DNP FAQs

You can complete the BSN-DNP in 9-12 semesters, while the MSN-DNP can be completed in as little as 6 semesters.

To see the curriculum for either program, view our DNP Curriculum page.

The BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP programs are designed for working professionals with busy lives, so if something interrupts your normal course of study, you don't have to worry about losing the courses you've completed. You can take up to 6 years to complete these degrees if needed. As you complete the program, please keep in mind that nursing courses must be taken in sequence, and certain courses may only be available during specific semesters. With that in mind, taking time off will affect your area of study and length of time in the program.

To see the curriculum, view our DNP Curriculum page.

No. The online programs are designed for professionals who work full-time and are only offered part-time. Students will develop an individualized program of study with the Program Director and Academic Advisor in their first semester in the program. Most students take 2-3 courses each semester for 6-9 total credits.

Note that the definition of a full-time program can differ among financial aid or tuition reimbursement programs and you will want to check with that particular program’s administrator.

Yes, the online DNP programs are designed for professionals who work full-time and as such are offered in a part-time format. Most students complete 2-3 courses each semester for 6-9 total credits. Students can also take fewer courses; however, it will take longer to complete their program.

To see the curriculum, view our DNP Curriculum page.

Tuition for the BSN-DNP program is $608 per credit for Ohio residents and $627 per credit for non-residents. You'll need to complete 70 credits for a total tuition of $42,560 for Ohio residents, or $43,890 for non-residents.

You can review all tuition costs here.

Tuition for the MSN-DNP program is $648 per credit for Ohio residents and $667 per credit for non-residents. You'll need to complete 36 credits for a total tuition of $23,328 for Ohio residents, or $24,012 for non-residents.

You can review all tuition costs here.

Yes, Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions is proud to offer scholarships to those seeking to further their education in the online BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP programs. If you are a student veteran, active military member, alumni, or corporate partner you are automatically eligible to receive a scholarship of up to 15%. Contact our admissions team for more details. 

Tuition for the BSN-DNP is $42,560 for Ohio residents or $43,890 for non-residents. You need to complete 70 credits at $608 per credit for Ohio residents and $627 per credit for non-residents.

You can review all tuition costs here.

Tuition for the MSN-DNP is $23,328 for Ohio residents or $24,012 for non-residents. You need to complete 36 credits at $648 per credit for Ohio residents and $667 per credit for non-residents.

You can review all tuition costs here.

You should expect additional costs for textbooks and use of Typhon. You can learn more about all tuition fees here.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master's degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program and/or post-graduate APRN certificate program at Ohio University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

No, there are no entrance exams required. You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

The first step is to start your application.

Yes, both the BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP programs require two years of full-time experience working as an RN within the past 5 years. You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

Yes, the BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP programs accept up to 9 transfer credits. It may be possible to transfer previous graduate credits to meet the requirements of our programs. There are limitations to the number, age, and types of credits that students may transfer to meet requirements. It is also possible to “waive” certain courses based on previous coursework; however, if a required course is waived, students may need to take an additional course to meet the required credit hours for graduation.

You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

Up to 9 credits may be transferred and applied toward either the BSN-DNP program or the MSN-DNP program. You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

The BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP programs only admit in the Fall and Spring terms. In addition, please note that nursing program application deadlines are earlier than general Graduate College deadlines. Please contact us for more specific application deadline information.

You'll need a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale across all coursework to apply to either the BSN-DNP or MSN-DNP programs. You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

The requirements for the BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP programs include: 

• Awarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree (for BSN to DNP applicants) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), (or equivalent Master’s Degree, for MSN-DNP applicants) from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.20 calculated across all transcripts for unconditional admission
• Graduate or undergraduate-level research methods and statistics course
• Professional Goals Statement (written in APA sixth edition style)
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation: from individuals who can evaluate your ability to complete graduate academic work, such as a nurse manager, previous nurse faculty or supervisor. A minimum of two references should be from individuals prepared at the graduate level. If you are also seeking an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certificate, one letter should be from an APRN
• Resident of and evidence of valid, unrestricted RN licensure in an approved state. A current list of approved states can be found on our graduate nursing application information website
• Evidence of the equivalent of two years full-time experience working as an RN within the past five years
• An admission interview with faculty
• Students should be prepared to provide documentation of any national certifications, such as an APRN, Nurse Executive, etc.
• Upon admission, students should be prepared to provide documentation of any precepted practicum/clinical hours earned through a graduate nursing program

Prior to clinical/practicum experiences, applicants must also provide proof of the following:

• Specified health status requirements (immunization status, TB screening, etc. as delineated in the current Graduate Nursing Student Handbook)
• State and Federal background checks free from disqualifying offenses
• Malpractice insurance. Students in the APRN program tracks are required to have nurse practitioner malpractice insurance students in the Nurse Leader/Executive or Nurse Educator program track are required to have registered nurse malpractice insurance. Insurance provided by the employer is not acceptable

You can learn more about our admission requirements here.

Students are admitted into the DNP programs in the Fall term. Please contact us for additional details.

At this time, there are no virtual open houses scheduled for DNP programs. Please contact us for information about the next event.

You'll complete 70 credits to earn the BSN-DNP degree, and 36 credits to earn the MSN-DNP degree. The DNP programs also require 1,000 clinical/practicum hours.

Clinical practice hours are dependent on the course objectives. Clinical practice hours are faculty-supervised, in collaboration with a preceptor or mentor, and are individualized based on the program of study. Faculty work closely with students in the selection of a preceptor-mentor and clinical setting.

The BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP programs offer two specializations: direct patient care as an advanced practice nurse, and indirect patient care as a nurse executive or nurse educator. Upon graduation, students will have earned the DNP and a graduate certificate in their specialty focus, if applicable, for eligibility to complete a national certification examination.

While the DNP programs do not follow a cohort model in the traditional sense, nursing courses must be taken in sequence. In addition, certain courses are only offered during certain semesters. Students will develop an individualized program of study with the Program Director and Academic Advisor in their first semester in the program.

Yes, the BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP programs are offered in a blended format, including both web-based and on-campus intensives (OCIs). The DNP Core courses require three On-Campus Intensives, there may be additional On-Campus Intensives in specialty focus classes. Outside of of the intensive and clinical hour requirements, all coursework is online-only.

There are 1,000 clinical hours required to complete the BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP programs. These hours are integrated into coursework and project development, implementation, and evaluation:

• For MSN-DNP students, a “gaps analysis” is conducted on clinical/practice hours completed in previous graduate coursework to determine additional clinical/practice hours needed
• For the BSN-to-DNP student, the number of clinical/practice hours is 1,000 hours post-baccalaureate

Your interaction with faculty is key in a graduate nursing program, therefore, we do not utilize teaching assistants. Faculty are all nurses, prepared at the Master's or Doctorate level, who still practice in their respective fields.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) was first proposed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in 2004 as an entry to practice for advanced nurse practitioners and executives. DNP builds on the baccalaureate and master’s educational foundations and was initiated in 2017 at Ohio University. These programs, which are accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), also offer concentrations in advanced clinical or executive practice to further expand the knowledge and skills of the advanced nurse clinician or administrator for the DNP student.