With the shrinking number of primary care providers, a nationwide nursing shortage, and an increase in the complexity of patient care, the field of nursing needs clinical experts and leaders with the highest level of scientific knowledge and expertise. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 35% percent employment increase for advanced degree nurses, such as nurse practitioners, through 2022. Graduates can also expect to earn a median salary range of $100,000 annually. This is where the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree comes in, and if you agree that “Dr. Nurse” has an oddly satisfying ring to it then a DNP degree may be the right fit for you. The DNP degree is the new standard for advanced practice nursing education. An advanced DNP degree prepares already certified and registered nurses for careers as leaders and executives in their fields.
Nurses graduating with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree are educated to provide high quality, efficient patient-centered nursing care that emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based practices. Programs across the board aim to connect the nursing community with qualified educators who can work with students in new practice settings while demonstrating evidence-based approaches to healthcare using strategic problem-solving skills.
Expectations of a DNP Program
DNP programs take anywhere from one to five years to complete depending on the students chosen track, their previous education at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels, and whether or not they plan to attend full or part-time. Coursework is clinical practice based rather than research-based and students with a BSN or an MSN can apply, depending on universities’ individual program offerings. Graduates can expect to assume careers in areas such as: Directors of Nursing, Chief Nurse Officers, Nurse Practitioners or Nurse Administrators, Nurse Managers, Clinic or Hospital Nurse Executives, or Clinical Nurse Faculty members.
Most institutions listed below are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and/or the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN). Some programs are offered fully online, while others are hybrid programs. The universities and colleges are ranked as the most affordable based on IPEDS in-state graduate tuition rates. Not all programs serve every state. Please check the profiles below, or inquire as to whether or not your state participates through the individual institution links.
Ranking the Best Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs
The Online PhD ranking of the Top 50 Online DNP Programs takes into account accreditation, general reputation, and cost. All schools on the list are accredited at the time of this list’s posting; most are regionally accredited, while some have national distance education accrediting. Several universities also have special program accreditation.
Programs in the Most Affordable Doctorates in Nursing Practice are ranked by affordability, from lowest tuition rates to highest.
1. Fort Hays State University
check if your state qualifies here. To apply students can meet the priority deadline by March 1st, or the final application deadline of April 15th, annually. Applicants must have a BSN degree from an accredited college, and students can enroll in an MSN to DPN track through the program. Graduates from the program can expect to take leadership roles in their field, participating in executive decision making processes for best patient care outcomes. Please note, Fort Hays does not accept applicants from the following states: Tennessee, Utah, Alabama, and Washington.
Tuition: $3,497
2. University of Wyoming
Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing (FWWSON) has two clinical concentrations: family nurse practitioner (FNP) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). The FNP prepares students for careers in rural primary care while the PMHNP prepares students for careers in rural psychiatric mental health care. FNP concentration prepares students for careers in rural primary care. Applications are accepted until mid-October for both tracks. The school also offers over twenty-five scholarship opportunities for students who have already been accepted to the School of Nursing. All students must participate in on-campus intensives and clinical placements.
Tuition: $4,518
3. East Carolina University
Doctor of Nursing Practice program at ECU is dedicated to educating advanced practice nurses in the delivery of evidence-based, culturally relevant, inter-professional, patient-centered care in both urban and rural settings. All applicable ECU academic programs prepare students to sit for licensure in North Carolina, therefore ECU cannot confirm whether a particular program meets requirements for professional licensure outside of the State of North Carolina. The program offers five tracks. BSN to DNP students can choose from the following tracks: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia Specialty. The Post-Master’s DNP offers two tracks: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Leadership.
Tuition: $4,749
4. Arkansas State University
fully online DNP program at Arkansas State includes an on-campus emersion experience before the start of each semester. The program requires full-time study and takes 2.5 years to complete the forty-one required credit hours. Students must be Board certified in Advanced Nursing Practice with licensure as an APN or APRN in the state of practice to apply. The application deadline is in October annually. Curriculum and degree requirements are listed in the most current Graduate Bulletin.
Tuition: $4,806
5. Wichita State University
Doctor of Nursing Post-Master program is for students who are already nationally certified in a nursing specialization. Through the program at Wichita they will advance their knowledge in areas such as policy and politics, evidence-based practice, and healthcare systems. Applicants need to have taken a graduate level statistics course within the past six years and have a nursing master’s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants should also have maintained a GPA of 3.25 or higher in all master’s work.
Tuition: $5,302
6. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Northwestern offers a clinical doctorate degree for master’s prepared registered nurses. Graduates can expect to go onto significantly impact healthcare outcomes state wide in leadership and executive roles. During their course of study students will learn how to translate evidence into practice, implement systems changes, and establish healthcare standards and policies. Enrollees can choose from two concentrations: APRN to DNP Leadership (for APRNs) and Organizational Systems Leadership (for non-APRNs). The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Tuition: $5,738
7. Ashland University
online DNP degree program emphasizes evidence-based practice, leadership, cultural competence, organizational analysis and policy. Upon graduating, students can expect to take on leadership roles in hospitals or healthcare organizations nationwide. Enrollees choose one of two paths of study: a BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP with a focus in either the Family Nurse Practitioner program or Health Systems Leadership program.
Tuition: $6,180
8. Boise State University
DNP program can expect the flexibility of online coursework in cohort model. The program is suitable for master’s prepared nurses from across the United States. The Boise State University School of Nursing is CCNE accredited. Classes begin in August annually and applications are due no later than July 15th. Priority is placed on applications received by April 15th each year. The program places emphasis on the Scholarly Project that each student must complete. During the project students highlight their expertise and professional skills and complete a project that aims to improve healthcare organization and patient outcomes.
Tuition: $6,471
9. University of Texas Medical Branch
lack of insurance, poor access, socioeconomic status, age, minority status. The program requires forty-two credit hours taught part-time online. Students are required to take one trip to campus each semester for a two to three day intensive.
Tuition: $6,630
10. Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern offers a Post-MSN online DNP degree for students wishing to obtain leadership or executive positions in their field. Students must have their APRN license and certification to enroll in the six-semester online program. The fully online DNP program offers synchronous and asynchronous formats and the curriculum aims to translate evidence into practice in order to improve healthcare outcomes across fields.
Tuition: $6,630
11. University of Colorado Denver
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) online program prepares nurses for the highest level of professional practice. Graduates go on to build careers as executives and leaders in the healthcare field. Career opportunities could include the following: Clinical Nurse Educator, Clinician-Scholar, Developer/Evaluator of Healthcare Programs, Healthcare Entrepreneur, Care Manager. The program is CCNE accredited and the first of its kind in the Rocky Mountain region. Individuals must hold an MS in Nursing in an advanced practice area to apply. The competency-based curriculum offers courses online and via in-class intensives. States participating in the online DNP program include: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Tuition: $6,714
12. Delta State University
comprehensive online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program. Registered nurses at the associate, , baccalaureate, and master’s levels are encouraged to apply, and if needed, to take the Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam. Depending on degree level, students will enroll in one of the following programs: RN-DNP, BSN-DNP, Post Master’s (non-FNP) DNP, Post Master’s (FNP) DNP. There are full and part time options available, but both options and all programs require a total of 1,020 clinical hours and a Scholarly Project with an additional 420 clinical hours in the student’s area of interest.
Tuition: $6,739
13. University of Central Florida
Doctor of Nursing Practice program at UCF prepares nurses at the highest level of nursing practice available today. With a strong scientific foundation for practice, students can expect to graduate as top specialists in their fields. During their course of study students will critically analyze complex clinical situations and practice systems, assume leadership roles, develop practice models that support nurses, and analyze socio-economic, political and epidemiological data to improve healthcare systems and practices across fields. The program is fully accredited by the AACN.
Tuition: $6,916
14. Idaho State University
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program prepares students to become leaders in their areas of expertise within the clinical nursing practice field. The programs academics are grounded in evidence-based application and explores and evolves with the ever-changing health care system. All coursework is completed online with clinical components completed in the student’s local area. Each semester students are also required to come to the Pocatello campus for a two to three day intensive. There are two degree options students can choose from: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). In order to be eligible for the Post Master’s DNP degree program, applicants must hold national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). In order to be eligible for the Post Master’s DNP degree program, FNP option, the applicant must hold national certification as an FNP. In order to be eligible for the Post Master’s DNP degree program, PMHNP option, the applicant must hold national certification as a PMHNP.
Tuition: $7,187
15. Indiana State University
fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares nurses to be innovative leaders and environmental change agents in their fields. The thirty-nine credit hour program requires previous master’s study and 1,000 hours of supervised clinical preceptorship. There is no dissertation but students complete a DNP Scholarly Project. Out of state individuals are encouraged to apply, however, the program does not serve residents the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming, or International students. The program is AACN accredited.
Tuition: $7,272
16. Troy University
fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program is flexible and requires only one day on campus for an orientation upon acceptance to the program. The degree prepares graduates to be leaders and specialists in their fields and can be completed full or part time. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNA). To graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, and fulfill candidacy requirements. Graduates go on to be leaders in their fields and serve across the state of Alabama, and nationwide.
Tuition: $7,506
17. University of Arkansas
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree offers both an MSN to DNP and BSN to DNP track. The program is focused on creating leaders in the healthcare community through evidence-based clinical prevention and health services. Enrollees can choose from two focuses: Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Tuition: $7,563
18. University of North Dakota
Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree prepares enrollees to be the most educated and qualified practitioners in their fields. Graduates go onto include health policy and health care outcomes on local and global levels. Enrollment in the competitive program is limited. All applications are due by May 1st annually and admissions are determined approximately one month after receiving completed applications.
Tuition: $7,688
19. Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing
DNP degree program has two areas of concentration: Clinical and Leadership. All courses are offered fully online and the high-tech Learning Management System lets enrollees view course materials, check course calendars, and participate in synchronous and asynchronous discussions in a flexible manner. All applicants to the Clinical track must have an MSN degree and at least 500 practice hours before applying. Applicants to the Leadership track must have a BSN and a master’s degree in health administration, leadership, or other area of study approved by the Dean or graduate committee.
Tuition: $7,728
20. Illinois State University
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree designed to produce graduates with the skills, knowledge, and competencies to meet the health care challenges of the 21st century. The program can be completed in seven semesters and the attentive faculty offers guidance and one-on-one attention to each student enrolled. All courses are offered online and it is ranked at one of the Top 100 Public Universities in the nation.
Tuition: $7,765
21. Liberty University
online DNP degree program aims to bring enrollees to their highest potential within their specialty. By learning how to apply evidence-based clinical decision-making and culturally competent care to individuals, families and community populations, students advance their academic and ethical knowledge of nursing practice. The online program is taught by nursing professionals with real world, applicable experience. The degree program is based on the guidelines set forth by the AACN though the program is not currently accredited by the organization. The fully online DNP program can be completed in two years.
Tuition: $8,217
22. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
DNP degree program is an MSN to DNP degree that prepares students to be leaders in the health care and nursing industries. The program is accredited by the AACN and requires a minimum of thirty-six credit hours to complete. During their course of study, enrollees have a chance to develop and implement an evidence-based innovative translational project that should aim to solve a significant health-care problem. Additionally, students must meet the mandated minimum of 1,000 Post-baccalaureate hours of specialty training as required by AACN. There two tracks of study students can follow: Nursing: Nursing Administration or Nursing Administration Systems.
Tuition: $8,244
23. Murray State University
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program. The program is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice and offers an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs. There are both BSN to DNP and PM to DNP programs available. The BSN to DNP tracks offered include: Nurse Anesthetist or Family Nurse Practitioner. Each program takes thirty-six months to complete with classes schedule year-round. The Post-Masters DNP program takes twenty months and requires a two-year, part time commitment. With all tracks, students combine classroom study with hands on clinical practice. Graduates can expect to become leaders or executives in their fields, working in hospitals or health care organizations.
Tuition: $8,631
24. Indiana University
online DNP program offered through Indiana University explores coursework in advanced leadership in complex systems, clinical decision making, evidence-based practice and translation, public health policy, population health management, and more. The program can be completed fully online and prepares graduates to pursue executive and leadership roles in their fields of study. The program requires thirty-seven credit hours plus three required, in-person intensives. All intensives are held on the IUPUI campus in the summer prior to program entry in the fall. Students also complete 1,000 hours of clinical work before graduating.
Tuition: $8,956
25. University of North Florida
DNP program combines academic knowledge with real-world practice to teach students how to assess and assure quality patient outcomes. There is no dissertation required. However, all students must work independently and with a project committee to develop and complete an evidence-based project before graduation. The program is CCNE accredited.
Tuition: $8,978
26. Graceland University
fully online DNP program is to prepare nurses for advanced practice roles and as clinical scholars skilled in the application of theory and research, evidence-based practice, advanced clinical practice, measurement of patient outcomes, and transformation of health care systems. Students must have a BSN plus 400 practice hours to apply. Completion of coursework, practice hours, and a doctoral project are required to obtain the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
Tuition: $9,015
27. Old Dominion University
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is one of the most competitive in the nation and offers four areas of emphasis: Emerging healthcare technologies, Advanced diagnostic and client care skills, Care of vulnerable populations, and Assurance of quality client outcomes with practice-based research. The program overall places emphasis on transformational strategies, organization research, quality outcomes, executive leadership skills, and fiscal and human resource management. Students should plan to graduate as experts in their field. Applicants need to have relevant healthcare management experience and an accredited BSN degree.
Tuition: $9,168
28. Purdue University Global
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, which is instructor led with peer-to-peer learning opportunities and social interactions. The DNP degree program at Purdue Global is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to thrive as leaders in the ever-changing health care environment today. Students complete coursework around their own schedules and it takes approximately two to three years to complete the program. The following states do not qualify for enrollment in the Purdue DNP program at this time: Arkansas, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. The program is CCNE accredited. In addition to their coursework, all students must complete 1,000 hours of post-baccalaureate practice hours for degree completion.
Tuition: $9,208
29. Northern Arizona University
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at NAU teaches students how to clinically approach nursing practice in a sustainable and pro-active way in order to be leaders and innovators in their fields of study. The fully online program is designed for working professionals who need flexibility in learning while maintaining and advancing their careers. The program is fully accredited and is future-focused. Cutting-edge curriculum and top-tier faculty prepare students for success after graduation.
Tuition: $9,313
30. West Virginia University
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program speaks to the university’s mission in preparing advanced practice nurses to shine as leaders and executives in their fields. The program can be completed in thirty-three credit hours, or seven to ten semesters. Capstone credits and clinical hours are also required to obtain the degree. The DNP program offers a focus on the Family Nurse Practitioner and is accredited by the CCNE.
Tuition: $9,450
31. Eastern Kentucky University
Post-MSN DNP program in order to advance their nursing careers to the highest level. The curriculum blends professional preparation with rigorous academics to prepare graduates for roles in leadership or as executives upon completion. The program runs in 8-week terms with rolling admissions and multiple start dates. All coursework can be completed full or part time online and there are no required campus visits.
Tuition: $9,900
32. James Madison University
online Doctor of Nursing Practice program offered at JMU is an innovative program offering full and part time study options. The DNP academic approach centers around evidence-based practice and evidence-based management practices, as emphasized by the Institute of Medicine. Students may choose from two focuses: Advanced Practice Nursing or Leadership in Healthcare Systems. The total number of credits required range from 31–46 hours depending on previous coursework and all students must complete 1,000 course related practice hours. Students must have a BSN degree to apply and the program is accredited by the CCNE and AACN.
Tuition: $10,224
33. University of Alabama in Huntsville
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at UA Huntsville prepares students to be leaders. The degree’s coursework can be completed 100% online and focuses on administrative, organizational, and systems leadership competencies. The program takes at least twenty-eight months to complete for full time students and fifty-two months for part-time attendees. Students are required to complete an intensive in the spring with geographic rotations through Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, and Birmingham.
Tuition: $10,224
34. Rivier University
fully online DNP degree from Rivier University prepares nurses for leadership and executive positions in their fields. The program is clinically focused and adjusts annually to the ever-changing health care system of today. The program emphasizes the follow three areas: direct care of individual patients; care of patient populations, including community health nursing; and practice that supports patient care. Competitive tuition rates and multiple term starts are reasons why the DNP program at Rivier is set up for focused, working professional aiming to advance their nursing careers.
Tuition: $10,260
35. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Post-Masters Doctorate of Nurse Practice degree can be completed 100% online. There are no campus visits required. The program is accredited by the AACN and requires classroom academics and a scholarly manuscript. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their manuscripts for publication. Applicants need not complete the GRE but are required to have an active RN license in the State of Practice plus a Master of Science degree in Nursing from an accredited university.
Tuition: $10,351.00
36. University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee
Post-Master DNP degree program that prepares Advanced Practice Nurses (NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA) for the highest level of clinical nursing practice beyond the initial preparation in the discipline. The program is rated in the top 15% of all graduate nursing programs in the nation on a consistent basis. Graduates go on to become executives and leaders in their fields, and design and implement programs of care delivery that change the lives of many people, as well as the culture of healthcare nationwide. Students from all over the world enroll in the online DNP program annually. The 28-credit-hour program also includes a four credit, 460-hour clinical residency requirement.
Tuition: $10,387
37. University of Northern Colorado
Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree at the University of Northern Colorado prepares nurses for specialized advanced nursing careers as experts in their fields. The program is designed to serve practicing MSN or APNs as a two-year, part-time commitment. Most coursework can be completed online and there are only three required visits to the campus over each student’s course of study. The DNP program offers two specializations: an AGACNP Emphasis or an FNP Emphasis.
Tuition: $10,402
38. McKendree University
DNP degree program in Ethical Leadership is to provide high-quality education to nursing leaders who will in turn drive the future of healthcare locally, nationally, and worldwide. The program can be completed full or part time and requires thirty credit hours of online coursework plus an Advanced Nursing Project and two on-campus immersions each August. Applicants must hold a current RN license and have worked for a university, hospital, or health care organization within the past five years or have two years minimum of full-time work in their field.
Tuition: $10,410
39. University of Michigan at Flint
Doctor in Nursing Practice program at UM-Flint is widely respected for the quality of its alumni. The program offers two degree tracks: the BSN to DNP or the MSN to DNP. BSN to DNP students choose from the following specializations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The program requires requiring 67 to 78 credit hours to complete in part or full time fashion. The MSN to DNP students is designed for registered nurses MS degrees in nursing who are already Certified Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. This track takes between 28 and 31 credit hours to complete.
Tuition: $10,413
40. Concordia University in Wisconsin
competitive fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree offered through Concordia University requires thirty credit hours to complete and is a faith-based program, in line with Concordia’s traditional campus mission. Graduates can expect to pursue careers as leaders and executives such as: Nursing Assistants, Registered Nurses, or Clinical Nurse Specialists. The cohort model offers accelerated classes in a flexible online format and the GRE is not required for admission. All courses are built on a Christian foundation.
Tuition: $10,422
41. Gwynedd Mercy University
accelerated online DNP degree program for nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, or certified nurse midwives. The fully online program can be completed part or full time and requires thirty-nine credit hours, or two years of full-time study to graduate. One in person executive session is required during the last course of study. The online program also requires 400 hours of precepted clinical experience.
Tuition: $10,507
42. Indiana Wesleyan University
fully online DNP program can be completed full or part time with flexibility in residency hours. The program aims to develop leaders and to implement system changes to improve and transform healthcare. In addition to coursework, 1000 graduate level practicum hours are required for graduation, though a maximum of 500 of these hours may be transferred from a master’s level clinical experience. Students’ RN licenses must remain unencumbered throughout the program.
Tuition: $10,671
43. University of Florida
BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP program options. MSN to DNP applicants must have an active Florida ARNP license to apply. The fully online program is set up to serve the working professional. Coursework can be completed full or part time and clinical hours can be completed in the student’s local area. The program places a strong focus on leadership and all coursework is led by faculty clinicians and experts in their fields.
Tuition: $10,770
44. University at Buffalo
Post-BS to DNP Program is for registered nurses who plan to specialize their careers in one of the following areas: family, adult/gerontology, psychiatric/mental health and anesthesia. The degree program takes anywhere from three to seven years to complete and students can attend full or part time. The nurse anesthetist program is full time only and takes three years to complete. Approximately 40% of the coursework can be completed online and all students complete a capstone project tailored toward their individual interests in their last year of study. The on campus Post-MSN to DNP degree takes three to five years to complete and students choose to focus in one of the following areas: Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Child Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.
Tuition: $10,870
45. Upstate Medical University
online DNP program is one of the best in the nation. The program can be completed part time and is designed specifically for the post-master’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). All forty semester hours required by the program can be completed online and students can expect their studies to take approximately two and a half years to complete, with two summer semesters. The program is AACN and CCNE accredited. New York state residents can also qualify for SUNY tuition rates. Applicants must have one of the following licenses to apply: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Adult/Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and an active RN license in the state where they plan to complete their clinical hours.
Tuition: $10,870
46. University of Missouri at St. Louis
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is also one of the best nursing programs in the nation. The program is endorsed by the AACN and focuses on the areas of health policy, organizational leadership and management, and additional clinical expertise with a focus on evidence-based practice. The university has both the BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP programs with a number of tracks to choose from: Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Leadership in Population Health and Healthcare Systems. BSN to DNP candidates chooses from a nurse practitioner population of focus for their studies or the leadership in population health and healthcare systems focus. All students must complete a clinical scholarship project in their final year of study.
Tuition: $11,201
47. University of Tennessee at Knoxville
DNP program prepares students to influence health care outcomes through evidence-based practice and by evaluating and implementing health policy. Students also explore how to develop new and innovative clinical systems. The clinical practice approach allows graduates to take leadership roles in their fields while maintaining a focus on patient care. The application deadline is March 1st annually with a February 1st deadline for international applicants. The DNP program offers the following concentrations: BSN-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration; BSN-DNP Nurse Executive Concentration; BSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration; BSN-DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Concentration (Acute and Primary); MSN to DNP.Tuition: $11,244
48. Southern Adventist University
fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is one of the most comprehensive offered in the state of Tennessee. Areas of emphasis include the following: Acute Care for Adult/Gerontology, Acute Care Specialization, or Lifestyle Therapeutics. The online program requires three campus visits, each four days long, int eh first, third, and fifth semesters. The program can be completed full time in five semesters, or part time in eight. The university offers both the MSN to DNP and BS to DNP programs. All applicants must hold an up-to-date RN licensure to apply in the state where they wish to complete their clinical study.
Tuition: $11,250
49. Kent State University
fully online MSN to DNP degree program can be complete in less than two years by full time students, or in five semesters and prepares students to assume leadership roles in healthcare. With a growing demand for specialized nurses, Kent State meets the demand by accelerating their accessible doctoral program online through a cohort structure. Students must have a BSN or MSN degree from an CCNE or ACEN accredited institution to apply plus a minimum GPA of 3.0. They must also hold an active, unrestricted RN licenses in the state in which they plan to complete their practica.
Tuition: $11,310
50. Ohio State University
University’s Online Programs State Authorization webpage for more information.
Tuition: $11,560