MSN to DNP

Ways to Study

Distance-Based

With full- and part-time options, our distance-based MSN to DNP is designed for working nurses who want to advance their careers without relocating. Built with flexibility in mind, the program allows you to balance coursework with professional and personal commitments while benefiting from personalized faculty support and tailored clinical placements that prepare you for advanced practice.

The MSN to DNP is for nurses who are already master’s prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) (Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives) or Health Care Systems Leaders (that is, Nurse Administrators, Informaticists, Outcome Managers).

BSN-prepared nurses with an earned master’s in a health-related MBA, MHA, or MPH from a regionally accredited university also may apply to the MSN-DNP program. Transcripts will be reviewed individually for admissibility and to develop a plan of study that meets program competencies for graduation.

Nurses with a MSN in Education or Clinical Nurse Leader must apply to the BSN-DNP Program in a specific population or specialty area; an individualized plan of study will be developed that meets program competencies for graduation.

BSN-prepared nurses with an earned master’s in a health-related MBA, MHA, or MPH from a regionally accredited university who are interested in preparation in advanced nursing practice (health care leadership/administration or as an APRN-NP) should apply to the BSN-DNP program instead.

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Online with on-campus immersions
Full-time and part-time options

Courses incorporate both asynchronous and synchronous learning components. Students are required to come to campus for required immersions each semester or as scheduled.

Credit Hour & Practice Requirements + –

MSN to DNP students who matriculate in fall 2020 are required to complete 36 credit hours, approximately 500 residency hours, and an evidence-based practice DNP project. All students are expected to have 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours and MSN to DNP applicants must submit written verification of supervised clinical hours completed during their prior degree program using this DNP Verification of Precepted Clinical Hours Form. Most MSN to DNP APRN students enter the program with 500 or more practice hours from their prior master’s program. Some MSN to DNP students prepared in health care systems may not have completed 500 clinical practice hours in their prior master’s program and will need to complete additional hours to meet graduation requirements. In addition, MSN-prepared Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) may be required to take bridge courses in finance and managing human resources (total of 6 additional credits).