Doctor of Nursing Practice

Lead the Future of Healthcare

The focus of the program is practice-oriented investigation in the clinical setting emphasizing health education, leadership, research application, and analysis of healthcare outcomes. The program will prepare advanced practice nurses as clinical scholars skilled in patient-centered care, intra-professional collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, policy advocacy, and improved use of informatics and technology. Students will be prepared to assume a higher level of responsibility and leadership in nursing and health care, with the ultimate goal of improving the healthcare delivery system of the nation.

DNP Program Options

Commonwealth University offers multiple pathways to earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), including specialized areas of study and entry options based on prior education.

• Nursing (DNP): Advanced Practice: This 100% online, post-MSN program is for advanced practice nurses and consists of 33 credits over two years.
• Nursing (DNP): Nurse Executive: This 100% online program prepares registered nurses in influential leadership to lead systems in organizational change with the goal of improving the healthcare delivery.
• Nursing (DNP): Nurse Anesthesia: This hybrid option (first year online, remaining coursework and clinical components delivered in-person) is designed to prepare nurses as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

DNP Entry Pathways

Students may enter the DNP program based on their prior academic preparation with either a BSN or MSN. Those entering with an MSN follow a Post-Master’s pathway (33 credits), which is delivered 100% online. This pathway is not a program concentration but a streamlined route through the DNP curriculum.

MSN to DNP (Post-Master’s Pathway)

• 100% Online, 33-credit program
• Designed for students who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Follows the same core DNP curriculum in a streamlined format
  Note: The Post-Master’s pathway is an entry route, not a concentration

BSN to DNP Pathway

• For students entering with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• This includes foundational and advanced coursework over a longer program of study

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