Nursing professionals interested in health policy can apply for a policy-focused doctor of nursing practice program the University will offer for the first time this fall.

The 42-credit program, which will teach nurses how to formulate health policy solutions and influence health care policy, will be headed by David Keepnews, a professor of nursing and health policy. The goal of the program is to increase patients’ access to better and more affordable health care, according to a nursing school release Thursday.

Graduates of the program will be prepared to work for public, private and academic organizations that handle health policy, the release states. Admissions for the program are rolling until the start of the fall semester.

“There are many very serious health care issues facing our country in terms of cost, access and quality, and nurses need to bring their knowledge of population needs and effective interventions into the policy discussion to improve our health system and provide safer, higher-quality care,” former nursing school Dean Jean Johnson said in the release.