Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Advance Nursing Practice, Transform Hawai‘i’s Health

 

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa prepares nurses for the highest level of clinical practice, leadership, and evidence based care—     Learning opportunities are rooted in the unique health needs of our local communities and grounded in the University’s mission of serving Hawaiʻi and the Pacific through excellence in teaching, research, and service.

Designed to meet the growing demand for highly skilled nursing professionals across the islands, the DNP program equips graduates with the expertise to deliver safe, culturally responsive, and evidence-based care throughout the state of Hawai‘i, including underserved and rural communities. The curriculum emphasizes independent advanced nursing practice, leadership within health systems, and advocacy for equitable healthcare statewide.

 

DNP SPECIALTIES

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – For RNs with a bachelor’s degree or higher

• Family Nurse Practitioner – For RNs with a bachelor’s degree or higher

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – For RNs with a bachelor’s degree or higher or for APRN’s with a master’s degree

• Post-Master’s in Organizational Leadership – For RNs with a master’s degree or higher

• EMBA to DNP – for graduates of the Shidler College of Business EMBA Healthcare Track, accepting applications for Fall 2026 cohort in August 2025

International Student Visa

International students enrolled in fully online or primarily online degree or certificate programs are not eligible for issuance of the Form I-20 required to apply for an F-1 student visa to study in the United States. Students participating in online programs must complete their coursework from outside the United States unless they hold another valid immigration status that permits study in the U.S.

For the purposes of international student visa eligibility, a “primarily online” program refers to a program in which the majority of coursework or instructional delivery is conducted online or through distance education methods, even if the program may include limited in-person, hybrid, residency, or short-term on-campus components.