by your workplace and the school’s project vetting committee, and an organizational sponsor (not your direct supervisor) must oversee it.