https://nursing.ouhsc.edu/Programs-Academics Parent Page: Programs & Academics id: 35769 Active Page: BSN to DNP CNS Adult-Gerontology id: 35764

The BSN to DNP curriculum is in line with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' (NONPF), the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) and American Organizations of Nurse Executives (AONE) commitment to move all entry-level nurse practitioner education to the DNP degree by 2025. The program is not an addition to master's studies, but rather an integration of the objectives and learning opportunities required for attainment of doctoral level core and population-focused competencies. 

OU College of Nursing's Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program prepares skilled nurses to function at the highest level of care in a wide range of health care settings where patients with adult/geriatric care needs are served. 

Clinical experts in the diagnoses, interventions and treatments of illnesses, CNSs work with other professionals to advance the nursing practice and improve outcomes in patient care, in addition to providing clinical expertise to influence system-wide changes in care. 

Those who earn a doctoral degree as a clinical nurse specialist often: 

  • Lead and collaborate in an interdisciplinary healthcare team 
  • Assist and offer guidance to patients and their families as they navigate the complex healthcare delivery system 
  • Serve as educators, consultants, evidence-based researchers, change agents and case managers, as well as clinical nurses 

Graduates of this program can be found working in independent or collaborative practice, hospitals, outpatient, rehabilitation facilities, extended care situations hospice and home health care. 

To learn more about career options available to graduates of the Doctoral of Science in Clinical Nurse Specialist: Adult/Gerontology program, visit Explorehealthcareers.org or the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. 

Part-time and Full-time completion options.

Hybrid Program 

Average Median Salary

$132,050 per year

( source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics )

Curriculum

Program format and/or delivery: Didactic vs. clinical/lab time:

  • BSN TO DNP—CNS REQUIREMENTS (70 credit hours, 1216 clinical hours)
  • Didactic for CNS: 47 credit hours
  • Clinical/Practica/Didactic for CNS: 10 credit hours and 384 hours of clinical
  • Clinical/Practica for CNS: 13 credit hours and 832 hours of clinical

Degree/credit requirements:

  • Total Hours for Degree – 70
  • Total Clinical/Practicum Hours – 1216
  • Courses, concentrations, tracks BSN-DNP Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontology

View the Course Catalog

Admission Requirements

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a United States regionally accredited institution.
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Oklahoma or compact state by the time of enrollment in the second semester. 
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA for 3.0 in all college coursework at the time of application and at the time of enrollment. 
  • Resume or CV.
  • The most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.
  • Please Note: The LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP programs in the OU College of Nursing are hybrid and/or online or part-time programs. The F-1 visa regulations require in-person courses, and these programs do not meet those requirements. Thus, international students are not accepted for these programs (LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP). International students are only eligible to apply for the ABSN and TBSN pathways as they have in-person requirements.
  • All applicants should refer to the professional licensure disclosure information for the programs. 

Due to federal regulations from the Department of Education, the College of Nursing currently accepts applications for its online doctoral degree programs from residents of the states participating in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). A list of participating states can be found at: http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions. Applicants are encouraged to check with their local State Boards of Nursing regarding any specific professional licensure requirements prior to applying or enrolling.

Applying for Admission  

Please use a personal email address when setting up your NursingCAS account. School email addresses may expire before you receive your admission decision, which could disrupt communication. Using a personal email ensures we can always contact you.  

If after reviewing the qualifications for this program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact Nursing@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.    

Application Process

Step 1

Complete the NursingCAS application 

  • Undergraduate programs: $60 for the first program; $45 for each additional program 
  • Graduate programs: $80 for the first program; $50 for each additional program 

Click here for detailed NursingCAS application instructions  

Step 2

Complete the OUHSC Supplemental application  

  • Beginning July 1, 2025, the OUHSC Supplemental Application fee will be waived for applicants who first apply to a CAS system.  
  • Applicants are advised to have a copy of their transcript from every College or University attended available as reference when completing the application process. 

Please Note:   

  • Admission requirements are subject to change. It is the applicant’s responsibility to stay informed regarding current applicable requirements. Please check the website for updates.  
  • All transcripts must be submitted to NursingCAS. Transcripts sent to the institutions cannot replace the requirement to submit all transcripts directly to NursingCAS. To meet enrollment requirements, transcripts must also be submitted to Recruitment and Admissions at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences.   
  • The Professional Transcript Entry option in NursingCAS does not replace the requirement to submit all transcripts to NursingCAS. If you choose the Professional Transcript Entry in NursingCAS, the applicant must still go back into NursingCAS and request transcripts.  
  • NursingCAS can take several business days to verify an application. It is important to submit all your items by the deadlines to ensure that your application can be verified by NursingCAS by the verification deadline. 

Graduate (Certificate, Master of Science in Nursing—MSN, Doctor of Nursing Practice—DNP) Fall 2026: Application Deadline: February 2, 2026  

  • Please note that all applicants must be in a verified status with all required materials to be considered a qualified applicant finalized in NursingCAS by February 23, 2026. If the application is not verified in CAS by this date, the applicant will need to reapply in the next cycle. If the applicant is missing the supplemental application or does not have a verified application in CAS by February 23, 2026, the applicant will need to reapply in the next cycle.   

The LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP programs in the OU College of Nursing are hybrid and/or online or part-time programs. The F-1 visa regulations require in-person courses, and these programs do not meet those requirements. Thus, international students are not accepted for these programs (LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP). International students are only eligible to apply for the ABSN and TBSN pathways as they have in-person requirements.  

  • If after reviewing the qualifications for this program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact Nursing@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.    

Program Details

Location Offered

Hybrid

Degree Acquired

Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontology

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