School of Nursing
Locations: Distance + optional immersions
Formats: Online + hands-on
Program duration: 7–12 trimesters (2.3–4 years), depending on entry path and role specialty*
See Requirements & Program Details
*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, traditional vs. accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors.
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. In short, they have a bigger impact in the health science industry. 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 program is among the highest-level nursing programs available; it prepares you for advanced nursing practice.
USAHS offers two doctoral nursing leadership paths: BSN-entry or MSN-entry. BSN-entry DNP students who pursue the FNP role specialty must complete one on-campus clinical intensive.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master of Science in Nursing, and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate (NP role specialties) 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.
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 practitioners play a critical role in improving the primary patient care experience. As a FNP graduate and advanced practice nurse, you will partner with families across the lifespan to promote preventative care, diagnose conditions and treat acute and chronic illnesses.
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:
Students who choose the Nurse Executive role specialty will complete 64 credit hours to earn the DNP degree and a total of 1,000 practicum hours.
Students who choose the Family Nurse Practitioner role specialty will complete 71 credit hours and 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 ▀ IPE 7001B Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice ▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7121 Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare IPE 7121B Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare | 3 |
| Trimester 2 | |
| NUR 7050 Evidence-Based Practice for Nurse Leaders (22.5 indirect contact hours)▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7421 Interprofessional Approaches to Regional and Global Population Health IPE 7421B Interprofessional Approaches to Regional and Global Population Health | 3 |
| Trimester 3 | |
| NUR 7610 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR 7161 Theoretical and Scientific Underpinnings for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| Trimester 4 | |
| NUR 7560 Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| IPE 7400 Healthcare Informatics and Technology Management IPE 7400B Healthcare Informatics and Technology Management | 3 |
| Trimester 5 | |
| NUR 7580 Advanced Health Assessment and Differential Diagnosis | 3 |
| HSA 7236 Accounting, Finance and Economics for the Healthcare Leader | 3 |
| Trimester 6 | |
| NUR 7570 Primary Healthcare of the Family I REQUIRED INTENSIVE | 3 |
| HSA 7260 Operations and Quality Management in Healthcare | 3 |
| Trimester 7 | |
| NUR 7571 FNP Role Practicum I (4) (180 contact hours) ♦ | 4 |
| NUR 7230 Program/Project Planning and Management for Evidence-Based Practice and Policy Change | 3 |
| Trimester 8 | |
| NUR 7575 Primary Healthcare of the Family II | 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 |
| NUR 7455 Special Topics in Professional Nursing Practice* *Required only for Arkansas students who must complete at least one credit hour. This course is not eligible for Title IV Financial Aid. | 1-4 |
| 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 | |
| NUR 7803 DNP Practicum III (4) (180 contact hours) ♦ | 4 |
Total Credit Hours for Core Courses Students in Arkansas must complete 72 degree credit hours | 71 |
| BSN-entry DNP Nurse Executive (NEx) Role Specialty Curriculum | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | |
| IPE 7001 Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice ▀ IPE 7001B Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice ▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7121 Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare ▀ IPE 7121B Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare ▀ | 3 |
| Trimester 2 | |
| NUR 7050 Evidence-Based Practice for Nurse Leaders (22.5 indirect contact hours)▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7421 Interprofessional Approaches to Regional and Global Population Health ▀ IPE 7421B Interprofessional Approaches to Regional and Global Population Health ▀ | 3 |
| Trimester 3 | |
| NUR 7161 Theoretical and Scientific Underpinnings for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| IPE 7400 Healthcare Informatics and Technology Management IPE 7400B Healthcare Informatics and Technology Management | 3 |
| Trimester 4 | |
| HSA 7200 Foundations of Healthcare Administration | 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 | |
| NUR 7230 Program/Project Planning and Management for Evidence-Based 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 |
In order to get a doctorate degree in nursing, 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 specialties 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▀ IPE 7001B Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7121 Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare ▀ IPE 7121B Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare ▀ | 3 |
| Trimester 2 | |
| NUR 7050 Evidence-Based Practice for Nurse Leaders (22.5 indirect contact hours)▀ | 3 |
| IPE 7421 Interprofessional Approaches to Regional and Global Population Health ▀ IPE 7421B Interprofessional Approaches to Regional and Global Population Health ▀ | 3 |
| Trimester 3 | |
| NUR 7161 Theoretical and Scientific Underpinnings for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NUR 7230 Program/Project Planning and Management for Evidence-Based 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 IPE 7400B 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 HSA 7260B 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.
Our DNP admissions requirements are put in place to ensure your success in the doctoral program.
International candidates may be considered for admission into non-licensure leading graduate nursing programs; however, USAHS does not participate in student visa programs for its graduate nursing degree offerings and cannot sponsor students to enter the US for purposes of completing academic or internship requirements. All instruction in the MSN program is conducted in English. To be considered, a candidate must submit:
Tuition will vary depending on the program you select. Total program tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year are as follows.
Tuition is approximately $955 per credit hour for all courses.
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition - 64 credit hour program | $61,108.00 |
| Program Fees | $3,340.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $1,000.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $65,448.00 |
|---|
Tuition is approximately $974 per credit hour for all courses.
| Family Nurse Practitioner Role Specialization | 12 Trimesters |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition Approximately - 71 credit hour program | $69,149.00 |
| Program Fees | $4,008.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $2,550.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $75,707.00 |
| Tuition and Fees | |
| School Expenses | |
| Tuition - Based on 42 credits | $40,103.00 |
| Program Fees | $2,338.00 |
| Books & Associated School Expenses | $1,000.00 |
| Total Program Direct Expenses | $43,441.00 |
|---|
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 cannot meet during regular office hours, after-hours appointments are available by request.
Please visit our Financial Aid Contact page for more information.
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, Arkansas (MSN-entry only), California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Washington (MSN-entry only), Wisconsin, Wyoming, Vermont, and Virginia.
Prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future, as the program may be offered in additional states. Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for practicum experiences.
The DNP (non-FNP Role Specialty) program is not designed or intended to lead to professional licensure in any state.
The map below identifies the states from which the University is now accepting applications for the DNP (non-FNP Role Specialty) program (indicated in blue).
It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to practicum experiences, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides.
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.
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.
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, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, 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, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
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. Current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for practicum experiences.
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.
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.
It remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to practicum experiences, licensing or certification, authorization or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. For more information, students should contact the appropriate state licensure board to understand state licensure requirements as regulations vary from state to state.
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.
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.
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 credentials 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 they intend 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 credentials 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 guarantees 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. Additionally, current and admitted students are also advised to monitor this page for any updates prior to relocating to another state, as this can have an impact on continued enrollment in the program and the ability to be placed for practicum experiences. For more information about the requirements to practice, students should contact the appropriate Board of Nursing or state agency.
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)
Advance within a thriving profession. Earn your MSN online at USAHS and expand your role in nursing. Choose a role specialty as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health NP-PC, Adult Gerontology NP, Nurse Educator, or Nurse Executive. Acceleration options are available.
Add a certificate to your MSN or DNP program to broaden your expertise and achieve your next career goal. We offer certificates in four of our five role specialties: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Executive.
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