Fastest Online DNP Programs: 24 Programs in 18 Months or Less

The fastest online DNP programs take 12-18 months to complete. Francis Marion University, Holy Family University, and Thomas Edison State University each offer a 12-month, 100% online MSN to DNP program. A post-master’s doctorate is the fastest because it assumes you have already completed graduate-level coursework and 500+ clinical hours. These types of DNP programs are typically open to RNs with an MSN or a closely related master’s degree; some programs may also ask to see proof of APRN certification.

Sound like you? Use our rankings to discover 24 of the fastest online DNP programs in the USA! Skim through our comparison table to understand your choices. Explore detailed profiles of each accelerated (and accredited) online MSN to DNP degree. Learn more about the format of 1-year online MSN to DNP degrees and how clinical hours can affect the time-frame.

Compare Fastest Online DNP Pathways

Your starting credential is the single biggest factor in how quickly you can finish an online DNP. The table below compares the main entry points by typical full-time length, credit load, and who each pathway suits best.

Entry Pathway	Typical Length	Best For
MSN to DNP (Leadership / Executive / Education)	12–18 Months	APRNs, Educators & Leaders
MSN to DNP (Advanced Practice / Systems Leadership)	12–18 Months	Practicing APRNs
Accelerated BSN to DNP	Under 3 Years	BSN-prepared RNs
Traditional BSN to DNP	3–4 Years	RNs seeking APRN certification

Note that these are estimates for full-time study; part-time study will take longer. The 24 programs in our fastest online MSN to DNP rankings all fall within the 12–18 month leadership and advanced-practice range at the top of this table. If you are searching for an accelerated BSN to DNP program, explore our separate rankings of the Fastest Online BSN to DNP Programs.

2026 Fastest Online DNP Programs: At a Glance

Online MSN to DNP programs are ranked by shortest completion time; those sharing a duration are tied and listed alphabetically. Click on a school name for full program details, including credits, clinical practice hours requirements, delivery method (e.g. 100% online vs. campus visits), and more!

#	School	Accreditation	Fastest Length
1	Francis Marion University	CCNE	12 Months
2	Holy Family University	CCNE	12 Months
3	Thomas Edison State University	CCNE	12 Months
4	Capella University	CCNE	13 Months
5	Arkansas State University	ACEN	14 Months
6	Chatham University	CCNE	14 Months
7	Carlow University	CCNE	15 Months
8	University of North Carolina at Greensboro	CCNE	15 Months
9	University of Pennsylvania	CCNE	15 Months
10	Augusta University	CCNE	16 Months
11	Gannon University	CCNE	16 Months
12	University of Cincinnati	CCNE	16 Months
13	Alverno College	CCNE	18 Months
14	Anderson University	CCNE	18 Months
15	Frontier Nursing University	ACEN	18 Months
16	Midwestern University	CCNE	18 Months
17	Mount Carmel College of Nursing	CCNE	18 Months
18	Old Dominion University	CCNE	18 Months
19	Oregon Health & Science University	CCNE	18 Months
20	Purdue University Global	CCNE	18 Months
21	University of Arizona	CCNE	18 Months
22	University of New Hampshire	CCNE	18 Months
23	University of North Alabama	CCNE	18 Months
24	Walden University	CCNE	18 Months

Lengths reflect each school’s official plan of study, verified July 2026. CCNE = Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; ACEN = Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Fastest Online DNP Methodology

The fastest online MSN to DNP programs in the USA range from 12 months to 18 months (roughly 3 to 5 semesters).

• We searched our comprehensive database of online DNP programs to identify any CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs that signaled they had accelerated time-frames.
• Then we visited each DNP program page to verify the length using the university’s official plan of study. A number of schools provide sample schedules for students.
• If a university indicated an online DNP program was 3 semesters, 4 semesters, or 5 semesters, we cross-checked this length against the university’s calendar and standardized the semester length to months for easy comparison.

In 2026, we set the cut-off point for our fastest online MSN to DNP rankings at 18 months/1.5 years. In our research, we uncovered scores of additional online MSN to DNP programs that operate on a 20-month time-frame. So we decided to limit our rankings to the absolute quickest online nursing doctorates in the country.

Fastest Online DNP Rankings: What’s New for 2026

DNPProgram.com’s 2026 review of the fastest online MSN to DNP programs in the country generated some fascinating insights into the state of advanced nursing education. Here are a few facts & statistics about accelerated online DNP programs that may affect your choice of school!

Ultra-quick online DNP programs are not offered by major research universities.

The fastest online DNP programs in the USA tend to be offered by lesser known public & state universities such as Francis Marion University, religious schools such as Holy Family University, or for-profit universities like Capella. These 12-14 month programs are frequently 100% online with no specializations offered.

Religious schools like to offer accelerated online MSN to DNP programs.

Five of the schools in our list of 24 accelerated online DNP programs have a Catholic affiliation: Holy Family University, Carlow University, Gannon University, Alverno College, and the Mount Carmel College of Nursing. Anderson University is Baptist-affiliated. Catholic universities don’t usually lean heavily on faith-based teaching, but Anderson takes a Christ-centered approach to nursing and healthcare.

Fast online DNP programs from Carnegie R1 institutions are clustered in the 15-18 month bracket.

Prestigious research universities are more comfortable offering accelerated online MSN to DNP programs in longer time-frames. In the 15-, 16-, and 18-month brackets of our comparison table, you’ll find the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Arizona, Old Dominion University, and the University of New Hampshire. Penn’s 15-month online DNP program is the quickest among the R1 schools, with two concentrations offered in Systems Leadership and Executive Leadership.

How to Choose a Fast Online DNP Program

The easiest way to choose between the fastest online MSN to DNP programs in our rankings is to go through a methodical checklist. Here are 7 steps you can take to quickly reduce your options to a manageable number!

1. Decide on Accreditation: All of the accelerated online MSN to DNP programs in our rankings are accredited by CCNE or ACEN as verified in their official directories. Accelerated CCNE-accredited DNP programs may be more attractive for students who are looking for research & leadership credentials. According to our most affordable DNP rankings, accelerated ACEN-accredited DNP programs from A-State and Frontier Nursing University are very cheap, with price tags under $25k in 2026.
2. Check State Availability: Many fast online MSN to DNP programs in our rankings cannot accept applicants from certain states. For example, candidates for Francis Marion University’s 12-month DNP must be licensed and/or practicing in states included in the NLC Compact. However, candidates from big states like California, Illinois, New York, and more do not qualify for admission. So it’s important to check this first before you commit to a program.
3. Assess (or Request) the Plan of Study: Most universities post a sample, full-time plan of study on their DNP program website. This will help you determine how many courses you must take each semester or term and how many courses involve clinical practicum hours. It will also tell you about your course load over the summer. If you don’t see a plan of study on the website, you can ask for one!
4. Compare DNP Specializations: A number of accelerated online DNP programs will allow you to choose a specialization in either systems leadership/advanced practice/direct care, executive leadership, or educational leadership. However, approximately 1/2 of the fast online DNP programs in our rankings have no specialization. Coursework may address ideas around both leadership & advanced practice. Examine the curriculum links before you make a decision.
5. Confirm the Delivery Method: If you wish to study on your own time, you may prefer to select a 100% online DNP program with asynchronous coursework and clinical hours in your workplace. If you prefer to talk to humans, you could choose a 100% online program with synchronous live meetings or an online DNP with 1-3 campus visits for activities like an orientation, intensives, and/or DNP project presentation.
6. Establish Clinical Hour Transfer Policies: Each university will have its own policies on how it handles clinical hour transfers into a DNP. In general, schools will expect a minimum of 500 clinical hours from an MSN, but they will have ways to make up clinical hours for candidates who have gaps in their learning. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) requires 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours for the DNP, so you will need to earn that number by the time of graduation.
7. Calculate the Price: Be sure to check on accelerated DNP programs from public universities in your state of residence. Although MSN to DNP programs frequently have a separate online graduate or online DNP tuition rate, you may occasionally run across a DNP that offers a lower tuition to in-state residents. At public universities, you may also find that full-time tuition rates are cheaper than part-time study tuition rates.

How Long Are Online DNP Programs?

1. Post-Master’s DNP without APRN Specialty (MSN to DNP)

This is the quickest route to earning a DNP. Post-master’s DNPs in leadership, education or advanced practice are intended for MSN graduates who don’t wish to pursue APRN certification. They’re a combination of advanced didactic coursework and classes needed to complete the DNP project.

Standard part-time MSN to DNP programs take 2-3 years. Accelerated programs like the ones in our fastest rankings range from 12-18 months in length. These programs usually involve half the number of credits of a post-bachelor’s DNP, putting them around 30-40 credits, including up to 500 clinical hours.

2. Post-Master’s DNP with APRN Specialty (MSN to DNP)

Some post-master’s programs will allow you to earn an APRN specialization that’s different from what you explored in your MSN. Most post-master’s DNPs with an APRN concentration have a clinical element that adds credits to the program. Therefore, some can be just as long as a post-bachelor’s program—around 75 credits over 3-5 years.

3. Accelerated Post-Bachelor’s DNP (BSN to DNP)

Accelerated BSN to DNP programs can be completed in less than 3 years of full-time study (~8 semesters). Universities combine master’s and doctoral coursework into one streamlined pathway in order to speed up the process towards a DNP. However, these programs can’t match an MSN to DNP timeline because of the additional credits and up to 1,000 required clinical hours. For more on this pathway, see our guide to the fastest online BSN to DNP programs.

4. Traditional Post-Bachelor’s DNP (BSN to DNP)

Registered nurses who hold a BSN can expect to take 3-4 years to earn a DNP on a full-time schedule and 4-5 years if they attend part-time. Post-bachelor’s DNP programs often frontload coursework in the specialization toward the first few years of the program—some even grant an MSN midway through. The exact number of credit hours depends on the specialty but is typically in the range of 75-80 units. This includes at least 1,000 clinical hours.

Program Requirements for an Accelerated MSN to DNP

Minimum Credit Requirements

An accelerated online MSN to DNP program might be anywhere between 26-40 credits in a conventional semester-based system. However, a number of universities run on a quarter credit system, which equates to ~45-66 quarter credits. The average credit load for a fast post-master’s DNP program in a semester-based system is 30-36 credits.

As you’ll see from our fastest online MSN to DNP rankings, the difference between a quick program and a standard one isn’t credits—it’s the structure of the plan of study. Accelerated online DNP programs will squeeze a lot of credits into one semester or term.

Minimum Clinical Hour Requirements

Clinical practice hours are activities that allow students to apply skills they’ve learned and master them in real-life settings. They’re required to make sure nurses are qualified to work in patient-care settings.

• 1,000 Hours for Post-Baccalaureate Programs: In its DNP Essentials, the AACN has established that a DNP program needs to include at least 1,000 clinical hours of post-baccalaureate practice. (Schools with post-master’s DNP programs will calculate how many credits students have left on this minimum based on how many they enter with.)
• 500 Hours for MSN to DNP Programs: Since a master’s level NP program includes at least 500 clinical hours, that means students coming in with an MSN will usually need—at most—500 hours to complete a doctorate. At the post-master’s level, most of these hours count toward a final DNP project. The fastest post-master’s DNP programs often have 300-500 hours, with an average of around 450. (These types of programs avoid APRN specializations, which can add practicum requirements.)

You can typically complete your MSN to DNP clinical hours/practicums in one of two ways:

• Find Your Own Sites: These sites can often be in your workplace as long as you’re in a different role at the hospital and aren’t getting paid.
• Use School-Selected Sites: In some cases, you’ll be able to choose practicum sites arranged by the school.

How Do Clinical Hours Affect DNP Program Length?

Clinical hours are one of the biggest levers on program length. The AACN requires 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours for the DNP, but MSN-prepared nurses typically transfer in 500+ clinical hours from their master’s program, leaving 300–500 hours to complete. Programs that accept more transfer hours—or use leadership tracks that require fewer direct care hours—tend to finish fastest. The table below shows how clinical hour expectations tend to differ by track/specialization.

Program Type	Typical Clinical Hours
MSN to DNP (Leadership / Executive)	~300–500
MSN to DNP (Advanced Practice / Clinical)	~500–600
BSN to DNP	Up to 1,000 (total post-baccalaureate)

Transferring prior clinical hours from your MSN is the most common way to shorten total time to completion. If you can’t reach the 1,000-hour minimum with transferred hours, you may need an additional practicum course, which can extend a one-year plan to roughly 16 months.

Example of an Accelerated 1-Year Online MSN to DNP Program

It’s possible to finish an online DNP program in 12 months if you are willing to take a full credit load on a year-round basis. Here are a few things to expect from a one-year, accelerated online post-master’s DNP:

• You’ll be required to apply with an MSN and—usually—certification as an advanced practice registered nurse (e.g. CNS, NP, CNM, CRNA), nurse administrator/executive, or nurse educator.
• You’ll sign up to be a full-time student or even take a bit above a full credit load. That can mean taking time off from work or altering your schedule significantly.
• You could have to complete coursework and/or clinical practicums during the summer semester.
• You can usually transfer 500+ clinical hours from your MSN into the program. However, if you are unable to meet the 1,000 clinical hour minimum requirement for a DNP, you may need to take an additional clinical course to gain the extra hours. This could extend your plan of study to 4 semesters/16 months.
• There’s no room in these programs for APRN specializations. If you want to continue along with a specialization, it means more credits and more time.

Sample Plan of Study for a 12-Month Online DNP Program

Here’s an example of the schedule for a one-year accelerated online MSN to DNP. We’re using a conventional 3-semester format for this example. Keep in mind that universities like Thomas Edison State University will run their programs on a shorter term-based schedule.

	Didactic Coursework	Clinical & DNP Project Hours
Fall Semester (1)	At least 9 credits, or a minimum of 3 courses.	DNP project work starts right away. Some programs mandate only 40–50 clinical hours this early; a more even distribution is 120 hours (about three weeks of full-time work). Combined with coursework, expect 10+ credits total.
Spring Semester (2)	Could ramp up to 3–4 courses.	120 clinical hours toward the DNP project. Combined with coursework, 9+ credits.
Summer Semester (3)	Cuts back to 1–2 courses so students can focus on the DNP project.	DNP project courses & remaining 120 clinical hours. Combined with coursework, 10+ credits total.

In all, you’re looking at ~9-12 courses throughout the program plus clinical hours. Clinical hours are frequently split across three DNP project sessions (one session per semester) but sometimes hours are dedicated to another practicum. In the case of online DNP programs, especially those with block scheduling, most schools are quite flexible about when clinical hours occur.

Is an Accelerated Online MSN to DNP Worth It?

For RNs who already hold an MSN—or a master’s degree in a closely related field—and who wish to move into leadership or executive roles, an accelerated online DNP usually offers a strong return on investment. Completing an online DNP in 12-18 months can result in a lower total tuition bill and faster entry into higher-paying positions.

The trade-off is a demanding, full-time course load with little scheduling flexibility. This type of study can be difficult to manage alongside full-time work or family commitments. Talk to current full-time DNP students before you make a decision. If you need a lighter pace, most of the programs in our rankings also offer part-time plans that extend to two years or more.

FAQs: Fastest Online DNP Programs

What is the Fastest Online DNP Program?

The fastest accredited online DNP programs take 12 months—or three full-time semesters—to complete. Post-master’s tracks at schools such as Francis Marion University, Holy Family University, and Thomas Edison State University can be finished in one calendar year.

Can You Complete an Online DNP in One Year?

You can complete an online DNP in one year, but only on a full-time, year-round schedule, and only if you enter with an MSN or a master’s degree in a closely related field. One-year online MSN to DNP programs are post-master’s tracks of roughly 26-36 semester credits with no new APRN specialization. BSN to DNP students seeking APRN certification will need to budget for ~3-4 years of study.

How Long Does an Online DNP Program Take?

Most online DNP programs take one to four years. Post-master’s (MSN to DNP) tracks run 12–24 months, while post-bachelor’s (BSN to DNP) programs take three to four years because they require around 75 credits and at least 1,000 clinical hours. Our fastest online MSN to DNP rankings feature 24 online DNP programs that range in length from 12 to 18 months.

Is an Online or Hybrid DNP Faster?

Online DNP programs are faster than hybrid programs. They typically feature asynchronous, “learn on your own time” coursework, flexible scheduling for clinical practicums, and continuous year-round enrollment. Hybrid programs will add time around required campus intensives and commutes. Most of the 12- to 18-month doctorates in our rankings are delivered in a 100% online format. We’ve noted the exact delivery format for every program so you can see which ones require campus visits.

Are Accelerated Online DNP Programs Accredited?

Yes. The fastest programs in our online DNP rankings are accredited by either the CCNE or ACEN, the two bodies recognized for DNP accreditation. A shorter timeline doesn’t mean lower standards—accelerated DNP programs meet the same curriculum and minimum clinical-hour requirements, just on a more compressed schedule.

How Many Credits is the Shortest MSN to DNP Program?

The shortest online MSN to DNP programs range from about 26 to 40 credits, with an average of 30–36. The lowest credit loads usually go to applicants who transfer the maximum number of clinical hours from their MSN and skip adding an APRN specialization, which would require extra coursework.

How Many Clinical Hours Do Fast Online DNP Programs Require?

Most accelerated MSN to DNP programs require 300–500 clinical hours, averaging around 450. Many of these hours count toward the final DNP project. The AACN requires 1,000 post-baccalaureate hours for the DNP, but MSN holders typically arrive with 500+ clinical hours already completed.

Do the Fastest Online DNP Programs Require Campus Visits?

Some accelerated online DNP programs are 100% online; others require 1-3 short campus visits for orientation, an immersion, or the project defense. To help you make a quick decision, we’ve listed the delivery method in our fastest online MSN to DNP rankings. We’ve deliberately excluded hybrid DNP programs that required more frequent campus attendance.

Who Qualifies for a One-Year or Accelerated Online DNP?

Accelerated online DNP programs are built for working nurses who already hold an MSN or a closely related master’s degree. Most universities will be looking for candidates with an active RN license, a minimum GPA (e.g. 3.0–3.5) and current APRN, nurse administrator, or nurse educator credentials.