DNPPrograms.com

  • FAQ
    • What is a DNP Degree?
    • Accreditation of DNP Programs
    • Choosing a DNP Program
    • DNP vs. NP
    • DNP vs. PhD
    • Paying for your DNP
  • Specialties
    • Clinical Nurse Specialist
    • Nurse Anesthetist
    • Nurse Educator
    • Nurse Executive
    • Nurse Midwife
    • Nurse Practitioner >
      • Family
      • Gerontological
      • Neonatal
      • Pediatric
      • Psychiatric/Mental Health
      • Women’s Health
  • States
    • Alabama
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • District of Columbia
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Browse DNP Programs
    • Affordable Online DNP Programs
    • Best DNP Program Rankings
    • Best Online DNP Programs
    • Best Online MSN to DNP Programs
    • Fastest Online DNP Programs
  • BSN to DNP Programs
    • Best Online BSN to DNP Programs
    • BSN to DNP Programs with No GRE Requirement
    • Fastest Online BSN to DNP Programs

DNP Programs in Alabama

Alabama’s DNP landscape is dominated by public universities, including top nursing names like UAB. To get a handle on your choices, check out our advice section. Here you’ll find rankings of the best and most affordable DNP programs in Alabama, details on online & hybrid AL doctorates, and notes on BSN to DNP options. Want the skinny on a particular AL school? Skip ahead to our detailed program listings.

Top Alabama DNP Programs

To come up with this list of the best DNP programs in AL, we evaluated independent rankings for nursing graduate degrees, prioritizing any Alabama school with a high DNP placement in U.S. News & World Report. In the final reckoning, we also considered factors such as accreditation, deliverables, and reputation.

1. University of Alabama-Birmingham

UAB’s DNP program has everything to recommend it. It’s offered by a School of Nursing with superb national rankings, solid certification exam pass rates, and excellent graduate reviews. BSN to DNP and Post-MSN tracks are delivered in a hybrid format that blend online coursework with face-to-face clinical practicums & intensives in top-notch facilities. The School is a long-standing NLN Center of Excellence. And almost every employer has heard of it.

Applied learning is UAB’s mantra. One of the university’s core strengths is its affiliation with UAB Hospital, a Magnet facility. The School of Nursing also has clinical partnership ties to nurse-managed clinics and Children’s of Alabama. Better yet, nursing graduates can take part in global projects, PMHNP residencies, veterans initiatives, rural primary care programs, and nurse-family partnerships. If you’re still in the planning stages for your capstone project, be sure to visit the School’s Office of Research & Scholarships to learn more about nursing faculty interests.

2. University of Alabama-Huntsville

UAH’s College of Nursing is a sizeable & established school with a flexible DNP program. Like UAB, it’s an NLN Center of Excellence and a hub of research; 65% of faculty are doctorally prepared, and many of the remaining instructors are currently enrolled in a doctoral program. Reviews of UAH’s nursing graduate degrees are strong, with students praising the convenience of the online classes, the top-rate faculty, and the hands-on learning. Plus tuition rates for the post-master’s track are eminently affordable.

Huntsville Hospital is not officially affiliated with UAH, but it’s in close proximity. If you’re interested in the BSN to DNP pathway (e.g. NP tracks), you’ll also have access to the College’s well-equipped Simulation & Learning Innovation Center (SLIC) and the opportunity to participate in the college’s outreach programs. Feel free to ask the program coordinator for NP certification pass rates.

3. Troy University

Troy University’s School of Nursing is housed in the College of Health and Human Services. The DNP program has superb FNP certification pass rates and employment placement statistics, and the School gets good independent reviews from alumni. Reviewers especially like the convenience of the graduate nursing programs, the helpful faculty, and the university’s affordable online tuition rates. With Troy Online, in-state and out-of-state students pay the same price.

You can get a better sense of the DNP by viewing the CVs of DNP faculty. We also want to point out that Troy tends to do very well in U.S. News & World Report rankings for Online Graduate Nursing Programs (e.g. top 20) and Online Master’s in Nursing Programs for Veterans (e.g. top 10).

Most Affordable DNP Programs in Alabama

We ranked all of our Alabama schools by the lowest per credit tuition rate. The majority of DNP programs in Alabama are classified as online or hybrid, with the same in-state and out-of-state price. But keep an eye out for fees. In addition, some schools have different pricing structures for the BSN to MSN and post-master’s MSN (e.g. University of Mobile) and Nurse Anesthesia (e.g. Samford).

1. University of Alabama

DNP Tuition & Fees

UA’s DNP programs are considered Bama by Distance degrees, so you can calculate tuition using the graduate distance learning tuition rate. However, you’ll need to factor in some commuting costs. The hybrid BSN to DNP is a blend of online courses and on-campus skill days. Online post-master’s DNP students are required to attend one campus intensive in the spring.

2. University of Alabama-Huntsville

DNP Tuition & Fees

DNP students pay the distance learner rate for graduate courses in the College of Nursing; online rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state residents. Having said that, UAH students who are enrolled in blended courses or taking on-campus courses are charged a campus rate + any applicable fees. This rate may apply to credits in the hybrid BSN to DNP tracks (and could bump the price up).

3. Troy University

DNP Tuition & Fees

The DNP program is run by Troy Online; per credit tuition rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. According to the Troy Online website, no additional fees are assessed.

Online DNP Programs in Alabama

You’ll have plenty of options for online DNPs in Alabama, especially if you already hold an MSN. Most of the post-master’s DNP programs in the listings are delivered through distance learning, with minimal time on campus. But we recommend you ask the DNP program coordinator for details. For example:

  • Post-master’s students in UA’s DNP and UAH’s DNP must attend one campus intensive in the spring.
  • The University of Mobile’s DNP includes three on-campus intensives.
  • Troy’s DNP has an on-campus orientation.
  • Students in Auburn’s DNP may be required to visit campus 1-2 times each semester.

BSN to DNP pathways—especially ones in NP specialties and Nurse Anesthesia—are much more likely to be hybrid. Alabama universities often want you on the campus for clinical training. For instance, students in UAH’s post-baccalaureate to DNP (FNP and AGACNP tracks) attend class on campus every other week during the MSN portion of the program. Meanwhile, Samford’s BSN to DNP in Nurse Anesthesia includes full-time, on-campus didactic courses and campus intensives.

Note: Want to expand your search beyond Alabama? Check out the listings of Online DNP Programs. They are organized by state.

BSN to DNP Programs in Alabama

Almost all of the Alabama schools in our listings have developed BSN to DNP pathways. The winner in terms of choice is USA, with scores of NP specialties, dual specialties, and a CNS track. But that’s just the start!

  • Nurse Practitioners: Like USA, UAB and the University of Mobile are able to offer multiple NP specialties. UA has an FNP, PMHNP, and a dual FNP/PMHNP program. Aspiring FNPs and AGACNPs can also compare JSU and UAH side-by-side.
  • Nurse Anesthetists: Future CRNAs have a choice between UAB and Samford.
  • Nurse Leaders: Budding executives may want to glance at Troy’s Nurse Leader program and UAH’s Nurse Administration track.

Read the fine print. Some Alabama BSN to DNP programs have limitations on who they can accept. For example, at JSU, only residents of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee are eligible for nurse practitioner (BSN-DNP) tracks. And UA will only accept Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi residents into its NP specialties.

Note: Looking for more options? Consult our listings of on-campus and online BSN to DNP programs.

Alabama Nursing Organizations

  • Alabama Board of Nursing (AL BON)
  • Central Alabama Nurse Practitioner Association (CANPA)
  • Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama (NPAA)
  • Alabama Organization for Nursing Leadership (AlaONL)
  • Alabama Organization of Nurse Executives (AlaONE)

Below you'll find a list of all of the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs available in Alabama.

Full list of Alabama DNP Programs

9 schools

Auburn University

Auburn University, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
Post-MSN to DNP[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Students in Auburn School of Nursing's post-master's DNP program progress in a cohort; new cohorts start every summer. Most of the full-time, five-semester program is taught asynchronously online, with students coming once or twice per term to meet with faculty and give presentations. Students begin developing their final project during the third semester, implement it in their fourth semester, and present and evaluate it during the final term. All told, they spend 300 hours in project-related clinicals, and an additional 120 hours in an advanced practice practicum. The school doesn't require the GRE or GMAT for admission.

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Jacksonville State offers a trio of DNP options. Post-BSN nurses can apply to the Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks; registered nurses with a clinically focused MSN can apply to the post-master's DNP. The post-baccalaureate tracks take 12 to 15 semesters to complete; the post-master's track takes six. Because the program is online, students can take practicums and complete their DNP project outside of Alabama. That said, the post-BSN tracks only admit nurses from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Samford University

Birmingham, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP - Nurse Anesthesia[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
D.N.P. with Educator Concentration[online][MSN required]
Cost Info
Doctor of Nursing Practice[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
MSN to DNP - Emergency Nurse Practitioner Track[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
MSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner Track[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
MSN to DNP - Nursing Administration Track[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
MSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
The post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Samford University offers two areas of concentration - Administration and Advanced Practice. Both program options are available online and can be pursued on a full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months) basis. The DNP-Administration program prepares nurses to take on leadership roles in improving the safety and quality of patient care, administering health care programs, and developing and implementing health policy. APRNs (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse midwife) are considered for the DNP-Advanced Practice program, which is designed to improve the management of health care needs of individuals, families, and populations. For RNs who wish to teach, educator add-on courses are available for both options. Samford University's DNP program is CCNE-accredited.

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP - Dual Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner Track[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner Track[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
MSN to DNP - Dual Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner Track[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
MSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner Track[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
MSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is jointly administered by the nursing schools at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Huntsville and Birmingham. The DNP program is available completely online; students are only required to attend an orientation on campus at the beginning of the program and an annual intensive session in the spring. Students have the option of pursing the program on a full-time (five semesters) or part-time (eight semesters) basis. Applicants are required to have an MSN in an advanced nursing practice area (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife) to be considered for admission. In order to graduate, students must complete a capstone program experience, which is a practice- or leadership-focused DNP project.

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
Accreditation: ACEN
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Post Baccalaureate Family Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Post Baccalaureate Nurse Leader Track[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Post MSN[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Troy University's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is offered online and can be pursued as a full-time or part-time program of study. Students are only required to come to campus for a one-day orientation prior to beginning the program. The post-baccalaureate DNP program has a Family Nurse Practitioner Track and can be completed with eight semesters of continuous enrolment (summers included). Students need to complete 35 semester hours for the post-master's DNP program. The curriculum includes coursework in the following subject areas: Bioethical Issues in Healthcare, Foundations in Evidence-based Practice, and Evaluation Methods for Improvements of Client Outcomes. Students have to complete a practice residency in order to graduate.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP for Nurse Anesthesia[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-MSN to DNP for Nurse Executives[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
UAB provides four pathways to the DNP: a post-MSN for current APRNs, another post-MSN for aspiring nurse executives, a post-BSN for nurse anesthetists, and a post-BSN for aspiring nurse practitioners. Enrollees in the latter pathway choose between eight specialty nurse practitioner tracks: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Adult-Gerontology Primary care, Family, Neonatal, Pediatric Acute Care, Pediatric Primary Care, Psychiatric/Mental Health, and Women's Health Care. Each pathway is distance-accessible and built for working nurses. The post-master's APRN and Nurse Executive paths are six and seven semesters, respectively. The post-bachelor's Nurse Anesthesia and Nurse Practitioner tracks require nine and 10 terms. All programs end with a DNP project.

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Huntsville, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-BSN to DNP - Nursing Administration[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-MSN to DNP[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
The post-master's DNP at UAH is an online program that can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Incoming students must have an MSN from an NP, CNS, Nurse Midwifery, Nursing Administration, or Informatics program. The post-bachelor's DNP in Nursing Administration is also online. By contrast, the BSN-to-DNP Nurse Practitioner program is hybrid - students are on campus every two weeks. It offers two tracks that incorporate 672 clinical hours: Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Although UAH is a public university, out-of-state enrollees pay the same rate as state residents. Students complete a final project to graduate.

University of Mobile

Mobile, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner Track[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
University of Mobile's DNP is taught from a Christian worldview; for example, students are required to take a class called "Faith and Science." The School of Nursing's post-BSN Nurse Practitioner degree, which has a single Family Nurse Practitioner track, takes nine semesters to finish. Enrollees spend 1,100 clinical hours working with women, children, and adults with medical histories. Students begin developing their final project halfway through. During the final two semesters, they complete two separate fellowships. Though the five-semester post-master's DNP is shorter, the same major requirements apply. Students complete 540 clinical hours. Both programs are taught in an online format, with students on campus three times for intensives.

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Advanced Emergency Nursing (Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Dual Role NP)[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Adult Health[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Adult Health[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Executive Nurse Administrator[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Executive Nurse Administrator[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Family NP/Emergency Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Family Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Family Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
MSN to DNP Clinical Nurse Leader Bridge to Executive Nursing Administration Pathway[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Nursing Informatics[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Psychiatric (Family) Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Psychiatric (Family) Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Public Health Administration[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Students accepted to the BSN to DNP program at the University of South Alabama can choose to specialize in one of the following Nurse Practitioner areas: Adult-Gerontology (Acute or Primary Care), Family, Neonatal, Pediatric Acute Care, Psychiatric, and Women's Health. Clinical Nurse Specialist, Executive Nurse Administration, and Advanced Emergency Nursing specializations are also available. The MSN to DNP program is for APRNs who want to want to receive doctoral training in the same APN specialty for which they are already certified, as well as for APRNs who wish to earn certification in a second APN specialty. The university also offers a MSN to DNP Bridge Program for Clinical Nurse Leaders seeking doctoral training in the specialty area of Executive Nursing Administration.

Copyright © 2023 · Degree Prospects, LLC · About This Site | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use