Doctor of Nursing Practice, Online

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, applicants must submit the following documented evidence:

• Completion of a Master’s degree in nursing, granted by an accredited U.S. college or university.
• Current and unencumbered licensure to practice as a registered nurse in at least one legal jurisdiction in the United States and its territory.
• A preferred cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. 

*Admissions to the DNP/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track also requires students to hold a current and unencumbered advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) certificate issued by their respective State Board of Nursing, and a current and unencumbered national Board certification as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) issued by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
 

Full list of requirements

The College of Health Sciences is pleased to offer an accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Our online degree program can help you make a difference in your profession, whether you want to teach, take part in medical research opportunities, obtain a leadership position or increase your salary.

This terminal degree has two specialty tracks which build upon each student's educational and professional work experience:

• The Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track is for master's prepared nurse practitioners who are nationally certified within this specialty area. 
• The Nurse Executive track is for master's prepared nurse leaders.

On average, DNP degree holders earn more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, they can earn between $126,480 - $187,220 per year (variance is based on region/experience and area of specialty). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 45% growth in positions through 2030.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, more nurses are going back to school to earn their DNPs. Enrollment increased by over 1,000 from 2020 to 2021.

Fact Sheet: Doctor of Nursing Practice (PDF)

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, most employers and leaders in the healthcare field believe that those who hold DNPs have a larger and more diverse skill set, especially in regard to leadership, evidence-based practice, critical thinking and quality improvement.

The State of Doctor of Nursing Practice Education in 2022 (PDF)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Midwestern University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001; phone: 202-887-6791.