Streamline your search for a quality DNP in Oklahoma! This practical guide & directory contains rankings of the best and most affordable DNP programs in Oklahoma, notes on online & hybrid OK doctorates, and tips on comparing BSN to DNP options. Got your eye on a school? Skip ahead to our listings.
Top Oklahoma DNP Programs
To find the best DNP programs in Oklahoma, we examined independent rankings for nursing graduate degrees. In addition, we also considered quality factors such as certification pass rates, clinical connections, and research opportunities.
1. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
OUHSC’s DNP program owes its #1 ranking to the College of Nursing and the OU Health Sciences Center (OUHSC). The College offers the state’s largest nursing program and achieves respectable—if not outstanding—national rankings in both the DNP (e.g. top 85) and MSN (e.g. top 80). It’s an intriguing choice for folks who are interested in aging. The College runs the Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence and offers specialized care management services. Plus the Office of Research can provide support & mentorship with your capstone project.
An added bonus is the College’s ties to OUHSC clinical partners, including OU Medicine (e.g. The Children’s Hospital, OU Medical Center, etc.). The College has a dedicated clinical placement coordinator and the university maintains contracts with a variety of agencies, but you’ll need to check if DNP placements are guaranteed or student-organized. FNP pass rates and AGCNS pass rates can vary widely from year-to-year. Some years are very good (e.g. 97%); some are not so good. Ask for recent statistics.
2. Oklahoma City University
OCU’s DNP program comes from the ACEN-accredited Kramer School of Nursing (KSN). The School tends to have modest national rankings (e.g. top 150 for the DNP) and strong FNP certification pass rates on the AANPCB. It offers a PhD program and a DNP program. Faculty are involved in diverse research interests. Class sizes are kept small. And independent reviews of the nursing programs are strong.
We especially like the fact that KSN will help you with logistics—the Advanced Practice Clinical Liaison facilitates preceptor placement for NP students. Reviewers also enjoyed the friendly environment, the caring & supportive professors, and the in-person class time.
3. University of Tulsa
TU’s nursing graduate programs often go unranked by U.S. News & World Report, but the DNP program has its pluses. The ACEN-accredited School of Nursing in the Oxley College of Health Sciences has been in business since 1973. It puts a focus on hands-on learning, patient simulations, and Tulsa-based clinical experiences (e.g. Hillcrest, St. John & Saint Francis). It vows to match DNP students with facilities and preceptors. And it gets results. The entire first cohort of FNP and AGACNP graduates in 2019 passed their certification exams (NCLEX pass rates are not as strong).
Thinking about potential capstone projects? The Oxley College is involved in an advanced partnership with the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) on the campus of the Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, with projects that include Alzheimer’s disease and anxiety. It also offers a 12-month Tulsa Schweitzer Fellowship to graduates who are passionate about addressing unmet health needs in Tulsa. TU is expensive, but Warren-Saint Francis Health System scholarships are available for DNP students.
Most Affordable DNP Programs in Oklahoma
For this list of the cheapest DNP programs in Oklahoma, we ranked schools by the lowest per credit DNP tuition rate. In the case of OUHSC, this was the in-state rate.
1. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
DNP Tuition & Fees
OUHSC’s DNP tuition rate for Oklahoma residents is pretty reasonable, but watch out for the additional mandatory fees and the per credit hour DNP program fee. This can bring the price right up. The out-of-state tuition rate is comparable to expensive private universities.
2. Oklahoma City University
DNP Tuition & Fees
For OCU’s tuition rate, we added together the standard DNP tuition rate and the mandatory DNP course fee per credit hour. There will be additional fees.
3. University of Tulsa
DNP Tuition & Fees
TU’s DNP tuition rate for the FNP and AGACNP is relatively straightforward. Expect a per credit rate that’s $1,000+.
Online DNP Programs in Oklahoma
To make your life a little easier, we’ve listed individual BSN to DNP tracks under each school in our Oklahoma listings. Here are a few things we noticed when we were analyzing programs.
- Online BSN to DNP Programs in OK: OUHSC has one 100% online BSN to DNP track—Executive Leadership. This is offered on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Hybrid BSN to DNP Programs in OK: This is the standard format for NP & CNS tracks in Oklahoma. Examples include OUHSC (e.g. on-campus time varies by course), OCU (e.g. 3-day intensives at the beginning of each semester and select in-person courses), and TU (e.g. on-campus lab courses & simulation training). Budget for a healthy amount of time at the university.
The same pattern holds true at the MSN to DNP level. Oklahoma schools still tend to favor a blended approach.
- Online Post-Master’s DNP Programs in OK: If you’re interested in OUHSC’s DNP Completion pathway, ask the program coordinator for details. It may be 100% online (like the BSN to DNP in Executive Leadership), but you’ll need to check.
- Hybrid Post-Master’s DNP Programs in OK: Again, we recommend a quick email to the program coordinator. OCU’s program appears to have 3-day intensives and TU’s program seems to have campus components.
Are you an out-of-state student? Make sure there are no state authorization & distance learning restrictions on your Oklahoma program. Programs like OUHSC’s DNP in Executive Leadership should be relatively straightforward, since no NP certification is involved.
Note: Considering online degrees in neighboring areas? See the directory of Online DNP Programs. They are organized by state.
BSN to DNP Programs in Oklahoma
There’s not a lot of choice for BSN to DNP tracks in the state. The big three limit themselves to FNP, leadership, and adult gerontology specialties. If you want more variety (e.g. pediatrics, PMHNP, NNP, etc.), you’re going to have to look beyond state borders.
Interested in Nurse Anesthesia? As of early 2020, TU’s NA program was pending accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The first accredited intake looked likely to begin in August 2020, but check with the DNP program coordinator and cross-check against the CRNA School Search to be sure it’s approved.
Note: We also have a nationwide directory of on-campus and online BSN to DNP Programs.
Oklahoma Nursing Organizations
- Oklahoma Board of Nursing
- Oklahoma Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OANA)
- Oklahoma League for Nursing (OLN)
- Oklahoma Organization of Nurse Executives (OONE)
Below you'll find a list of all of the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs available in Oklahoma.