June 28, 2022
La Roche University Announces New DNAP Programs
PITTSBURGH,
June 28, 2022 – La
Roche University now offers two pathways for students to earn a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice: an Entry Level DNAP Program and a
DNAP Completion Program.
Both
programs, approved and accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse
Anesthesia Educational Programs, have enrollment planned for Fall 2022.
Associate
Provost and Academic Dean Rosemary McCarthy, Ph.D., RN, said, “With an
ever-changing health care environment, it is imperative that providers
continually expand their knowledge base and skill sets. La Roche’s DNAP
programs respond to today’s health care needs and position graduates for
advanced leadership roles involving health care policy, administration and
education. La Roche and the nurse anesthesia faculty have had a proud history
of meeting the challenges of changing health care trends and conforming and
adopting to new academic standards.”
The
Entry Level Program prepares graduates to assume leadership positions as nurse
anesthetists, with the ultimate goals of improving health care and patient
outcomes. The DNAP Completion Program is designed to meet the needs of working
professionals, and for those who already are licensed as nurse anesthetists.
Offered as a part-time option with six consecutive semesters, the Completion
Program begins in early fall with a weeklong residency on campus. Classes are
offered within a 15-week format.
The
transition to the practice doctorate for nurses and other non-physicians in the
U.S. has been driven by national health care policy that attempts to reduce
medical errors, mediate health care costs and improve quality and outcomes for
patients. Practice doctorates have been established for many health professions
in environments such as: optometry, audiology, pharmacy and physical
therapy.
La Roche’s DNAP programs respond to the needs of today's complex health care
environment. Doctoral candidates receive a practice-based education that covers
the science, strategies and economics behind providing the highest level of
patient care.
The
DNAP offerings are two of four new graduate programs announced this year at La
Roche. In January the University launched a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a
Master of Arts in Communication this April.
Provost
and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Howard Ishiyama, Ph.D., said, “A
diversified academic portfolio is La Roche University’s response to the need
for graduate-level education in various industries. La Roche is proud to
deliver an education that prepares our students for these in-demand fields.”
A list of application requirements is available online. For more
information please contact the Office of Graduate Studies & Adult Education
at graduateadmissions@laroche.edu or 412-536-1260.