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Doctoral Program

DNP Online Program
(Post Master's - MSN to DNP)

Program Length

20 Mo.

Credits

32

Accredited1

CCNE

Format

Online
calendar

NEXT START March 3rd

Waived Enrollment Fee

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Go from MSN to DNP and earn the terminal degree in nursing

AccreditationCCNE accredited1, Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Format100% online didactic classes
AdmissionsMaster’s degree in nursing required for admissions
CurriculumCutting-edge competency-based curriculum to develop your skills in nursing practice scholarship, innovation, and leadership
DNP ProjectMake your impact on your practice in a culminating DNP Practice Project

Learn More Today!

Classes start: March 3rd

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2024

Overview: Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (MSN to DNP) is a 32-credit graduate program which prepares the MSN-prepared RN to advance their nursing career to new heights. The degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in improvement science, technology and nursing informatics in advanced practice, professionalism and leadership for advanced practice, population health, and more.

  • Career-focused curriculum

    Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

  • Flexible schedule

    We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

  • Virtual services

    Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

  • Lifelong support

    We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

  • Rolling admissions

    No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Curriculum

DNP program classes & curriculum details

Our DNP program, developed in compliance with the model for advanced nursing education of the AACN new Essentials (2006, 2021), implements a competency-based program structure:

Build

Develop a strong conceptual framework. Lecture-style coursework amplifies your current knowledge base and introduces concepts and frameworks to expand your understanding.

Engage

Build upon the framework and dive into the literature, evidence, and tools of nursing practice. Engage the evidence and appraise its utility. Identify opportunities for improvement and learn to design and implement methodologies to address them.

Apply

Apply practice tools at the highest level. Challenge and expand your knowledge base through clinical applications, complete your DNP project, and graduate ready to continue your professional journey to the top of your practice.

i. Average number of months for students to complete the program. Program availability varies by location.

ProgramMonths 1Credit
Doctor of Nursing Practice2032

Required Core Courses

All courses, 24.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course focuses on the integration, translation, and application of established and evolving theoretical, evidence-based, and disciplinary nursing knowledge as the basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice. Students examine frameworks for knowledge and propose a practice application informed by leadership principals and ethical decision making.

The course focuses on a systems-based approach to enhance quality and minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through system effectiveness and individual performance using established and emerging principles of safety and improvement science. Students will review metrics and data driven benchmarks to analyze quality and safety initiatives, employ change theory and improvement science processes to design evidence‐based interventions, and demonstrate advocacy to promote a just institutional culture reflecting resiliency, civility, and respect.

This course focuses on the delivery of care using interprofessional teams in an environment fostering quality and safety and based on the adoption, integration, and dissemination of best practices, current practice guidelines, and evidence‐based interventions. Students will evaluate the effectiveness of interprofessional communication and the impact of team dynamics and performance on desired outcomes in practice. Using tools and techniques to support and improve the efficacy of team‐based interactions student will develop a plan to enhance collaboration.

This course will explore information and communication technologies and informatics processes used to provide care, gather data, drive decision making, and manage and improve the delivery of safe, high‐quality, and efficient healthcare services in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards. Students will perform an information technology analysis of their practice and develop strategic planning to direct the selection and implementation of new information and communication technologies for their practice setting.

This course focuses on proficient multidimensional leadership for healthcare. Leadership theory, managing change in complex environments, mentoring, and creating a workplace environment that promotes social justice and equity, self‐care, personal health, and well‐being, and lifelong learning will be emphasized. Student will examine their personal, professional, and leadership development process, and create a three-dimensional advocacy-based approach to provide leadership in for the healthcare, professional, and community arenas.

This course applies the principals of best practices, change theory, and improvement and implementation science to the development of innovative solutions for complex health systems to ensure optimal care. Course key concepts include organizational structure, including relationships among macro‐, meso‐, and microsystems across healthcare, and financial and payment models for cost management and reimbursement. Students will engage in a strategic planning initiative for a complex healthcare system which enhances value, access, quality, and cost‐effectiveness, including policy to address health equity and eliminate structural discrimination.

The course focuses on the application, evaluation, and dissemination of knowledge in practice to improve health and transform health care. The processes for the generation, critique, synthesis, and translation of knowledge will be examined. Students will complete human subject protection certification, determine best practices for a specified clinical initiative, and apply evidence to clinical decision making using a framework of evidence-based practice and improvement science.

This course examines the healthcare delivery continuum from public health prevention to disease management of populations and describes collaborative activities with both traditional and non‐traditional partnerships from affected communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities, and others for the improvement of equitable population health outcomes. For a selected population, students will analyze health priorities and the potential for collaboration and partnerships to provide a basis for interventions, policy, advocate strategy, and emergency preparedness.

Required Project Residency Core Courses

All courses, 8.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course is the first of two courses focused on the design and preparation for a DNP project that is focused on improving clinical practice. In this course students will review the expectations for a DNP project, examine completed DNP projects, identify a clinical problem, and describe the focus and context of their project, assemble their project committee, and create a project prospectus.

This course is the second of two courses focused on the design and preparation for a DNP project that is focused on improving clinical practice.  In this course students will review their prospectus and develop a project protocol and timeline, estimate project financial and other costs, secure required permissions such as clinical contracts and/or IRB approval, and complete preparation to implement their project.

This course is the first of a three-course residency series which supports the implementation, management, completion, and dissemination of a DNP project focused on improving clinical practice. In this first course students will work with their Chair and Committee to initiate their project.

This course is the second of a three-course residency series which supports the implementation, management, completion, and dissemination of a DNP project focused on improving clinical practice. In this second course students will continue to work with their Chair and Committee on the implementation and evaluation of their project. 

This course is the third of a three-course series which supports the implementation, management, completion, and dissemination of a DNP project focused on improving clinical practice. In this third course students will complete the implementation and evaluation of their project, present their project results, and prepare a written deliverable of their project.

Tution & Cost 

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the DNP program is $755 per credit.

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

Find My Estimate 

  • Scholarships & Financial Aid

    You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.

    Find scholarships and grants  

  • Military/Veteran Discounts

    Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

    VA/Military benefits  

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Requirements

Program admission requirements

Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program include:

  • Unencumbered RN licensure
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • A master’s degree in nursing (MSN, MN) from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and or National League of Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditationi
  • Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)/résuméii
  • Required background check/clinical compliance upon admission
  • No GRE required

i. The master’s degree must include preparation for an advanced nursing practice specialty (e.g., Nurse educator, Nursing administration, etc.) or an advanced practice nursing role (NP, CNS, CRNA, CMN). If the master’s degree did not include preparation for an advanced nursing practice specialty or an advanced practice nursing role, the completion of an accredited post-graduate certification program in an advanced nursing practice specialty or an advanced practice nursing role is required prior to admission.

ii. Your CV/résumé should include: focus/topic for your DNP project, site for your DNP project (ideas for what and where to do the project), years of practice experience, community service, references, and experience with any of the following: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, initiatives focusing on the social determinates of health, population health initiatives, health-focused partnerships with industry, academia, or local government, research or research translation, quality and safety initiatives, leadership in complex healthcare systems, health information technology/advocacy and/or policy development.

The DNP Project

The Herzing DNP Practice Project

While the clinical practicum is the key practical component of an MSN program, the DNP Practice Project represents the culmination of your DNP education: put everything you’ve learned into practice and begin making your impact immediately.

You won’t need to find a preceptor. The DNP project is an independent clinical effort facilitated by a Project Chair and Committee.

Key elements of the DNP project include: 

  1. Identify a problem
  2. Search, analyze, and synthesize literature and evidence
  3. Translate evidence to build methodology to address the problem
  4. Plan and implement
  5. Evaluate the outcomes, process and experience

Upon completion you’ll work closely with your Project Chair to disseminate your findings, from presentation to the practice and University/community events including submission for publication.

Careers

What you can do with a DNP degree

Graduating student celebrating with confetti, wearing a black dress and DNP 2024 sash, holding a diploma outside a building. Image
Image

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) and other master’s-prepared advanced practice nurses can earn a DNP to climb to the highest rung on the career ladder across many different specialties.

Our leadership-focused program is designed to cover a broad set of skills applicable to any advanced practice nursing role you might seek, allowing you to make an impact in your practice, your community or your healthcare system.

You can also potentially increase your earning potential. According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey, registered nurses whose highest education was a DNP reported a median salary of about $100,000, 11% higher than the $90,000 median for those who had earned as much as a master’s degree.

I haven’t earned an MSN—how can I earn a DNP with Herzing? If you have earned a BSN, you can go from BSN to DNP and pursue an advanced nursing specialty of your choosing. Or you can go from BSN to MSN then enroll in a DNP program in the future.

Classes Start: March 3rd

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

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Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

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Salaries vary widely across different types of jobs in advanced practice nursing, and earning a DNP can potentially apply to them all. However, earning a DNP can potentially help you compete for higher pay.*

According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey, registered nurses whose highest education was a DNP reported a median salary of about $100,000, 11% higher than the $90,000 median for those who had earned as much as a master’s degree.

The DNP is a practice-focused doctoral degree, while a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing is a research-focused degree. Some key differences include:

  • PhD students are trained to develop new knowledge for both the science and practice of nursing, while DNP students learn the skills necessary to translate evidence from the research and put it into practice. Program curriculums vary accordingly.
  • PhD students complete a dissertation, while DNP students complete a minimum number of clinical hours and/or a scholarly project
  • Credit requirements can vary
  • Unique employment opportunities upon graduation

The DNP represents the terminal degree in nursing, meaning it’s the highest degree you can earn in nursing. It’s one level higher than the MSN. The main differences include:

  • Curriculum differences
  • Certification requirements
  • Enrollment trends
  • Salary potential
  • How long it takes to earn

Learn more about the difference between MSN vs. DNP.

In October of 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed the Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing, which recommended moving the current level of preparation needed for advanced nursing practice from the master’s to doctorate level.

The AACN set an initial goal to phase out master’s level prep for APRNs and transition fully to DNP by 2015. That deadline has come and gone, and a master’s level education remains the minimum requirement to practice as an APRN (additional requirements vary per certification).

However, the transition has been discussed for many years—and not only by AACN. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) set a goal of 2025 to move all entry-level nurse practitioner education to the DNP degree.

While enrollment in DNP programs has increased continuously for 20 years running as of the AACN’s most recent Annual Survey, a DNP has not yet become required to practice as an APRN.

However, the landscape is changing and the DNP is trending towards becoming the standard for APRNs at the highest level.

Yes, by earning a doctorate degree you can potentially be referred to as a “doctor.” However, some states may require DNP nurses to fully clarify their role if the title “Dr.” is used.

Even without formal state requirements, you should always clearly disclose your credentials with patients to avoid confusion.

Increasingly yes, but it ultimately depends on the institution who issued the degree.

As the popularity of online degrees continues to rapidly trend upward in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so has mainstream acceptance of online degree programs.

Attitudes toward online degrees were already becoming more positive before the pandemic forced the issue. According to a 2019 study from Northeastern University, 61 percent of HR leaders say online learning is “of equal or greater quality to more traditional methods.” More than half believe that in the future, most advanced degrees will be online.

Regarding nursing applicants who earned online degrees, there are a few important factors employers consider:

  • The school and degree program’s accreditation. Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).i
  • If you have earned nursing licensure. Our programs are designed to help you pass any necessary exams and become licensed before getting your first job.
  • The school’s reputation and history of producing excellent employees. Consider our many happy graduates and 50+ years producing more than 40,000 alumni.

For all these reasons employers know what it means when they see “Herzing University” on a resume!

i. Programmatic accreditation varies by program and by campus location. Find details about all Herzing University accreditations and approvals.

How long it takes depends on the college education you’ve already earned and if you choose a full-time or part-time pathway.

The fastest path would be a situation in which you have earned an MSN and are ready to commit to the DNP program full-time. You can potentially earn your DNP in as few as 24 months (2 years).

Yes! There are many reasons why it’s worth pursuing a DNP, including:

  1. Reach the height of the nursing profession with the terminal degree in nursing
  2. Advance your skills regardless of your specialty
  3. Prepare for future APRN education requirements
  4. Doctorally-prepared nurses are needed to translate evidence and research
  5. Earn a key role in improvement science
  6. Become a better educator/teacher
  7. The healthcare system needs doctorally-prepared nurses
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The Student Experience at Herzing

I knew I wanted a job in the healthcare field, but I didn’t want to be a nurse or any type of clinician. I knew that I wanted to work on the backend and found that Health Information was the perfect fit for me.

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Disclosures

Accreditation & Disclosures

1. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program at Herzing University Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View all accreditation and approvals

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

Classes Start: March 3rd

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Request Info Apply Now