Nursing Practice, DNP
Go Further in Your Nursing Career
- Prepares local, regional, national and international nurse leaders
- Executive leadership format
- Online curriculum includes course work, an evidence-based scholarly project and clinical practice hours
If you're ready to transform the healthcare industry, Scranton's online Post-Master's Leadership Doctor of Nursing Practice is the right degree for you. Students in our program learn to implement evidence-based practices to improve healthcare outcomes for patients, families and communities.
What Makes Us Unique?
A curriculum infused with Jesuit values. Consistent with our Jesuit philosophy, our Post-Master’s Leadership DNP encourages both individual growth and service to patients and communities in a learning environment where ethical leadership, creative problem-solving, interprofessional teamwork, appreciation of diversity and commitment to practice excellence are the hallmarks.
Projects that serve patients in need. All students in the program complete an evidence-based practice scholarly project with significant potential to positively change health care delivery or improve patient outcomes for vulnerable patients, families, communities or populations. Program graduates can utilize the lessons learned through this endeavor to aid and impact the patients and communities they serve through leadership roles in healthcare organizations.
Learn More Today
- Duration 21 months
- Cost per Credit $772
- Credit Hours 30
Program Benefits
- With our executive model format and online course work, the program is specifically designed to accommodate full-time practice and full-time academic commitment.
- At $772 per credit, the tuition cost for our DNP program is among the most competitive in Pennsylvania and for regionally accredited universities.
- All students complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours toward their capstone project, and advanced nursing practice students will be given credit for the clinical hours completed in their master’s specialty program.
Become a Healthcare Industry Leader
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the terminal degree in the nursing profession, and individuals who hold this credential are at the forefront of the healthcare industry. Scranton’s online Post-Master’s Leadership DNP empowers graduates to solve problems, lead interprofessional teams and advocate for vulnerable populations.
With a DNP, graduates are able to do more in their careers, both in service to the healthcare professionals in their organizations and to the patients they treat. Our program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
Career Outlook: Increase Your Earning Potential with an Advanced Degree
If you already have a master’s degree in nursing, the online Post-Master's Leadership DNP will help you level up in the nursing profession. By completing this program, you will be highly qualified to assume healthcare leadership roles such as a nursing director or chief nursing officer. Not only will these roles increase your salary, but they will also provide you with the ability to drive change in your healthcare organization by implementing evidence-based initiatives that improve patient outcomes.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual salary for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives as $125,900 as of May 2022, but individuals who take the additional step of earning their DNP degree are positioned to earn significantly more.1 Salary.com lists the median annual salary for a nursing director as $163,718 and the median annual salary for a chief nursing officer as $255,290.2,3
CAREER OUTLOOKCurriculum: Courses That Prepare You to Take the Lead
The program has a comprehensive, online 30-credit curriculum that includes courses in organizational leadership, health information systems, scientific inquiry, evidenced-based practice, healthcare policy, epidemiology and biostatistics.
Courses are taken sequentially and learning is cumulative, building to completion of the scholarly capstone project, which focuses on changes to healthcare delivery that improve patient outcomes for vulnerable patients, families, communities or populations.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours related to the scholarly project and/or to advance knowledge in the student’s area of specialization. Advanced nursing practice students will be given credit for the clinical hours completed in their master’s specialty program and will complete additional hours to fulfill the 1,000 clinical hours total required for the DNP program.
Program Outcomes:
By the time you complete your Doctor of Nursing Practice, you'll be prepared to:Apply organizational and leadership skills in healthcare delivery |
Analyze epidemiological, biostatistical and environmental data to develop, implement and evaluate clinical prevention and population health initiatives. |
| Lead interprofessional teams to improve patient and population health outcomes. |
| Use information systems and technology to monitor and improve patient care and health care delivery systems. |
| Promote quality, cost effectiveness and patient safety in the delivery of healthcare. |
Admission Requirements
To apply for the Post-Master's Leadership Doctor of Nursing Practice, you'll need a master's degree in nursing (MSN) from an accredited program with preparation in an advanced nursing practice specialty as well as a Registered Nurse license.
Detailed requirements are listed on our Admissions page.
ADMISSIONS INFOTuition Details
The online Post-Master's Leadership DNP consists of 30 credits and costs $772 per credit.
We strive to provide you with an affordable, high-quality education. That's why we're ranked a Best Value School among Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report for 2024.
SEE TUITIONFinancial Aid
Financial aid options are available to help you pay for your education. A personal financial aid counselor will assist you in identifying and taking full advantage of all opportunities.
FINANCIAL AID DETAILSFaculty: Mentorship and Support
The nursing faculty in our doctoral program support students through a one-to-one engagement model where instructors facilitate direct access to enrich the academic experience.
Combined, faculty members bring decades of clinical experience to the classroom, and each uses that experience to place students in the best clinical experiences for their goals.