Have your doctorate in nursing? If you do, you didn't get it at any Wisconsin college or university.

Marquette University announced today the launch of the state's first program for graduate nursing students working towards a doctorate degree. This first of its kind program begins in fall 2008.

The program will require 57 graduate credits for the health care systems leadership option and 66 graduate credits for the advanced practice options in nurse midwifery, pediatrics, adults, older adults or acute care. It places emphasis on development of nursing practice expertise at the highest level, including translational research, epidemiology, informatics, health policy, statistics and professional issues.

The doctorate in nursing practice will eventually replace the College of Nursing's master's level advanced practice programs. Guidelines set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing call for all programs designed to prepare nurses for advanced practice and nursing administration to be doctorates of nursing practice by 2015.