Area university launches first doctoral program

TAMPA — The upcoming fall 2019 semester will see the debut of the University of Tampa’s first PhD program. The university will begin enrolling graduate students who want to pursue a doctor of nursing practice degree.

According to a press release, the program will prepare DNP students to design, implement and evaluate evidence-based disease management care and to coordinate acute and chronic illness care for individuals and populations. It’s targeted at advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) living in Florida.

Doctorate-prepared nurses are increasingly in demand in the health care industry, the release states.

UT’s DNP doctoral program will utilize an online format with only three required visits to campus, allowing students to continue their full-time careers in their clinical practice. The program consists of 30 credit hours spread over six semesters, the release states. 

Courses will be taught by UT nursing faculty, the release states.

“We understand the busy schedule that actively practicing clinicians have,” states Carol Botwinski, director of the program, in the release. “Every detail of the DNP student experience has been designed so that the student can focus on completing the degree, not being frustrated by the technology or unnecessary requirements.”