(Detroit-June 2, 2011) The Wayne State University College of Nursing has received accreditation for its new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The DNP program was established in 2008 for registered nurses seeking advanced education for leadership in clinical positions, health policy development, evaluation and application of patient care research, and systemic efforts in health promotion and risk reduction.

Through the DNP program, students are trained to use clinical research to improve and transform health care. The college's first DNP degrees were awarded in May 2011.

"We are pleased that the DNP program has received this recognition for successfully meeting the stringent standards of the CCNE," said Barbara K. Redman, dean of the College of Nursing. "These criteria include the adequacy of institutional resources; appropriateness and overall quality of the curriculum; faculty credentials; clinical, classroom and laboratory facilities; and admission standards."

The DNP is one of four degrees offered by the College of Nursing. The others include the BSN, MSN and Ph.D. in nursing.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research university offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.