Doctor of Nursing students at Clarke will be able to complete their degree

Officials at Clarke University in Dubuque said this week they will allow current students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program to complete their degree as the program is phased out. The three-year DNP program is one of the programs university leaders recently said they will eliminate as they focus on in-demand programs because of rising costs and declining enrollment. Clarke is phasing out multiple major and minor programs, as well as the Master of Arts in Education and Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Clarke officials said in the press release that they are working to provide all impacted students with completion plans which could include teach-out options, dual enrollment classes from neighboring schools, class exemptions and transfer agreements. Officials have said the program realignment is expected to save Clarke $3 million annually.