Develop your inner nurse leader.
Nurses educated at the doctoral level have the knowledge to influence health outcomes by caring for patients, advocating for better healthcare policies, or leading organizations. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at USAHS gives working nurses additional education in competencies such as systems leadership, healthcare policy, interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, and health information systems. The DNP is among the highest-level nursing programs available; it prepares you for advanced nursing practice.
USAHS offers two doctoral nursing paths: BSN-entry or MSN-entry. BSN-entry DNP students who pursue the FNP role specialty are required to complete two on-campus clinical intensives.
DNP Program at a Glance
Family Nurse Practitioner role specialty
Online coursework + two required on-campus clinical intensives
71 credit hours + 1,035 practicum contact hours
12 trimesters (4 years) Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.
Sept., Jan. & May start dates, plus midterm starts
Nurse Executive role specialty
Online coursework + optional on-campus immersions
64 credit hours + 1,000 practicum contact hours
10 trimesters (3 years, 4 mnts) Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.
Sept., Jan. & May start dates, plus midterm starts
Post-specialty curriculum
Online coursework + optional on-campus immersions
42–52 credit hours + 540–1,000 practicum contact hours
7 trimesters (2 years, 4 months) Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.
Sept., Jan. & May start dates, plus midterm starts
The Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master of Science in Nursing, and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate (FNP specialization) programs at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Video Highlights
DNP Learning Outcomes
- Employ the skills necessary to engage in life-long learning through intellectual inquiry and scholarship.
- Communicate effectively with members of interprofessional teams, healthcare consumers, policy makers, and institutional, local, regional, and national healthcare leaders.
- Lead and serve on interprofessional teams to promote improved population health and outcomes in complex healthcare systems.
- Utilize transformational leadership, systems thinking, and clinical analytics to improve healthcare outcomes for individuals and diverse populations.
- Practice critical thinking and evidence-based decision making in delivering or directing nursing practice and serving as a leader in healthcare systems.
- Provide leadership in the use of technology and information systems for the evaluation and improvement of individual, population, and institutional outcomes.
- Deliver or direct nursing practice based on sound theoretical frameworks, best scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and in collaboration with the patient and family.
- Exhibit professional and ethical standards while advocating for safe, equitable, and cost-effective healthcare and policies for all.
How Our DNP Program Stands Apart
We offer popular role specialties.
USAHS offers two paths to your doctoral degree in nursing: BSN-entry or MSN-entry. BSN-entry students choose between two nursing role specialties: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), for those who seek to expand their clinical practice; and Nurse Executive, for those working toward leadership positions. Our faculty-practitioners are experts in these role specialties.
We offer acceleration options.
The DNP program offers individualized plans of study for those who wish to earn their degree faster. You can take self-paced courses that award credit according to competency assessments and ask to transfer credits from another graduate program. While USAHS does not offer Title IV for any term in which an accelerated learning course is taken without a full-term “anchor” course, other financing alternatives may be available. Please refer to the Financial Aid webpage for additional information.
We’re flexible.
Flexibility is key to the USAHS experience. The DNP program offers acceleration options as well as a standard pathway to degree completion. Your faculty and advisors can help you choose a study plan that fits your busy life. Our nursing programs offer six start dates each year.
We’re online + hands-on.
Alongside our online coursework, some core courses offer optional on-campus immersions, a chance to enjoy face-to-face connections with faculty and fellow students. Students in the FNP track must complete two clinical intensives in our state-of-the-art Centers for Innovative Clinical Practice.
We offer a range of clinical practicum placements.
You will complete practicum hours by working onsite with a preceptor who meets accreditation and state licensure requirements. (Practicum placements are determined by USAHS based on the student’s academic needs and to provide the best educational experience.)
We’re interprofessional.
Our core courses and campus immersions emphasize interprofessional education, enabling students from different healthcare professions to learn together and practice working in a team. You will contribute your nursing perspective to solving patient problems in collaborative scenarios.
DNP Requirements and Program Information
Nursing Role Specialties
Nursing Role Specialties
Students in the BSN-entry DNP nursing program choose a role specialty and complete the required specialty courses, while students in the MSN-entry DNP nursing program do not choose a role specialty.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Family nurse practitioners play a critical role in improving the primary patient care experience [1]. As a FNP graduate, you will partner with families across the lifespan to promote preventative care, diagnose conditions and treat acute and chronic illnesses.
Nurse Executive
Are you a natural team leader? The Nurse Executive role specialty will help prepare you for a role as a manager, director, supervisor, or chief nursing officer. You will be responsible for human resource management, as well as healthcare finance and economic operations.
Students who complete the Nurse Executive role specialty are eligible to receive the following certification:
- Nurse Executive-Advanced (NEA-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
[1] AANP, “National Nurse Practitioner Week: NPs Increase Access, Provide Choice for Better Patient Outcomes,” AANP News, Nov. 15, 2019:
https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/national-nurse-practitioner-week-nps-increase-access-provide-choice-for-better-patient-outcomes
DNP Curriculum
Curriculum
BSN-entry DNP Curriculum
Students who choose the Nurse Executive role specialty will complete 64 credit hours to earn the DNP degree as well as a total of 1,000 practicum hours.
Students who choose the Family Nurse Practitioner role specialty will complete 71 credit hours as well as a total of 1,035 practicum hours to earn the DNP degree.
| BSN-entry DNP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Role Specialty Curriculum | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | |
| IPE 7001 Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice ▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7121 Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare | 3 |
| Trimester 2 | |
| IPE 7050 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals ▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7421 Interprofessional Approaches to Regional and Global Population Health | 3 |
| Trimester 3 | |
| NUR 7610 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR 7161 Theoretical and Scientific Underpinning for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Trimester 4 | |
| NUR 7560 Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| IPE 7400 Healthcare Informatics and Technology Management | 3 |
| Trimester 5 | |
| NUR 7580 Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnosis (3) (2.5 hours didactic and 0.5 hour intensive) REQUIRED INTENSIVE A | 3 |
| HSA7236 Accounting, Finance and Economics for the Healthcare Leader | 3 |
| Trimester 6 | |
| NUR 7570 Primary Healthcare of the Family I | 3 |
| HSA 7260 Operations and Quality Management in Healthcare | 3 |
| Trimester 7 | |
| NUR 7571 FNP Role Practicum I (4) (180 contact hours) ♦ | 4 |
| IPE 7230 Program/Project Planning and Management for Practice and Policy Change | 3 |
| Trimester 8 | |
| NUR 7575 Primary Healthcare of the Family II (3) (2.5 hours didactic and 0.5 hour intensive) REQUIRED INTENSIVE B | 3 |
| NUR 7525 Data-Driven Evaluation and Clinical Analytics for Outcomes Improvement | 3 |
| Trimester 9 | |
| NUR 7572 FNP Role Practicum II (4) (180 contact hours) ♦ | 4 |
| NUR 7801 DNP Practicum I (3) (135 contact hours) ♦ | 3 |
| Trimester 10 | |
| NUR 7585 Primary Healthcare of the Family III | 3 |
| NUR 7802 DNP Practicum II (3) (135 contact hours)♦ | 3 |
| Trimester 11 | |
| NUR 7573 FNP Role Practicum III (5) (225 contact hours) ♦ | 5 |
| Trimester 12 | |
| NUR7803 DNP Practicum III (4) (180 contact hours) ♦ | 4 |
Total Credit Hours for Core Courses | 71 |
| BSN-entry DNP Nurse Executive (NEx) Role Specialty Curriculum | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | |
| IPE 7001 Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice ▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7121 Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare ▀ | 3 |
| Trimester 2 | |
| NUR 7050 Evidence-Based Practice for Nurse Leaders ▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7421 Interprofessional Approaches to Regional and Global Population Health ▀ | 3 |
| Trimester 3 | |
| NUR 7161 Theoretical and Scientific Underpinning for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| IPE 7400 Healthcare Informatics and Technology Management | 3 |
| Trimester 4 | |
| HSA 7200 B Foundations of Healthcare Administration B | 3 |
| HSA 7250 Human Resource Mgt & Organizational Development in Healthcare | 3 |
| Trimester 5 | |
| IPE 7133 Strategic Planning in Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| NUR 7461 DNP Indirect Care Role Practicum I (180 contact hours) ♦ | 4 |
| Trimester 6 | |
| IPE 7230 Program/Project Planning and Management for Practice and Policy Change | 3 |
| NUR 7462 DNP Indirect Care Role Practicum II (180 contact hours) ♦ | 4 |
| Trimester 7 | |
| NUR 7525 Data-Driven Evaluation and Clinical Analytics for Outcomes Improvement | 3 |
| HSC 7470 Legal and Regulatory Issues | 3 |
| Trimester 8 | |
| HSA 7260 Operations and Quality Management in Healthcare | 3 |
| NUR 7801 DNP Practicum I (180 contact hours)♦ | 4 |
| Trimester 9 | |
| HSA 7236 Accounting, Finance and Economics for the Healthcare Leader | 3 |
| NUR 7802 DNP Practicum II (180 contact hours) ♦ | 4 |
| Trimester 10 | |
| NUR 7803 DNP Practicum III (280 contact hours) ♦ | 6 |
Total Credit Hours for Core Courses | 64 |
MSN-entry DNP Curriculum
Students with an MSN degree from another accredited university may need to complete a total of 42 to 52 credits to earn their DNP degree and 540-1,000 total practicum hours. By request, MSN transcripts can be evaluated for potential transfer of credits minimizing the number of credits required to complete this degree. The number of practicum hours required will be determined by the number of practicum hours completed in the MSN program.
USAHS MSN graduates in nurse educator or nurse executive role specialities will only need to complete an additional 30 total credits to earn their DNP degree and USAHS MSN DNP FNP graduates will only need to complete an additional 22 credit hours since they will have completed 18 hours of core courses in their MSN program. These core courses are required in both our MSN and DNP programs and were designed to meet the MSN and DNP essential competencies.
| MSN-entry DNP Curriculum | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | |
| IPE 7001 Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7121 Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare ▀ | 3 |
| Trimester 2 | |
| IPE 7050 Evidence-Based Practice for Nurse Leaders ▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7421 Interprofessional Approaches to Regional and Global Population Health ▀ | 3 |
| Trimester 3 | |
| NUR 7161 Theoretical and Scientific Underpinning for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| IPE 7230 Program/Project Planning and Management for Practice and Policy Change | 3 |
| Trimester 4 | |
| NUR 7525 Data-Driven Evaluation and Clinical Analytics for Outcomes Improvement | 3 |
| IPE 7400 Healthcare Informatics and Technology Management | 3 |
| Trimester 5 | |
| NUR 7801 DNP Practicum I (180-315 contact hours) ♦ | 4-7 |
| HSA 7260 Operations and Quality Management in Healthcare | 3 |
| Trimester 6 | |
| HSA 7236 Accounting, Finance and Economics for the Healthcare Leader | 3 |
| NUR 7802 DNP Practicum II (180-315 contact hours) ♦ | 4-7 |
| Trimester 7 | |
| NUR 7803 DNP Practicum III (180-405 contact hours) ♦ | 4-8 |
Total Credit Hours for MSN to DNP Degree | 42-52 |
♦ Course requires practicum hours.
▀ Course offers optional immersion.
X CloseDNP Admission Requirements
Admissions Requirements
Our DNP admissions requirements are put in place to ensure your success in the program.
- BSN-entry DNP: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grade – official transcripts required
- MSN-entry DNP: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grade – official transcripts required
- Evidence of an unrestricted/unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in the state of residence
- Two professional references from a nurse educator, preceptor, or immediate supervisor; peers or personal relationships are not acceptable.
- Professional resume or curriculum vitae; an equivalent of one full-time year of experience as a registered nurse by the time you start your first practicum course.
- Comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen is required during the admissions process. These screenings are completed at the applicant’s expense.
- Career goal statement – 500 word essay describing your short-term and long-term career goals and how you plan to achieve them
- An interview if requested
International Students Applying for Admission
International candidates will be considered for admission; however, USAHS does not participate in any student visa programs and cannot sponsor students to enter the US for purposes of completing any academic or internship requirements. All instruction in the MSN program is conducted in English. To be considered, a candidate must submit:
- Transcripts (original and a translated version, if applicable) and a credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that provide evidence of training at a level equivalent to that of a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
- Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report if their education was completed in a language other than English or they reside in a non-English speaking country. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based testing), 210 (computer-based testing) or 83 (IBT – Internet based testing) is required.
How to Apply
DNP Program—How to Apply
Applying to our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is easy, straightforward—and free! For more details, see this blog post.
Contact Your EA at Any Time in the Process
Brittany Pickwoad
Carolyn Perryman
Before You Apply
- Review admissions requirements for the DNP.
- For the BSN-entry DNP, gather your transcripts from all the higher education institutions you’ve attended. For the MSN-entry DNP, we need only your MSN transcript, plus the transcripts from any schools that transferred courses into your MSN. We will calculate your cumulative GPA. Ask each institution to email the transcript to [email protected] (note the underscore). If they offer only paper copies, ask them to mail the transcript to: Office of Admissions, The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, 1 University Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32086
- We will need to verify your nursing license. You can use the Nursys database’s free service to obtain a copy to upload.
- Update your professional resume. Be sure to describe the duties you performed in each position.
- Write your entrance essay. See these guidelines.
- Line up two professional references who are nurse educators or nurse supervisors. We do not accept peer or physician references.
Submit Your Application
- Begin the free online application on our website. Select your program, campus (“distance”), and start date, and create your account.
- Follow directions to upload your nursing license, resume, and essay.
- In the “Admissions Documents” section, input the names, job titles, and contact information for your references.
- Click “Submit for Review” and contact your enrollment advisor (EA) so they can review your application and move it forward to Admissions.
Special Considerations
MSN graduates: If your transcript does not include the number of practica hours you completed in your MSN program, you will need to submit an official Verification of Precepted Practica Hours form (VOPPH).
Foreign applicants: If you earned your BSN degree outside the United States, contact your enrollment advisor for further instructions on how to start your NACES.
NursingCAS users: If you have started your application through NursingCAS, contact your enrollment advisor for further instructions.
For More Information
Sign up for a virtual information session to meet faculty and learn more about the DNP program.
X CloseDNP Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Tuition & Fees
Tuition will vary depending on the program you select. Total program tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year are as follows.
BSN-entry DNP Tuition & Fees
Tuition is approximately $715 per credit hour for all courses.
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition - 64 credit hour program | $59,328.00 |
| Program Fees | $3,340.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $1,000.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $63,668.00 |
|---|
For a breakdown of tuition, fees and estimated living expenses click here. All tuition and costs are estimates and subject to change.
Tuition is approximately $791 per credit hour for all courses.
| Family Nurse Practitioner Role Specialization | 12 Trimesters |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition Approximately - 71 credit hour program | $67,134.00 |
| Program Fees | $4,008.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $2,550.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $73,692.00 |
For a breakdown of tuition, fees and estimated living expenses click here. All tuition and costs are estimates and subject to change.
MSN-entry DNP Tuition & Fees
| Tuition and Fees | |
School Expenses|
| |
| Tuition - Based on 42 credits | $38,934.00 |
| Program Fees | $2,338.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $1,000.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $42,272.00 |
|---|
For a breakdown of tuition, fees and estimated living expenses click here. All tuition and costs are estimates and subject to change.
Financial Aid
Student loans may be available to assist with funding your DNP program. USAHS has financial aid counselors who are available to explain your options.
Financial aid counselors can be reached by email, phone, or on campus. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in each time zone. If you are unable to meet during regular office hours, after-hours appointments are available by request.
Please visit our Financial Aid Contact page for more information.
X CloseDNP Accreditation and State Approvals
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (Non – FNP Role Specialty)
Accreditation & Disclosure on Licensure
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is currently accepting applications for enrollment to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program (except the Family Nurse Practitioner role specialty) from the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Vermont, and Virginia. Additionally, the DNP (non-FNP Role Specialty) program is not designed or intended to lead to professional licensure in any state.
Higher Education State Approvals
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences holds licensure/authorization to operate a physical campus in three states — California, Florida and Texas. Please refer to the Licensure page for more detailed information. The University has additional state approvals and exemptions to provide distance education. Please visit the State Licensure page for more detailed information.
CCNE Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
For more information visit our Accreditation page.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – Role Specialty
Accreditation & Disclosure on Licensure
USAHS is currently accepting applications for enrollment in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program with Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) role specialty for residents in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The map below identifies the states from which the University is now accepting applications for the DNP-FNP program. USAHS has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following locations: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
USAHS is currently not accepting applications from states where the program does not meet state licensure requirements and/or where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states. For states denoted in blue, USAHS has determined the program prepares students for professional licensure in those states. USAHS has not made a determination regarding whether the DNP-FNP program satisfies the requirements for professional licensure in the states denoted in gray. For more information, students should contact the appropriate state licensure board to ensure an understanding of state licensure requirements as regulations vary from state to state.
CCNE Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Note on Certification Exam
DNP-FNP graduates must hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) in order to be eligible for the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification exam, which is required in order to practice as a certified FNP-BC in most states. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Note on Licensure, Authorization, Endorsement, or Other State Credential Necessary to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner
Most states require that DNP-FNP program graduates pass the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification exam in order to apply for licensure or other credential to practice as a nurse practitioner in a state. Graduates must hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program accredited by the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) in order to be eligible for the Family Nurse Practitioner national certification exam, which is required in order to practice as a certified FNP in most states. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. While the DNP-FNP program is designed to lead to licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential necessary to practice as a nurse practitioner, it is the prospective student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to nursing practice in the state in which he or she intends to practice and/or resides as requirements vary widely.
Prospective students are advised that relocation to another state may impact their ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate. USAHS makes no representations or guarantee that completion of coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential, including prescriptive authority, where requirements may vary between different states. For more information about the requirements to practice, students should contact the appropriate Board of Nursing or state agency.
X CloseProgram Data
Click a program below to view the program data page:
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN Entry)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN Entry)
The USAHS School of Nursing is proud to host Alpha Alpha Alpha—our very own chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (Sigma).
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ThursdayJanuary 27, 2022
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