Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Earn a DNP degree to take your practice to the next level and apply real-world solutions across the health care system.
It's an exciting time to become a doctorally-prepared nurse. As a practice leader, learn how to advance evidence-based practice to drive meaningful innovations across your organization or healthcare system. Now, more than ever before, doctorally-prepared nurses are needed to improve patient outcomes and transform healthcare delivery.
Program Format
Part-time, distance program
Program Length
2-3 years
Application Deadline
Sept. 15
For the Spring 2026 semester start
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recommends the DNP degree as the entry to advanced nursing practice. Nurse practitioners prepared at the doctoral level serve a critical role as high-quality clinicians, leaders in care delivery, and contributors to transforming healthcare. Likewise, doctorally-prepared clinical nurse leaders are integral to building evidence for practice at the point of care delivery.
As the first school in New York State to offer this new entry point, the University of Rochester School of Nursing provides a pathway for master's-prepared students from both APRN and non-APRN specialties to complete their DNP degree. This new post-master’s DNP pathway enables master’s prepared nurses in both direct and indirect care roles to pursue a post-master’s DNP from our nationally-recognized online program that builds on their master’s education and professional expertise.
Pursuing your DNP will prepare you to lead innovative efforts to overcome today's challenges and create new opportunities in healthcare. Gain essential knowledge and skills to expand your future professional opportunities as a practice leader, clinical scholar, and change agent. Make an impact as a DNP-prepared nurse at the University of Rochester.
Explore More
My DNP project looked at ways to expand capacity across upstate New York for diagnosing children with FASD. Having my committee and having mentorship in the School of Nursing has allowed me to do this project in a much more structured and organized way to make sure we evaluate outcomes so that we know this is an effective intervention. It's really exciting to see when kids have the supports in place how successful and happy they and their families can be.
My DNP project looked at ways to expand capacity across upstate New York for diagnosing children with FASD. Having my committee and having mentorship in the School of Nursing has allowed me to do this project in a much more structured and organized way to make sure we evaluate outcomes so that we know this is an effective intervention. It's really exciting to see when kids have the supports in place how successful and happy they and their families can be.
News & Stories
Meet the Program Director
Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP, FAAN
Senior Associate Dean, Graduate Education & Innovation
Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Lydia Rotondo has directed the Doctor of Nursing Practice program since 2014 and has become a national contributor to the dialogue on DNP education. She spearheaded the creation of the highly successful DNP Summit, featuring speakers from across the country discussing the future of the DNP and DNP-prepared nurses, and has published on DNP clinical scholarship, as well as presented nationally on several DNP-related topics. She was also selected as a 2018 Leadership for Academic Nursing Fellow by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
See Lydia's ProfileConnect With Us
Interested in earning your DNP? Connect with us to discuss what a DNP degree from the University of Rochester means for you.