M E M O R A N D U M

							
							June 29, 2010

To:	           Members of the Board of Trustees

From:		Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject:	Degree Authorization for the State University of New York at Buffalo
	
	I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Resolved that the Chancellor be, and hereby is, directed to seek the authorization of the Board of Regents for the State University of New York at Buffalo to confer the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P).


Background

        Approval of this resolution will authorize the State University of New York at Buffalo to confer the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), subject to the approval of the Board of Regents.  Degree authorization is necessary as the award represents the State University of New York at Buffalo�s first use of the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.  Authorization by the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents will allow the approval of programs in the Health Professions leading to the D.N.P.
        
        In response to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing�s (AACN) mandate for a Doctor of Nursing Practice to replace the master�s degree for entry into advanced practice nursing, the University at Buffalo School of Nursing proposes to add to its curricula the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.  The D.N.P. programs will replace master�s degree programs currently offered to prepare advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists).  Registered nurses will be able to enter the program after completion of the baccalaureate degree or as post-master�s students. 
        
        The post-baccalaureate curriculum will consist of 87 to 127 total graduate credit hours, depending on the clinical specialty track.  The major components of the curriculum will mirror those of the master�s degree (nursing core, advanced practice core, and specialty courses); however, there will be additional content in the areas of evidence-based nursing practice, epidemiology, organizational behavior, leadership and management, and nursing informatics, as required by the AACN�s Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice.  In addition to the students� clinical requirements, a capstone experience will consist of a supervised program evaluation or quality improvement project.  The minimum time for program completion with full-time study for a post-baccalaureate student will be three calendar years; a post-master�s student may complete the program in as little as two years. 
        
        The D.N.P. builds on the University at Buffalo�s expertise, developed over many years of offering a range of graduate degrees for advanced practice nurses, as well as the research doctorate in nursing.  The University at Buffalo will offer seven D.N.P. programs: 1) Adult Nurse Practitioner; 2) Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist; 3) Child Health Nurse Practitioner; 4) Family Nurse Practitioner; 5) Woman�s Health Nurse Practitioner; 6) Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; and 7) Nurse Anesthesia.  A steady-state enrollment of 165 D.N.P. students per year is anticipated.
        
        The University at Buffalo offers programs of study in nursing at the baccalaureate, master�s and doctoral level, including the Doctor of Nursing Science (1998) and the Ph.D. (2004).  Over the past five years, 22 graduates have completed doctoral study at UB; most are helping to alleviate the critical shortage of nursing faculty, an ongoing challenge for our state and nation.  In addition to master�s degrees, UB also awards post-master�s advanced certificates to prepare nurse practitioners and nurse educators.  During the 2008-09 academic year, 157 students graduated with a baccalaureate in nursing, and 58 students graduated with a master�s or a post-master�s advanced certificate. 
        
        UB�s graduate-prepared nurse practitioners are critically important to ensuring adequate primary care for New York�s citizens, especially in the Western region.  The new D.N.P. programs will strengthen the institution�s mission and reputation, and support SUNY�s overall commitment to a Healthier New York, as described in The Power of SUNY.  
 

        
        
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Board Resolution	June 29, 2010