Nursing Practice DNP

Degree Awarded: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Minimum Required Credits: 32.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.3818
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-1171

About the Program

Drexel University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares advanced nursing leaders to translate evidence into practice, influence health policy, and drive quality and safety outcomes across complex healthcare systems. The DNP curriculum develops the knowledge and skills essential for practice at the highest level of nursing, focusing on the integration of clinical expertise with systems leadership, informatics, and interprofessional collaboration to improve health outcomes for individuals, families, populations, and communities. The program emphasizes competency development in organizational and systems leadership, evidence-based practice, health policy advocacy, population health, and information systems, empowering graduates to lead transformative change within dynamic healthcare environments. Designed as an alternative to research-focused doctoral study, Drexel’s DNP program equips graduates to implement and disseminate the science developed by nurse researchers, emerging as practice scholars and leaders capable of transforming healthcare delivery through innovation, evidence, and compassion.

To further customize their professional pathway, DNP students may also enhance their degree by adding a certificate in a specialized area including Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership, Quality, Safety, and Risk Management, or Complementary and Integrative Health. These optional certificates allow students to deepen their expertise, expand their career opportunities, and graduate with a competitive edge in advanced nursing practice.

Additional Information

For more information, please contact the College of Nursing and Health Professions 

Admission Requirements

Current United States licensure as a registered nurse

Master's Degree in one of the following:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Master’s Degree in Health-Related Field*
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)*
• BSN degrees must be from an institution accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education), ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing), or NLN CNEA (NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation

Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.2 or higher

Graduate-level Research Methods course (grade B or higher)
Undergraduate or graduate-level Statistics course (grade B or higher)

If your Master's degree is not in Nursing, a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) is also required.

Pathway Admissions Criteria
Plan of Study Path A
Verification of no fewer than 640 hours of precepted practice hours during graduate studies

Plan of Study Path B
Verification of 500 to 639 hours of precepted practice hours during graduate studies

Plan of Study Path C
Verification of precepted practice hours during graduate studies

Role-specific documents:

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
• License and national certification documents
• Advanced Roles in Nursing Administration/Leadership
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Certification
• American Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nurse Executive-Advanced Certification (NEA)
• American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
• Other advanced role/specialization certifications will be considered on an individual basis

Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions attended (including trade schools)

Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from the colleges/universities. Transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the college/university seal over the flap. Transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.

Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.

If your school issues only one transcript for life, you're required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.

Two letters of recommendation that discuss your academic ability, professionalism, and practice competence
Recommenders must have a graduate degree and be practicing in a position to appraise you: specifically, a professor, employer, or professional colleague. The reference may not be from a friend, family member, or workplace/organizational peer or subordinate.

Personal statement/essay integrating responses to the following questions in 3 word-processed pages, double-spaced, 10-12 font:
Describe the personal attributes and experiences that will promote your success in Drexel University’s online DNP program
Discuss your area of practice interest and how you envision the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree professionally benefitting you and the population you serve
Identify a practice problem that intrigues you and discuss how you believe the DNP program will be useful in assisting you with developing the skills and expertise needed to improve or eliminate this problem

Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume

International Students:
Additional information can be found here.
https://www.online.drexel.edu/support/international-students.aspx

Degree Requirements

¹

NURS 8006 This course is a variable-credit, repeatable course for completion of required DNP practicum hours. 

Program Learning Outcomes