Nursing Graduate Programs - Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences

Nursing Graduate Programs

The future of health care depends on strong leadership from excellent clinicians. The doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs at TU provide this education through rigorous didactic and clinical experiences that prepare nurses to provide care and lead change into the future. The School of Nursing offers four cutting-edge advanced practice nursing graduate programs that culminate with the DNP degree:

These programs are taught by practicing experts in their fields. Students learn through active learning experiences using state-of-the-art human patient simulation and hands-on learning through facilitated onsite clinical experiences. Students are matched with faculty and preceptors that will promote their development. Faculty believe that students should be free to concentrate on learning rather than the administrative work of locating preceptors.

We want to invest in you. Generous DNP scholarships — up to $10,000 — may be available for qualified applicants. Apply here.

Student Achievement Outcomes

100%: That’s the proportion of our spring 2020 DNP program graduates who passed their certification exams in spring/summer 2020. These first-time test-takers studied hard, rose to the challenge and are now well on the road to making a measurable impact on their patients’ lives and the health care system.

DNP Certification Exam First Time Pass Rates202120222023
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP)100% (11/11)100% (8/8)100% (1/2)*
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP100% (4/4)100% (6/6)100% (5/5)
Nurse AnesthesiaN/AN/A100% (3/14)**
DNP On-Time Program Completion202120222023
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP)69% (9/13)75% (6/8)100% (2/2)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP67% (4/6)83% (5/6)80% (4/5)
Nurse AnesthesiaN/AN/A87.5% (14/16)
Master's - DNP202120222023
Master's - DNP100% (3/3)50% (1/2)***0% (0/1)***
* 1 FNP graduate has not taken exam
** 11 NA graduates have not taken the exam
*** Student withdrew from program

Family nurse practitioner program graduate Charlon Orr (DNP '20) at Bayless Plaza

“After considering different colleges, TU’s DNP program stood out as the best option for me. The combination of online and on-campus learning was the perfect way for me to achieve the expertise I was looking for.”

– Charlon Orr, DNP ’20

  • Program Learning Outcomes

    1. Develop new practice approaches based on nursing theory and theories borrowed from other disciplines to improve health and reduce health disparities locally, nationally, and globally.

    2. Employ strategic leadership skills and inter-professional collaboration to influence health policy, advocate for social justice, and promote equity locally, nationally, and globally.

    3. Implement ethical, cost effective, and evidence-based changes in care systems, while advancing the profession.

    4. Provide leadership at the highest levels to design, direct and evaluate system changes to deliver and promote patient-centered care that is culturally competent, safe, timely, effective, efficient, and equitable.

    5. Engage in complex, evidence-based advanced nursing practice, and evaluate innovative approaches to care delivery for individuals, communities, and populations.

  • Admission process

    APPLY NOW https://graduate.utulsa.edu/admission/applying

    Prospective graduate students apply for admission through the Graduate School. You will submit your application, supporting material and a $60 application fee through the Graduate School application system.

    If you have any questions or problems with the TU Graduate School application link, please contact grad@utulsa.edu or 918-631-2336.

    Applications are reviewed throughout the spring and summer until spaces are filled. Applications are reviewed as they are received and potential candidates will be scheduled for an interview.

    Admission requirements

    1. Current unencumbered Oklahoma Registered Nurse license
    2. A bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program
    3. Recommended overall GPA of 3.0
    4. Further requirements are track specific:
    • Nurse Anesthesia: minimum of one year (2,080 hours) of full-time experience within the two years prior to application in an intensive care or coronary care unit, or the equivalent hours if working part time (Click here for full NA program admission requirements.)
    • Post-master’s to DNP completion: certification and experience as an advanced practice nurse
  • Graduate program FAQ

    Do I need to take the GRE?
    No. The GRE is not required.

    Do I need board certifications (CCRN, RN-BC, CEN)?
    CCRN is not required but preferred. We take into consideration all additional education and certifications.

    What is the typical schedule?
    The schedule will vary according to semester [refer to NA course (years 1,2, and 3)]. Once in clinical practicum schedule is based on clinical placement.

    Can I work and attend school?
    The program is full-time for 36 consecutive months. The time commitment is extensive, especially during clinical practicum. This may preclude outside employment.

    Is this an online/distance program?
    This is a hybrid program. Core didactic nursing courses are online delivered asynchronously using Blackboard. Anesthesia specific didactic courses are delivered in person as are courses utilizing the Human Patient Simulation lab. In person didactic and simulation courses are in the Oxley College of Health Sciences building in downtown Tulsa.

    What are the clinical sites?
    The main clinical sites are in the Tulsa metropolitan area with optional enrichment sites throughout Oklahoma and neighboring states. The main clinical sites are St. John Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital, Hillcrest Medical Center, and Bristow Medical Center.

    What undergraduate courses are required?
    Satisfactory completion of undergraduate courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, statistics, and biology.

    Are pediatric or neonatal ICU experiences acceptable?
    Yes. There is no preference for the type of ICU experience. The acuity of the ICU and any leadership roles within the unit/organization are taken into consideration.

  • Application requirements

    To be considered for graduate admission, the following items must be submitted to the Graduate School:

    • A completed Graduate School application
    • Statement of purpose (admission essay)
    • 2 letters of recommendation from a coworker and a supervisor
      • Nurse Anesthesia: 3 letters (1 academic, 1 current supervisor, 1 physician, APRN, or RN familiar with your critical care skills)
    • Official or unofficial transcripts from ALL universities attended
    • Documentation of a current Registered Nurse license
    • Evidence of appropriate clinical experience:
      • Nurse Anesthesia: minimum of one year (2,080 hours) of full-time experience within the two years prior to application in an intensive care or coronary care unit, or the equivalent hours if working part-time (Click here for full NA program admission requirements.)
      • Post-master’s to DNP completion: certification and experience as an advanced practice nurse
    • $60 application fee
    • Applicants for whom English is not their first language must take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam and have an official copy of their results sent to The University of Tulsa Graduate School. For more information on English language requirements, please review TU’s language proficiency policy.
  • Accreditation

    All of our DNP programs have been approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. The School of Nursing is a member of the National League for Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. DNP graduates are eligible to apply to sit for national board certification in their respective field of study.


    ACEN accreditation commission sealThe AG-ACNP, FNP and MSN to DNP programs have been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326.


    Council on Accreditation (COA) sealThe NA program has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603 (224-275-9130; coanet.org), and has received Provisional Approval from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.


    ACEN accreditation commission sealAdult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) – Post-Master’s Certificate

    Effective Aug. 18, 2023, this nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on Aug. 18, 2025.

    Accreditation for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
    3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
    Atlanta, GA. 30326
    404-975-5000
    http://www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp

    Note: Upon granting of initial accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners, the effective date of initial accreditation is the date on which the nursing program was approved by the ACEN as a candidate program that concluded in the Board of Commissioners granting initial accreditation.