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 Louisiana

Looking for a quality Louisiana DNP? This practical guide & directory contains rankings of the best and most affordable DNP programs in Louisiana, notes on online & hybrid LA doctorates, and advice on BSN to DNP options. Ready to select a school? Jump ahead to our detailed listings.

Top Louisiana DNP Programs

To find the best DNP programs in LA, we evaluated independent rankings for nursing graduate degrees, prioritizing any Louisiana school with high DNP & MSN placements in U.S. News & World Report. In the final reckoning, we also considered factors such as reputation and student reviews.

1. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

ULL’s DNP program hits Louisiana’s #1 spot for a host of reasons. It comes from a Department of Nursing and College of Nursing & Allied Health Professions with sturdy rankings (e.g. top 50 for Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs), strong FNP certification pass rates (e.g. 96% or higher), and a solid reputation. ULL is a public research university with the second largest enrollment of students in the state. These kinds of schools tend to be well-funded.

ULL also comes with a name recognition factor. The College has partnerships with many regional medical providers, including Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Lafayette General Health, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and more. Be sure to ask the DNP program coordinator about funding opportunities—doctoral nursing students may qualify for nursing graduate scholarships.

2. Southeastern Louisiana University

SELU’s DNP program runs a close second to ULL! That’s not surprising, considering that the two universities have a partnership where they provide stand-alone—but mutually supportive—DNP programs. So you’ll see a lot of similarities in the doctorates. Better yet, SELU’s School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is stuffed with quality markers. It’s been recognized by the LSNA as a Nursing School of the Year in Advanced Practice. It has a solid core of graduate faculty. And it tends to receive great reviews from students, who praise the rigorous programs and the teaching staff.

You should find plenty of ideas at SELU for your capstone project. The College oversees the Center for Nursing Research in Education and Practice and the faculty-led Interprofessional Collaborative Research Committee. It also has practice partnerships with 100+ agencies in the area. While you’re researching SELU, you may wish to ask the DNP program coordinator about FNP certification pass rates (we didn’t see them quoted) and your eligibility for School of Nursing scholarships.

3. Loyola University New Orleans

Thinking of going private? Check out LOYNO’s DNP program in the College of Nursing and Health. Though it’s open to students of all faiths, LOYNO is a Jesuit university, which means it places an emphasis on ethics and educating the whole person. The BSN to DNP pathway is just as flexible as ULL or SELU’s program and it leads to strong FNP certification pass rates. LOYNO also does well rankings for Online Graduate Nursing Programs (e.g. top 45).

The other bonus? The College of Nursing and Health tends to receive positive reviews on independent sites and messageboards. Graduates say that the nursing programs are demanding and rigorous, with good clinical training. LOYNO’s DNP is more expensive than public university programs, which may factor into your decision. Reviewers also mentioned that graduate students are usually responsible for finding all of their clinical placements.

Most Affordable DNP Programs in Louisiana

Our list of the cheapest DNPs in Louisiana is based on the per credit tuition rate for each program. However, the tuition & fee structure at Louisiana public universities can be confusing! In some cases, we had to check quoted rates against tuition data from U.S. News & World Report DNP rankings. Ask the DNP program coordinator for a true breakdown of costs.

1. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

DNP Tuition & Fees

Students in NSULA’s DNP program pay the eNSU flat rate tuition. This is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Additional course and/or professional fees may be assessed as applicable.

2. Southeastern Louisiana University

DNP Tuition & Fees

As far as we can determine, DNP students pay the graduate tuition rate at SELU—check with the program coordinator. The per credit rate is fairly affordable for in-state residents, but it’s very high for out-of-state residents. Additional course and program specific fees may apply.

3. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

DNP Tuition & Fees

In-state and out-of-state residents pay the same per credit tuition rate for the DNP—online students automatically receive an in-state tuition incentive. There are additional distance learning fees.

Online DNP Programs in Louisiana

Louisiana universities love to offer online DNPs. In our listings, you’ll see that most schools have at least one distance learning program. As always, we recommend you read the fine print—there’s usually going to be a campus component. For example:

  • Online BSN to DNP Programs in LA: Students in SELU and ULL’s BSN to DNP pathways visit the campus twice, at the beginning and end of the program (for the DNP project presentation). LOYNO’s degree has an annual orientation or intensive, and a project defense.
  • Online Post-Master’s DNP Programs in LA: SELU, ULL, and LOYNO’s post-master’s DNP programs have the same campus requirements as the BSN to DNP (e.g. 2-3 visits). NSULA students may have to attend the Natchitoches campus for commencement and the Shreveport/Alexandria campus for project defense.

If you’re considering LSUHSC or SUBR, ask the DNP program coordinator about online elements. We’re assuming these programs are on-campus or hybrid, but we couldn’t find any specifics.

You’ll also need to be sure you’re eligible to apply. Because of distance learning restrictions, online DNP programs may not be able to accept certain out-of-state applicants. Most Louisiana universities try to make this clear (e.g. LOYNO has a School of Nursing State Authorization List and Map in its Accreditation & State Authorization section).

Note: Interested in other southern opportunities? Check out the listings of Online DNP Programs. They are organized by state.

BSN to DNP Programs in Louisiana

Our listings contain links to each BSN to DNP program in Louisiana. Here’s a quick summary of what you can expect from different universities.

  • Multiple APRN Specialties: LSUHSC is the go-to option. This is where you’ll find tracks in multiple APRN specialties, leadership subjects, sub-specialties (e.g. advanced oncology nursing), and dual concentrations.
  • FNP: If you’re primarily interested in the FNP, you’ll have much more choice. Like LSUHSC, LOYNO, SELU, and ULL also offer BSN to DNP programs in this specialty. If you choose to pursue the BSN to DNP path at ULL, you must complete your master’s-level clinical hours in Louisiana.
  • Nurse Anesthesia: You’ll be able to compare & contrast LSUHSC and FranU’s DNP-NA. Both schools publish CNE pass rates & achievement data on their program websites.

Note: Our directory of on-campus and online BSN to DNP Programs list programs in all 50 states.

Louisiana Nursing Organizations

  • Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN)
  • Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners (LANP)
  • Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists (LANA)
  • Louisiana League for Nursing (LLN)
  • Louisiana Organization for Nursing Leadership (LONL)

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

Full list of Louisiana DNP Programs

6 schools

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana
Accreditation: CCNE
BNS to DNP - Public/Community Health Nursing[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Executive Nurse Leader[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Nurse Anesthesia[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
BSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)[MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Master's DNP - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Master's DNP - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Master's DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Master's DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Master's DNP - Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner[MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Master's DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner[MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Masters DNP[MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Louisiana State University's DNP program emphasizes research application, organizational leadership and management development, utilization of information technology, development and initiation of public policy, and the establishment of evidence-based practice. Students who enter the DNP program through the BSN to DNP pathway can choose from the following concentration areas: Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Executive Nurse Leader, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner, and Public/Community Health Nursing. The university also offers a post-master's DNP program, which is open to certified APRNs (RNA, NP, CNS). The Nurse Anesthesia concentration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Program, and the entire DNP program is CCNE-accredited.

Loyola University-New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana
Post-Baccalaureate to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Master's to DNP - Executive Nurse Leader[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Post-Master's to DNP - Nurse Practitioner[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Offered online, the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Loyola University New Orleans only requires students to attend a one-week campus orientation each year, as well as a campus visit at the conclusion of the program to defend the capstone project. There are two program tracks available - post-Baccalaureate to DNP (BSN to DNP) and the Post Master's DNP. The BSN to DNP track is designed as a cohort program and prepares nurses to be family nurse practitioners. Loyola's post-Master's DNP is for certified Nurse Practitioners or master's prepared nurses who are seeking executive leadership positions. The MSN to DNP program offers two areas of specialization - Integrated Behavioral Health and Executive Nurse Leader. The university's DNP program is CCNE-accredited.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, Louisiana
Accreditation: CCNE
Post-Master's DNP - Organizational Systems Leadership (for non-APRNs)[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Northwestern State's online DNP features concentrations in Organizational Systems Leadership and Advanced Practice Leadership. To get in, students need an RN license and a master's degree in nursing. Those with an APRN license are placed into the Advanced Practice Leadership concentration, which includes a course in genetics instead of two 120-hour practicums in organizational systems. Aside from that, the course plans are the same. Enrollees need two years to complete their degree. The curriculum frontloads didactic courses into the first year. During their second year, students take one taught course plus a 180-hour practicum for their project each term.

Southeastern Louisiana University

Hammond, Louisiana
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Advanced practice registered nurses or nurse executives who already have their MSN are eligible to apply to the post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Southeastern Louisiana University. The program is offered almost entirely online with only two required on-campus visits - a one-day DNP orientation and another session for the defense of the DNP Project. Students have the option of pursuing the program on a full-time or part-time basis. The curriculum includes subject areas such as biostatistics, clinical scholarship and analytic methods, epidemiology, ethics, healthcare policy, informatics, and organizational and systems leadership.

Southern University and A & M College

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Doctor of Nursing Practice[MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Southern University and A&M College must hold a master's degree in a nursing specialty and current certification as a nurse practitioner. The university's DNP program follows the guidelines set by the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. The curriculum includes coursework in: Population Health & Research Methodologies, Theories and Concepts of Health Behavior & Health Promotion, and Measurement & Informatics in Nursing Research and Practice. In order to graduate from the program, students must complete 200 hours of advanced practice practicum, a capstone project, and pass a DNP comprehensive exam.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, Louisiana
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP[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 DNP[online][MSN required]
Admissions InfoCost InfoCurriculum Info
Applicants to the post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Louisiana Lafayette must have an MSN in one of the following areas of advanced nursing practice - Nurse Practitioner or Nursing Administration/Leadership. The university also offers a post-bachelor's DNP program for applicants who have completed a BSN. Both programs are designed as cohorts, with a majority of the coursework available online. Students are, however, required to attend on-campus activities prior to starting the program and again at the conclusion of the program, to present their DNP synthesis project. In addition, the residency courses in the curriculum come with practicum requirements, which must be completed onsite. The university's DNP program is accredited by the CCNE until June 2029.

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