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University of Washington

Community Health Nursing (CHN) Curriculum

CHN Curriculum by Degree Program

Master of Nursing

Doctor of Nursing Practice


Required public health competencies recommended by the Institute of Medicine serve as the foundation of the curriculum of this specialty. Required core public health competencies are knowledge and skills in:

  • Analytic/Assessment using Informatics;
  • Policy and Program Development;
  • Communication;
  • Cultural Competency;
  • Community Practice;
  • Basic Public Health Skills;
  • Financial Planning and Management;
  • Collaborative Leadership and Systems Thinking.

These competencies have been adopted by the Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing, and the Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations to shape the practice of community health systems nurses.

Master of Nursing Applicants

Curriculum consists of a minimum of 51 credits. Occupational and Environmental Health (OEHN) subspecialty requires 60 credits. Up to 12 credits may be earned as a graduate non-matriculated (GNM) student prior to enrollment in the CHN program.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Applicants

A minimum of 100 quarter credits over 12 quarters (or 36 months, per AACN Essentials) in length of full-time study is required for post-baccalaureate DNP study in CHN. Credit requirements will depend on the community health sub-specialty that you choose.