Best Online Doctorate In Nursing (D.N.P.) Programs Of 2024

The University of Central Florida’s online D.N.P. program prepares learners to enter clinical leadership roles after graduation. The curriculum covers topics including clinical management, practice model design and healthcare technologies. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Students are required to complete a six-credit doctoral project that demonstrates knowledge of advanced clinical practice applications. The project may encompass topics such as policy review, design and evaluation of new care models, quality improvement and program review. UCF also offers an executive D.N.P. for aspiring nurse administrators.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $31
• Degree Credit Requirements: 42 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Nursing environment management, epidemiology principles in advanced practice nursing
• Concentrations Available: Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner
• In-Person Requirements: No

Clemson University—located in Clemson, South Carolina—offers a fully asynchronous online post-master’s D.N.P. and a hybrid post-baccalaureate D.N.P. program. The D.N.P. programs are accredited by CCNE.

Both programs prepare students to become change agents in the healthcare system and create new strategies for patient treatment, disease prevention and overall health promotion. Before graduation, students must complete a D.N.P. project that demonstrates their ability to apply evidence and attend a handful of immersion experiences on campus.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 35 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Clinical epidemiology and biostatistics; genomics, ethics and health policy
• Concentrations Available: Family NP, adult-gerontology NP, pediatric NP, health systems leadership
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for an in-person immersion

Mount Carmel College of Nursing is a private college in Columbus, Ohio. Its nursing D.N.P. program is fully online, but students are required to attend two on-campus immersion experiences during their first and second semesters of study. Each immersion is between four and five days. Keep in mind that online students must pay a $200 technology fee per semester.

Mount Carmel College of Nursing is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the D.N.P. program is CCNE-accredited.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: $30
• Degree Credit Requirements: 37 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Ethical practices and policies in global population health; health care economics, finance and fund development
• Concentrations Available: Clinical practice leadership, executive healthcare leadership, executive academic leadership
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for in-person immersions

The University of St. Francis’ online D.N.P. curriculum focuses on managing the collective health of vulnerable patients, including elderly and low-income patients. Courses are delivered online, but the program includes practicum and translational research opportunities.

Throughout the program, students learn to manage populations experiencing health disparities, influence healthcare policy, and provide direct care to individuals and families.

The University of St. Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 40 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare finance and practice management, translational research
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for residency

Messiah University is a private school located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The online D.N.P. program is accredited by CCNE. There are no additional fees outside of tuition.

While most classes are delivered online, two three-day, on-campus summer sessions are required for graduation. Students have the option to learn full time, part time or on an accelerated schedule.

The program includes a final D.N.P. project that evaluates students’ abilities to apply their skills to real-world nursing scenarios, including emotional intelligence, data collection and strengths-based leadership.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 86 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time, part-time, accelerated
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Health informatics, advanced writing for healthcare professions
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for on-campus summer sessions

Other than clinical internship requirements, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s D.N.P. courses are offered completely online. Depending on their prior education, students can pursue either a post-master’s D.N.P. or a post-baccalaureate D.N.P. with a concentration in family care, gerontology, mental health or public health. The D.N.P. program is accredited by CCNE.

A final D.N.P. project is required for graduation. Students apply their research findings to in-clinic practice settings.

• Our Flexibility Rating: N/A
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $85
• Degree Credit Requirements: 42 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time, part-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Leadership of public health systems, healthcare quality
• Concentrations Available: Family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, public health nurse leader
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for clinical internships

West Chester University’s CCNE-accredited D.N.P. program is delivered almost entirely online; students are only required to attend their first class for one day on campus. In-state distance learners are charged a $522 technology fee per semester.

The curriculum covers three core components over eight semesters: the science of nursing, practice and leadership. This program is available only to nurses who hold an M.S.N. and RN certification.

• Our Flexibility Rating: N/A
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $50
• Degree Credit Requirements: 35 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time, part-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Transition to doctoral study, healthcare economics for the advanced practitioner
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for one hybrid class

The University of Cincinnati’s online D.N.P. program includes a variety of concentration options, almost all of which are offered entirely online. The nurse anesthesia concentration is on-campus only, and the adult-gerontology acute care concentration has just one in-person class requirement. Remote students are charged an online learning fee of $56.30 per credit.

A final D.N.P. project is required for graduation; common topics explored include policy analysis, quality improvement initiatives and database design.The University of Cincinnati’s D.N.P. program is accredited by CCNE.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $65
• Degree Credit Requirements: 37-38 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time, part-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Principles of population health, quality improvement and patient safety
• Concentrations Available: Adult-gerontology acute care NP, adult-gerontology primary care NP, family NP, nurse anesthesia, occupational health nursing, pediatric acute care NP, psychiatric-mental health NP, public health nursing, systems leadership, post-MSN D.N.P.
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, in-person thesis defense expected for local students

The D.N.P. program at Maryville University of Saint Louis allows students to earn their degrees fully online—no campus visits required. Students attend in-person clinical experiences in their local communities. Distance learners are charged a $725 technology fee per semester.

This program can be completed in as little as 20 months and is CCNE-accredited. Students also have the option to enroll in NP specializations while working towards their D.N.P.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 33 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Full-time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Principles of epidemiology and biostatistics, ethics for advanced nursing practice
• Concentrations Available: Adult-gerontology acute care NP, adult-gerontology primary care NP, pediatric NP, psychiatric-mental health NP, pediatric/family NP
• In-Person Requirements: No

Concordia University-Wisconsin’s CCNE-accredited D.N.P. is an accelerated degree for working advanced practice registered nurses. It can be completed in two years. The only on-campus requirement is an introductory course. The rest of the program can be completed online and does not incur extra technology fees. Students can complete residencies in locations of their choice.

Concordia University-Wisconsin’s campus is located in Mequon, Wisconsin.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: N/A
• Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Business management for the doctor of nursing practice, healthcare informatics
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for on-campus meeting