Q: Which semesters does the university accept students into the DNP program?
A: The DNP program accepts students to the program in the summer and fall terms only.

Q: Can you work full-time and go to school full-time?
A: Every student is different, so we recommend you assess the amount of time you will be able to devote to your studies. If your job has demanding hours, part-time schooling is recommended. The full-time program of study takes three semesters to complete, and a part-time schedule results in two more semesters, for a total of five semesters.

Q: Can you take one class a semester?
A: The program of study is designed to keep entering students in cohorts as they progress through the program. If a student does not stay in line with the program, there may be delays on the flow and completion date for the student.

Q: Can you have a bachelor’s in nursing, BSN, and a non-nursing master’s, such as in another focus like health administration, and be accepted into the DNP program?
A: The program requires a master’s in nursing. If you have a BSN, then the BSN to PhD may be an alternative program that we offer to achieve you doctoral level of education.

Q: Do you have to go to school full-time to get financial assistance?
A: Most aid requires full-time student status to qualify. The UAB Financial Services Office has the experts on these topics. They can be reached at 205-934-8223. 

Q: If you are interviewed and a faculty member recommends admission, are you accepted?
A: The interview process is not required for all students, and is not the step in the application process that indicates acceptance into the program. The interview is necessary for several programs to determine eligibility requirements, and those requirements are brought in to the master’s admission task force. The task force reviews all qualified applicants, and you will receive correspondence which includes an offer letter if you are selected.

Q: Can you select a specialty area not listed on the application?
A: The individual study plan is the option that may deviate from one of our listed specialties. An individual study plan CANNOT be taken if we already offer a specialty in the area requested. The faculty will work with the student to devise an individual study plan that will be comparable to a specialty program of study.

Q: What electives should I take for the DNP program?
A: A number of electives are available on campus. Remember that your elective should support your scholarly practice project, if possible.

Q: Do I need to complete Institutional Review Board, IRB, training for the DNP program?
A: You will need to complete an IRB application for your scholarly practice project. This requires that you complete IRB training. Include your evidence of IRB training with your IRB application to your advisor. If you have not completed initial IRB training and the required yearly update, you may do so at UAB. Log on to the main UAB Web site, find the Research tab, and click on Administration. From there, click on Institutional Review Board for Human Use (IRB), and then click on training. Chose Initial or Continuing. You will find several choices listed; any of these will meet the requirement for IRB training. The initial training takes time to complete, so this is something you might want to do between semesters. 

Q: Will I need to be on campus during the semester?
A: Keep April 1-3 on your schedule for the first DNP Intensive. This is the one time you will be required to come to campus. We will send out more information about the schedule and hotel information later.

Q: How do I prepare for my scholarly project?
A: As you prepare for your scholarly practice project, remember that this is a clinical course that has several requirements. We must have a contract with the agency where you will be engaging in your project, even if you are an employ of that agency. You must have a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the state where your project takes place. You must have current CPR certification, HIPAA training, and any other requirements that your agency stipulates. Your completed scholarly project planning packet should be submitted to your advisor. It is never too early to begin this process. Be prepared, as some contracts take up to six months to establish.