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Advance your nursing career and expand your impact with a DNP from 海角社区.
Earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice fully online in less than two years. Develop the leadership expertise to improve patient outcomes, drive organizational change, and create measurable impact across healthcare systems with Rivier鈥檚 ACEN-accredited DNP program.
Program Details
Next Start Date: January 19, 2027
Time to Completion: As few as five semesters (or part-time at your own pace)
Format: Online
Credit Hours: 33 (three prerequisite courses)
Course Length: 14 weeks
Cost Per Credit (2026-27 Academic Year): $946
Meeting Your Needs as a Working Professional
Advance your career without putting your life on hold. Rivier’s affordable, flexible DNP program is designed for working nurses.
Start When You’re Ready
With three start dates each year (fall, spring, and summer), you can begin when the time is right for you.
Learn 100% Online
Complete your coursework on your own schedule with flexible, asynchronous online learning.
Personalized Faculty Mentorship
Learn from experienced nurse leaders who provide personalized mentorship.
Real-World Impact
Complete an individualized scholarly project that improves healthcare outcomes within your organization or community.
Dr. Susan Santana, Doctor of Nursing Practice 鈥�22
Chief Nursing Officer, Southern New Hampshire Health
鈥淩ivier’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program strengthened my ability to lead with clarity, confidence, and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. The rigorous curriculum and exceptional faculty prepared me to navigate complex healthcare challenges and elevate nursing practice across every team I serve.鈥�
Dr. Jennifer Torosian, Doctor of Nursing Practice 鈥�25
Senior Nurse Leader Inpatient, Saint Joseph Hospital
鈥淭hrough the DNP program, I was challenged to critically evaluate evidence within a compassionate and caring environment. My education strengthened my confidence as a healthcare leader, prepared me to think at both the individual and systems levels, and reinforced my responsibility to make a difference while providing high-quality, holistic care.鈥�
Rivier鈥檚 DNP Program is Designed For You
You鈥檝e developed advanced clinical expertise. Now you鈥檙e ready to lead larger initiatives, influence healthcare systems, improve outcomes, and expand your professional opportunities. Rivier鈥檚 DNP is ideal for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Nursing Educators, Master’s-prepared RNs pursuing leadership or systems-level roles, and nurses in a variety of healthcare roles.
Affordable Tuition and Employer Discounts
Rivier’s competitively priced DNP program helps you advance your career while managing educational costs. Employees of participating healthcare partner organizations may also qualify for tuition discounts through Rivier’s Strategic Partners Program.
Loan Forgiveness Program
Through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), eligible students preparing for nurse educator roles may qualify for loan forgiveness of up to 85% in exchange for serving as full-time nursing faculty or precepting graduate nursing students after graduation.
Advance Your Career and Earning Potential
DNP-prepared nurses have extensive opportunities for advancement into high-level clinical and administrative roles, earning top salaries at premier healthcare facilities throughout the region in roles including:
Chief Nursing Officer
Director of Nursing
Nurse Executive
Clinical Director
Population Health Leader
Quality and Patient Safety Leader
Healthcare Administrator
Academic Nurse Educator
Healthcare Policy Analyst
Create meaningful change through your scholarly project
Your DNP Scholarly Project transforms knowledge into action. You’ll design, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based initiative that addresses a real healthcare challenge while improving outcomes, quality, and organizational effectiveness. With faculty support, you’ll gain practical experience leading change and creating measurable impact.
Real Projects. Measurable Impact. View Recent Scholarly Project Titles 鈻�
The Impact of Patient Participation in Health Management
No Wrong Door: Utilizing Hepatitis C Treatment as a Pathway to Addiction Medicine and Harm Reduction
The Impact of Home and Health Nurse Caring Behavior on Medication Adherence
Sepsis Education to Improve Early Recognition and Response Among Emergency Room Nurses
IMPACT: Improving Medical Providers After-hours Charting Time
Nurses’ Insight: Challenges of Medication Safety Practices at the Point of Care
Does implementation of the mobility technician position impact patient ambulation and quality metrics in the acute care medical surgical population?
Does the use of daily shift huddles reduce the number of falls with injury on an inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit?
Reestablishing Clinical Actionability of Surveillance Monitoring Alarms
Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum
MSN to DNP for APRNs
For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who have earned a master’s degree in nursing and have passed a certification exam. Complete in as few as five semesters or part-time at your own pace.
View Curriculum 鈻�
Course
Course Title
Credits
BUSS 559
Healthcare Finance
3
BUSS 632
Healthcare Information Systems
3
NURS 800
Scientific Foundations for Practice
3
NURS 802
Interpretation of Quantitative Research for Healthcare
3
NURS 805
Health Research Methods
3
NURS 810
Epidemiology in Advanced Practice Nursing
3
NURS 815
Evidence-Based Leadership Practices
3
NURS 895
Doctoral Practicum/Seminar (Scholarly Project)
12
Total Credits
33
Prerequisites include a graduate-level statistics course (500 level or above, taken within the last three years), NURS 601 Quality Healthcare Improvement, and NURS 610 Advanced Health Policy.
Students must complete 1,000 documented advanced practice clinical hours. They typically enter the program with 500 supervised practicum hours earned in their master’s degree program and complete an additional 500 hours working toward completion of their DNP Scholarly Project.
MSN to DNP for Nurse Leaders
For nurses who have earned an MS in Nursing. Complete in as few as five semesters or part-time at your own pace.
View Curriculum 鈻�
Course
Course Title
Credits
BUSS 559
Healthcare Finance
3
BUSS 632
Healthcare Information Systems
3
BUSS 659
Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution
3
NURS 802
Interpretation of Quantitative Research for Healthcare
3
NURS 805
Health Research Methods
3
NURS 810
Epidemiology in Advanced Practice Nursing
3
NURS 815
Evidence-Based Leadership Practices
3
NURS 895
Doctoral Practicum/Seminar (Scholarly Project)
12
Total Credits
33*
Prerequisites include a graduate-level statistics course (500 level or above, taken within the last three years), NURS 601 Quality Healthcare Improvement, and NURS 610 Advanced Health Policy.
Students must complete 1,000 documented advanced practice clinical hours. They may enter the program with 500 supervised practicum hours earned in their master’s degree program and complete an additional 500 hours working toward completion of their DNP Scholarly Project.
*Students who enter with fewer than 500 supervised practicum hours from their master’s degree program will take NURS 715 Leadership Capstone Practicum, up to an additional eight credits, to fulfill the 1,000-hour practicum requirement.
BSN to DNP for Nurse Leaders
For BSN-prepared nurses with a master’s degree outside of nursing. Complete in four years or part-time at your own pace.
View Curriculum 鈻�
Course
Course Title
Credits
BUSS 559
Healthcare Finance
3
BUSS 569
Healthcare Administration
3
BUSS 632
Healthcare Information Systems
3
BUSS 654
Compliance and Risk Management in Healthcare Settings
3
BUSS 659
Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution
3
NURS 570
Advanced Nursing Leadership Theory
3
NURS 571P
Advanced Nursing Leadership Practicum
2
NURS 601
Quality Healthcare Improvement
3
NURS 602
Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare
3
NURS 610
Advanced Health Policy
3
NURS 620
Biostatistics for the Health Sciences
3
NURS 802
Interpretation of Quantitative Research for Healthcare
3
NURS 805
Health Research Methods
3
NURS 810
Epidemiology in Advanced Practice Nursing
3
NURS 815
Evidence-Based Leadership Practices
3
NURS 895
Doctoral Practicum/Seminar (Scholarly Project)
12
Total Credits
56*
*Students must complete 1,000 documented advanced practice clinical hours. Depending on the number of hours from their previous master’s degree, they will take NURS 715 Leadership Capstone Practicum, up to an additional eight credits as needed, to fulfill the 1,000-hour practicum requirement.
Earn Your DNP with Confidence
Rivier’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), reflecting the highest standards in nursing education and preparing graduates to lead with confidence.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners (3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000) for the doctoral nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. 聽disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.
海角社区 is unable to accept students from some states due to the post-secondary higher-education requirements. There are also some restrictions for programs that lead to professional licensure due to the various requirements of individual state boards of nursing. For more information, visit our Licensing information page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes 海角社区's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program different from others?
海角社区's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed for working nurses who want to expand their leadership impact without stepping away from their careers. The program is offered 100% online, can be completed in as few as five semesters, features three start dates each year, and provides personalized faculty mentorship throughout the doctoral experience. Students complete a scholarly project that addresses a real healthcare challenge and creates measurable impact within their organization or community.
How long does it take to earn a DNP from 海角社区?
Students in 海角社区's MSN-to-DNP pathways can complete their Doctor of Nursing Practice in as few as five semesters (less than two years) when attending full time. Part-time study options are also available, allowing nurses to progress at a pace that fits their professional and personal responsibilities.
Is 海角社区's DNP program accredited?
Yes. 海角社区's Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Continuing accreditation reflects the program's commitment to academic quality and prepares graduates for advanced leadership, clinical, educational, and systems-level nursing roles.
Can I earn my DNP while working full time?
Yes. 海角社区's 100% online DNP program is specifically designed for working nurses. Courses are delivered online, allowing students to continue working while completing coursework, clinical requirements, and their scholarly project. Many students balance the program with leadership responsibilities, advanced practice roles, and family commitments.
What can I do with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from 海角社区?
A Doctor of Nursing Practice from 海角社区 prepares nurses for advanced leadership and clinical roles across healthcare systems. Graduates may pursue positions such as Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Nursing, Nurse Executive, Clinical Director, Healthcare Administrator, Population Health Leader, Quality and Patient Safety Leader, Academic Nurse Educator, and Healthcare Policy Analyst. The degree develops expertise in evidence-based practice, organizational leadership, quality improvement, and healthcare innovation.
What is the DNP Scholarly Project at 海角社区?
The DNP Scholarly Project is a practice-focused doctoral project that allows students to address a real-world healthcare challenge. With guidance from 海角社区 faculty, students design, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based initiative that improves patient outcomes, quality, safety, operational efficiency, or organizational effectiveness. The project provides hands-on experience leading change and demonstrating measurable results in healthcare settings.
Is Rivier鈥檚 DNP affordable?
海角社区 offers a very competitively priced DNP program with tuition charged on a per-credit basis. Employees of participating healthcare organizations may qualify for additional tuition savings through 海角社区's Strategic Partners Program, making the DNP more affordable for working nurses. Through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), eligible students preparing for nurse educator roles may qualify for loan forgiveness of up to 85% in exchange for serving as full-time nursing faculty or precepting graduate nursing students after graduation.
How many practicum hours are required for a DNP?
National DNP standards require graduates to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours. Students entering 海角社区's DNP program may receive credit for supervised clinical or practicum hours completed during previous graduate nursing education. The number of additional hours required depends on a student's academic background and pathway. Rivier faculty work individually with students to ensure all practicum requirements are met before graduation.
Can I earn a DNP online?
Yes. 海角社区's Doctor of Nursing Practice program is offered 100% online, allowing working nurses to earn their degree while continuing their careers. Online coursework, flexible scheduling, and individualized faculty support make it possible to balance doctoral study with professional and personal responsibilities. Students can complete the MSN-to-DNP pathways in as few as five semesters while learning from experienced nurse leaders and faculty mentors.
Take the Next Steps
How to Apply
Learn about criteria, how the admissions process works, and what you will need to apply.
Introducing our Faculty
Faculty will serve as your mentors and guides.
Contact
Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions