Finding the Right Online DNP Program for You
As an experienced nurse, you may want to earn a terminal degree that allows you to practice at the top of your license. By earning a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) from an online RN degree program, you can build your expertise to provide the highest levels of patient care. This guide includes information about the schools that offer these degrees, concentration options, and funding available to nursing students. Continue reading to learn about DNP programs available today and how they can advance your career to new levels.
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Inside Different Types of Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs – VIII
If you’re thinking about choosing a nursing specialty, you may want to consider enrolling in a DNP program. Obtaining an advanced degree can be difficult with a busy schedule, but thankfully there are plenty of online DNP programs available.
Online DNP programs come in different types. They may be synchronous, in which students log into their classes at designated times to participate in live video lectures and conferences with instructors and peers. Asynchronous online DNP programs are also common. Students in asynchronous programs interact with instructors and each other through forums and online peer review and can complete their coursework at their convenience.
Regardless of structure, online DNP programs require clinical hours and a final project. Some may also require short residencies on campus. If you’re wondering what kind of DNP program works best for you, below are profiles of three good examples and what they offer.
University of Cincinnati
Whether you want to have a direct role in patient care or influence nursing practice through teaching, research, or administration, the DNP program at the University of Cincinnati prepares you for the most advanced roles in nursing. This program offers several concentrations that you can choose from based on your goals. For example, if you’re interested in implementing health and safety plans in workplaces, you can enroll in the occupational health nursing specialty. Those who want to work with patients living with complex mental health issues can pursue the psychiatric-mental health concentration. Other choices include nurse anesthesia, pediatric acute care, public health nursing, and systems leadership.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Online
Cost: $836 per credit (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- An active, unrestricted RN license
- A nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
- An overall 3.25 grade point average (GPA)
- A 3.0 GPA in science courses
- A 2.0 GPA in a statistics class
Curriculum: The curriculum covers healthcare policy, biostatistics for evidence-based practice, nursing research methods, and quality improvement and patient safety. Students will also take classes that build their leadership skills.
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco’s family nurse practitioner DNP program combines principles of evidence-based nursing practice with cultural competence, fiscal responsibility, social justice, and ethical reasoning. This results in an education that holistically prepares students to work as nurse practitioners. The school’s curriculum is rooted in its Jesuit origins so there is an emphasis on providing humane and equitable care to patients. This hybrid program offers classes online, as well as on campus on Fridays and Saturdays. During campus sessions, students participate in coursework from 8:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night. After completing the program, you will be equipped to work in hospitals, community health centers, private doctor’s offices, and public clinics.
Duration: One to two years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $1,635 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a master’s degree from an accredited school
- A current RN license
- A 3.0 GPA or higher recommended
Curriculum: Coursework covers the advanced best practices nurse practitioners need to know to deliver safe patient care. Also, leadership skills, research methods, and professional ethics are included in the curriculum.
Briar Cliff University
Designed for certified nurse practitioners, the DNP program at Briar Cliff University prepares students to move into advanced practice nursing positions. The program emphasizes the art and science of advanced practice nursing by combining nursing principles with humanities and social science in order to encourage a holistic approach to patient care. At the end of the program, students will understand how to choose the right interventions for specific patients, promote good health in different advanced practice settings, and incorporate tools like nursing informatics into their nursing practice. The program also includes an overview of the racial, ethnic, and cultural issues that impact healthcare and how political, sociocultural, ethical, spiritual, and legal factors can become a part of advanced nursing practice.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Online
Cost:$585 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- A nursing master’s degree
- An active nursing license
Curriculum: Specific classes cover leadership in complex healthcare organizations, philosophy and theory for advanced practice nursing, financial management for healthcare organizations, and cultural competence in healthcare.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Answering Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Program FAQs – VII
What concentrations do DNP programs have?
There are a variety of choices for concentrations in DNP programs. For example, the family nurse practitioner concentration is for nurses who want to provide a range of care to families. Those who enroll in a pediatric nurse practitioner concentration learn how to help children develop and maintain good physical, social, and emotional health.
If you’re interested in treating patients experiencing a range of mental health challenges, the psychiatric mental health nursing practitioner concentration will prepare you to assess and diagnose people who need this type of care. There are also DNP concentrations focusing on adult gerontology, acute care, and nurse anesthesia.
Is there financial aid available for DNP programs?
Yes, you can receive financial aid to help with the cost of your DNP program. To determine what types of funding you may be eligible for, fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for a wide range of federal opportunities like grants, scholarships, and loans.
Scholarships and grants are some of the best forms of financial aid because they don’t need to be paid back. These awards, which can come from the state or federal government, are often provided based on financial need. If scholarships and grants cannot cover the entire cost of your education, funding the remainder with loans is another option.
Is it important for a DNP program to be accredited?
Nursing school accreditation is extremely important. Graduating from an accredited program is a crucial way to show organizations and employers that you possess the standard of knowledge and skills expected of someone with an advanced education. Furthermore, students must be enrolled in an accredited program to receive federal financial aid.
Online DNP programs may be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The standards set by these organizations are designed to further the nursing field and ensure that professionals are prepared for the current and future nursing landscapes.
What is the difference between a DNP and a PhD in nursing?
Although both are terminal nursing degrees, DNPs and PhDs are different. A DNP focuses on the clinical practice of nursing, and these degrees are often for people who want to provide patient care at the top of their licenses.
On the other hand, a PhD in nursing is like the research-driven counterpart to the practice-driven DNP. This degree may be suited to nursing professionals who want to shift away from client care and into research or education.
How much do DNP graduates earn?
Advancing your education will unlock more job opportunities, many of which may include increased salaries. As a result, getting a DNP can significantly boost your earnings. Average salaries for DNP graduates range from around $91,000 to $128,00 annually. How much you can make will depend on what state you live in. For example, nurses with a DNP in Pennsylvania make $106,045, those in North Carolina earn $91,134, and California nurses make $115,411.
What Can You Do with a DNP Degree?
Earning an online DNP can open nursing professionals to a broad variety of leadership-driven advanced nursing careers in both clinical and academic settings. After completing an online DNP program, graduates may further their work in client care. Alternatively, they may want to move into careers focused on policy development and systematic change.
Depending on their concentration in the program, advanced nursing professionals may use their new skills and knowledge to analyze data and conduct research or shift into healthcare management careers. For example, RNs who want to continue working with patients can specialize in a specific type of care and pursue a career as an advanced practice registered nurse. However, if you prefer to move to the administrative side of healthcare, you can leverage the leadership skills you learn during your DNP studies to become an executive. You can also have a significant impact on nursing practice by working as a clinical researcher.
Top-Rated Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs – X
No matter what area of nursing you want to dedicate yourself to, you need a program that will give you the highest quality education. These rankings represent the best online DNP programs that nursing schools have to offer, so you can enroll in confidence that you will be prepared to meet the challenges of advanced nursing care. As you review our list, take a look at the methodology we used to curate our choices in the “About the Rankings” section below. This will give you a roadmap of what to look for when choosing a school.
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri
Why We Selected Maryville University of Saint Louis:
- The program offers specialized career tracks in areas like acute care and pediatrics.
- Maryville University provides 100% online coursework, enhancing flexibility for working professionals.
- The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring academic excellence.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$14,346
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course89%
- Student/Faculty Ratio13/1
Salve Regina University
Newport, Rhode Island
Why We Selected Salve Regina University:
- Financial aid is available to support students throughout the program.
- The hybrid format combines online and in-person classes for flexible learning.
- Students engage in a scholarly project addressing real-world clinical needs.
Program Details
- AccreditationNECHE
- Average In-State Tuition$11,610
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course95%
- Student/Faculty Ratio13/1
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts
Why We Selected Simmons University:
- The Simmons DNP program integrates advanced informatics and data management skills to enhance patient care and organizational leadership.
- The program offers opportunities for interprofessional collaboration through live classes and symposiums with diverse professionals.
- Students develop and present a DNP project, applying research to real-world clinical problems under faculty guidance.
Program Details
- AccreditationNECHE
- Average In-State Tuition$21,384
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course80%
- Student/Faculty Ratio9/1
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Why We Selected University of Cincinnati:
- The University of Cincinnati's DNP program offers an accelerated completion option for MSN holders.
- The program provides opportunities for networking through its DNP Project Team, which includes external experts.
- The DNP program emphasizes faculty expertise in guiding students through their projects and manuscript writing.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$13,224
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course65%
- Student/Faculty Ratio19/1
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Why We Selected University of San Francisco:
- The program offers a hybrid learning model, combining online and in-person teaching for flexibility.
- The curriculum includes a comprehensive DNP project, enhancing evidence-based practice skills.
- Students benefit from facilitated clinical placements, ensuring high clinical practice hour completion rates.
Program Details
- AccreditationWSCUC
- Average In-State Tuition$27,180
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course61%
- Student/Faculty Ratio13/1
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota
Why We Selected Winona State University:
- The program offers a specialized career track in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, preparing students for advanced practice roles.
- The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and clinical leadership, enhancing professional development and expertise.
- The program requires a comprehensive 1,000 clinical/practicum hours, ensuring extensive hands-on experience for graduates.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$8,000
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course87%
- Student/Faculty Ratio16/1
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
Why We Selected George Washington University:
- The program offers specialized career tracks in adult-gerontology acute care.
- Faculty expertise in evidence-based practice enhances student learning experiences.
- Networking opportunities are available through on-campus experiences and clinical placements.
Program Details
- AccreditationMSCHE
- Average In-State Tuition$32,850
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course40%
- Student/Faculty Ratio12/1
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, Iowa
Why We Selected Briar Cliff University:
- The DNP program at Briar Cliff University offers specialized career tracks in advanced nursing practice.
- The program provides high clinical placement rates through strategic partnerships with healthcare organizations.
- Faculty expertise in evidence-based practice enhances student learning and professional development.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$9,450
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course64%
- Student/Faculty Ratio12/1
SUNY Brockport
Brockport, New York
Why We Selected SUNY Brockport:
- The program offers flexible online learning with supportive faculty mentors.
- The DNP project allows students to integrate new skills into clinical practice, improving healthcare outcomes.
- Students benefit from active faculty involvement in clinical practice and professional leadership roles.
Program Details
- AccreditationMSCHE
- Average In-State Tuition$11,310
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course68%
- Student/Faculty Ratio15/1
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan
Why We Selected Northern Michigan University:
- The program offers a low-residency format with flexible clinical practicum options in students' local areas.
- The DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring high educational standards.
- Graduates are equipped to serve as change agents through system redesign and evidence-based decision-making.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$9,792
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course62%
- Student/Faculty Ratio19/1
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘24-’25 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves.
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic counseling on campus and/or online.
- The existence of career placement services on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system to represent this category with laptop icons.
- % in Online Ed. – Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time, as self-reported by the school.
- % Receiving Award – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Avg. Inst. Aid – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024
