College of Nursing develops first-of-their-kind doctoral tracks

The Texas A&M University College of Nursing is adding unique specialty tracks in extreme environment nursing and forensic nursing to its online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Both paths of study are enrolling students for fall 2026.

These nursing specialties available at the doctoral level are exclusive to Texas A&M University and designed to meet emerging state, national and global needs, according to College of Nursing leaders.

The DNP-Extreme Environment Nursing track prepares nurses to lead and deliver care in resource-limited environments like aerospace, alpine, arctic, desert, maritime, tropical and urban conflict zones. The program promotes environmental adaptability and positions nurses to practice and manage care across the components of Texas A&M’s triple designation as a land-, sea- and space-grant university. Two courses, for example, train nurses to practice at sea and support care for preparation and return of space missions.

The DNP-Forensic Nursing track complements the college’s existing forensic nursing offerings at the master’s and graduate certificate level and helps nurses develop advanced skills needed to hold leadership roles in the field, which focuses on caring for survivors of violence and trauma. The program trains forensic nurses as implementation scientists who study and influence the health care and legal systems in which they operate. In addition to providing care to survivors, forensic nurses are responsible for collecting and documenting forensic evidence for the legal process.

The college will also leverage the expertise of its federally and state-funded Texas A&M Health Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing, which was established in 2019 to advance forensic nursing education, outreach and research.

“Expansion of our Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with these specialty tracks was necessary to prepare our graduates to lead in a complex and ever evolving health care landscape,” said Leann Horsley, PhD, dean of the college. “We push our students to think about how they can influence the systems that shape health outcomes. From practicing in nontraditional settings to making a difference at the intersection of care and the legal systems, our graduates leave with the tools to specialize, lead and innovate.”

Both programs are delivered online, but students complete hands-on clinical hours in their own communities and during limited on-campus obligations that take advantage of learning opportunities at state-of-the-art Texas A&M simulation and research facilities. A graduate degree in nursing is required for admission, among other requirements.

The deadline to apply for fall 2026 enrollment is July 1. Visit nursing.tamu.edu/degrees for information.