The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Online BSN-to-DNP AGACNP and FNP Programs

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing through the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville offers an online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with two specializations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Coursework is delivered completely online with one required campus orientation. There may be other minimal campus visits required that are arranged with the School of Nursing. Clinical practicums are completed at approved sites local to the student.

DNP learning outcomes may include the ability to apply knowledge and theory to solve complex health problems for individuals as well as for whole populations and within health systems; the ability to affect quality improvement through strategies within organizations and through policy change; leadership abilities that promote interprofessional collaboration, the use and application of technology, and systems change; and demonstration of clinical expertise and personal accountability in delivering evidence-based care in order to improve patient care quality, access, and outcomes.

Topics of study for AGACNP students include acute and critical illness, chronic illness, and common health problems in adults and older adults. Each of these areas includes a dedicated practicum. FNP students study common and complex problems in primary care populations including children through adults across the lifespan. Other topics of study for both specializations include information systems, technology, health promotion within diverse populations, economics, finance, healthcare policy, translational research, health assessment, and evidence-based practice.

Graduates of the BSN to DNP program are eligible to take the AGACNP and FNP certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Professionally certified DNP program graduates may seek employment in a variety of healthcare situations including government facilities, primary care settings, hospitals, emergency rooms, critical care and intensive care units, schools, research facilities, long-term care facilities, and in-home health care.

The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The BSN to DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville is located in Fayetteville, AR.

What to Expect from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Online DNP Program

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the BSN to DNP program must hold a BSN degree from an accredited program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 credit hours of the BSN. Applications are made to both the University of Arkansas Graduate School and the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Program. Candidates must hold a current, unencumbered RN license. Application materials include two letters of recommendation, official GRE scores, a resume or CV, and official transcripts. BSN to DNP applicants also complete an interview.

State Restrictions: The U of A Online accepts students from many states, however, students from some states are not eligible to complete the DNP program: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, Washington DC, and Wyoming. In addition, any student outside Arkansas interested in the program should contact the School of Nursing to verify eligibility. As well, out-of-state students should contact the licensing board of their specific state of residence to verify that the program meets state requirements for DNP licensure.

Study Plan: The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville admits BSN to DNP students in the summer. The program can be completed in about four years and includes clinical hours. There is one required orientation and any further campus visits will be prearranged and minimal.

BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP program comprises 78 credits and includes at least 1,080 clinical hours for the FNP specialization and 1,125 clinical hours for the AGACNP specialization. Courses for all DNP students include Healthcare Policy; Healthcare Informatics; Evaluation Methods and Translational Research for Evidence-Based Practice; Healthcare Economics and Finance; Organizational Management and Systems Leadership; Analytic Methods and Epidemiology for Healthcare; Scholarly Writing; Statistics in Education and Health Professions; DNP Clinical Practicum I-III; and DNP Project Implementation I-II.

All BSN to DNP students also complete the following: Scientific Foundations and Role Development in Advanced Practice Nursing; Concepts of Health Promotion with Diverse Populations; Evidence-Based Practice and Innovation in Nursing; Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning plus Clinical Practicum; Pharmacotherapeutics; and Advanced Pathophysiology.

  • AGACNP Specialization Courses: Acute and Critical Illness in Adult and Gerontology Populations plus Clinical Practicum; Common Problems in Acute Care in Adult and Gerontology Populations plus Clinical Practicum; and Chronic Health Problems in Adult and Gerontology Populations plus Clinical Practicum
  • FNP Specialization Courses: Common Problems in Primary Care plus Clinical Practicum; Primary Care of Children plus Clinical Practicum; and Complex Problems in Primary Care plus Clinical Practicum

Online Experience: The BSN to DNP program utilizes Blackboard Learn as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are asynchronous to allow for full or part-time study. Students collaborate with faculty and peers, turn in assignments, and take exams through the Blackboard Learn system. There may also be projects and other assignments to complete. Online students have access to the Student Liaison Office which can help students with enrollment, time management, completion of courses, and direction to other sources of help. Services for online students include an online library and bookstore, technical support, admissions counseling, academic advising, faculty office hours, writing help, tutoring, and career counseling.

On-Site Requirements: BSN to DNP students are required to come to the Fayetteville, AR campus for a program orientation. There may be minimal other campus visits pre-arranged with the School of Nursing. All other coursework is online with local clinical preceptorships completed at approved facilities local to the student.

Paying for the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Online BSN to DNP Program

The online BSN to DNP program costs $583.11 per credit plus fees for both in-state and out-of-state students. Travel expenses for the orientation and any further campus visits are not included. Prospective DNP students should contact the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing for more details.

Graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal loans according to the FAFSA. DNP students in the FNP track may also be eligible for the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce grant through the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration. In addition, grants and scholarships may be available through the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Outside funding options may also exist such as tuition reimbursement programs through employers, and organizational or community grants and scholarships.

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville offers a 100% online BSN to DNP program with one required campus orientation, asynchronous courses, and affordable tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students.

APRN Programs

BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Campus Address

College of Education and Health Professions, Room 324 Graduate Education Building
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville – BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP

Program Essentials

Degree Level

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialization

AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Summer

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

1

Credits Needed to Graduate

78

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

1,125

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

Yes, GRE Required

GPA Required?

None

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, GA, ID, MN, NY, ND, OR, WA, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

78

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$583.11

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$45,482.58

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$583.11

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$45,482.58

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville – BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Essentials

Degree Level

DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Specialization

FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Start Dates

Summer

100% Online?

No

Campus Visits Required

1

Credits Needed to Graduate

79

Clinical Hours Needed to Graduate

1,080

Program Accreditation

CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Program Admissions

Level of Education Required?

BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing

GRE or GMAT Required?

Yes, GRE Required

GPA Required?

None

State Restrictions? (Will Not Accept From…)

AL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, GA, ID, LA, MN, NY, ND, OR, WA, WY

Program Tuition

Credit Hours

79

Average Cost Per Credit (state resident)

$644.55

Estimated Total Tuition (state resident)

$50,919.45

Average Cost Per Credit (non-resident)

$644.55

Estimated Total Tuition (non-resident)

$50,919.45

Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.

Sara Navratil

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.