Choose the Best Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Program for You

A Doctor of Nursing Practice or DNP is a terminal degree, the highest possible practice-based degree in the field of nursing. Earning a DNP may lead to a broad range of advanced clinical nursing roles in clinical research trials as well as executive positions in patient care.

Over the years, DNP programs have evolved to better support the complex and evolving health care landscape, to ensure that professionals can execute advanced hands-on care and deliver the best patient outcomes possible.

A typical DNP program takes two to five years to complete. Program length depends on a number of factors, including your current level of education. If you are a registered nurse (RN) with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, for example, you may decide to enroll in a BSN-to-DNP program. Your decision to pursue part-time or full-time study will also determine total degree length.

We have abbreviated some of the specializations for the tables below:

• AG-CNS: Adult Gerontology – Clinical Nurse Specialist
• AGACNP: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• AGPCNP: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
• CNL: Clinical Nurse Leader
• CNS: Clinical Nurse Specialist
• FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
• NM: Nurse Midwife
• NNP: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• NP: Nurse Practitioner
• PMHNP: Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• PNP-AC: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care
• PNP-PC: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
• WHNP: Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

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Online DNP Programs in the Pacific West

Online DNP programs in other regions:

• Mountain West
• Midwest
• Southeast
• Northeast

The Pacific West, for purposes of organizing the DNP programs, includes Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Of the 17 DNP programs available online in the Pacific West, seven are in California, where the most nurse practitioners are employed throughout the country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

This list was updated in October 2021. The program’s website is always best for the most up-to-date program information.

School	Length	Clinical Hours	Enrollment Options	Specializations
Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA	2-3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	None
Boise State University Boise, ID	3 years	Up to 1,000 hours	Full-Time	Leadership
Gonzaga University Spokane, WA	2-5 years	360+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI	2 years	500 hours	Full-Time	None
Idaho State University Pocatello, ID	2 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	FNP and PMHNP
Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR	2-4 years	360+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP, Nurse Anesthesia, AGACNP, Nurse-Midwife, PMHNP, PNP-AC, PNP-PC
Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA	2 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	None
Samuel Merritt University Oakland, CA	2-4 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Touro University Nevada Henderson, NV	1-3 years	528 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Leadership
University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK	2-4 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HI	2 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	None
University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI	2-3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGPCNP, FNP, Organizational Leadership
University of Massachusetts Global Irvine, CA	20 months	510 hours	Full-Time	Family Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner and PMHNP
University of Nevada, Reno Reno, NV	2-3 years	420-780 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGACNP, FNP, CNL, PMHNP, PNP-AC
University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA	2 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	Executive Leadership, FNP, Population Health Leadership, PMHNP
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences San Marcos, CA	2-3 years	540-1,000 hours	Full-Time	FNP, Nurse Executive
Western University for Health Sciences Pomona, CA	2-3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None

Online DNP Programs in the Mountain West

Online DNP programs in other regions:

• Pacific West
• Midwest
• Southeast
• Northeast

The Mountain West, for purposes of organizing the DNP programs, includes Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Online DNP programs in Colorado and Texas make up more than half the programs in this region.

This list was updated in October 2021. The program’s website is always best for the most up-to-date program information.

School	Length	Clinical Hours	Enrollment Options	Specializations
Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX	26 months	Up to 1,000 hours	N/A	Advanced Practice Nurse and Executive Nurse Leadership
Aspen University Denver, CO	2 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	Leadership Practice
Baylor University Waco, TX	2-8 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Executive Nurse Leadership, FNP, NNP, Nurse Midwife, PNP
Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO	2 years	700-1,000 hours	Full-Time	FNP
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs, CO	21-27 months	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ	26 months	500 hours	Full-Time	None
Montana State University Bozeman, MT	3 years	405 hours	Part-Time	None
New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM	2 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	Population Health Leadership
Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ	Up to 8 years	240-1,000 hours	N/A	None
Regis University Denver, CO	2-3 years	Up to 1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Provo, UT	2 years	Up to 1,000 hours	Full-Time	FNP and PMHNP
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX	2-4 years	500-1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nurse Practitioner and Executive Leadership
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX	2-3 years	500-1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice and Nurse Administrator
Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, TX	2-4 years	500-1,035 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP and Nurse Anesthesia
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ	1.5-2.5 years	Up to 1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Colorado Aurora, CO	2-5 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	APRN, Public Health Nursing, Health Systems Leadership and Veteran and Military Health Care Leadership
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO	2-3 years	450 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM	2-3 years	500-1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Clinical Concentration and Nurse Executive Organizational Leadership
University of Northern Colorado Loveland, CO	2 years	1,000 hours	Part-Time	None
University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX	2-3 years	500-1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX	3 years	500-1,000 hours	Full-Time	Clinical and Leadership
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TX	3 years	500+ hours	Part-Time	None
University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX	2-3 years	480-525 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT	2-3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Direct Care and Executive Leadership
Westminster College Salt Lake City, UT	1-2 years	460+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None

Online DNP Programs in the Midwest

Online DNP programs in other regions:

• Pacific West
• Mountain West
• Southeast
• Northeast

The Midwest, for purposes of organizing the DNP programs, includes Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. This region accounts for the most online DNP programs, with more than 26 programs in Illinois and Ohio.

This list was updated in October 2021. The program’s website is always best for the most up-to-date program information.

School	Length	Clinical Hours	Enrollment Options	Specializations
Allen College Waterloo, IA	2-4 years	400-1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Systems Leadership
Barnes-Jewish College St. Louis, MO	2-3 years	500+ hours	Full-Time	None
Bethel University St. Paul, MN	2-3 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Bradley University Peoria, IL	3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	Leadership, FNP or PMHNP (BSN Entry)
Briar Cliff University Sioux City, IA	2 years	480 hours	Full-Time	None
Capella University Minneapolis, MN	3-4 years	500-1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Chamberlain University Addison, IL	2 years	512+ hours	Full-Time	None
College of St. Scholastica Duluth, MN	2-4 years	450-675 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Concordia University Wisconsin Mequon, WI	2 years	500 hours	Full-Time	None
Creighton University Omaha, NE	Up to 4 years	375+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nursing Administration and Leadership
DePaul University Chicago, IL	Up to 7 years	600 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGNP, FNP, Nurse Anesthetist, NP, CNS, NM
Edgewood College Madison, WI	2-3 years	500-1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Executive Leadership
Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI	2 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	None
Fort Hays State University Hays, KS	2 years	600 hours	Full-Time	None
Goshen College-Eastern Mennonite University DNP Consortium Goshen, IN	2-3 years	600 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Graceland University Independence, MO	2-4 years	600+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Clinical Leadership
Illinois State University Normal, IL	2.5 years	360 hours	Part-Time	None
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	2-3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Executive Leadership
Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, IN	2-4 years	1,000 hours	N/A	None
Kent State University Kent, OH	2 years	525 hours	Part-Time	None
Lewis University Romeoville, IL	2+ years	504 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Madonna University Livonia, MI	2-3 years	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Marian University Indianapolis, IN	3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	FNP, Nurse Anesthetist
Marquette University Milwaukee, WI	Up to 5 years	Up to 1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGPCNP or Health Systems Leadership
Maryville University St. Louis, MO	20-36 months	1,000 hours	Full-Time	AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PMHNP, PNP
McKendree University Lebanon, IL	2 years	500 hours	Full-Time	Ethical Leadership
Millikin University Decatur, IL	3-4 years	800+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP, Nurse Anesthesia
Missouri State University Springfield, MO	2-3 years	528 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP
Mount Carmel College of Nursing Columbus, OH	18 months	500 hours	Full-Time	Leader in Clinical Practice, Executive Leader, Executive Academic Leadership
Mount St. Joseph University Cincinnati, OH	3 years	400 hours	Part-Time	Health Systems Leadership
Nebraska Methodist College Omaha, NE	2 years	540 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Public Health Policy Track Option
North Park University Chicago, IL	3-4 years	800+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP, Nurse Anesthesia
Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI	2-5 years	N/A	Part-Time	FNP
Oakland University Rochester, MI	2-3 years	600+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Oak Point University Chicago, IL	2 years	N/A	Full-Time	None
Ohio State University Columbus, OH	2-3 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Clinical Expert or Nurse Executive
Ohio University Athens, OH	2 years	400 hours	Part-Time	Direct or Indirect Patient Care
Otterbein University Westerville, OH	2-3 years	300+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	APRN or Nurse Executive
Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS	2 years	384 hours	Full-Time	APRN or APRN with Education Emphasis
Purdue University Global West Lafayette, IN	Up to 7 years	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Rush University Chicago, IL	2-3.7 years	504-1,176 hour	Part-Time	Advanced Public Health Nursing, NNP, Neonatal CNS, PNP-AC, PNP-PC, Pediatric CNS, PMHNP, Population Health, Systems
Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI	3 years	360+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing Peoria, IL	3 years	512 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Clinical or Leadership
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL	2 years	500+ hours	Full-Time	None
Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO	2-4 years	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR	2-3 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, AR	2-3 years	540 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Leadership
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH	1.5 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI	6 semesters	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Organizational Leadership Bridge Option
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA	2-3 years	370-460 hours	Part-Time	None
University of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, IL	N/A	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	8+ semesters	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Kansas Kansas City, KS	3+ years	Varies	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGPCNP, FNP, NM, PMHNP, Organizational Leadership, Public Health Nursing, Health Informatics
University of Mary Bismarck, ND	20 months	300-800 Hours	Full-Time	Organizational Leadership
University of Michigan – Flint Flint, MI	2-4 years	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	APRN, Nurse Executive
University of Missouri Columbia, MO	2-3 years	Varies	Full-Time or Part-Time	AG-CNS, FNP, PMHNP, PNP, Pediatric CNS, Nursing Leadership and Innovations in Health Care
University of Missouri – Kansas City Kansas City, MO	2-3 years	600 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Missouri – St. Louis St. Louis, MO	3-4 years	400 hours	Part-Time	None
University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE	2-3 years	450 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND	2 years	520 hours	Full-Time	None
University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN	2-3 years	Varies	Full-Time or Part-Time	APRN or Organizational and Systems Leadership
University of St. Francis Joliet, IL	Up to 4 years	700-1,400 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Toledo Toledo, OH	2-3 years	540 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Wisconsin –Madison Madison, WI	2-4 years	180-500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGNP, AG-CNS, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PNP-PC, PMHNP, Population Health, Systems Leadership and Innovation
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI	3 years	460 hours	Full-Time	None
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI	3-4 years	1,000+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP
Ursuline College Pepper Pike, OH	2-3 years	500 hours	Part-Time	None
Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN	2 years	420+ hours	Full-Time	None
Walden University Minneapolis, MN	1.5+ years	400+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Executive Leadership, AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PMHNP, PNP-PC
Walsh University North Canton, OH	16-32 months	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Washburn University Topeka, KS	6-8 semesters years	525+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP, PMHNP
Wayne State University Detroit, MI	2-4 years	Up to 1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, NNP, PMHNP, PNP-PC, PNP-AC
Wichita State University Wichita, KS	2-3 years	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Clinical Practice
Winona State University Rochester, MN	2-3 years	540+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGACNP, AGCNS, FNP, PMHNP, Nursing and Organizational Leadership, Practice and Leadership Innovations
Xavier University Cincinnati, OH	3 years	500+ hours	Part-Time	None

Online DNP Programs in the Southeast

Online DNP programs in other regions:

• Pacific West
• Mountain West
• Midwest
• Northeast

The Southeast, for purposes of organizing the DNP programs, includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Florida has the most online DNP programs in this area, but none were found in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This list was updated in October 2021. The program’s website is always best for most up to date program information.

School	Length	Clinical Hours	Enrollment Options	Specializations
Anderson University Anderson, SC	18-36 months	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Executive Leadership, FNP, PMHNP
Auburn University Auburn, AL	5+ semesters	420 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL	6 semesters	510 hours	Full-Time	None
Augusta University Augusta, GA	2-3 years	524 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nurse Executive Option
Bellarmine University Louisville, KY	Up to 5 years	420-620 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Nursing Practice, Executive Leadership
Clemson University Clemson, SC	2 years	Up to 1,000 hours	Part-Time	None
Delta State University Cleveland, MS	1.5-3 years	420 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP
East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN	4-7 semesters	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGNP, Executive Leadership, FNP, PMHNP
Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY	7-8 semesters	N/A	Part-Time	None
Emory University Atlanta, GA	4-7 semesters	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Florida International University Miami, FL	6+ semesters	540 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Florida State University Tallahassee, FL	8 semesters	540 hours	Full-Time	PMHNP
Francis Marion University Florence, SC	1-2 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Georgia College Milledgeville, GA	5-8 semesters	540 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA	2 years	630 hours	Full-Time	None
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA	2-3 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL	2 years	500 hours	Full-Time	None
Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FL	2-3 years	270+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Leadership
King University Bristol, TN	2-4 years	280 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC	N/A	340-1,000 hours	N/A	None
Loyola University –  New Orleans New Orleans, LA	Up to 5 years	540+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nurse Practitioner, Executive Leadership
Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC	2 years	300+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Palliative Care
Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MS	4-8 semesters	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Murray State University Murray, KY	2 years	540 hours	Full-Time	None
Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY	20 months	500-1,000 hours	Full-Time	None
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA	2 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time	Nurse Anesthesia, Organizational Systems Leadership
Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL	2 years	500 hours	Full-Time	None
Samford University Birmingham, AL	1-3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Emergency NP, FNP, Nursing Administration, PMHNP
South University Savannah, GA	2+ years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Administration, Information Technology, Leadership, Public Health
Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA	4-8 semesters	420 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Tennessee Tech University Cookeville, TN	4-7 semesters	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGACNP, Executive Leadership, FNP, PMHNP, PNP-PC, WHNP
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL	2-3 years	540 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP, Nurse Administrator, PMHNP, dual PMHNP/FNP
University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL	32-52 months	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Tennessee, Knoxville Knoxville, TN	2-8 years	300-1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Union University Jackson, TN	5-8 semesters	660 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nurse Anesthesia, FNP, PMHNP/FNP
University of Central Florida Orlando, FL	2-3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Executive Leadership
University of Florida Gainesville, FL	5 semesters	528 hours	Full-Time	None
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA	6 semesters	420 hours	Part-Time	None
University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, MS	2+ years	600 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Mobile Mobile, AL	2 years	540 hours	Full-Time	None
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC	2-3 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of North Carolina – Wilmington Wilmington, NC	2-3 years	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Post-APRN, Nurse Executive
University of North Carolina Charlotte Charlotte, NC	2-3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL	N/A	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Nurse Executive
University of South Alabama Mobile, AL	5+ semesters	Up to 1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGACNP, AGPCNP, CNS-Adult Health, Executive Nurse Administrator, FNP, FNP/AGACNP, FNP/Emergency NP, NNP, Nursing Informatics, PMHNP, PNP-AC, PNP-PC, Public Health Administration, WHNP
University of South Carolina Columbia, SC	2-3 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Nurse Executive Leadership
University of South Florida Tampa, FL	N/A	540 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN	2+ years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN	2-3 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Clinical Practice, Advanced Systems Practice, Executive Leadership Tracks
Western Carolina University – Cullowhee Cullowhee, NC	1.5-2.5 years	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None

Online DNP Programs in the Northeast

Online DNP programs in other regions:

• Pacific West
• Mountain West
• Midwest
• Southeast

The Northeast, for purposes of organizing the DNP programs, includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. Pennsylvania is home to 20 online DNP programs while there were none found in Vermont and just three in New York. Metropolitan areas in NY, NJ, PA and NH include the two areas with the highest employment of nurse practitioners in the country.

This list was updated in October 2021. The program’s website is always best for the most up-to-date program information.

School	Length	Clinical Hours	Enrollment Options	Specializations
Bloomsburg University Bloomsburg, PA	2 years	N/A	Part-Time	None
Carlow University Pittsburgh, PA	15-25 months	1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Chatham University Pittsburgh, PA	1-2 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Clarion University / Edinboro University Clarion, PA / Edinboro, PA	2 years	501 hours	Part-Time	None
Coppin State University Baltimore, MD	2-3 years	300+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
D’Youville College Buffalo, NY	2-3 years	1000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP
DeSales University Center Valley, PA	2-3 years	525+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Clinical Leadership, Executive Leadership
Drexel University Philadelphia, PA	2 years	500 hours	Full-Time	None
Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA	2 years	500+ hours	Full-Time	Clinical Leadership, Executive Nurse Leadership and Health Care Management
Felician University Rutherford, NJ	2+ years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Executive Leadership
Gannon University Erie, PA	4-6 semesters	304+ hours	Part-Time	None
George Washington University Washington, D.C.	3 years	1,000 hours	Part-Time	Executive Leadership, Nursing Practice, Health Policy
Georgetown University Washington, D.C. Sponsored Program	20 Months	300+ Hours	Part-Time	None
Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley, PA	2+ years	400 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA	1-3 years	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Leadership, Leadership for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA	3-4 years	Up to 1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice Nursing, Leadership in Healthcare Systems
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD	2 years	448 hours	Full-Time	Executive Track
La Salle University Philadelphia, PA	N/A	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA	As little as 2 years	560 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nurse Educator Elective Options
Marymount University Arlington, VA	6 semesters	500+ hours	Part-Time	None
Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA	As little as 2 years	375-1,000 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nursing Leadership
Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ	6 semesters	500 hours	Part-Time	None
Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA	2-3 years	560+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Nurse Executive
Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT	N/A	480 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nurse Leadership or Care of Populations
Radford University Radford, VA	Up to 8 years	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nurse Leadership
Rhode Island College Providence, RI	2-3 years	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA	2 years	N/A	Full-Time	None
Salve Regina University Newport, RI	As few as20 months	N/A	Full-Time	None
Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ	N/A	Up to 1,000 hours	N/A	Advance Practice, Health Systems Administration
Shenandoah University Winchester, VA	2 years	500 hours	Full-Time	None
Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV	3 years	540 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	FNP, PMHNP
Simmons University Boston, MA Sponsored Program	27 months	1,000 hours	Part-Time	None
Stockton University Galloway, NJ	3 years	336-500 hours	Part-Time	None
SUNY Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NY	2.5 years	525 hours	Part-Time	None
The Catholic University of America Washington, D.C.	N/A	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA	2-3 years	450+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Nurse Leadership
Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ	18-36 months	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Systems-Level Leadership
Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA	2-5 years	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University at Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo, NY	5-7 semesters	400 (non-clinical) hours	Part-Time	None
University of Connecticut Storrs, CT	2-3 Years	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Maryland Baltimore, MD	2-3 years	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA	2-3 years	504 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Massachusetts Boston Boston, MA	2+ years	400 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Massachusetts Lowell Lowell, MA	2-3 Years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of New Hampshire Durham, NH	18-28 months	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA	2+ years	420+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	AGACNP, AG-CNS, AGPCNP, FNP Health Systems Executive Leadership, NNP, PNP-AC, PNP-PC, PMHNP
University of Saint Joseph West Hartford, CT	2-4 years	N/A	Full-Time or Part-Time	Clinical Leadership
University of Southern Maine Portland, ME	N/A	500+ hours	Part-Time	None
Villanova University Villanova, PA	2-4 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA	2-3 years	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
West Chester University West Chester, PA	3-5 years	500+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV	3-4 years	300+ hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon, WV	Up to 5 years	N/A	Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Nursing Leadership
Widener University Chester, PA	2-3 years	560 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	None
Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA	2 years	N/A	Full-Time	None
Wilmington University New Castle, DE	20-28 months	500 hours	Full-Time or Part-Time	Advanced Practice, Leadership

Additional Information on DNP Programs

DNP programs have evolved to online platforms in accelerated, full-time programs as well as part-time programs that allow students to set their own pace. Distance learning opportunities may offer nurses additional access to accredited programs as well as the flexibility to incorporate study into their personal and professional schedules.

Entirely online DNP programs offer all coursework online with the opportunity to complete clinical hours in students’ local areas, while other DNP programs lean toward a hybrid program model involving mostly online coursework with occasional on-campus participation.

Types of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

The main DNP degree paths available are:

What to Expect in Your Online DNP Program

A DNP program can be challenging so it is important for prospective students to be prepared for the educational journey, keep sight of their career goals and work hard. Start by learning about your program’s prerequisites and take time to review the course list for the program you choose to complete. Think about how your skills and professional experience set you apart from other DNP applicants and be prepared to talk about it if and when you are contacted for an interview with faculty.

Education Requirements for DNP Programs

Requirements and prerequisites vary widely across online DNP programs. Most DNP programs require a valid, unencumbered nursing license, plus at least a year of full-time professional nursing experience. A few programs offer slight flexibility in degree requirements for admission. For example, in lieu of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing, a candidate could hold an associate degree in nursing plus a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Most DNP programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0, and some favor applicants whose grades are 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

An admission essay and reference letters are also among the application materials DNP program administrators ask for. Contact your program or visit the website of the school you wish to attend for more information on required application materials.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum

DNP online programs may include 30 to 75 credits in three parts: core courses, field experience (an average of 1,000 clinical hours) and a DNP project. A Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum typically includes courses on evidence-based practice, ethics, public policy, administrative leadership and specialization courses. As with most doctoral programs, students are also usually required to complete a DNP capstone project to demonstrate accomplishment in their area of specialization.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Careers

Nurses who earn their Doctor of Nursing Practice degree often do so because they want to pursue fruitful careers in a wide range of specialties and leadership positions and make an impact in a particular medical arena. There is a growing demand for doctoral-level nurse professionals who can teach, develop scientifically based approaches to patient care and lead the nursing field into an ever more complex future, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

DNPs with an emphasis in leadership or administration may pursue opportunities in a range of public health leadership roles or executive positions in clinics or hospitals. Other employment opportunities for DNPs include research-based roles, nurse faculty, and health advocacy.

Nurses who prefer to stay hands-on may pursue a variety of direct-care positions and APRN roles such as a certified nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, and nurse anesthetist.

The median annual wage for nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists is $117,670, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in May 2020. Among this group of professionals, the highest 10% earned more than $190,900 in May 2020. The BLS projects that there will be 393,200 nurse midwife, nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist roles by 2030, up from 271,900 jobs in 2020.

Doctor of Nursing Practice FAQs

Still wondering if a DNP is the best fit for your career goals? This list of basic questions and answers might help.

How long is a DNP program?

A full-time online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program may take three to four years to complete. Part-time programs will take between four and six years to complete.

How much does DNP school cost?

Tuition for a DNP program varies by institution and type of program. Students may be eligible for outside grants and scholarships geared toward nurses completing their DNP degree. Search online nursing forums or speak with your colleagues for leads.

How much does a Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate make?

Doctor of Nursing salaries may depend on the type of work you engage in. According to the BLS on nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, APRNs who earn a doctoral degree may conduct research or work within an interdisciplinary team.

Is a Doctor of Nursing online degree worth it?

A DNP is akin to earning a PhD, except your doctorate is for the practice of nursing instead of for research. The distinction of earning the degree can give you more autonomy and power to help shape the profession, whether through academia, government or executive suites.

The worth of a Doctor of Nursing Practice depends on your career goals and desired level of expertise. Nurses interested in advanced care nursing roles are required to have an MSN. However, a DNP may lead to more responsibilities and leadership roles in the field. In a leadership position, DNP nurses can help influence patient care at a systemic level. Lastly, nurses interested in research-based positions may benefit from the scholarly emphasis of a DNP program.

Information on this page last updated in October 2021.