Doctor of Nursing Practice
The DNP is the terminal academic preparation for clinical nursing practice. The DNP builds on the competences of the master’s degree, and adds a highly advanced skill base in informatics and technology, evidence-based practice, continuous quality improvement, and organizational systems and leadership. The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso College of Nursing DNP prepares graduates to:
- Synthesize current and emerging science, including genetics/genomics, in the application of advanced practice nursing to the care of individuals, groups, communities, and systems.
- Utilize evidenced-based practice, standards of care, ethical decision-making and clinical judgment to support health promotion/restoration and cost-effective, culturally competent quality healthcare.
- Model full accountability for professional advancement and lifelong learning.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to achieve national quality healthcare goals and reduce health disparities.
- Assume advanced leadership roles in addressing complex health problems of the border region involving health disparities, ethics, policy, access, quality, and financing.
- Establish collegial and collaborative relationships with health professionals to provide comprehensive healthcare management in a variety of settings for individuals, families and communities experiencing chronic illness.
- Promote the highest level of professional accountability for nursing and the larger healthcare delivery system through dissemination of evidence-based findings and the use of translational research to improve healthcare outcomes for target populations.
DNP Program at a Glance
- Curriculum aligns with the Essential of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006).
- Special consideration is given to NPs that teach or plan to teach or who reside/work or plan to reside/work in rural or medically under-served areas
- A student cohort will be enrolled each academic year in the full time, 5 semester long program.
- The prescribed curriculum has been designed for the working advanced practice nurse.
- The on-campus classes are conducted one weekend a month (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) during fall and spring and over four weekends during the summer session.
How to Apply
- Submit online application to the
- Applications will not be processed by the graduate school until they are complete. A complete application includes a resume, letter of intent, three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. You may upload unofficial transcripts to expedite the process; however, your admission will not be finalized until official transcripts are received by the Graduate School.
- All applicants must first meet the Graduate School admission requirements. The Graduate School evaluates your application and transcripts; then, forwards the application to the College of Nursing.
Application Deadlines
Admission Term |
Application Deadline |
Fall Term ▪ August 2025 |
July 11, 2025 |
Admissions Requirements for DNP Program (Post-Master's Degree)
- Eligibility for admission to UTEP Graduate School (including completion of the TOEFL with a score of 550 or higher and all requirements for the Commission on Foreign Graduate Nursing Schools (CFGNS) for international students).
- Completion of a master’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or its equivalent in the case of foreign-prepared APNs.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher from master’s degree course work.
- Current unencumbered registered nurse license and hold one of the following Advance Practice Registered Nurse Certifications:
- Nurse Practitioner- NP (there are a variety of Nurse Practitioners)
- Nurse Midwife-NMW
- Clinical Nurse Specialist- CNS
- Certified Register Nurse Anesthetist – CRNAs
- Approval by the Board of Nursing, or its equivalent, to practice as an advanced practice nurse in the state or country in which clinical practice will occur.
- Current national or board certification by a nationally recognized credentialing organization as an advanced practice nurse.
- Letter of intent (LOI) to apply identifying experience with underserved populations including community service, awareness and direct knowledge of cultural elements that impact healthcare along the U.S.-Mexico border, and current teaching in a Texas nursing program.
- Current resume or curriculum vita.
- A personal goal statement congruent with program goals.
- Three letters of references attesting to the applicant’s academic ability and potential, including one from a professional colleague.
- Completion of personal interview.
Dr. Roberta Durk-Gomez
Clinical Associate Professor
Coordinator / Advisor: MSN-DNP
915-747-7285, Rm. 371
radurk@utep.edu
Faculty Profile
Third-Party Comments for College of Nursing (CON)
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso, CON Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program received an initial five-year accreditation by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in April 2019. The DNP program is scheduled for a five-year accreditation review March 13-15, 2024.
Written third party comments regarding the DNP program must be received by CCNE no later than February 19, 2024.
CCNE accepts only signed, third-party written comments in English.
If you would like to submit a third-party comment for a program currently under review, please submit to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org
Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third Party Comments
655 K St. NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001