Is the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program right for you?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree prepares nurses to function at the highest level of practice in the current health care environment. Students prepare for advance practice roles, leadership positions and nursing faculty positions.

Balancing online learning with practical, hands-on clinical experiences, AU prepares students for nursing practice in diverse settings. Primary care courses offer 40 hours of clinical hours of experience at a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center. Additional coursework focuses on healthcare across the lifespan for a total of 1,000 clinical hours.

What You’ll Learn in Our Online Doctor of Nursing Program

Under the umbrella of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree program, candidates choose to pursue one of two paths, a BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP with a focus in either the Family Nurse Practitioner program or Health Systems Leadership program. Both paths are online, incorporating residency activities throughout the program.

Depending on your nursing education level and the track you wish to pursue, your DNP curriculum will include online coursework, 3-4 day on-campus residency requirements each semester, and a scholarly project. Entry points are from BSN to DNP or from MSN to DNP, and courses focus on: Family Nurse Practitioner or Health Systems Leadership.  Cohorts begin each May; apply today!

Admission Requirements:

• RN with one year of clinical experience
• Undergraduate or graduate level statistics course
• Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Nursing Degree– GPA 3.0 or higher
• Interview

Application Materials (due March 31)

• $30 application fee
• Official academic transcripts from all previous accreditated colleges/universities 
• 3 letters of recommendation—can be professional or academic
• Current Resume/Vitae
• 2 page essay on how you would like to use DNP in your practice

Why Ashland?

Fulfill your career potential with a graduate nursing degree from Ashland University.

• Flexible. The online format allows you to enjoy success with class schedules and requirements designed for your busy life.
• Convenient. Access coursework online, from anywhere, 24/7.
• Engaging. As part of the program, you’ll collaborate with your peers and complete residency requirements at hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities.
• Distinctive. The BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner track prepares RNs to become healthcare providers. The curriculum includes a solid foundation—21 Hours—in Advanced Practice Nursing courses before starting Primary Care coursework. This gives students the confidence to assess, diagnose and create treatment plans, as well as confidence in their prescribing abilities.
• Distinctive. The HSL program has partnered with the College of Business and Economics to provide a solid foundation in both business and nursing for the nursing executive.

Online Coursework

All DNP students will learn take the following core requirements:

• DNP Role and Interprofessionalism (NUR 9110)
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics (NUR 9520)
• Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice (NUR 9530)
• Healthcare Informatics (NUR 9540)
• Healthcare Delivery, Quality and Safety (NUR 9550)
• Health Policy and Advocacy (NUR 9560)
• Principles of Practice Management (NUR 9570)
• Interprofessional Seminar (NUR 9580)
• Scholarly Project (NUR 9810, NUR 9820)
• Residency (BSN-DNP: NUR 9830, NUR 9840; MSN-DNP: NUR 9831)

Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP) students will also take 21 credit hours of Advanced Practice nursing courses and 22 credit hours of Primary Care coursework (in addition to DNP core requirements) totaling 77 credit hours, to earn their DNP with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization.

Advanced Practice (MSN to DNP) students need only to complete the DNP core requirements, totaling 32-38 credit hours, to earn their DNP with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization.

Health Systems Leadership (BSN to DNP) students will be required to complete 22 credit hours of Health Systems Leadership courses, in addition to the DNP core requirements, totaling 51-59 credit hours, to earn their DNP with a Health Systems Leadership specialization.

Health Systems Leadership (MSN to DNP) students will be required to complete 22 credit hours of Health Systems Leadership courses, in addition to the DNP core requirements, totaling 46-54 credit hours, to earn their DNP with a Health Systems Leadership specialization

Graduate Programs (online)

Check out the online graduate programs offered by the Ashland University College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Join Our Next Cohort!

Classes start in fall. Application Materials are due June 30! APPLY TODAY!

If you’ve been researching online DNP nursing programs or online nurse practitioner programs, this is the right degree program to advance your career in nursing through our online nursing program. Consider Ashland University today — simply fill out the Request Info form above, email grad-admissions@ashland.edu or apply now!