Doctor of Nursing Practice

Take Your Nursing Career
to the Next Level

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Locations Offered
Mostly Online
(3 campus visits per year)
Time to Completion
4 Years Part Time
(BSN to DNP)

2 Years Part Time
(APRN to DNP)

2-3 classes per term
Credit Hours Required
84 BSN to DNP
33-36 APRN to DNP

Program Highlights

  • Locked-in competitive tuition
  • Fast admission decisions
  • No GRE required
  • Geriatric Neuropsychiatry emphasis coming fall 2023!
  • Top 5 ranked by registerednursing.org

Advance your nursing practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice at Saint Mary’s College will equip you with exceptional patient care skills to meet the world’s growing health care needs. Through our comprehensive, mission-driven program, you’ll learn to develop and implement better systems of care for individuals and broader populations.

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If you're looking for a program that really cares about you and your success, Saint Mary’s is the best program for you to become a DNP.

- Kerriann Pettaway, DNP, FNP-C ‘19

Your future, your choice

Our Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program is available in two tracks:

Increase your career potential with an added Geriatric Neuropsychiatry emphasis (coming in fall 2023). If you already hold a Master of Science in Nursing, you can save time and money with our accelerated MSN to DNP path (MS-APRN to DNP).

Help shape the future of health care

With a rich history of educating nurses with a patient-centered focus, Saint Mary’s is committed to preparing you to lead meaningful change as a strong, forward-thinking professional.

Get the flexibility and support you need to succeed

With just 2-3 classes per term, our primarily online DNP is designed to allow you to work and complete your course assignments just about anywhere — with the support of dedicated faculty and your Saint Mary’s community never far away.

  • Learn from expert faculty members who understand the current, complex nursing field and who strive to ensure you meet your professional goals.
  • Hone your expertise with once-a-semester on-campus immersive experiences featuring hands-on training in our best-in-class facilities.
  • Benefit from career-focused instruction emphasizing critical-thinking and communication skills that are vital in today's job market.

Boost your career with our unique, patient-focused curriculum

APRN Scholarly Development & Core Courses

51 credit hours

Scholarly Development Courses (42 credit hours)
  • NURS 620 Human Population Ecology (3)
  • NURS 612 Social Entrepreneurship and the Business of Health Care (3)
  • NURS 725 Quality Effectiveness, Safety, and Informatics in Organizational Systems (3)
  • NURS 602 Philosophical and Ethical Foundations for the Advanced Nursing Practice Role (3)
  • NURS 610 Healthcare Policy and Advocacy (3)
  • NURS 718 Resource and Practice Management (3)
  • NURS 622 Statistics for Health and Biological Sciences (3)
  • NURS 670 Healthcare Informatics, Data Analytics and Outcomes Improvement (3)
  • NURS 604 Evidence-based Practice 1: Evidence Synthesis for Practice (3)
  • NURS 624 Evidence-based Practice II: Translation of Evidence for Practice (3)
  • NURS 701 DNP Practice Innovation 1 (3)
  • NURS 702 DNP Practice Innovation 2 (3)
  • NURS 703 DNP Practice Innovation 3 (3)
  • NURS 704 DNP Practice Innovation 4 (3)

Core Courses (9 credit hours)
  • NURS 644 Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology (3)
  • NURS 651 Advanced Pharmacology (3)
  • NURS 688 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (3)

APRN Clinical Role Courses

33 credit hours; includes 780 direct patient care hours

Clinical Role Courses - All Students (7 credit hours)
  • NURS 601 Introduction to the APRN Role (0.5)
  • NURS 600 Communication and Relationship Centered leadership (3)
  • NURS 724 Advanced Clinical Studies: Population-Based Mental Healthcare Across the Lifespan (2)
  • NURS 682 Procedures for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (1)
  • NURS 750 Preparation for the APRN Role (0.5)

Family Nurse Practitioner Students (26 credit hours)
  • NURS 633 Health Promotion for Population Health (2)
  • NURS 710 Advanced Clinical Studies: Primary Care NP 1 (6)
  • NURS 722 Advanced Clinical Studies: Primary Care NP 2 (6)
  • NURS 730 Advanced Clinical Studies: Primary Care 3 (6)
  • NURS 770 Advanced Clinical Studies: Primary Care Capstone (6)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Students (26 credit hours)
  • NURS 711 Population-based Gerontologic Health & Wellness (2)
  • NURS 717 Advanced Clinical Studies: Acute Care NP 1 (6)
  • NURS 721 Advanced Clinical Studies: Acute Care NP 2 (6)
  • NURS 726 Advanced Clinical Studies: Acute Care NP 3 (6)
  • NURS 772 Advanced Clinical Studies: Acute Care NP Capstone (6)

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Secure a better future with a coveted degree

With Saint Mary’s DNP, you’ll gain highly sought-after skills and knowledge for a rewarding career in one of the nation’s fastest growing fields.

Jobs you could get

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Director of Nursing
  • Nurse Educator

Salaries you could earn

Nurse practitioners can expect to earn a median annual salary of

$123,780

according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Opportunities near you

Nurse practitioner is among the most in-demand occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects

40% growth

by 2031 with 30,200 job openings each year.

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We help you so you can help others

At Saint Mary’s College, we’re empowering students to lead meaningful careers with a commitment to social responsibility. Our DNP program will provide you with the tools, experience and support you need to lead systemic change that improves health outcomes for diverse populations.

Your success is our mission

Reach your full potential with a DNP program featuring the flexibility of online courses, extensive academic support and financial resources.

Join a caring community

As a Saint Mary’s College graduate, you’ll earn more than just a degree. You’ll also become part of a tight-knit community dedicated to making a difference in the world.

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The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Saint Mary’s College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.