Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Post-Graduate Certificate

Expand your knowledge and career opportunities with your doctorate in nursing or post-graduate certificate.

Advance Your Nursing Career at Viterbo University

Viterbo University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice programs and Post-Graduate Certificate program prepare nursing leaders who are dedicated to improving the health outcomes of diverse populations through advanced knowledge and skills.

Our post-BSN/post-master’s/post-graduate certificate and DNP program serves Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, Northeastern Iowa, and beyond. We prepare you to:

Practice in an expanded, specialized, and/or advanced practice role
Affirm the dignity of life and human diversity
Advocate for quality outcomes for individuals, families, populations, and systems
Demonstrate ethical leadership and faithful service in your chosen role and setting
Facilitate the translation of research and evidence into practice
Utilize information and health care technology to impact best practice
Pass certification exams: 100% of our NP/DNP track students have passed their national certification exams

The curriculum of our post-BSN/post-master’s/post-graduate certificate and DNP programs was developed to meet the needs of advanced nursing professionals. Core competencies include:

Informatics and health care technologies
Quality improvement and safety
Organizational and systems leadership
Interprofessional collaboration for improving patient/population outcomes
Advocacy
Advanced scientific and humanities-based background for practice

Our graduate nursing program is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Highlights of Our Graduate Certificate and DNP Programs in Wisconsin

We created our post-BSN/post-master’s/post-graduate certificates and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in Wisconsin with working professionals and commuter students in mind. Classes are delivered in a hybrid online/on-campus method to help you navigate your personal, professional, and educational life. Plans of study and in-person class dates are scheduled to optimize your days on campus.

Other benefits of our DNP and post-graduate certificates include:

Facilities. The nursing building contains friendly, learner-centered spaces, including a dedicated graduate resource room. Students in our graduate certificate and DNP programs in Wisconsin can utilize our Simulation Learning Center, a state-of-the-art facility where you will have access to the technology and equipment you need to improve your clinical skills.
Faculty. Our approachable, student-centered faculty are well prepared in their respective nursing and teaching roles. Many are practicing nurse practitioners who are engaged in research, clinical practice, and national conferences. Clinical expertise includes primary care, occupational health, specialty practice, and acute care. They are dedicated to helping you succeed.
Personal attention. You will be assigned an academic advisor who will help you register for courses and provide guidance throughout the program. Because we offer small classes, you will form close relationships with your faculty and peers, some of which may last beyond graduate school.

Nurse Practitioner Clinical Education Collaboration

We are among a small number of select regional nurse practitioner academic programs collaborating with Mayo Clinic to increase the number of nurse practitioner students and develop common clinical education curriculum and timelines.

If you are selected to participate in this prestigious program, you will be guaranteed placement for all required clinical rotations at Mayo Midwest sites.

DNP and Certification Programs

We have several programs to help you become a leader in an advanced practice role or help you specialize. These include:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Our Doctor of Nursing Practice is designed to be relevant and responsive to the needs of practicing professional nurses who wish to formally advance their knowledge and skills and seek an advanced nursing role. The curriculum is based upon AACN recommendations and includes increased knowledge in:

Informatics and health care technologies
Quality improvement and safety
Organizational and systems leadership
Interprofessional collaboration for improving patient/population outcomes
Advocacy
An advanced scientific and humanities-based background for practice

MBA/DNP Dual Degree

If you already hold a BSN or MSN degree, our MBA/DNP dual degree prepares you for leadership roles, to educate future nurses, and to influence systems of care. This integrated dual degree program provides registered nurses a direct path to their career goals with critical business and management skills needed for successful health care leaders. Save time and money with this integrated program.

Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate

If you are a post-master’s or DNP accredited primary care nurse practitioner with a family or adult-gerontology population focus, the Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate is built for you.

The eight-course (21 credit hours) program is spread across five semesters and includes two semesters of didactic coursework and three semesters (540 hours) of clinical experiences. Clinical opportunities may be available in your region. The program is financial-aid (student-loan) eligible, with competitive scholarships available for post-graduate certificate students. The application is available after the first semester.

Other program options

Other post-bachelor’s and post-master’s options include:

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Acute Care)
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
Family Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
Ethical Leadership (Leadership)
Post-APRN to DNP (Leadership)

Upon completion, you will be eligible to apply for either the AANP, ANCC , or AACN certification exams.

For students who already hold an MSN, the post-master’s DNP offers the flexibility of a slower pace, if that better supports balance in your life.

DNP and Certification Program Prerequisites

To apply for these advanced practice programs, you need:

At least a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school
A GPA of 3.0 or higher
Two years of nursing experience at the time you would start the program

The Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate requires an MSN and experience working as a nurse practitioner in primary care adult gerontology or family practice.

What Can You Do With a DNP or Post-Master’s/Post-Graduate Certificate?

With a post-master’s/post-graduate certificate or DNP and additional role preparation in a nurse practitioner (NP) track, you could work as an NP. Salary and job outlook varies based on location, title, and specialization, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an annual average salary of $129,480 per year with a 38% job growth (much faster than the average).

Regardless of program track, our DNP and certification graduates go on to work at:

Gundersen Health System
Mayo Clinic/Mayo Clinic Health Systems
Vernon Memorial
Tomah Health

The job placement rate for our graduate nursing program alumni is 100%.

DNP and Certification Financial Aid

Students are eligible for Federal Financial Aid, and we encourage you to seek external funding through employer tuition reimbursement, community and professional organization scholarships, and loan forgiveness programs. Scholarships offered to graduate nursing students include:

Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate scholarship (a limited number remain)
Beres Family Nurse Practitioner Scholarship
Sister Grace Clare Benzouz Endowed Scholarship
Bonnie Nesbitt Scholarship

Funding may also be available for those interested in becoming a nurse educator in Wisconsin through the Wisconsin Nurse Educator program.

Popular DNP and Certification Experiences

Our post-master’s/post-graduate certificates and DNP programs offer you experiential learning opportunities to advance your knowledge and skills. Program highlights include:

Foot care clinic: Learn to provide foot care and apply this formal knowledge and skill to assist older persons within the community. The individuals served during this free clinic—offered in conjunction with Tomah Health—would not otherwise be able to afford foot care.
Blitz days: During the first three days of the summer semester, you will gain casting, suturing, and reviewing/reading radiographs experience to prepare for clinicals.
DNP poster event: During the spring semester Scholars Day, a poster event is held to showcase DNP scholarly projects. All DNP students can both present and see the research of their peers. Many students have also published their DNP work following completion of the project.

Related Programs at Viterbo University

Viterbo offers a number of other programs that may appeal to RNs looking to advance their career. These include:

Master of Science in School Counseling

Prepare for an in-demand career as a school counselor with the interpersonal skills and cultural competence you’ll need.

Complete in three years

Financial aid eligible

60 credit hours

Empower the Next Generation With a Master’s in School Counseling

Are you passionate about the well-being of school-aged children?

School counselors play a crucial role in helping students navigate challenges and reach their full potential. Viterbo University’s 60-credit-hour master’s in school counseling degree prepares you to provide academic, career, social, and emotional support for K–12 students in the classroom, in small groups, and in individual services.

Our direct-entry program meets state requirements for licensure as a school counselor in Wisconsin and has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission. Our school counselor degree program also aligns with the American School Counseling Association’s educational guidelines.

Full- and part-time options are available. Depending on the course load you choose, the master’s in school counseling degree can be completed in approximately three years.

A School Counseling Certificate is also available. This program is designed to meet the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requirements for school counselors.

Master’s in School Counseling Degree Highlights

At Viterbo, we are committed to your success. A program faculty advisor is assigned to work with you throughout the program, and we offer professional development throughout the academic year, including day-long conferences and workshops. Student organizations provide social activities, philanthropic opportunities, and community-based advocacy.

Additional school counselor degree highlights include:

Hands-on learning. Experiential learning allows you to develop the skills necessary to work with K–12 students. Counseling skills labs are an essential part of the learning experience.
Real experiences. Course highlights include working with students in schools during your practicum and internship and creating projects targeted at counseling interventions.
Faculty. Our fully licensed, clinically experienced faculty are professionally active and engaged—many have specialty certifications in play therapy, for example.
Learning environment. Our supportive, caring learning environment is supported by small class sizes that allow you to form professional relationships with faculty and peers.

Master’s in School Counseling Degree Career Outlook

Viterbo’s master’s in school counseling leads to licensure and allows you to work as a K–12 school counselor in Wisconsin.
The state is currently experiencing a shortage of school counselors, and many of our students are offered positions within schools prior to graduation. Depending on the school district, salaries range from $40,000 to $81,000 per year. Nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects careers in this field to increase 5%, which is faster than average.

Financial Aid for the Master’s in School Counseling Degree

You will be eligible for federal financial aid as a graduate student. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what you are eligible for. Email our graduate financial aid counselor or call 608-796-3900 with any questions.

Master's in School Counseling Courses

Our school counselor degree curriculum focuses on professional identity, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, and evidence-based counseling, prevention, and intervention skills. You will gain the knowledge, skills, and professional disposition necessary to become an effective K–12 school counselor.

Master’s in school counseling degree courses provide experiential learning opportunities like:

Skills labs: Many courses use the skills labs to record and observe practice sessions. Faculty provide supervision and feedback to ensure growth and development.
Role plays: You will engage in counseling role plays with your peers throughout the program to learn skills and develop rapport.
Group counseling class: Weekly mock group counseling sessions teach the basics of group counseling skills and knowledge.
Practicum: In your first field-based experiential course, you will be placed in a K–12 school and work with students under the direction of a licensed school counselor. The course is completed over a semester and involves at least 100 hours of contact work.
Internship in elementary school counseling: Work with elementary students under the direction of a licensed school counselor for a total of 300 hours.
Internship in secondary school counseling: Work within a high school setting with students under the direction of a licensed school counselor for a total of 300 hours.

Our master’s in school counseling classes are offered on Wednesday and Thursday evenings as well as weekends (Friday and Saturday) to help working adults navigate their various personal and professional responsibilities.

View Full Course Descriptions

Related Programs at Viterbo University

You may also be interested in these other counselor education graduate programs.

Ethics, Culture, and Society

Champion your future with an emphasis on ethics and culture through a highly customizable interdisciplinary program.

Four degree tracks

Internship, research, and study abroad opportunities

Eight minors

Put Your Passion to Work With Your Bachelor of Science Degree in Ethics, Culture, and Society

In our ethics, culture, and society program, you have the freedom to chart your own course of study as you participate in:

Service learning
Internships
Research
Study abroad
Cultural immersion experiences

What can you do with a BS in ethics, culture, and society?

Our program’s focus on critical thinking, communication skills, and concern for collaborative, real-world problem-solving will help you solve the increasingly complicated challenges of the global society we live in.

Through interdisciplinary studies, you will develop a robust package of transferable skills that employers in a variety of fields express interest in when seeking new employees. These skills can be applied in careers in:

Law
Public relations
Writing
Human resources
Media

Explore Viterbo’s Interdisciplinary Programs in Ethics, Culture, and Society

Ethics, Culture, and Society (BS)

Viterbo’s interdisciplinary program combines courses from at least two academic disciplines, including history, philosophy, and art. Our program emphasizes collaborative problem-solving and community engagement.

Personal choice will drive your pathway, with interdisciplinary studies focused on perspectives and creativity applied to real-world issues in the La Crosse community and beyond. Course-embedded assignments are connected to the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethical Leadership series of speakers and annual conference.

Art Emphasis

Art is a timeless means of communicating human experiences. Artistic, creative abilities help move our civilization forward.

When you choose the art emphasis at Viterbo, you will learn what it means to recognize and create sound works of art and to understand the art forms of cultures throughout history.

You will be provided with meaningful study and practice in artistic methods, techniques, and media, embedded with intellectual inquiry and critical analysis. Explore questions such as:

How do I generate ideas and discern their strength?
How do I turn my ideas into strong, original art forms?
How do I craft them with my hands?
How might I use art and my creative abilities to serve my community?

The art emphasis consists of courses in studio art and art history. Studio courses are offered in:

Painting
Drawing
Sculpture
Ceramics
Printmaking
Photography
Graphic design

History Emphasis

Our history emphasis will prepare you with a wealth of knowledge—both past and present—and encourage curiosity and mindfulness of the events that have shaped civilization around the world.

You will learn to connect ideas across cultures, which will serve you well in your education and career. Studying history grants you a unique opportunity to supplement your skills in written and oral communication, while also learning to be an informed citizen of the world.

Philosophy Emphasis

Philosophy is being recognized more and more as one of the strongest and most versatile fields of study. In fact, we live in an age where employers want employees to be more than just knowledgeable in their chosen field; employers want critical thinkers, clear communicators, and ethical decision-makers. These skills are central to the study of philosophy. This emphasis is a great supplement for those going into the business world, law, or public policy.

Pre-Law Track

Students interested in a law career are individually counseled by the pre-law advisor, who suggests a program of study and provides information on law school application. Keep in mind that maintenance of a relatively high undergraduate grade point average is very important for successful law school admission. Recommended undergraduate fields of study include:

Accounting
Criminal justice
English
Management
Psychology
Ethics, culture, and society

Legal Studies Minor

In our legal studies minor, you will explore legal issues in a variety of ways.

This minor is perfect if you want to apply to law school upon graduation and wish to gain an intellectual base in legal studies at the undergraduate level. Legal studies is also relevant if you have an interest in the law and pursue the minor in order to complement your major—generally one in the humanities.

The minor includes courses in business law, philosophy, and criminal justice courses and consists of 18 credit hours.

Art Minor

The art minor consists of an 18-credit sequence of courses in studio art and art history. You will take two foundations courses, one course in art history, and nine credits in studio electives. Studio courses are offered in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, and graphic design.

Philosophy Minor

Gain the critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making skills that employers seek. The ethics, culture, and society philosophy minor generally requires 15–25 credits for completion. Course transfers, waivers, and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Ethics Minor

The minor in ethics recognizes both the interdisciplinary nature of many moral problems as well as the value of ethical reasoning and ethical theory.

Employers state that moral decision-making is one of the most important skills they seek, yet this area is rarely recognized as a specific area of competency.

Given the importance of ethics and moral reasoning for students’ own personal development, as well as its value for recognizing and resolving moral problems both in and out of the workplace, having a minor in ethics is a great way to prepare to deal with the complexity of the real world.

Political Science Minor

Our political science minor deepens your knowledge on how governments, institutions, public policy, and political behavior work in the modern world. This minor is perfect if you plan to enter a career in government service, public policy, journalism, or a related profession. Political science can also help you prepare for law school and other graduate programs.

History Minor

Supplement your skills in written and oral communication, while also learning to be an informed citizen of the world. The history minor generally requires between 15–25 credits for completion. Course transfers, waivers, and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Servant Leadership Minor

Develop and deepen your vocation to engage in competent, creative, and faithful leadership that works for the common good. Choose the servant leadership minor if you plan on serving as a leader in ministry, nonprofit organizations, or business. Completing a total of 15 credits in the minor is required.

Latin American and Latino/a Studies Minor

The Spanish language is ever-growing in popularity, and now almost 15% of Americans speak it.

Having an enriched knowledge of Latin culture and the Spanish language is a valuable trait in modern America. The Latin American and Latino/a studies minor can help you enrich a skill set that is valuable in:

Health care
Education
Business
Social work
Communication fields

This minor also promotes two significant outcomes:

Raise awareness of social justice issues related to Latin American populations and Latinos in the United States
Encourage local, national, and international engagement and advocacy toward social justice issues in Latin America and Latinos in the United States

Experiential Learning and Study Abroad in Ethics, Culture, and Society

Viterbo’s ethics, culture, and society program is led by senior faculty with a strong and diverse record of research, publications, grants, and study abroad experience .

Professor Matthew Bersagel-Braley was a contributing author to the Wabash Center’s project on Teaching for Social Justice and Civic Engagement. Professor Bersagel-Braley also leads the study abroad trip to South Africa.

Other faculty involved in study abroad opportunities include Jesus Jambrina, who co-led a trip to Spain and Portugal, and Keith Knutson, who has been involved with student exchanges in Luxembourg.

Our Ethics, Culture, and Society program has also developed a relationship with the Washington Community Scholars’ Center in Washington, D.C., through a partnership with Eastern Mennonite University.

Viterbo is piloting a work-based learning opportunity to put students in touch with organizations doing work that might coincide with their studies and interests. For example, Ethics, Culture, and Society student David Novak is working with Encampment for Citizenship, a nonprofit based in California. David is interested in restorative justice and has been working with the organization on related themes, as well as researching potential funding sources that may be present in the Midwest.

I knew I wanted to stay at Viterbo because I love it here. I really like the small campus, the friends and connections I've made, and how everyone is made to feel welcome. So, I looked for a major that best fit my career path."

—Stephanie Sesvold ’22, ECAS major

Ethics, Culture, and Society Interdisciplinary Studies Course Highlights

ECAS 100 – Truth, Beauty, and Goodness: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies

With a focus on collaborative, interdisciplinary problem-solving for the common good, this course uses a case study approach to explore historical and contemporary social issues. Rooted in a commitment to “scholarship for social change,” you will learn how to make use of perspectives from history, philosophy, art, and other disciplines in order to creatively engage with complex, often contentious issues in an imperfect world.

ECAS 305 – Resistance and Reconciliation in South Africa

South Africa stands as a witness to the power of social movements to not only imagine but also bring into being a more just and compassionate world. Learn how South Africans draw on religion, music, and global justice movements to resist and rise from the violence of Apartheid, the AIDS and COVID epidemics, climate change, and persistent economic inequities.

ECAS 310 – Applied Collaborative Problem-Solving

This course includes team-based transdisciplinary problem-solving addressing current issues in the La Crosse community and beyond. The community issue addressed will change from year to year, in connection with the theme of the D.B. Reinhart Ethics Institute Conference and/or in response to emerging community needs and current events. You will apply knowledge from studies in your two declared disciplines to the problem.

ECAS 311 – Applied Collaborative Problem-Solving: Philosophical Considerations

This course focuses on team-based transdisciplinary problem-solving addressing a variety of issues, from those in the local community to national and global challenges. The course seeks to address the many stakeholders, assumptions, and values that shape how we evaluate and resolve disagreements, showing students the positive value philosophy brings in supporting transdisciplinary problem-solving. The community issues addressed will change from year to year, in connection with the theme of the D.B. Reinhart Ethics Institute Conference and/or in response to emerging community needs and current events. You will apply knowledge from studies in your two declared disciplines to the problem.

ECAS-400 Ethics, Culture, and Society Capstone

Develop an interdisciplinary capstone proposal, research, project, and presentation over the course of two semesters with faculty mentoring and guidance. Our unique, student-driven capstone project allows seniors to conceive and implement an interdisciplinary project of their own design that connects to the local community. For one example, Stephanie Sesvold (’22) completed a capstone in the form of a podcast on women in labor unions, based on her semester of study in Washington, D.C., where she interviewed women in local unions.

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Marketing, Communications, and Enrollment

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Special Topics ( )cr.

Viterbo University mission related topics offered on the basis of need, interest, or timeliness. Prerequisites as determined by the instructor. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit. See registrars office current class schedules Web page for specific semester description. TEL

Expanding Our Moral Horizons ( )cr.

The Ethical Life develops students ethical reasoning to examine real-world ethical dilemmas, using a four-way model built upon truth, consequences, fairness, and character. This course, Expanding Our Moral Horizons, concentrates on exploring different levels of moral problems. By looking at the complex and sometimes competing demands of different moral domains - from the intimacy of personal relationships to the world of geo-politics - this course investigates a variety of ways that philosophy can help orient students to the reality of the moral orders around us and how we fit into them.

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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Post-Graduate Certificate

Related Resources

Admissions Info

Advance Your Nursing Career at Viterbo University

Highlights of Our Graduate Certificate and DNP Programs in Wisconsin

Nurse Practitioner Clinical Education Collaboration