Best Online DNP Programs

Online DNP Highlights

Take a close look at Augusta if you’re interested in clinical leadership in rural and underrepresented areas. The College of Nursing is actively spearheading the Greater Augusta Healthcare Network (GAHN). It has close connections to major hospitals & outpatient clinics in the Augusta University Health System. And it runs its own Nurse-Managed Health Center. If you’re searching around for a DNP project idea, be sure to visit the Center for Nursing Research (CNR) and the section on faculty research projects to learn more about the College’s strengths. As an Augusta student, you may also be eligible for modest DNP Scholarships.

• Online Post Master’s DNP: The speedy 37-credit Online Post Master’s DNP is open to current APRNs with an MSN who would like to earn a doctorate and advance their clinical & leadership careers. It can be completed on a full-time basis (4 semesters) or a part-time schedule (7 semesters) and includes 2 campus visits. Augusta also offers an Online DNP Nurse Executive Program (DNP-NEP) for aspiring CNOs and VPs of Nursing—you’re allowed to apply with an MSN or non-nursing master’s degree (e.g. MPH, MHA, etc.).
• Hybrid BSN to DNP: Due to the clinical nature of the program, the Hybrid BSN to DNP is only open to candidates in Georgia or South Carolina. This blended program is available in a range of NP specialties on a full-time calendar (3 years) or a part-time schedule (4 years). You’ll be challenged to complete 75-77 credits, including 732-776 clinical hours and 268 DNP residency hours. Alternatively, you could apply for the COA-accredited Hybrid Nurse Anesthesia DNP.

Note: Are you a certified NP with an MSN who’s interested in earning additional NP certification? Augusta also offers Post-Graduate Certificates.

Online DNP Highlights

Put VCU on your shortlist if you’d like to focus on advanced clinical care—you’ll have plenty of avenues to explore! The School of Nursing is part of a medical campus that’s anchored by the VCU Health System and a Level I Trauma Center. The College runs its own Langston Center for Innovation in Quality and Safety and Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research (CBCR). It has made a commitment to community engagement through local nursing initiatives like the Richmond Health and Wellness Program (RHWP). And faculty have research interests in a range of intriguing topics.

• Online Post Master’s DNP: Nurses with an MSN will be able to complete VCU’s 39-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP in a full-time format (2 years) or part-time format (3 years) with 3 campus visits per year. This online program is designed for current APRNs or nurse executives who want to take the lead in clinical settings.
• Hybrid BSN to DNP: If you live in Virginia, you could consider the 66-credit Hybrid BS to DNP (e.g. FNP, PMHNP, or AGACNP), the 93-credit Hybrid DNAP Entry to Practice, or opt for the 62-credit BS to DNP in Nursing Leadership and Organizational Science. These blended programs combine online courses and face-to-face instruction. NP & leadership tracks take 3 years to complete on a full-time schedule or 4 years on a part-time schedule. The DNAP is 3 years/9 semesters & full-time.

Note: Current CRNAs with an MSN can apply for the 33-credit Hybrid Post-Master’s DNAP.

Online DNP Highlights

Interested in exploring healthcare collaborations? TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences might be right up your alley. The College has a reputation for emphasizing interprofessional practice & training and it runs some intriguing Centers & Institutes, including the Center for Oncology Education & Research and the Health Innovation Institute at TCU. We also like the fact that DNP coursework covers a number of advanced leadership issues in nursing & medicine (e.g. Biostatistics, Emerging Sciences for Advanced Practice, Decision Science and Informatics, etc.).

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: The 30-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP is open to nurses with an MSN or a health-related master’s degree (non-MSN candidates will be required to take an additional 3-credit course in nursing research & theory prior to beginning DNP courses). It’s offered in a full-time (2 years) or part-time plan of study (3 years). It’s almost all online, but you’ll be expected to attend a 2-day campus orientation.
• Hybrid BSN to DNP: Texas and New Mexico nurses are welcome to apply for TCU’s Hybrid BSN to DNP in a full-time (3 years) or part-time format (4 years). You’ll tackle 64-67 credits in an NP or CNS specialty—this blended program is a combo of online coursework, on-campus intensives for skills development, and practicum experiences in your state. The COA-accredited Hybrid DNAP for aspiring nurse anesthetists is a 3-year, full-time doctorate.

Online DNP Highlights

OSU’s DNP programs are flexible, streamlined, and targeted—you can choose a track that specifically matches your career interests & work calendar. The College of Nursing has achieved superb US News rankings. It’s active in all kinds of community initiatives and family-centered research projects (e.g. aging, women & children). And it’s focused on the best in clinical practice. For further proof, check out its NP-led primary care practice, the Community Health Workers Training Program, and the Fuld Institute for Evidence-based Practice (EBP).

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: The Online Post-Master’s DNP (37-38 credits) is available in a Clinical Expert or Nurse Executive track—both programs are 5 semesters/2 years on a full-time basis or 8 semesters/3 years on a part-time basis. Candidates for the Clinical Expert specialty must have an MSN and APRN status; aspiring Nurse Executives are allowed to have an MSN, MBA, MPH, or similar degree. Coursework is online, with 1 campus visit for a DNP project defense.
• Online & Hybrid BSN to DNP: At OSU, you can select an Online BSN to DNP in three NP specialties (FNP, NNP & PMHNP) or opt for a hybrid format in the remaining NP & CNS specialties. Credits vary by tracks—see the curriculum section for sample plans of study (3 years full-time or 4 years part-time). Distance learning tracks aren’t 100% online—all BSN to DNP students must visit the campus up to 3 times through the MSN portion for clinical training as well as for a DNP project defense. If you select a hybrid/campus-based track, you’ll be expected to visit the Columbus campus frequently for clinical coursework.

Online DNP Highlights

OHSU’s School of Nursing is one of our top picks for the Pacific Northwest. It’s closely affiliated with a well-known teaching hospital. It has research strengths in a number of areas, including cancer survivorship. It arranges rural immersions for FNPs and CNM practicums in the OHSU Nurse-Midwifery Faculty Practice. It has access to all kinds of Nurse Anesthesia clinical sites. Oh, and did we mention the superb APRN certification pass rates (e.g. 100%), employment & graduation rates, and independent reviews?

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: The 46-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP is open to nurses with an accredited MSN or a related degree (e.g. MPH, MHA, etc.) who want to explore every aspect of clinical leadership. It’s structured on a 2-year/7-semester plan of study. A few courses will require face-to-face intensive meetings—OHSU states that DNP students can expect to come to campus at least twice each year.
• Hybrid BSN to DNP: RNs are welcome to apply for the Hybrid BSN to DNP—it takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis. Every APRN track is structured a little differently, so we recommend you ask the DNP program coordinator for details. For instance, the PMHNP specialty includes occasional classes at a regional campus and intensive training sessions at the Portland campus. In 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.

Online DNP Highlights

Convenience is the name of the game at UC—even BSN to DNP programs are designed for online learners! We also like the fact that the College of Nursing has sturdy national rankings, a dedicated Institute for Nursing Research and Scholarship (INRS), and an active alumni network. If you’re interested in exploring interprofessional collaboration, be sure to ask about partnering opportunities with the UC Academic Health Center and local teaching hospitals (e.g. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, UC Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital, etc.).

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: UC’s speedy Online Post-Master’s DNP is aimed at current APRNs & nurse leaders with an MSN. Almost all of the doctorate is virtual, but you will be expected to visit the campus for an initial orientation and the defense of your DNP Project. You also have the option to attend a 1/2 day DNP summer workshop. This 4-semester DNP starts in the spring or fall. You’ll complete 38-39 credits, including 500 practicum hours.
• Online BSN to DNP: Unlike many other schools, UC offers an Online BSN to DNP in NP and leadership concentrations—see the sections on specialties and clinical planning for more detailed info. All BSN to DNP students are expected to visit the UC campus for an initial orientation and a DNP project defense; the DNP summer workshop is optional. Choose the full-time, 3-year program or the part-time, 4-year program.

Online DNP Highlights

Carolina Nursing is a solid choice for anyone who meets the entrance requirements. It has a long track record of quality and a national reputation for nursing excellence. Its faculty are involved in research projects and areas of expertise that dovetail with DNP-related concerns (e.g. patient safety, quality of care, health disparities, etc.). It supports on-the-ground practice & service. And it has created a doctorate that focuses on real-world results—have a look at examples of UNC Chapel Hill DNP Projects to see what we mean.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: The 36-credit Online MSN to DNP is open to current APRNs and healthcare systems leaders with an MSN or related healthcare degree (e.g. MBA, MHA, or MPH). You can opt for a full-time schedule (9+ credit hours) or part-time schedule (6 credit hours); full-time programs take 2 years/5 semesters. Coursework is primarily online, but there are mandatory campus immersions each semester.
• Online & Hybrid BSN to DNP: The Health Care Leadership and Administration concentration is primarily online, with campus immersions each semester or as scheduled. But NP specialties are delivered in a hybrid format that require a significant amount of time at Chapel Hill. All BSN to DNP students must enroll in a full-time program, which means you’ll finish the 66- to 75-credit curriculum in 3 years. See the DNP Handbook for more info on the clinical placement procedure.

Online DNP Highlights

We like to call U of U the “Intermountain Overachiever.” The College of Nursing has low debt rates, great graduation & APRN certification pass rates, and close connections to the University of Utah Health system. If you’re interested in exploring complex issues in women’s health or nurse-midwifery, have a look at the Center of Excellence in Women’s Health and BirthCare HealthCare. The College also supports a grant-funded Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: The Online Post-MS to DNP is available in 2 specialties. Non-APRNs or APRNs can apply for the 35.5-credit Organizational Leadership track (full-time or part-time). Current APRNs should also consider the 30-credit Direct Care pathway (full-time/5 semesters). You may have to visit the campus for an orientation, intensives, exams, and a DNP project defense.
• Hybrid BSN to DNP: If you live near Salt Lake City, you could also apply for U of U’s Hybrid BS to DNP. It’s a 3-year, full-time doctorate 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.

Note: 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.

Online DNP Highlights

Pitt School of Nursing has everything going for it. It’s one of the few schools in the country to offer a Post-Master’s DNP that’s 100% online. It consistently attains high rankings for its nursing programs. It secures tons of NIH funding for nursing research. It’s closely affiliated with local healthcare institutions (e.g. Center for Rural Health Practice, Cole Memorial, Bradford Regional Medical Center, etc.) and clinical locations. And it has an international footprint. If you want quality, you’ve found it.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: Current APRNs and nurse administrators with an MSN or related healthcare degree should check out the Online Post-Master’s DNP. It’s available on a full-time basis (2 years) or a part-time schedule. Aspiring nurse executives could also consider the 3-year, 41-credit Online DNP in Health Systems Executive Leadership. You’re welcome to combine it with a degree or certificate from the schools of business, education, law, public health, or public affairs.
• Hybrid & On-Campus BSN to DNP: Pitt offers a huge range of Hybrid/On-Campus BSN to DNP specialties. Many APRN tracks are designed to be completed on-site within 3 years on a full-time schedule. If you require a more flexible format, you have the option to explore the AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP distance education specialties. Pitt also offers a COA-accredited Nurse Anesthesia program—see the website for full details on the curriculum.

Online DNP Highlights

University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is a perennial favorite in nursing circles. It was the first school in the country to offer an institute for nurse educators. It has intimate relationships with the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Baltimore VA Medical Center, and 350+ clinical learning sites. It runs 4 research centers and attracts plenty of NIH funding. It earns outstanding student reviews. And it focuses on making the doctorate practical. If you really want to impress employers, you can even share DNP credits with a Certificate (e.g. Global Health).

• Online & Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP: Current APRNs & nurse leaders should investigate the 37-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP. Full-time study takes 2 years; part-time study takes 3 years. This doctorate includes a mandatory campus orientation and synchronous (i.e. real-time) online classes 5 days per semester. If you need APRN certification, apply for the Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP with Specialty. You’ll be expected to visit the campus each semester for clinical training—check with the program coordinator for details. UMB is willing to consider Post-Master’s candidates with an MSN or a related healthcare degree.
• Hybrid BSN to DNP: UMB’s Hybrid BSN to DNP specialties are available in a blended format—you’ll visit the campus on a regular basis. NP & CNS tracks are ~80 credits and can be studied on a 3-, 4-, or 5-year plan. Didactic coursework is spread across each of those years, with clinical requirements beginning in the first year and gradually increasing. The COA-accredited Nurse Anesthesia DNP is a full-time, 3-year program.

Note: Existing DNPs who wish to pursue a new specialty can pursue a post-doctoral certificate at UMB (13-62 credits). A certificate is not available for NNP or Nurse Anesthesia candidates.

Online DNP Highlights

If you’re able to visit Nashville, Vanderbilt should be on your list! The Vanderbilt School of Nursing (VUSN) is studded with quality markers, including top-tier national rankings and an active alumni network. The School is rich in research resources, technological innovations (e.g. Frist Nursing Informatics Center), and faculty practice clinics. It has strengths in a number of signature areas, including global health. And it pays attention to its doctoral students. Have a look at examples of previous DNP Projects and DNP Program Evaluation Outcomes.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: VUSN offers Post-Master’s tracks in Advanced Clinical Practice, Advanced Systems Practice, and Executive Leadership. Nurses with an MSN and APRN certification can apply to any track; those with a non-nursing master’s degree can only apply to the Executive Leadership or Advanced Systems Practice track. All concentrations are available in a 5-semester or 6-semester calendar. Most of the coursework is online, but you should plan to visit the Nashville campus for 1 week per term for meetings, trainings, and networking events.
• Hybrid BSN to DNP: Aspiring APRNs who live in the Middle Tennessee/Nashville area can earn a Hybrid BSN to DNP in the 77-credit Dual FNP/ENP or the 65-credit AGACNP program. The AGACNP has an intensivist track for nurses who wish to specialize in critical care. On a full-time basis, a BSN to DNP at VUSN takes 8 semesters/3 years. Keep in mind that you have the option to apply for another APRN specialty through the MSN track and indicate on your application that you want to progress to a DNP after completion.

Online DNP Highlights

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing (UMSON) is a powerhouse of graduate study—it runs the second-biggest DNP program in the country. You’re looking at a school with a bevy of active research projects, a national reputation for quality, and a track record in faculty practice—UMSON has 2 NP-led clinics. In addition to administering the Center for Nursing Informatics, where faculty and students develop practical applications, UMSON supports on-campus centers geared toward nearly every population. For examples, see the Center for Adolescent Nursing and the Center for Aging Science & Care Innovation.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: The 38-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP is aimed at nurses with MSN in an APRN specialty or a master’s degree in leadership, informatics, or public health. It’s available in a full-time, 4-semester format or a part-time, 6-semester format. The program includes 4-day visits to campus once per semester. Practicum requirements will depend on your background. For example, if you earned 480 clinical hours in your previous MSN, you’ll need to take 520 hours at UMSON (360 systems-level clinical practicum hours + 160 DNP project hours).
• Hybrid BSN to DNP: The Hybrid BSN to DNP is offered in a dizzying array of APRN specialties, including CNS and leadership pathways. APRN tracks are between 75 and 81 credits; non-APRN tracks are between 67 and 82 credits. These blended programs with multiple campus sessions are structured on a full-time plan of study that can be completed in 3 or 4 years. The COA-accredited, on-campus Nurse Anesthesia DNP requires 100 credits and 3,000 clinical hours (plus another 120 hours toward the DNP project).

Online DNP Highlights

UK’s College of Nursing is one of our hidden gems. It may not be as big as Vanderbilt or JHU, but it has plenty of NIH-funded research projects, high APRN certification pass rates, and some intriguing areas of expertise. The College has pumped grant money into its Perinatal Research and Wellness Center and it’s interested in healthcare challenges that relate to its Kentucky roots (e.g. addressing rural poverty, improving lung health & reducing tobacco use, increasing workplace safety, etc.). Better yet, many faculty are still actively practicing in clinical settings. Check out the sections on DNP financial resources and the List of DNP Projects by Year.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: Current APRNs and nurse leaders have the option to choose a post-master’s pathway in Clinical Leadership or Executive Leadership. Both tracks are 34-40 credits with 600 clinical hours. Part-time (3 years) & full-time (2 years) schedules are available. Most of the coursework is online, but core courses meet on-campus once per semester; specialty classes meet up to 2 times per semester. If you’d like to pursue a new or second APRN specialty, you can choose from 5 NP specialties. A standard part-time, 3-year program will include 780-840 clinical hours and campus visits each semester.
• Hybrid BSN to DNP: RNs with a BSN can explore a number of Hybrid BSN-DNP specialties—all NP tracks require 74 credits and 1,020 clinical hours. The full-time schedule for NP students takes 3 years; part-time 4-year and 5-year plans of study are also available. The Executive Leadership in Health Care specialty is structurally similar to the other tracks, but it’s only 67 credits and can be completed on a full-time, 3-year plan or a part-time, 4-year plan.

Online DNP Highlights

Looking for a Post-Master’s DNP program that’s widely available? Interested in exploring advanced clinical leadership? Consider UW-Madison’s School of Nursing. It’s located in Wisconsin’s only academic health center. It has close ties to local area hospitals (e.g. UW Health University Hospital). It achieves high APRN certification pass rates and employment rates. Plus it runs its own research centers & institutes and community health partnerships. Want a second opinion? Contact alumni in the directory of DNP students.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: UW-Madison’s 32-credit Online Post-MS DNP is 100% online with no campus visits! Just bear in mind that it’s designed for nurses who already have an MSN and APRN certification. It can be completed in 2 years/6 semesters on a part-time schedule; you’ll work on the DNP Scholarly Project in the second year. You also have the option to add a 9-credit Nurse Educator Certificate to your doctorate.
• Online & Hybrid BSN to DNP: The format of the cohort-based Post-BS DNP will depend on your choice of specialty. If you pursue a non-clinical track such as Population Health and Systems Leadership & Innovation, you can finish the 58-credit Online Post-BS DNP in 3 years. If you choose an NP or CNS track, you’re looking at a 68-credit Hybrid Post-BS DNP. Core classes will be online, but campus meetings will be required for all clinical track courses. Select a full-time, 3-year plan of study or a 4-year, part-time schedule.

Online DNP Highlights

Quality is the name of the game at UA’s College of Nursing. Here you’ll find DNP programs with glowing student reviews and flexible online formats. The College has a close relationship with UA Health Sciences and nearby academic medical centers. It oversees plenty of NIH-funded research projects. And it has made a commitment to its community. Check out the Arizona Nursing Inclusive Excellence (ANIE) initiative and UA College of Nursing Rural Health Professions Program (UA CON RHPP). DNP students qualify for both programs.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: The 35-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP is designed for current APRNs or Nurse Informatics specialists who don’t need any additional certifications. Coursework is online and campus attendance is minimal—you must attend the first RISE session. This program takes 1.5 years to finish on a full-time basis or 2.5 years on a part-time basis. MSN-holders who are considering a high-level leadership position should also have a look at the 50-credit Online MS to DNP in Executive Health Systems Leadership (EHSL) with 2 on-campus RISE sessions. This is available on a full-time, 2.5 year basis or a part-time, 3.5 year basis. Nurses who are pursuing an additional clinical specialty are also welcome to apply to any of UA’s specialty tracks.
• Online & Hybrid BSN to DNP: The format of your BSN to DNP will depend on your choice of specialty. The BSN to DNP in Executive Health Systems Leadership is online, with only 2 campus RISE sessions. It’s available on a full-time or part-time schedule. BSN to DNP programs in NP specialties at UA are classified as hybrid—you’ll take part in online coursework, on-campus intensives, and clinical practicums. NP programs are available in a 2.5 year full-time or 3.5 year part-time format and consist of 64-68 credits, including 720 clinical hours. The COA-accredited Hybrid DNP in Nurse Anesthesia is 85-credits and takes 3 full-time years to complete.

Online DNP Highlights

Affordability is a key selling point for UAH—DNP programs at the College of Nursing are signficantly cheaper than many doctorates at big-name schools. The College isn’t a powerhouse of research, but it has strong employment & graduation rates, low debt numbers, and a respectable reputation. You’ll usually find it in the top 100 of U.S. News rankings for Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs and the DNP.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: The 40-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP is aimed at MSN-holders in APRN fields, nursing administration, or informatics. It’s almost 100% online, with only one DNP Intensive (3 days). You can choose to study on a full-time or part-time basis; the full-time plan of study takes 5 semesters.
• Online & Hybrid BSN to DNP: Distance learners who are interested in leadership can choose the 70-credit Nursing Administration track in UAH’s Online Post-BSN to DNP. This only has one campus intensive. AGACNP and FNP concentrations are hybrid & designed for Alabama nurses—there will be classes on the UAH campus every other week.

Online DNP Highlights

Emory is a well-respected private research university, so it’s no surprise to see that the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is one of the biggest beneficiaries of NIH funding in nursing. Take a look at all the Centers & Initiatives to learn how the money is being spent! If you’re interested in global nursing & public health, you may also want to investigate the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility and the Emory-Ethiopia Partnership.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: Emory’s cohort-based Online Post-Master’s DNP is built for current APRNs & nurse leaders with an MSN. You’ll be asked to select one of two tracks: Health Systems Leadership (38 credits) or Population Health (39 credits). Both programs are available in a full-time, 4-semester schedule or a part-time, 7-semester plan. Most of the coursework is online, but there will be interactive campus sessions with healthcare executives on select Saturdays.
• Online BSN to DNP: Online Post-BSN DNP specialties at Emory are classified as online, but there will be clinical intensives in Atlanta, Georgia. You can choose from a huge range of NP specialties; programs are typically 73-81 credits and can be completed in 7 semesters of full-time study. If you live in Georgia, you could also consider the 3-year, COA-accredited Nurse Anesthesia DNP program, which has a Health Systems Leadership focus.

Online DNP Highlights

Aspiring nurse executives, take note! JHU’s School of Nursing offers a host of real-world doctoral programs with practical coursework. This NLN Center of Excellence also has close ties to the JHU Health System, award-winning faculty, and an excellent national reputation—it regularly appears in top 5 rankings for DNP programs. If you’re brainstorming a research topic, have a look at the School’s Areas of Excellence. You may also want to check out examples of previous DNP Projects.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: Existing APRNs and nurse leaders can investigate the 40-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP: Executive Track. It’s a 6-semester program with 4 mandatory campus immersions. JHU also offers dual degree options—the 3-year Online Post-Master’s DNP: Executive Track/MBA or Online DNP Executive/MPH with campus immersions—plus an option for MSN-holders who want to earn an APRN specialty certification. You’re allowed to choose an MSN to DNP pathway in the Online DNP: Advanced Practice.
• Online BSN to DNP: The Online Advanced Practice BSN to DNP is available in a large number of clinical specialties. All BSN to DNP programs are delivered in an Online with Immersions format. CNS specialties are 75-credit programs; NP specialties are 78-81 credits (with the exception of the 88-credit PNP dual specialty). The BSN to DNP will take 3-4 years—CNS specialties are shorter than NP specialties. The COA-accredited DNP in Nurse Anesthesia is hybrid and takes 3 years.

Online DNP Highlights

You don’t have to look far to find a great DNP program at UAB. The UAB School of Nursing has come up with a focused slate of doctorates that are packed with career-building opportunities—check out the coaching & fellowship elements in the Nurse Executive program.  The School is equally strong on the clinical side. It’s affiliated with UAB Medicine. It maintains clinical partnerships with UAB Nurse Managed Clinics, rural health projects, and VA initiatives. And it’s been a Collaborating Center for International Nursing since 1994.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: UAB offers two types of Online Post-MSN pathways. Nurse leaders with an MSN or healthcare master’s degree are welcome to apply for the 49-credit Nurse Executives track (6 semesters; 3 campus intensives). Existing APRNs with an MSN are also eligible for the 43-credit Advanced Practice Nurses pathway (7 semesters; campus orientation & annual intensive).
• Online BSN to DNP: UAB’s 79-credit Online Post-BSN to DNP is available in a number of NP specialties—all concentrations are delivered in a part-time, distance-accessible format (10 semesters/4 years). Keep in mind that you’ll be expected to attend specialty track intensives, a DNP orientation, and DNP intensives on the campus. The COA-accredited Hybrid Nurse Anesthesia DNP is a 3-year, full-time program.

Online DNP Highlights

Rush’s College of Nursing never fails to impress us. Because of its Chicago location, the College is known for its commitment to diversity, community service, and people of color. It runs 3 academic departments that are focused on APRN concerns: 1) Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing; 2) Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing, and 3) Women, Children and Family Nursing. It’s closely affiliated with the Illinois Medical District and the Rush University Medical Center. And it consistently overachieves in national rankings.

• Online & Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP: Rush’s Online Post-Master’s DNP in Transformative Leadership is open to APRNs with an MSN and nurse leaders with an MSN or healthcare-related master’s degree. It’s a part-time, 2-year program with 3 campus visits (2 days each). If you’re an MSN-holder who would like to pursue an APRN specialty, you can apply for a hybrid Post-Master’s DNP in your chosen concentration—see each specialty program page for full details.
• Online & Hybrid BSN to DNP: Rush offers a dizzying array of BSN to DNP tracks, including NP & CNS specialties. Non-clinical specialties (e.g. public health) are primarily online, with a short number of campus visits. Clinical specialties are hybrid, with visits for clinicals, labs, and DNP project presentations. Choose a full-time plan of study (2.5 years) or a part-time format (3.5 years). The COA-accredited Nurse Anesthesia DNP is full-time (3 years/36 months).

Online DNP Highlights

Frontier Nursing University fully deserves the #1 spot in our online rankings! This innovative school has a longstanding reputation for serving rural communities and using distance education to cater to working nurses. It’s also home to the oldest Nurse-Midwifery program in the country. Alumni often praise the flexible formats, supportive professors, and nurturing atmosphere. DNP project & clinical hours are practical in scope. And doctorate prices are relatively affordable.

• Online Post-Master’s DNP: The 30-credit Online Post-Master’s DNP is open to APRNs with an MSN or master’s degree in a related field. You can choose a 5-term or 6-term course plan in one of 8 specialties. Almost all of the coursework is online—you’ll only have to attend one 3-day campus orientation.
• Online BSN to MSN to DNP: Frontier doesn’t offer a dedicated BSN to DNP. However, it does allow graduates of the Online MSN in an APRN specialty (57-64 credits) to transition to an Online Companion DNP (21 credits) via a direct admission process. The MSN will include Campus Immersions. Full- or part-time study options are available for the MSN; the Companion DNP will take 4 or 5 terms.