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Looking for a quality DNP in Mississippi? We’ve got your back. Our guide & directory contains rankings of the best and most affordable DNP programs in Mississippi, details on online MS doctorates, and tips on BSN to DNP tracks. Already have a school or two in mind? Skip ahead to our listings.
Top Mississippi DNP Programs
To find the best DNP programs in MS, we researched independent rankings for nursing graduate degrees. But this wasn’t the sole criteria. We also considered student reviews, certification pass rates, reputation, research funding, and other important factors. As an extra seal of quality, all of these schools are part of the Mississippi Educational Consortium for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (MECDNP).
1. University of Mississippi Medical Center
UMMC’s versatile DNP program takes the top spot thanks to its presence in the only academic health science center in Mississippi and the state’s flagship School of Nursing. The School has a history of superb certification pass rates (e.g. 100% as quoted in the Annual Report for Mississippi Nursing Degree Programs) and a reputation for clinical opportunities. It oversees a number of faculty practice clinics, including school-based clinics, a mobile clinic (Mercy Delta Express), and a primary care clinic (UNACARE Family Health Clinic). It’s affiliated with 200+ sites in urban & rural settings. And it’s bang-smack in the middle of the UMMC Campus, which has four specialized learning hospitals and the state’s only Level 1 trauma center and Level 4 NICU.
As a doctoral student, you can also take advantage of all of the School’s research & scholarship opportunities. You might want to team up with nursing faculty on their research interests. Or create projects in the basic science laboratories. Or liaison with experts in other relevant UMMC centers (e.g. Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research (MCCTR), Mississippi Center for Obesity Research (MCOR), Center for Telehealth, etc.). All of this quality is available to Mississippi residents for a remarkably affordable tuition rate (the out-of-state rate is much higher). If you’re interested in funding opportunities, check out the School’s section on nursing scholarships.
2. University of Southern Mississippi
USM’s DNP program has much to recommend it. It’s affordable, nationally ranked, and primarily online (except for Nurse Anesthesia). And it gets results. In recent years, USM students have achieved a 95%-100% pass rate on NP certification exams; CRNA students have an overall NCE pass rate of 90%-100% (the first-time rate is lower). You’ll find it in the School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice, which is part of USM’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. Southern Miss Nursing faculty are experienced in plenty of advanced areas and the School encourages interdisciplinary collaboration in clinical practice & research.
When we looked at independent reviews of USM, the key word that kept coming up was “solid.” Graduate nursing alumni say the programs are professional, with great teachers who are accessible and willing to help. Plus there’s the clinical aspect. Southern Miss Nursing is affiliated with a number of clinical sites in Mississippi (e.g. hospitals, community health centers, health departments, mental-health facilities, private practice clinics, etc.). Nursing students and faculty also contribute their time & expertise to the Fellowship Health Clinic (FHC) in Hattiesburg.
3. Delta State University
One for current & aspiring family nurse practitioners! DSU’s affordable & online DNP program is available in multiple pathways, all of which can help you achieve your FNP goals. The program was designed by the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing, which has sturdy (if not spectacular) national rankings and a great track record. According to the Annual Report for Mississippi Nursing Degree Programs, DNP student to faculty ratios are excellent (e.g. 3:1) and DNP completion rates are strong. In recent years, the 3-year average for FNP certification pass rates at DSU has been 95%+.
One of the key benefits of this DNP is flexibility. Reviewers on independent sites & messageboards often mention the convenience of the online format (there are a few campus visits and clinicals must be completed in Mississippi or Arkansas). One reviewer also had high praise for the nursing instructors, who were encouraging and focused on their students’ careers. You can learn more about the School by exploring the bios of faculty & staff and examining the section on School of Nursing Scholarships; some awards are open to graduate students.
Most Affordable DNP Programs in Mississippi
Our ranking of the cheapest DNP programs in Mississippi is based on the lowest per credit tuition rate for the doctorate. Some public universities in Mississippi charge the same DNP rate for in-state and out-of-state residents; some don’t (e.g. UMMC and USM). If you’re lucky enough to be a resident, you’ll be pleased to hear that Mississippi is one of the most inexpensive states we’ve seen for the DNP!
1. Alcorn State University
DNP Tuition & Fees
For the cost of ASU’s post-master’s DNP, we used the graduate tuition rate for commuting students. This is the same for in-state and out-of-state residents and it’s very low. There may be additional miscellaneous fees.
2. Delta State University
DNP Tuition & Fees
Graduate tuition rates at DSU are the same for MS residents and non-residents. The cheapest pathway is for current FNPs (i.e. post-master’s students) who want a doctorate; the longer DNP pathways will be more expensive. Each unique DNP program has additional course/lab fees. Be sure to add them to the budget when you’re assessing costs.
3. Mississippi University for Women
DNP Tuition & Fees
For the W’s tuition rate, we added together the graduate part-time tuition rate and the mandatory capital improvement fee. The final number was a) almost as cheap as DSU and b) the same for in-state and out-of-state residents. The W’s DNP program is billed as “Low Residency,” so you may also have to budget for some campus visits.
Online DNP Programs in Mississippi
Like many other providers, Mississippi Schools of Nursing are jumping on the distance learning bandwagon. You’ll discover a number of online & hybrid DNP tracks in our listings.
- Online BSN to DNP Programs in MS: If you need a 100% online program, check out UMMC’s Nursing & Health Care Administrator track. As far as we can determine, this is visit-free (but it’s always best to check). Schools that offer NP tracks will typically have a face-to-face component. We’re talking about DSU (e.g. 1-3 campus visits/semester) and USM (e.g. 1 campus visit per semester). In addition, DSU clinicals must be completed in Mississippi or Arkansas.
- Hybrid BSN to DNP Programs in MS: UMMC has a more complicated structure for its NP offerings. Tracks like the FNP are truly hybrid, with a combination of online, on-campus, and blended methods. But tracks like the PMHNP have more of an online feel, with intensives that meet twice per semester. Check the descriptions under each option to understand the format. All NP clinical experiences must be accomplished in Mississippi.
You’ll have a few more choices at the post-master’s level. Schools like ASU and the W join the usual cast of DNP characters.
- Online Post-Master’s DNP Programs in MS: DSU and USM’s online DNP still include 1-3 campus visits per semester. A similar option is ASU’s full-time DNP for current FNPs. This has 2 face-to-face requirements per semester.
- Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP Programs in MS: UMMC’s post-master’s pathway is combination of online courses and intensive 1-2 day sessions; biostatistics courses are offered in a traditional weekly-class format. The W advertises their DNP as “Low Residency”—the DNP program coordinator will need to give you the full picture!
As always, we recommend that out-of-state students ask about state authorization and distance learning restrictions. On each program page, UMMC has an entire section devoted to this issue, with info on licensing requirements and reciprocity.
Note: Want to expand your search to neighboring areas (e.g. Tennessee)? Check out the directory of Online DNP Programs. They are organized by state.
BSN to DNP Programs in Mississippi
To save you time, we’ve provided links to all the APRN & leadership tracks in our Mississippi listings. When we were assessing each BSN to DNP program, we spotted a few trends.
- Adult NP Specialties: Schools like UMMC, USM, and DSU primarily focus on the FNP, psychiatry, and adult care. If you’re looking for PNP and NNP programs, you may have to look elsewhere. UMMC is the only school to offer tracks in the AGACNP and AGPCPNP.
- Leadership: Future executives can consider UMMC’s track in Nursing & Health Care Administrator. It’s online and doesn’t involve certification.
- Nurse Anesthesia: USM is your sole choice in Mississippi. It’s a full-time program that’s available on the Hattiesburg campus.
Note: Need more options? Consult our listings of online and on-campus BSN to DNP Programs.
Mississippi Nursing Organizations
- Mississippi Board of Nursing (MSBN)
- Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners (MANP)
- MHA Organization of Nurse Executives (MONE)
- Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA)
Below you'll find a list of all of the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs available in Mississippi.
Full list of Mississippi DNP Programs
5 schools