Best Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

DNP Overview

Augusta is studded with quality markers. It’s a public university & academic medical center with close ties to GA health systems. The College of Nursing runs its own Nurse-Managed Health Center and Center for Nursing Research (CNR). It emphasizes the importance of faculty practice and faculty research projects. It’s actively spearheading the Greater Augusta Healthcare Network (GAHN). And it receives excellent alumni reviews on independent websites! Combine this with strong APRN certification pass rates, and you have a formula for success.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Augusta offers the Hybrid BSN to DNP in a number of popular NP specialties:

• You’ll tackle 75-77 credits, including 732-776 clinical hours and 268 DNP residency hours.
• You can choose to complete the degree on a full-time, 3-year plan of a study or a part-time, 4-year plan of study.
• The degree is offered in a blended format, with a combination of on-campus classes and interactive, web-based courses.

Interested in the COA-accredited Hybrid Nurse Anesthesia program? It’s a 3-year, 113-credit program that combines online coursework with in-person clinical training. The first 4 semesters include didactic instruction in core DNP courses; clinical practicums increase exponentially in the last 5 semesters. Augusta even has a Rural Anesthesia Perspectives Practicum.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

• The standard, 37-credit Online MSN to DNP is designed for current APRNs who want to advance their careers in leadership or clinical leader roles. It’s available online, with only 1-2 campus visits. Plus you can select a full-time, 4-semester or a part-time, 7-semester timetable.
• Aspiring CNOs and VPs of Nursing should check out the Online DNP Nurse Executive Program (DNP-NEP). It follows the same format as the standard MSN to DNP, but coursework is laser-focused on effective healthcare executive practice.

Note: Certified NPs with an MSN or DNP who are seeking to add an additional certification to their résumés should also check out Augusta’s Post-Graduate Certificates. Applicants must live in Georgia or South Carolina to study any NP track.

DNP Overview

Florida nurses, take note! USF’s College of Nursing is an excellent pick for locals. It offers a range of DNP programs with affordable in-state tuition rates. It has a sturdy research arm. It’s accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. And it’s affiliated with 1,000+ clinical partners, including USF Health facilities. If it sounds like a good fit for your needs, be sure to check out the fellowships & scholarships that are open to DNP students.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

USF’s Hybrid BSN to DNP is available in an intriguing range of concentrations for Florida residents. Although some of the core classes in the first 2-3 semesters may be online, you’re required to visit the campus for all didactics, labs, clinicals, etc.

• The Graduate Catalog has full details on coursework. You’ll be expected to complete at least 75 credits, including clinical hours in your NP concentration, an 8-credit DNP practicum, and a 4-credit DNP project. The DNP project and practicum must be taken concurrently.
• In addition to the usual NP suspects, USF also offers combo AGPCNP options in Oncology Nursing and Occupational Health with training for specialist certifications.

The COA-accredited Nurse Anesthesia program has some of the same core requirements as the BSN to DNP, but it’s obviously more complex. The 94-credit program can be completed in 9 semesters. Classes take place at the USF Health College of Nursing, the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), and online.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

USF’s Hybrid MSN to DNP is a slimmed down version of its BSN to DNP—full details are listed in the USF Graduate Catalog. It’s a 30-credit program that follows a pre-determined sequence of courses. Some study is online, but in-person work is required for the DNP practicum & project. These two elements must be completed in Florida and must be taken concurrently. Have a look at previous DNP Project Posters for examples.   

DNP Overview

UA appears in our Best DNP rankings thanks to a track record of quality—the College of Nursing receives outstanding reviews on independent websites! We love the fact that UA Health Sciences is affiliated with academic medical centers and the statewide UA Cancer Center. We appreciate the College’s commitment to faculty research and simulation labs. And we give it extra credit for its Arizona Nursing Inclusive Excellence (ANIE) initiative for underrepresented nurses and UA College of Nursing Rural Health Professions Program (UA CON RHPP). DNP students qualify for both programs.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Your academic experience at USF will depend on your choice of BSN to DNP:

• BSN to DNP programs in NP specialties are classified as hybrid—you’ll take part in online didactic coursework, on-campus intensives, and on-ground clinical practica. NP degrees are available in 2.5 year full-time or 3.5 year part-time format. And they contain 64-68 credits, including 720 clinical hours.
• In contrast, the BSN to DNP in Executive Health Systems Leadership is online, with only 2 campus intensives (RISE). This leadership-focused track consists of 50 credits, including 500 practicum hours, and is available on full-time or part-time schedule.

If you live in Arizona, you also have the option to consider the COA-accredited Hybrid DNP in Nurse Anesthesia. This 85-credit program is a mix of online coursework and in-person practicums & clinical placements that takes 3 years to complete. Better yet, NCE first-time pass rates tend to be high (e.g. 100%).

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

UA’s 35-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP is built for current APRNs or Nurse Informatics specialists who don’t need any additional certifications—it’s a leadership-focused program that will help you earn a doctorate. Although UA bills it as “Hybrid,” it only contains one on-campus intensive (RISE). So we would categorize it as online. It takes 1.5 years to finish on a full-time basis and 2.5 years on a part-time basis.

DNP Overview

Strong APRN certification pass rates, a top-notch DNAP, and excellent healthcare connections—these are just three of the reasons why VCU’s School of Nursing should be on your shortlist. Because it’s part of a medical campus that’s anchored by the VCU Health System, the School has connections to a Level I Trauma Center with Magnet status. It also runs its own Langston Center for Innovation in Quality and Safety and Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research (CBCR). If you’re eyeing the DNAP, be sure to check out the research arm of the Department of Nurse Anesthesia and the section on DNAP scholarships.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

At VCU, you can opt for 66-credit Hybrid BS to DNP in 3 NP specialties (e.g. FNP, PMHNP, or AGACNP) or choose to focus on the 62-credit BS to DNP in Nursing Leadership and Organizational Science. These blended programs combine online courses and face-to-face instruction. All tracks take 3 years to complete on a full-time schedule or 4 years on a part-time schedule.

VCU also offers a superb Hybrid DNAP Entry to Practice that’s been ranked #1 by US News for multiple years. It’s a 93-credit, 9-semester doctorate that involves hybrid coursework in the first two semesters. The remaining semesters combine on-campus classes and intensive clinical training. See the program page for a full list of clinical affiliations.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The 39-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP is available in a full-time format (2 years) or part-time format (3 years). It focuses on helping current APRNs or nurse executives achieve DNP-level competencies and preparing them to lead in clinical settings. Keep in mind that students are expected to visit the campus 3 times per year.

If you’re a working CRNA with an MSN and you need a doctorate for career purposes, you may also wish to consider the 33-credit Hybrid Post-Master’s DNAP. You’ll graduate with new skills as a clinical expert, leader, and educator. The program is available in a full-time or part-time format.

DNP Overview

TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences fully deserves its spot in our Best DNP Program list. It has great first-time APRN certification pass rates, sturdy national rankings, a reputation for emphasizing interprofessional practice, and some interesting Centers & Institutes, including the Center for Oncology Education & Research and the Health Innovation Institute at TCU. Perhaps most importantly, alumni speak highly of their experience.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

TCU’s Hybrid BSN to DNP is geared toward TX and NM nurses. You’ll complete 64-67 credits (depending on the specialty) and a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. Although coursework is primarily online, there will be 2-3 on-campus intensives for skills development and practicum experiences in your state. You can select a 3-year, full-time plan of study or a part-time, 4-year plan.

The COA-accredited Hybrid DNAP for aspiring nurse anesthetists is a 3-year, full-time program with 2 distinct phases:

• Phase 1 starts in January and consists of a mixture of online coursework, on-campus classes, and labs. During these 20 months, you’ll tackle 52 credits.
• Phase 2 kicks off in August and last 16 months. Most of the work will be devoted to clinical practicums (view the list of clinical sites), but you will also have weekly classroom sessions (e.g. clinical conferences) and some online coursework.

You can work during the first 8 months of the 87-credit program, but after that the time commitment becomes too strenuous for anything other than the DNAP. Check out the attrition rates, NCE pass rates, and employment rates.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

TCU’s Online Post-Master’s DNP is a 30-credit program with 20 hours allocated for didactic coursework, 4 hours for clinical practicums, and 6 hours for a DNP project. You can choose a full-time (2 years) or a part-time (3 years) plan of study. On average, post-master’s DNP students spend 26-28 hours per week on their coursework and assignments.

DNP Overview

WSU’s College of Nursing is a thoroughly respectable choice for the DNP. It’s an NLN Center of Excellence with strong APRN certification pass rates. It receives plenty of NIH funding for research areas of distinction, including work in environmental health & sustainability and addictions research. And it has connections to multiple clinical sites. But WSU has been hit by fiscal challenges in recent years. Chat to recent alumni, talk to faculty, and take a look at available College of Nursing scholarships before you make a decision.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

WSU’s Hybrid BSN to DNP is best-suited to Washington State or Oregon residents.

• This blended program combines online coursework with in-person classes in three campus locations (Spokane, Tri-Cities, or Vancouver).
• You can choose to earn your APRN certification in FNP or PMHNP (74 credits/600-660 specialty clinical hours) or opt for the Population Health track, which focuses on community & public health (72 credits/600 clinical hours).
• In addition to clinical hours, all BSN to DNP student complete 480 DNP practicum hours.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

WSU’s Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP is open to all candidates:

• Current APRNs who just want a doctorate on their résumé can choose the 33-credit Post Master’s DNP with 480 DNP practicum hours, including a DNP project. Have a look at previous project examples.
• MSN-holders who want to change specialties and work toward APRN certification can take the longer Post-Master’s DNP in FNP, PMHNP, or Population Health. Budget for 66-60 credits.

DNP Overview

UW-Madison’s DNP is backed by a strong School of Nursing. The School is located in Wisconsin’s only academic health center—the Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC)—and has close ties to local area hospitals (e.g. UW Health University Hospital). It has developed its own research centers & institutes and innovative community health partnerships. Nursing graduates attain high APRN certification pass rates and employment rates. And financial support is available for DNP students. Contact alumni in the directory of DNP students to get the full picture!

BSN to DNP Curriculum

The structure of your cohort-based Post-BS DNP at UW-Madison will depend on your choice of track:

• Clinical specialties (NP & CNS) are available in a 68-credit Hybrid Post-BS DNP format. Core classes are offered online, but on-campus meetings are required for all clinical track courses—their frequency varies based on where you are in the program plan. You can choose a full-time, 3-year plan of study or a 4-year, part-time schedule.
• Non-clinical specialties such as Population Health and Systems Leadership & Innovation are offered in a 58-credit Online Post-BS DNP format that takes 3 years to complete. You’ll tackle a DNP Scholarly Project and relevant practicums, but you won’t be prepared for any certification exams.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

UW-Madison’s 32-credit Online Post-MS DNP is designed for nurses who already hold APRN certification. It can be completed in 2 years on a part-time schedule; you’ll work on the DNP Scholarly Project in the second year. If you’re interested in education, you also have the option to add a 9-credit Nurse Educator Certificate to your degree.

DNP Overview

The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (FPB) has a reputation for a strong DNAP program, intriguing Centers of Excellence, and multiple NIH-funded areas of research and training. It also has a habit of churning out excellent nurse leaders. The School runs its own Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy and almost every major nursing organization has been led by an FPB graduate (e.g. NBNA, ICN, AAN, etc.). Case Western is expensive, so check the section on Financial Aid for Graduate Students for ideas.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Case Western’s 71-credit Nurse Anesthesia DNP program is a bit unusual. Once you apply, you’ll be matched with one of two programs—either the Nurse Anesthesia DNP through the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing or a joint, hospital-based DNP program that’s run through the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

• The DNP programs are separately accredited by the COA, but the didactic curriculum is the same. Students in both Case Western programs take the same courses and share classroom space.
• Both doctoral programs are full-time and take 3 years/9 semesters to complete.
• Graduates of the Cleveland Clinic program receive a Diploma in Nurse Anesthesia from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a DNP from Case Western.

Check out the section on Accreditation for NCE pass rates, attrition rates, and employment numbers.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The 34-credit Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP is available in a blended, cohort-based format with online coursework and campus intensives. Better yet, you can choose to follow one of three elective sequences—Educational Leadership, Practice Leadership, or Executive Leadership—that suit your career path. If you wish, you may even want to earn a Hybrid Dual DNP/PhD.

DNP Overview

OHSU’s School of Nursing never fails to impress us! Excellent national rankings & independent reviews. Outstanding APRN certification pass rates (e.g. 100%). A close affiliation with a teaching hospital. Pick any category, and you’re going to find gold. It has research strengths in all kinds of areas, including cancer survivorship. It arranges rural immersions for FNPs and CNM practicums in the OHSU Nurse-Midwifery Faculty Practice. Plus it has access to all kinds of Nurse Anesthesia clinical sites.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

OHSU’s Hybrid BSN to DNP is available in a number of NP concentrations, including a Dual PNP track and a highly ranked Nurse Midwifery program. Every track is structured a little differently. For example:

• In the PMHNP, you can expect to visit an OHSU regional campus for occasional classes and the Portland campus for intensive training sessions. However, the Dual PNP is Portland-based. Ask the DNP program coordinator for full details on your chosen concentration.
• On a full-time schedule, the BSN to DNP takes 3 years to finish (106-116 credits). View Sample Programs of Study.

Considering the COA-accredited Hybrid DNP Nurse Anesthesia? Core courses are offered in an online or hybrid format and clinical sites are based in Oregon and Washington. This 36-month program is a top-notch doctorate for CRNAs. First-time pass rates on the NCE are always impressive and attrition rates are next to nothing.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The 46-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP is designed for current APRNs and takes 2 years to complete on a part-time basis. It’s a viable option if you live in the Northwest—a few courses require a face-to-face intensive meeting for instruction. In the graduate handbook, OHSU states that students can expect to come to campus at least twice each year.

DNP Overview

We can safely state that UTHealth’s Cizik School of Nursing is one of the best-known schools in Texas, with strong national rankings & graduation rates and a great Nurse Anesthesia program. Thanks to its location on the Texas Medical Center (TMC) campus in Houston, DNP students have access to big-name healthcare partners and research resources. If you’re interested in international nursing opportunities, check out the work being done in the Global Health Program.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

At UTHealth, you can choose from a range of NP specialties for the Hybrid BSN to DNP. All programs are 79-credits and delivered in a blended format—you’ll visit the campus 4-5 times per semester for didactic courses and 2-3 times per semester for the DNP core portion of the curriculum. Other coursework is delivered online.

• The BSN to DNP will take 9-12 semesters, depending on whether you select a full-time or part-time plan of study.
• See the program page for a breakdown of clinical hours for each NP specialty.

UTHealth also offers a full-time On-Campus Nurse Anesthesia program. This 3-year/9-semester degree is COA-accredited and contains 112 credit hours of didactic coursework and clinical training. You can view the attrition rates, NCE pass rates, and employment rates on the program page—in recent years, first-attempt pass rates have been 100%.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

Experienced nurses are welcome to pursue a Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP. This program involves online coursework and 3 campus sessions per semester (2 days each) and it’s open to a range of nurse leaders and APRNs:

• Existing NPs, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Executives, and Nurse Informatics experts can choose a 5-semester or 8-semester plan of study.
• Existing Nurse Anesthetists must enroll in an 8-semester plan of study.

The curriculum will vary depending on your specialty, but all pathways include a Clinical Scholarship Portfolio/DNP project and DNP Fellowship.

DNP Overview

Although UNC Chapel Hill often steals the spotlight, UNCG’s School of Nursing can hold its own against its sister university. Debt rates are low. APRN certification pass rates are sturdy. And in-state tuition rates are reasonable. The School is affiliated with more than 700 community partners, including the Center for the Health of Vulnerable Populations. Faculty have a wide range of research interests. And students can take full advantage of facilities in the new Nursing and Instructional Building.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

UNCG’s 73-credit Hybrid Post-BSN DNP is available in one NP concentration—Adult-Gerontology Primary Care. This blended program is a mixture of online classes and on-campus sessions. It can be completed in 8 semesters/3 years, beginning in the fall and ending in the spring.

Aspiring CRNAs can also consider the COA-accredited On-Campus Post-BSN Nurse Anesthesia program. It’s a full-time, 9-semester program that starts in the fall and ends in the summer of the third year. Students complete a minimum of 107 credits and 3,060 advanced practice clinical hours. See the FAQs section for details on clinical rotations.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

UNCG’s 30-credit Hybrid Post-MSN DNP is designed for current APRNs, CNLs, and nurse administrators. It’s a mix of online coursework and campus sessions (4-6 days per semester). It takes 5 semesters, beginning in the fall and ending in the spring semester of the second year. All students complete 300 hours of a DNP project & DNP essentials.

DNP Overview

As the home of a major regional hospital, U of U is a big draw for students and nursing professionals from intermountain states. Plus, in addition to achieving excellent graduation & APRN certification pass rates, its College of Nursing has a great track record in faculty practice. The Center of Excellence in Women’s Health and BirthCare HealthCare should interest those studying women’s health or nurse-midwifery; the grant-funded Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence is useful for any DNPs specializing in gerontologic nursing.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Most students in U of U’s Hybrid BS to DNP move in cohorts through a 3-year, full-time program that ranges from 76 to 86 credits. (The Nurse Midwifery/WHNP dual specialty is 9 semesters and 94 credits.) Distance delivery is available in some tracks, but campus visits are still required.

• After a thorough dose of didactic coursework during the fall & spring, you’ll typically take your first specialty practicum in the first summer.
• In the following summer, you’ll begin working on your DNP project.

The Dual DNP-PhD is a 5-year program that’s open to nurses who wish to earn APRN certification and conduct research. You can expect to take 3-4 courses per semester, including relevant clinical practicums. The available specialties are AGPCNP, FNP, WHNP, and CNM.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The Online Post-MS to DNP has two tracks: the Clinician Pathway for APRNs (full-time) and the Organizational Leadership Pathway for APRNs or non-APRNs (full-time or part-time). Both incorporate a scholarly project and 5 clinical immersions—one for each semester in a full-time schedule. See the Program of Study for full details.

DNP Overview

Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is one of the biggest beneficiaries of NIH research funding in nursing. It pours that money into tons of initiatives, including the Center for Children’s Health, the Environment, the Microbiome, and Metabolomics (C-CHEM²) and the Center for Nursing Excellence in Palliative Care. This research work is matched by the School’s dedication to improving clinical care for all populations, as evidenced by the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility and the Emory-Ethiopia Partnership.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

At Emory, you’ll be able to choose from a vast range of Online Post-BSN DNP specialties. These programs are typically 73-81 credits and can be completed in 7 jam-packed semesters of full-time study. All specialties require the development of a final DNP project starting midway through the course plan.

• Students pursue their APRN/NP specialty in one of two curriculum tracks: Health Systems Leadership or Population Health. The Emergency Nurse NP specialization is only available in the Population Health track.
• The program is advertised as being online, but there will be clinical intensives in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Nurse Anesthesia program, which has a Health Systems Leadership focus, is 89 credits and 3 years/9 semesters of full-time study. It’s COA-accredited, which means NCE pass rates are available on the program website.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The Online Post-Master’s DNP is aimed at current APRNs & nurse leaders. You’ll be allowed to choose between the same two tracks as Post-BSN DNP students: Health Systems Leadership (38 credits) or Population Health (39 credits). Once enrolled, you’ll take the same non-clinical classes as BSN to DNP students and embark on a DNP project from Day 1. Post-master’s students can choose a 4-semester, full-time plan or a 7 semester, part-time plan.

DNP Overview

Pitt School of Nursing secures high rankings for its nursing programs and loads of NIH funding for nursing research. Thanks to educational affiliates around the world, you’ll have the chance to learn abroad. But there’s plenty to keep you tethered to Pennsylvania. The School runs a number of interdisciplinary Research HUBS; it has sturdy partnerships with local medical providers (e.g. Center for Rural Health Practice, Cole Memorial, Bradford Regional Medical Center, etc.); and it maintains a strong alumni network.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

You can have your pick of Hybrid/On-Campus BSN to DNP specialties at Pitt. In addition to NP, nurse midwifery, and CNS options, there’s a COA-accredited Nurse Anesthesia program (see the website for full details on the curriculum).

• BSN to DNP tracks are designed to be completed on-site within 3 years on a full-time schedule. If you need a more flexible format, you can consider the AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP distance education options.
• NP tracks are typically 87 to 96 credits, though the AGACNP & AGCNS tracks are shorter. While all of these programs feature just over 1,000 clinical hours, the Nurse-Midwife program cranks it up to 1,440 hours, which raises the total credit requirement to 99.
• In addition, students can add 9-12 credits to their studies and attain a minor in Gerontology, Health Care Genetics, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, Nursing Administration, or Nursing Research.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

If you already hold APRN certification, you’re welcome to pursue a Online Post-Master’s DNP in your current specialty. You’ll be able to choose a full-time or part-time schedule for this distance education program. The full-time plan will take 2 years to complete.

Pitt also offers a 41-credit Online DNP in Health Systems Executive Leadership that takes 3 years to complete. You’re welcome to combine it with a degree or certificate from the schools of business, education, law, public health, or public affairs. A joint DNP/Master of Public Policy and Management is one option; you can attend on-campus or online to earn the 61 credits needed.

DNP Overview

University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) was the first school in the country to offer an institute for nurse educators and it’s been up with the best of the best ever since. It has close ties to the University of Maryland Medical Center & Baltimore VA Medical Center, 28 clinical simulation laboratories, 350+ clinical learning sites, a huge amount of NIH funding, and 4 intriguing research centers. Student reviews of its graduate programs are stellar, and national rankings are first-rate. You’ll be getting your money’s worth!

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Almost all of UMB’s Hybrid BSN to DNP specialties share the same DNA. They are run on a blended format that can be completed as part of a 3-, 4-, or 5-year course plan. Each program is around 80 credits and 1,080 clinical hours.

• Didactic coursework is spread across each of those years, with clinical requirements beginning in the first year and gradually ramping up.
• Toward the later stages of the program, you’ll develop, implement, and disseminate the results of your DNP project.

The lone outlier is the COA-accredited Nurse Anesthesia program. This has a full-time, 3-year curriculum consisting of 93 credits with some web-based credits. You’ll spend the first year tackling didactic coursework and the second & third years rotating through a number of big-name hospitals and medical centers. NCE pass rates & employment rates at UMSON are high.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The Online & Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP is open to students with or without APRN certification. Full-time and part-time schedules are on offer.

• Existing APRNs (or those who don’t care about APRN certification) may need just 37 credits for the Online DNP. You’ll only take the core degree requirements, along with a DNP project and any remaining practicum hours not covered during your MSN. On a full-time schedule, this would take 2 years.
• Master’s degree holders who wish to become APRNs can pursue a Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP with a specialty. This pathway will be 48-93 credits. The total program time & credit number will depend on your transcripts and whether your master’s degree is an MSN or merely a related degree.
• Existing DNPs who wish to earn a new specialty can pursue a post-doctoral certificate. This will be 13-62 credits. A certificate is not available for NNP or Nurse Anesthesia candidates.

DNP Overview

JHU School of Nursing administrators founded the American Journal of Nursing. Today, JHU is regularly in the top 3 of U.S. News and World Report rankings for nursing programs (including Best DNP) and it runs centers in multiple Areas of Excellence, including aging & dementia care, mental health, cardiovascular care, chronic care, and community, global & public health. We might also add that it’s an NLN Center of Excellence with award-winning faculty, an extensive alumni network, and close ties to JHU Health System facilities.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

NP & CNS specialties in the Online Advanced Practice BSN to DNP are a mix of online work with campus immersions. RNs with a BSN can choose from a large number of clinical specialties:

• CNS specialties are 75-76 credit programs. During your studies, you’ll complete 784 clinical hours plus another 224 DNP practicum hours. You can enroll as part of either a 3-year or 4-year cohort.
• NP specialties are structured in a similar way, but they’re a bit longer at 78-81 credits (with the exception of the 88-credit PNP dual specialty).
• Nurse Anesthesia is the most rigorous specialty, requiring 88 credits across 3 years. It’s a hybrid program—some courses are available online. It’s COA-accredited.

In addition, JHU also offers an on-campus DNP Advanced Practice/PhD dual degree program that spans 5 years and 127 credits. You’ll select an NP or CNS specialty of your choice.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

If you have an entry-level MSN and want to pursue APRN certification, you’re welcome to choose from any of the available specialties in the Advanced Practice Track to finish your training. Talk to the DNP program coordinator to learn more about credit transfers.

JHU’s Online Post-Master’s DNP Executive Track has a 40-credit curriculum that’s split fairly evenly across 6 semesters. Although the program is mostly online, you will have 4 campus immersions. The curriculum incorporates 9 elective credits, 4 practicums, and mandated coursework in leadership, policy, finance, and information systems. You’ll start identifying a DNP project on the first day and wrap it up at the end of your second year.

If you’re interested in multiple fields of interest, you could also consider the dual Online DNP Executive/MBA or Online DNP Executive/MPH. These combo programs take around 3 years to complete, with online coursework and on-site immersions.

DNP Overview

Vanderbilt School of Nursing (VUSN) is one of the top nursing schools in the country, with a great national reputation and strong loyalty from alumni. Thanks to initiatives like the Frist Global Health Leaders Program, graduate students can work or train in countries from Bangladesh to Bolivia. DNP students can also take advantage of VUSN’s research resources, technological innovations (e.g. Frist Nursing Informatics Center), and faculty practice clinics.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Vanderbilt offers two dedicated BSN to DNP pathways: the 77-credit Dual FNP/ENP and the 65-credit AGACNP. The AGACNP has an optional intensivist track for nurses who wish to specialize in critical care. If you choose it, you must live in the Middle Tennesee/Nashville area prior to the start of the AGACNP clinical sequence. You can finish these BSN to DNP programs in 8 semesters/3 years on a full-time schedule.

• If you’re keen on another NP specialty, you have the option to apply for one of VUSN’s myriad MSN tracks and indicate on your application that you want to progress to a DNP after completion.
• MSN specialties are available in a hybrid “block” format that mixes concentrated on-campus time and online delivery. The master’s-level portion is structured to take 1-3 years to complete; the DNP portion takes 5-6 semesters/2 years.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The Online/Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP can be completed in either 5 or 6 semesters. If you have met all the course and clinical requirements during your MSN, you only need to take 36 credits to earn the DNP. This number covers coursework in the Executive Leadership, Advanced Systems Practice, or Advanced Clinical Practice track, 500 practicum hours, and a DNP project.

Coursework is predominantly online, although you will come to Nashville for 3-4 days per semester for a mix of meetings and networking events. Clinical hours can be completed in your home state.

DNP Overview

Thanks to a huge range of DNP choices, superb graduation rates, and a great national reputation, UAB is a “no-brainer” for our Best DNP rankings. The UAB School of Nursing has been a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Nursing since 1994. It maintains clinical partnerships with UAB Nurse Managed Clinics, rural health projects, and VA initiatives. It has a strong alumni network. And it’s affiliated with Alabama’s biggest hospital (UAB Medicine)—something to think about for post-graduation career opportunities.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Students with a BSN can enroll in the Online Nurse Practitioner DNP pathway or COA-accredited Hybrid Nurse Anesthesia DNP pathway.

• The NP pathway is available in 8 specialties. All programs are 79 credits. You’ll follow a 10-semester, 4-year plan that combines online work and on-campus intensives. The first 2 years are devoted to didactic coursework; you’ll start working on clinical practicums in your third year. The fourth year is only 1 semester—you’ll be focused on finishing your DNP project.
• Nurse Anesthesia is a 114-credit program that’s packed into 3 years. Year 1 is a mix of on-campus and online didactic courses; year 2 adds clinical immersions; year 3 is split between online work, clinicals, and the final project. NCE pass rates are available on the program website.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The school runs two types of Online Post-MSN pathways: one for Nurse Executives and one for Advanced Practice Nurses.

• The Nurse Executive pathway is a 49-credit program for students with a master’s degree related to health. This 2-year program includes courses on coaching and project evaluation, as well as a fellowship. There are on-campus intensives (4-5 days each) in the first, fourth, and sixth semesters.
• The Advanced Practice Nurses pathway is a 43-credit program built out over 7 semesters. It covers theory, informatics, strategies, and related topics. All students are required to attend an on campus orientation and annual intensive.

DNP Overview

University of Minnesota School of Nursing (UMSON) has the second-biggest DNP program in the country. In addition to housing the Center for Nursing Informatics, where faculty and students develop practical applications, UMSON funds on-campus centers geared toward nearly every population. For example, the Center for Adolescent Nursing conducts workshops and consults on maternal and child health issues, while the Center for Aging Science & Care Innovation translates research into care environments.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

UMSON’s Hybrid BSN to DNP specialties are balanced between advanced practice and leadership roles. With the exception of Nurse Anesthesia, these programs involve a blended, full-time curriculum that can be completed in 3 or 4 years.

• APRN tracks are between 75 and 81 credits; non-APRN tracks are between 67 and 82 credits. All of them require 1,000 clinical hours.
• In the first year, you’ll attend a 4-day, on-campus session once per term to meet with advisors and take core courses.
• In the second year, you’ll meet on campus 2 additional times per semester to tackle coursework. You won’t start your first clinical practicum or prepare a DNP project until your second year.

As you might expect, the Nurse Anesthesia pathway has its own rules. This COA-accredited, on-campus DNP program requires 100 credits and 3,000 clinical hours (plus another 120 hours toward the DNP project). To cover all the hours, you’ll complete your first practicum in the second semester.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The Online/Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP is aimed at nurses with an MSN in an APRN specialty or an MSN in leadership, informatics, or public health. The full-time schedule involves 1 year of online work and 3 week-long visits to campus (once per semester). You’ll complete at least 38 credits, including a DNP project and a minimum of 360 systems-level clinical practicum hours. A part-time schedule is also available.

DNP Overview

UW School of Nursing is proud of its experienced faculty, track record in research, and its diversity—45% of students self-identify as people of color. If you’re accepted, you can take advantage of work in multiple Centers of Excellence. For example, the de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging distributes $10,000 scholarships to DNP students doing projects in the subject. Looking for international opportunities? Check out the Center for Global Health Nursing and its research and training programs in 16 countries, including Kenya and Thailand.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Hybrid BSN to DNP tracks at UW Seattle are available in a 3-year, full-time format that blends online coursework with in-person studies & clinical training. You can choose from a wide range of APRN and CNS specialties, as well as more unusual options (e.g. Population Health & Systems Leadership).

• During the first year, all DNP students are pooled together to tackle core coursework in areas like leadership and policy.
• The second year focuses on classes, practicums, and seminars related to your chosen specialty.
• The final year is dedicated exclusively to finishing the DNP project and completing the remaining clinical hours within the Puget Sound area. By program’s end, you will have completed 93 credits.

DNP Overview

Frontier Nursing University is home to the oldest Nurse-Midwifery program in the U.S., as well as the first FNP program. Since its founding in 1939, it has expanded to offer programs in multiple specialties, including pediatrics, family, and women’s health. In addition to catering to working nurses through distance education, FNU has a reputation for serving rural communities. If you’re looking for a DNP with glowing reviews for its professors and its nurturing atmosphere, you’re in the right place.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Frontier doesn’t offer a dedicated BSN to DNP pathway. Instead, students are encouraged to apply for the MSN. Graduates of the MSN then have the option to transition to a 21-credit Online Companion DNP via a direct admission process. For this route, you can choose the CNM, FNP, PMHNP, or WHNP specialty.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

For the Online Post-Master’s DNP program, you can choose a 5-term or 6-term course plan in one of 8 specialties. The curriculum consists of 30 credits, with online coursework and one 3-day on-campus experience. Coursework covers areas such as nurse education, evidence-based practice, leadership, policy, epidemiology, and theory. Regardless of the specialty, all students complete 360 clinical hours and a customized DNP project.

DNP Overview

UK’s College of Nursing launched the first DNP program in the country, so you can rest assured that it has had time to fine-tune the curriculum! APRN certification pass rates tend to be very high and DNP research opportunities abound. For example, the College has invested a great deal of grant money into its Perinatal Research and Wellness Center. Given its location, other focus areas include reducing tobacco use and increasing workplace safety.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Students with a BSN can choose from a range of Hybrid BSN-DNP specialties. All NP specialties require 74 credits and 1,020 clinical hours to complete. On a full-time schedule, you’ll tackle a 3-year course plan that:

• Concentrates on didactic coursework in the first year;
• Splits the second year between courses and clinicals;
• Devotes much of the third year to a DNP project.

4-year and 5-year plans of study are also available for those who need a part-time structure.

Although the Executive Leadership in Health Care specialty is structurally similar to the other tracks, it’s only 67 credits and it can be completed on a full-time, 3-year plan or a part-time, 4-year plan.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The Online/Hybrid MSN-DNP is open to a number of students. Campus visits are required for all pathways (e.g 1-2 times per semester).

• Nurses with an MSN who are seeking a new or second APRN specialty can choose a 3-year MSN-DNP in five NP specialties. See the curriculum outline for details on credit requirements—you may be able to transfer some of your pre-existing MSN credits into the program.
• Current NPs can build upon their specialty knowledge with the 2-year Clinical Leadership concentration. A part-time, 3-year plan is also available. Your required credit hours will range from 34 to 40 credits and you’ll complete 600 clinical hours. You can add a second specialty by incorporating a post-graduate APRN certificate into your course plan.
• The 2-year program Executive Leadership in Health Care is also 34-40 units with 600 clinical hours. If you choose this pathway, you’ll focus more on running healthcare organizations than on clinical interventions. A part-time, 3-year plan is also available.

DNP Overview

Columbia University School of Nursing has a storied 125+ year history. It was the first school to be named a WHO Collaborating Center for Advanced Practice Nursing and it’s invariably in the top 10 of U.S. News & World Report rankings for graduate nursing programs—employers will know the name! It runs all kinds of intriguing research centers, including a Center for Research on People of Color, and it operates its own faculty practices in New York City. DNP students are welcome to apply for 6-week practicums at global clinical sites, including opportunities in Ethiopia, Jamaica, India, and more.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Columbia has a number of On-Campus BSN to DNP tracks on offer. Those who want to further specialize can add a 7-credit subspecialty in Adult or Pediatric Oncology or a 9-credit subspecialty in Women’s Health. Credit requirements for programs vary. However, they all share the same 3-year, full-time format.

• For the didactic portion of the program, you’ll work in a cohort to study courses such as epidemiology and evidence-based practice.
• You’ll then split off to complete practicums and a portfolio. Clinical immersions take place throughout the New York City metropolitan area.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The Post-Master’s DNP is only open to RNs with an MSN and no APRN certification. You’ll complete a 3-year, full-time program that covers much of the same territory as the BSN to DNP. This program will prepare you for state licensure & professional certification.

DNP Overview

With 27 American Academy of Nursing fellows on its faculty, UIC College of Nursing is a hotbed for leaders in the field. Based in the heart of Chicago, the school’s Urban Health Program seeks to recruit a new generation of nursing leaders from underrepresented populations. Yet, when it comes to treatment, UIC also looks outward to neglected rural populations. For example, DNP students can add a Rural Nursing concentration to their degree. Be sure to check out all the opportunities for research work and initiatives in clinical practice.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

All Hybrid BSN to DNP tracks take 3-5 years to complete. Most of the advanced practice specialties are between 77-90 units; the dual focus program in Nurse-Midwifery/WHNP is 97 credits.

• The APRN curriculum is split fairly evenly between a DNP core, a clinical science core, and the focus area concentration, with another dozen or so credits dedicated to a DNP project. You’ll spend over 1,000 hours in clinical practicums, which UIC arranges.
• The two non-advanced practice focus areas—Advanced Population Health Nursing and Health Systems Leadership—are 60-credit programs that remove the clinical science portion of the program. However, you’ll still complete practicum hours toward your DNP project.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP is a 42-credit program for current APRNs that’s built around an extended slate of DNP core courses and an 11-credit DNP project. It is similar to the curriculum for the non-advanced practice focus areas of the BSN to DNP and it can be finished in 2-4 years. All didactic coursework is online.

DNP Overview

For more than a decade, Rush’s College of Nursing has only offered graduate-level degrees. This focus has helped it shoot to near the top of U.S. News and World Report rankings in half a dozen nursing categories, including Best DNP. It runs 3 academic departments: 1) Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing; 2) Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing, and 3) Women, Children and Family Nursing. Thanks to its location in Chicago, it’s known for its commitment to diversity, community service, and people of color. And it’s closely affiliated with the Rush University Medical Center. We call it the ultimate “all-rounder”!

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Rush has a huge range of BSN to DNP tracks on offer, including NP & CNS specialties. The standard length of the program is 3.5 years in a part-time format (3 courses per semester) or 2.5 years in a full-time format.

• Clinical specialties are hybrid with campus visits for clinicals, labs, and DNP project presentations.
• Non-clinical specialties (e.g. public health) are online with a short number of campus visits.

Rush’s DNP in Nurse Anesthesia is run on a standard 36-month, full-time course plan. This COA-accredited, 89-credit program has an excellent attrition rate (e.g. 0%) and outstanding NCE pass rates & employment rates (e.g. 100%).

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

Folks who are interested in an Online Post-Master’s DNP can go down a number of routes:

• Rush offers a Post-Master’s DNP pathway for non-APRNs who wish to earn certification in any specialty (with the exception of Nurse Anesthesia). This gets rid of the graduate nursing core, reducing the course load by 12 credits.
• For current APRNs, the advanced practice nursing core can also be removed. What remains is a 14-credit DNP core, additional credits toward a specialty, and 9 credits in practicums and residencies leading up to a DNP project. For instance, the PNP-AC track might be 32 credits in total.
• In addition, there are 2 online, 2-year Post-Master’s DNP programs in Transformative Leadership: Population Health and Transformative Leadership: Systems that are open to MSN holders. Occasional campus visits are required.