For the third year in a row, nurse practitioners (NPs) have been ranked the No. 1 job in America by U.S. News & World Report! This is powerful validation of the profession’s growth, stability, and impact. NPs are leading health care transformation, expanding access, and improving outcomes across every setting of care. There has never been a better time to advance your practice and step into a nurse practitioner role with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
At the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) School of Nursing, our DNP program prepares you to become a highly skilled advanced practice clinician and health care leader. With a curriculum grounded in evidence-based practice, systems leadership, and clinical excellence, UWM graduates are equipped as excellent clinicians who drive meaningful change across health care environments.
UWM DNP Program Highlights
72-Credit DNP Curriculum
UWM offers a 72-credit DNP program designed to build deep clinical expertise, leadership acumen, and scholarly practice. Students develop advanced skills in diagnostics, pharmacology, population health, quality improvement, and health systems leadership.
Guaranteed Clinical Placements
We guarantee clinical placements for every DNP student. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, UWM has never had a student suffer a program delay due to lack of a clinical site. We work hard on academic-practice partnerships to provide clinical placements for our students.
Unlike many online DNP programs or nurse practitioner schools that require students to find their own preceptors, UWM fully coordinates clinical placements through established partnerships with:
- Major health systems
- Community clinics
- Specialty practices
- Behavioral health organizations
What this means:
- Timely placement every semester
- Experienced NP and physician preceptors
- High-quality, diverse clinical settings
- No interruptions to progression or graduation
Have willing preceptors? We will work with you! Not sure where to start? No problem. You focus on becoming an excellent provider, we handle the logistics.
Built-In Board Certification Review
UWM integrates a board certification review through Fitzgerald Health and Education Associates directly into the curriculum so you graduate:
- Prepared for NP board exams
- Confident in high-yield content
- Practiced in test-taking strategies
- Ready to pass certification on your first attempt
No need for outside courses. No extra cost. Certification prep is embedded into your education.
Flexible DNP Pathways
We offer:
- Full-time and part-time options
- Fall and Spring start dates
- Support for working nurses, financial aid and scholarships
Nurse Practitioner Specialties at UWM
UWM offers three high-demand nurse practitioner tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Prepare for primary care across the lifespan. FNPs work in:
- Family practice clinics
- Urgent care or Emergency Department
- Community health centers
- School-based clinics
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
Train to care for adults with complex and critical conditions in:
- ICUs
- Hospitalist services
- Inpatient surgical services
- Specialty service lines
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Prepare to meet the growing mental health crisis by providing:
- Psychiatric assessment
- Medication management
- Therapy across the lifespan
- Care in inpatient & outpatient settings
Lead the Future of Health Care
Nurse practitioners are shaping the future of health care. With a DNP degree from UWM, you graduate with:
- Advanced clinical expertise
- Leadership skills for health systems
- Guaranteed clinical experience
- Built-in board exam preparation
- A competitive edge in the job market
Whether you’re pursuing family practice, acute care, or mental health, UWM’s DNP program prepares you to lead with confidence.
Ready to apply? Explore the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee DNP Program and take the next step in your nursing career.