Enhance your career and advance the discipline of nursing with our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). This program is designed for working nurses who require a doctorate for advanced practice or nurses who desire their terminal degree. It does not prepare students for professional certification or state licensure as a nurse or as an advanced practice nurse.
Ignite Your Passion
Start when you're ready
Courses
Education should hold practical value. That’s why our courses meet rigorous academic standards and provide you with skills and knowledge immediately applicable to your career.
Program Handbook: Nursing Student Program Handbook
Look for this icon to see which skills you’ll learn in a course.
You’ll need 31 credits to complete this Doctor of Nursing Practice online. Your course schedule may vary based on transferable credits or credits earned through theÌýUniversity’s Prior Learning Assessment.
You’ll begin your applied project in your first course and follow a schedule of milestones throughout your program. This makes your project achievable in smaller segments and helps identify any challenges early, so there are no surprises or delays at the end.
Partner with dedicated doctoral faculty. You’ll work with your assigned Applied Project Chair throughout your program, allowing for critical feedback along the way.
Your academic counselor will help schedule your courses for a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Tuition
Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships.
What affects the overall cost of my program?
Your full program cost can vary by:Ìý
Earn your doctoral degree faster and for less with eligible savings opportunities:
Because we believe everyone deserves an affordable education, we work hard to help our students achieve one. Here’s a few ways you can save time, save money and avoid starting from scratch.Ìý
Your prior eligible college credits can lower your cost and help you graduate sooner. As a transfer-friendly university, we accept eligible credits from 5,000+ accredited institutions.Ìý
Are you employed? Check to see if your employer has an alliance agreement with us for education benefits. This can help you save money while gaining skills that could apply to your job.ÌýÌý
If you’re an active-duty service member in the U.S. Armed Forces or an eligible spouse or dependent, you may be eligible for a lower, military tuition rate and can save on tuition.ÌýÌý
Chat with an experienced advisor who can guide you through tuition, financial aid, scholarships, transfer credits and more.
Budget & borrow
Paying for school can be intimidating, but we’re here to help you make sense of it. Our finance advisors can walk you through your options like federal financial aid and savings opportunities to minimize your debt. Plus, we can help you figure out your financial plan.
Careers & Outcomes
Discover where your degree might take you and make informed choices about your future.
A DNP can prepare you to be a:
Our practitioner doctorate prepares you for leadership in your profession.ÌýHow is this degree different from a PhD?
Start your application for free or request additional information.
When you earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice online, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job.ÌýYou’ll learn how to:
23% Growth
According to theÌý, job growth for medical and health services managers is projected to be much faster than average between 2024 and 2034.
The BLS Projected Growth for 2024-2034 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ students or graduates.
Starting your degree is a big decision — and we want you to feel great about it. That’s why we remove obstacles from your application.
How to enroll at ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½
You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.[1]ÌýStart a conversation with an enrollment representative today.
[1] Transactional Survey, August 2021-22 (18,645 respondents)
Call or chat with us 7 days a week.
Gabriel G., Enrollment Rep
You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 85% of our surveyed students.[1]
[1] Transactional Survey, September 2022-August 2023 (23,739 respondents)
Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.
Call us at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.
Student Experience
Work toward your degree without giving up what matters most. Start your degree year-round and take one class at a time.
Enroll in online classes and attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night.
You have a support team available up to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week.Ìý
Many course assignments will require you to use a computer to complete and submit your assignment.Ìý
Faculty Spotlight
Your success is a top priority for our deans and faculty members. They bring an average ofÌý29 years of experience and hands-on perspective to the classroom, and help bridge the gap between academics and industry knowledge.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is aligned with leading industry organizations, such as:Ìý
To be eligible for a doctoral degree program, you must meet the following criteria:
Learn more about admission requirements
No specific master’s degree field of study is required to start a doctoral degree. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on graduate degree posted transcripts from an accredited institution. Learn about transferring credits.
Sign up for a University account to start the process. Complete your program application in about 20 minutes. Apply now
We have an open admissions policy that allows you to apply without standardized test scores, so GMAT/GRE test results are not required. What is required for admissions?
No, application to ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ is free. We strive to remove barriers for new students that might interrupt higher education goals, including fees for application. Explore costs and tuition.
As part of your doctoral studies you can receive a customized support system for doctoral students, including:
Learn more about doctoral studies.
One of the most convenient aspects of the ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ online learning model is that you choose the days and times to participate in class each week. You do need to meet the minimum participation requirements by posting substantive contributions to the classroom on three of seven days each week. While there are due dates for assignments, when you do the work for those assignments is up to you. Find out more about learning online.
Academic advisors are available 6 am to 7 pm, 5 days a week to provide guidance and support throughout your educational journey. Sign up to connect with advisors.
The doctoral degree program length can vary by program expectations. Course extensions, research proposals, and research and dissertation can all impact the duration and cost of doctoral studies. That's why our doctoral support team is here to guide you every step of the way. Review your selected program for details. If you have questions, explore doctoral program details or speak to our dedicated doctoral enrollment representatives: 602-544-3737
You can apply up to 27 doctoral-level credits you’ve earned from accredited institutions toward your professional doctoral degree, which may help you finish your degree sooner. Learn more about transfer credits.
No, a ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ diploma does not indicate that the degree was earned online. The diploma only shows that the degree was earned in a specific field of study. We also offer continued opportunities after you graduate. Explore alumni benefits.
As a doctoral student you have access to the CDS Alumni Mentor Program, a comprehensive program designed to strengthen your connection to our doctoral alumni. Mentorship can help you create a game plan for the year ahead and even begin to build your doctoral network. Mentorship can also help you move through your career discovery process.
You will also have access to webinars and presentations geared to support you after graduation. Learn more in doctoral student resources.
While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.