DNP: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Accepting Applications for Fall 2024

We are accepting applications for Fall 2024.

Apply Now

A pediatric acute care nurse meets with a family.

The DNP Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty option prepares nurse clinicians to provide advanced nursing care across the continuum of acute care services.

Ranked Among the Best

Best DNP US News Ranking 2023-2024

See all of our rankings.


86% Pass Rate: Congratulations to our 2022 Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner graduates, who earned a 86% pass rate on the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board exam.


Meet Our New Simulation Baby

Gaumard Super Tory

UMSON is home to a Gaumard Super Tory, a state-of-the-art simulation baby that is considered the world's most advanced infant robot. See it in action.


What is it like to be a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?

See for yourself by watching this video produced by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

Acute care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners provide family-centered and culturally respectful care for pediatric patients with acute, complex, critical, and chronic illnesses across a variety of care settings, working closely with an interprofessional team to provide the highest level of evidence-based care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners care for children from birth to age 21, diagnosing illnesses, conducting exams, and prescribing medications. Many work alongside pediatricians, but some run their own private practices. 

What you’ll learn:

Through a hybrid approach to learning that emphasizes in-person clinical experiences, this specialty will prepare you to provide advanced nursing care to children.

You’ll concentrate on: 

  • applying advanced critical-thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills to identify, evaluate, manage, assess, and adapt interventions, including:
    • planning and coordinating therapeutic interventions to restore or maintain health
    • implementing pharmacologic interventions and referrals to specialty providers
    • coordinating care and collaborating with interprofessional teams
  • analyzing health policy and its effects on the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), the interdisciplinary team, the health care system, and care delivery models 
  • using technology and quality improvement methods to enhance quality and safety and monitor health outcomes
  • demonstrating leadership skills and an understanding of the APRN role and its influence within professional organizations and accrediting and regulatory bodies at local and national levels.

Why choose this program?

  • Taking some of your classes online helps you balance work, home, and school, regardless of location.
  • You can complete the program in the timeframe that works with your schedule, with three-, four-, and five-year options.
  • You’ll be placed in an individual practicum that’s the best fit for you, due to our strong relationships with clinical partners, including top-ranking childrens’ hospitals in Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Pennsylvania; and Delaware. We tailor the clinical experiences for each student.
  • PNP and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner specialty students take several clinical courses together, so you’ll benefit from the expertise of faculty and students in and out of your specialty. 
  • Our faculty have extensive pediatric nursing experience as well as experience as pediatric primary care, acute care, and dual-certified PNPs.
  • You’ll work with state-of-the-art neonatal and pediatric high-fidelity simulation models, using real-life scenarios to learn collaborative management approaches and gain procedural expertise.
  • When you graduate, you'll be prepared to take the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board’s Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care Exam.

This program is offered as a great mix of face-to-face, supportive instruction and online classes, all with faculty who are experts in their areas of specialty.

Credits Required: no more than 80, depending on prior education
Practicum Hours Required: 855 hours in direct patient care settings and 225 hours in other required practicum coursework

The University of Maryland School of Nursing offers Acute Care and Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP specialties.

Program Snapshot

Length

As little as 3 years

Format

Blended (face-to-face and online)

Tuition and Fees View overview

In State Tuition: $873.00/credit
Out of State Tuition: $1,549.00/credit

Accreditation Read Details

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Choose one of four paths to your DNP.

Our Doctor of Nurse Practice program has an option that fits your goals and experience, whether you 1) have your BSN, 2) have your master's in nursing or a related field, 3) are already a nurse practitioner, 4) are looking to change your specialty. Focus your energy and resources on only those courses that you need to achieve your goals. Learn more about our DNP pathways.

More Information

Courses You'll Take

For financial aid purposes, there are credit minimums for full-time status that may differ from the plans of study. See details.

Post-BSN:

Plans of Study for Fall 2016 and Beyond:

Plans of Study Prior to Fall 2016:

Post-Master's:

Post-Doctoral Certificate:


Post-BSN: Three-Year Plan of Study

Semester and Course Number/Title Credit/Clinical Hours
Fall Year 1
NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology 3 Credits 
NURS 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span 3 Credits 
NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span 4 Credits
NRSG 785: Professional Writing 1 Credit
Total: 11 Credits 
Spring Year 1 
NRSG 790: Methods for Research and Evidence-Based Practice 3 Credits
NRSG 795: Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits 
NDNP 850: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning 2 Credits 
NDNP 851: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning Clinical 2 Credits (90 Hours)
Total: 10 Credits
Summer Year 1 
NRSG 780: Population Health and Promotion 3 Credits
NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy 3 Credits
NDNP 725: Advanced Pediatric Pathophysiology, Developmental Assessment and Health Promotion 2 Credits
Total: 8 Credits
Fall Year 2 
NDNP 804: Theory for Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits
NRSG 782: Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement 3 Credits 
NDNP 852: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic 4 Credits
NDNP 853: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic Clinical Practicum/Seminar 3 Credits (135 Hours)
NDNP 809A: DNP Project Readiness 0 Credits 
Total: 13 Credits
Spring Year 2 
NDNP 810: DNP Project Identification 3 Credit (90 Hours)
NDNP 807: Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Practice 3 Credits (45 Hours)
NDNP 854: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions 4 Credits
NDNP 855: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions Clinical Practicum/Seminar 3 Credits (135 Hours)
Total: 13 Credits
Summer Year 2 
NDNP 811: DNP Project Development 1 Credit
NURS 834: Translating Evidence to Practice 3 Credits
NDNP 856: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes 2 Credits
NDNP 857: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes: Clinical Practicum/Seminar 2 Credits (90 Hours)
Total: 8 Credits
Fall Year 3 
NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation 1 Credit (45 Hours)
NDNP 814: Practice Leadership Within Complex Adaptive Health Care Systems/Practicum 3 Credits (45 Hours)
NDNP 858: Diagnosis and Management 5: Professional Practice Immersion: Clinical Practicum/Seminar 4 Credits (180 Hours)
Total: 8 Credits
Spring Year 3 
NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination 1 Credit (45 Hours)
NDNP 859: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership: Clinical Practicum/Seminar 5 Credits (225 Hours)
ELECTIVE or Necessary Specialty Course 3 Credits
Total: 9 Credits
TOTAL 80 CREDITS (56 Didactic/24 Clinical Credits [1,080 Clinical Hours])

Post-BSN: Four-Year Plan of Study

Semester and Course Number/Title Credit/Clinical Hours
Fall Year 1
NRSG 780: Health Promotion and Population Health 3 Credits 
NRSG 790: Methods for Research and Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits 
NRSG 785: Professional Writing 1 Credit
Total: 7 Credits 
Spring Year 1 
NRSG 795: Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits 
NRSG 782: Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement 3 Credits 
Total: 6 Credits
Summer Year 1 
NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy 3 Credits
Total: 3 Credits
Fall Year 2 
NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology 3 Credits
NURS 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span 3 Credits 
NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span 4 Credits
Total: 10 Credits
Spring Year 2 
NDNP 850: Diagnosis and Management 1: Intro to Diagnostic Reasoning 2 Credits
NDNP 851: Diagnosis and Management 1: Intro to Diagnostic Reasoning Clinical 2 Credits (90 Hours)
NDNP 804: Theory for Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits
Total: 7 Credits
Summer Year 2 
NDNP 725: Advanced Pediatric Pathophysiology, Developmental Assessment and Health Promotion 2 Credits 
NURS 834: Translating Evidence to Practice 3 Credits
Total: 5 Credits
Fall Year 3 
NDNP 852: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic 4 Credits 
NDNP 853: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic Clinical Practicum/Seminar 3 Credits (135 Hours)
NDNP 807: Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Practice 3 Credits (45 Hours)
NDNP 809A: DNP Project Readiness 0 Credits 
Total: 10 Credits
Spring Year 3 
NDNP 810: DNP Project Identification 3 Credit (90 Hours)
NDNP 854: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions 4 Credits 
NDNP 855: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions Clinical Practicum/Seminar 3 Credits (135 Hours)
Total: 10 Credits
Summer Year 3
NDNP 811: DNP Project Development 1 Credit
NDNP 856: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes 2 Credits
NDNP 857: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes: Clinical Practicum/Seminar 2 Credits (90 Hours)
Total: 5 Credits
Fall Year 4
NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation 1 Credit (45 Hours)
NDNP 858: Diagnosis and Management 5: Professional Practice Immersion: Clinical Practicum/Seminar 4 Credits (180 Hours)
NDNP 814: Practice Leadership Within Complex Adaptive Health Care Systems/Practicum 3 Credits (45 Hours)
Total: 8 Credits
Spring Year 4
NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination 1 Credit (45 Hours)
NDNP 859: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership: Clinical Practicum/Seminar 5 Credits (225 Hours)
ELECTIVE or Necessary Specialty Course 3 Credits
Total: 9 Credits
TOTAL 80 CREDITS (56 Didactic/24 Clinical Credits [1,080 Clinical Hours])

Post-BSN: Five-Year Plan of Study

Semester and Course Number/Title Credit/Clinical Hours
Fall Year 1
NRSG 780: Health Promotion and Population Health 3 Credits 
NRSG 782: Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement 3 Credits 
NRSG 785: Professional Writing 1 Credit
Total: 7 Credits 
Spring Year 1 
NRSG 790: Methods for Research and Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits
NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy 3 Credits 
Total: 6 Credits
Summer Year 1 
NDNP 804: Theory for Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits 
Total: 3 Credits
Fall Year 2 
NDNP 807: Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Practice 3 Credits (45 Hours)
NRSG 795: Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits
Total: 6 Credits
Spring Year 2 
NURS 834: Translating Evidence to Practice 3 Credits
ELECTIVE or Necessary Specialty Course 3 Credits
Total: 6 Credits
Summer Year 2 
NDNP 814: Practice Leadership Within Complex Adaptive Health Care Systems/Practicum 3 Credits (45 Hours) 
Total: 3 Credits
Fall Year 3 
NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology 3 Credits 
NURS 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span 3 Credits
NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span 4 Credits
Total: 10 Credits
Spring Year 3 
NDNP 850: Diagnosis and Management 1: Intro to Diagnostic Reasoning 2 Credits 
NDNP 851: Diagnosis and Management 1: Intro to Diagnostic Reasoning Clinical 2 Credits (90 Hours)
Total: 4 Credits
Summer Year 3
NDNP 725: Advanced Pediatric Pathophysiology, Developmental Assessment and Health Promotion 2 Credits
Total: 2 Credits
Fall Year 4
NDNP 852: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic 4 Credits
NDNP 853: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic Clinical Practicum/Seminar 3 Credits (135 Hours)
NDNP 809A: DNP Project Readiness 0 Credits 
Total: 7 Credits
Spring Year 4
NDNP 810: DNP Project Identification 3 Credit (90 Hours)
NDNP 854: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions 4 Credits
NDNP 855: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions Clinical Practicum/Seminar 3 Credits (135 Hours)
Total: 10 Credits
Summer Year 4
NDNP 811: DNP Project Development 1 Credit
NDNP 856: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes 2 Credits
NDNP 857: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes: Clinical Practicum/Seminar 2 Credits (90 Hours)
Total: 5 Credits
Fall Year 5
NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation 1 Credit (45 Hours)
NDNP 858: Diagnosis and Management 5: Professional Practice Immersion: Clinical Practicum/Seminar 4 Credits (180 Hours)
Total: 5 Credits
Spring Year 5
NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination 1 Credit (45 Hours)
NDNP 859: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership: Clinical Practicum/Seminar 5 Credits (225 Hours)
Total: 6 Credits
TOTAL 80 CREDITS (56 Didactic/24 Clinical Credits [1,080 Clinical Hours])

Post-Master's: Core Degree Requirements

The Post Masters-DNP with Specialty plan of study is by definition variable credit based on the student’s individual educational experiences.

Students should work closely with their advisor to determine specific plans of study.

All of the below degree requirements must be completed at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, or through transfer or waiver of credits that are directly equivalent to UMSON coursework.

Course Number/Title Credit/Clinical Hours
NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology 3 Credits
NURS 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span 3 Credits 
NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span 4 Credits (May be satisfied by at least 3 credits of directly equivalent transfer credit) 
NRSG 790: Methods for Research and Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits 
NRSG 795: Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits 
NDNP 804: Theory for Evidence-based Practice 3 Credits 
NRSG 785: Professional Writing 1 Credit 
NDNP 807: Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Practice 3 Credits (45 Hours)
NURS 834: Translating Evidence to Practice 3 Credits 
NDNP 810: Project Identification 3 Credit (90 Hours)
NDNP 811: DNP Project Development 1 Credit 
NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation 1 Credit (45 Hours)  
NDNP 814: Practice Leadership Within Complex Adaptive Health Care Systems/Practicum 3 Credits (45 Hours)
NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination 1 Credit (45 Hours) 
NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy 3 Credits 
Total Core: 28 Credits
Total APRN Specialty Courses: 20 Credits (minimum)*
Total Credits:  48 – 80**

*Additional credits as needed to meet certification and 1,000-hour requirement.

**All students must complete a minimum of 48 credits to receive a DNP with specialty. Credits necessary to meet certification and DNP requirements determined upon admission.  Maximum credits for degree 80.


Post-Master's: List of Specialty-Specific Courses

Course/Title Credits/Clinical Hours
NDNP 850: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning

NDNP 851: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning Clinical

2 (90 hours) 

NDNP 725: Advanced Pediatric Pathophysiology, Developmental Assessment, and Health Promotion

NDNP 852: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic

NDNP 853: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic Clinical Practicum/Seminar

3 (135 hours)

NDNP 854: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions

4

NDNP 855: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions Clinical Practicum/Seminar

3 (135 hours)
NDNP 856: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes 2

NDNP 857: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes: Clinical Practicum/Seminar

2 (90 hours)

NDNP 858: Diagnosis and Management 5: Professional Practice Immersion:
Clinical Practicum/Seminar

4 (180 hours)
NDNP 859: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership:Clinical Practicum/Seminar 5 (225 hours)
Total Credits 33
Clinical Hours 990

If the student has already taken some of the required courses, the option of lowering the number of credits is possible upon review by the program director. 

Scholarship Opportunities

Your nursing education is an important investment. Financial aid and scholarships can help make your goals a reality.

UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your graduate education.

Type of AidAward
Federal Financial Aid various award amounts
Merit Scholarships $1,500-$3,000 per semester
(You are automatically considered for a merit scholarship upon submitting a completed application for enrollment in an UMSON academic program.)
Donor-Funded Scholarships $500-2,000 per semester
(offered during the fall and spring semesters)
Conway Scholarship full scholarship: tuition and fees
(for those who will have completed 9 credit hours of graduate study by the start of the semester for which the Conway Scholarship is awarded and who have at least half of their credit hours remaining)
Graduate Assistantships stipend, tuition remission, in-state status, and paid student health insurance

Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships


All students receiving funds through the University must:

  • be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in a degree-seeking program
  • complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMB's award priority deadline
    • FAFSA Submission period: Oct. 1 (of the previous year) through Feb. 28
    • FAFSA School code: 002104

The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.


Contact Us:

UMSON Scholarships and Grants Office
410-706-0489 | nrsscholarships@umaryland.edu

UMB Student Financial Assistance and Education Office
410-706-7347 | aidtalk@umaryland.edu

 

DNP Admission Information

The Nurse Anesthesia specialty accepts applicants for the summer session only and has different deadlines and requirements

All other specialties and the Post-Master's DNP option accept students for fall admission.


In this section:


Deadlines:

Fall 2024 Timeline
Deadline  Dec. 1, 2023
If your online application and all supplemental application materials are received by this date, your application will be reviewed immediately for priority consideration for admission decisions and scholarships.
Final Deadline for Applications and Supplemental Materials 

July 1, 2024

Please note: Admission after the Dec. 1, 2023 deadline is subject to space availability.

Admissions Decisions Announced Rolling basis beginning in November

For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to have all required application materials submitted by the deadlines listed below.

  • Completed applications received after the priority deadline are reviewed on a space-available basis.
  • After the admissions committee file review, applicants may be invited to an on-campus interview.
  • Applicants not selected for an interview will not be advanced to the next stage of applicant review.  

Qualifications:

  • bachelor’s degree with a major in nursing from:
    • an ACEN- (formally known as NLNAC), CCNE- or NLN CNEA- accredited college or university
      or
    • an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign institution
  • an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0

Work experience requirements, if applicable, are included under the Required Work Experience dropdown on each DNP specialty page.


Application Materials and Instructions:

Materials

Submission Guidelines

Online Application and non-refundable $75 application fee.

Start your application now via the Admissions Dashboard.

The Admissions Dashboard is where you will:

  • submit your online application and fee
  • submit/request any supplemental documents
  • check your application status.

You can save your progress and return to your application at a later date. We recommend that you continue to log in for regular updates.

Two recommendations. Recommendations must come from sources knowledgeable about your work performance and experience. Only the first two recommendations received will be considered.

Submit/request these materials via the Admissions Dashboard.   

Essay. You may submit the essay portion with your online application. We recommend that you compose the essay portion using word processing software and copy and paste it into the text box in the online application.Applicants are expected to submit a concise essay (no more than 350 words) addressing the following: How will earning this degree (or post-doctoral certificate) impact your care of the population you expect to serve after graduation?

   

Typed résumé or CV. Be sure to include your full name with your résumé submission.

A copy of your valid, unrestricted (current) RN license in the United States. For a current list of compact states, see the Maryland Board of Nursing website; if you hold an active Maryland RN license, send us a copy of your printable license verification, available on the Maryland Board of Nursing website.

Official transcripts. An official transcript from every institution previously attended or currently attending must be submitted in a sealed envelope, as prepared by the sending institution.

Returning students are not required to submit UMSON transcripts; we will upload a copy of your UMSON transcript to your application.

Please note that UMSON is listed two ways in the Academics area. Please make sure you choose one of the following:

  • Maryland Baltimore, Univ of
  • UMB- School of Nursing

Have each institution submit electronically to admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu.

Residency classification. Applicants who are claiming in-state (Maryland) residency MUST apply for in-state status. 

Complete a residency application and submit it either by mail, e-mail, or fax to the Office of the Registrar using the instructions supplied at the bottom of the residency application. The completed application, signed and dated, should be submitted prior to the first day of enrollment for the term and program for which you are seeking admission.


An interview with selected applicants will be arranged after the applications are received and reviewed.


Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S:

  • If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
  • If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.

More information.

This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, due to the amount of online courses.


If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.

Required Work Experience

You must have at least two years of inpatient registered nursing experience, with a minimum of one year working in pediatrics, prior to starting your clinical course.

Nursing experience in a neonatal intensive care unit is also acceptable.

Post-Doctoral Certificate

Post-Doctoral Certificate: Course Listing

Doctoral-prepared nurses who want to add or change their area of specialty only need to take the courses necessary for certification in that specialty. Your personalized plan of study will be determined at the time of admission.

Course/Title Credits/Clinical Hours
NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology 3
NURS 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span 3
NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span 4
NDNP 850: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning

NDNP 851: Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning Clinical

2 (90 hours) 

NDNP 725: Advanced Pediatric Pathophysiology, Developmental Assessment, and Health Promotion

NDNP 852: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic

NDNP 853: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic Clinical Practicum/Seminar

3 (135 hours)

NDNP 854: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions

4

NDNP 855: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions Clinical Practicum/Seminar

3 (135 hours)
NDNP 856: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes 2

NDNP 857: Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems and Complex Clinical Syndromes: Clinical Practicum/Seminar

2 (90 hours)

NDNP 858: Diagnosis and Management 5: Professional Practice Immersion:
Clinical Practicum/Seminar

4 (180 hours)
NDNP 859: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership:Clinical Practicum/Seminar 5 (225 hours)
Total Credits 43
Clinical Hours 990

If the student has already taken some of the required courses, the option of lowering the number of credits is possible upon review by the program director. 

For post-doctoral certificate program outcomes, please see the What You’ll Do drop-down on the Doctor of Nursing Practice webpage.

Post-Doctoral Certificate Admission Information

Post-Doctoral Certificates are available for the following specialty areas:

Learn more about our DNP Pathways.


In this section:


Deadlines:

Fall Admission

  • Priority Deadline: Nov. 1
    If you submit your online application and all supplemental applications materials by this date, your application will be given priority consideration.
  • Deadline: July 31
    Completed applications received between Nov. 1 and June 1 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Spring Admission:

  • Priority Deadline: Oct. 1
    If you submit your online application and all supplemental applications materials by this date, your application will be given priority consideration.
  • Deadline: Nov. 15
    Completed applications received between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Qualifications:

  • Graduate degree in nursing (which may include a DNP)
  • Doctoral degree (DNP, PhD, EdD, etc.)
  • Active registered nursing license

Application Materials and Instructions:

Materials/Qualification

Submission Guidelines

Online Application and non-refundable $75 application fee.

Start your application now via the Admissions Dashboard.

The Admissions Dashboard is where you will:

  • submit your online application and fee
  • submit/request any supprting materials
  • check your application status.

You can save your progress and return to your application at a later date. We recommend that you continue to log in for regular updates.

Two recommendations. Recommendations must come from sources knowledgeable about your work performance and experience. Only the first two recommendations received will be considered.

Complete this form to generate a request to a recommender you identify. For all Spring 2019 and later applicants, a form and letter will be required.

Official transcripts. An official transcript from every institution previously attended or currently attending must be submitted in a sealed envelope, as prepared by the sending institution.

Returning students are not required to submit UMSON transcripts; we will upload a copy of your UMSON transcript to your application.

Please note that UMSON is listed two ways in the Academics area. Please make sure you choose one of the following:

  • Maryland Baltimore, Univ of
  • UMB- School of Nursing

Have each institution submit electronically to admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu.

Essay. You may submit the essay portion with your online application. We recommend that you compose the essay portion using word processing software and copy and paste it into the text box in the online application.

Applicants are expected to submit a concise essay (no more than 350 words) addressing the following:

  • How will earning this degree (or post-doctoral certificate) impact your care of the population you expect to serve after graduation?
Submit/request these materials via the Admissions Dashboard.

Typed résumé or CV. Be sure to include your full name with your résumé submission.

A copy of your active, unrestricted State of Maryland or compact state RN license. For a current list of compact states, see the Maryland Board of Nursing website; if you hold an active Maryland RN license, send us a copy of your printable license verification, available on the Maryland Board of Nursing website.

Residency classification. Applicants who are claiming in-state (Maryland) residency MUST apply for in-state status. 

Complete a residency application and submit it either by mail, e-mail, or fax to the Office of the Registrar using the instructions supplied at the bottom of the residency application. The completed application, signed and dated, should be submitted prior to the first day of enrollment for the term and program for which you are seeking admission.


An interview with selected applicants will be arranged after the applications are received and reviewed.


Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S:

  • If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
  • If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.

More information.

This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore.


If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions below relate directly to the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner DNP specialty. You may also want to refer to our general FAQs regarding the DNP.


How long does it take to complete the specialty?

Students can choose from several options for completing their studies. Click the Sample Plans of Study tab to view each of the different options.

What type of nursing experience should applicants have?

You must have at least two years of inpatient registered nursing experience, with a minimum of one year working in pediatrics, prior to starting your clinical course.

Nursing experience in a neonatal intensive care unit is also acceptable.

Working in an emergency department, pediatric cardiac surgery intensive care unit, pediatric neurosurgical intensive care unit, pediatric post-anesthesia unit or pediatric hematology/oncology inpatient unit also provides good background and experience for this specialty.

How much hands-on clinical time will need to be completed?

The minimum number of practicum hours required for the DNP degree is 1,000 hours. For University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) graduates to be eligible for their respective board certification exams, they must complete the DNP degree. Refer to the plans of study for the number of clinical hours required each semester.

Do students have to find their own preceptor or clinical site? Can they do their clinical rotations where they work?

Students are not required to find their own preceptor or clinical site. The UMSON faculty is committed to assigning students to clinical sites that are appropriate for course and program objectives. We are fortunate to have contacts with many nurse practitioner alumni and other providers who serve as preceptors. UMSON has clinical contracts with agencies in a variety of settings across the state of Maryland and in Washington, D.C. Students with a particular clinical site/preceptor of interest may forward the contact information to the course faculty member so the faculty member can determine whether the site is appropriate to meet the course objectives. Faculty members must approve any student-suggested site. Our students also have opportunities for clinical sites in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. Students should not complete their clinical rotations in the specific environments where they are employed due to a potential conflict of interest. Final approval of clinical site placement is at the faculty member’s discretion.

Where can graduates work? What is the job market like for graduates of this specialty?

Acute care pediatric nurse practitioners are hired by many children’s hospitals across the nation to practice in pediatric intensive care, inpatient pediatrics, cardiovascular surgery units, emergency departments, and many subspecialties that focus on the acute and critically ill child.

Is there anything else I can do to strengthen my application?

Many variables are taken into consideration when reviewing a student’s application for admission. A strong foundation in courses such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment is one key to success. Writing and grammar skills are also critically important for graduate-level education. Taking a writing course, particularly a technical writing course, may be of assistance. You may take these courses at a university of your preference. In addition, an applicant’s involvement in professional and organizational activities as well as other scholarly activities is evidence of leadership capabilities and interests. Current clinical experience is ideal and completion of certification in your specialty area is strongly recommended. We highly recommend that you spend several hours shadowing an advanced practice nurse in the specialty you wish to pursue.

How can I get additional information?

For more information regarding admission to this specialty, please contact the UMSON Admissions Office at 410-706-0501, option #2 or admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu.

During my second trip to Afghanistan in 2011, I cared for a lot of local national children. I knew then that I really wanted to work with the pediatric population. The Army does not have a role for pediatric nurse practitioners so I left after finishing my active duty commitment to pursue my DNP. I chose UMSON based on my interview. I really felt that the faculty were very welcoming and wanted me to be a part of the program. Kathleen Casper, DNP '18
I knew I wanted to become an advanced practice nurse to diagnose and treat children that suffer from a wide range of illnesses and injuries. As a BSN graduate from the University of Maryland, I also knew the DNP program would provide me with the same excellent education and experience because it is at the forefront for advanced practice education. Joseph William Russo, BSN '11
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