Program Overview

Introduction to the Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

The Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Mount Saint Mary's University is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses for leadership roles within healthcare organizations and academic settings. With a commitment to academic rigor and nursing excellence, the program provides nurses with the skills, knowledge, and practice opportunities they need to expand healthcare access and improve patient outcomes.

Program Format and Specialty Tracks

The two-year, 37-unit online DNP program offers two specialty tracks: Nurse Educator and Organizational Leadership. The program is delivered in an accelerated 8-week course format, allowing students to move efficiently through the curriculum without sacrificing depth.

Nurse Educator Track

The DNP in Nursing Education prepares nurse educators to design innovative curricula, lead academic programs, and create inclusive, technology-enhanced learning environments. Graduates develop the skills needed to elevate teaching, lead programs, support diverse learners, and shape the future of nursing education.

Organizational Leadership Track

The Organizational Leadership DNP track prepares graduates for executive roles in healthcare organizations, emphasizing strategic planning, quality improvement, health policy, and systems thinking while fostering transformational leadership, team motivation, innovation, and organizational effectiveness.

Program Outcomes and Objectives

The DNP program prepares students for professional roles as nurse educators or nurse administrators. By the end of the program, all graduates will be able to:

• Apply advanced knowledge and theories from nursing and related disciplines to address complex health challenges affecting individuals, populations, and healthcare systems.
• Lead organizational and systems-level initiatives to drive quality improvement, promote patient safety, and enhance healthcare outcomes.
• Use scholarly inquiry and analytical methods to advance translational research and strengthen evidence-based practice.
• Champion healthcare transformation through interprofessional collaboration, technology integration, and policy development, influencing healthcare policy at institutional, state, and federal levels.

Admission Requirements

To apply to the DNP program, students must meet the following minimum graduate admission requirements:

• A Master of Science in nursing (MSN) earned by the expected date of entry.
• A valid and clear Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing to practice in the state of California.
• One year of work experience as an RN-licensed nurse.
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average (GPA).
• Completion of a course in Statistics with a minimum grade of B.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for the DNP program is charged on a per-unit basis, with a current rate of $1,108 per unit. The University Services Fee is $225 per semester. The program offers various tuition discounts and scholarships, including a 25% tuition reduction for employees of Catholic-owned hospitals and partnerships with healthcare organizations.

Faculty and Research Areas

The DNP faculty have demonstrated nursing competencies, leadership abilities, and earned a nursing-focused, terminal degree. Faculty areas of interest and research include nursing education, organizational leadership, and healthcare policy.

Accreditation and Institutional Information

Mount Saint Mary's University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The DNP program is designed to meet the requirements of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing.