Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The Doctor of Nurse Practice degree prepares nurses to lead and deliver quality healthcare through the translation of evidence into practice. Start where you are. Enter as a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) graduate or transfer up to 27 graduate credit hours from a Master’s program! Complete your Doctor of Nursing practice in 3 ½ years or less. Choose your track.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Tracks
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Doctoral degree in nursing that focuses on systems leadership to address global healthcare needs. This degree allows registered nurses to assume leadership roles and advance their practice working to improve the quality and safety of nursing.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – DNP – Registered nurses who provide mental health care to individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. PMHNP’s are advance practice nurses who are equipped to assess, diagnose, prescribe, and coordinate care. Upon completion of the DNP program graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exam.
According to Grey Associates (2023), Market Research Report: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Concentration — there are only two other schools that offer this degree at the doctoral level in the state of Ohio.
Family Nurse Practitioner – DNP – Registered nurses who provide primary care to individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. FNP’s are advanced practice nurses who are equipped to assess, diagnose, prescribe, and coordinate care for common, acute, and chronic illness while promoting health maintenance and disease prevention. Upon completion of the DNP program graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exam.
Tuition & Cost
$595 per credit hour
Fees not included
Program Length
3 1/2 years or less
Total Credit Hours
60 + 1,000 clinical hours required
Doctor of Nursing Practice Courses
Intro to DNP Systems Thinking
Jumpstart your doctoral education with this introductory course while developing the skills needed to be successful in the DNP Program.
DNP Core Courses
Walk out your Doctoral Project in a step-by-step process from planning and implementation to dissemination. The DNP Systems Thinking Seminar Courses enable learners to complete their project as they move through each course during the last year and a half of the program.
Didactic/Clinical Courses
Complete the precepted clinical hours in your own community with a qualified expert while learning content relevant to your concentration.
Curriculum stats/highlights
Courses
| DNP Foundation Courses | Credit Hours |
| Intro to DNP Systems Thinking | 3 |
| Leadership, Role & Collaboration | 3 |
| Health Promotion Theory & Population Health | 3 |
| Research and Evidence-Based Practice through Information Technologies | 3 |
| Health Systems Policy, Economics & Financial Planning | 3 |
| Biostats & Epidemiology | 3 |
| Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Advanced Pharmacology & Therapeutic | 3 |
| Advanced Physical Health Assessment | 3 |
| DNP Core Courses | Credit Hours |
| DNP System Thinking Seminar I — Project Development | 2 |
| DNP System Thinking Seminar II — Implementation | 2 |
| DNP System Thinking Seminar III — Data Analysis | 2 |
| DNP System Thinking Seminar III — Dissemination | 2 |
| Total DNP Core Hours | 35 |
| + DNP Concentration (see options below) |
25 |
| Total DNP Hours | 60 |
Track Courses
| CLASS TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
| Global Exploration of Nursing Leadership | 3 |
| Didactic/Clinical I — Leading Change through Evidence-Based Practice (Includes 150 direct clinical hours and 110 indirect clinical hours) | 6 |
| Didactic/Clinical II — Quality Improvement & Patient Safety in Healthcare Systems (Includes 150 direct clinical hours and 60 indirect clinical hours) | 6 |
| Didactic/Clinical III — Interprofessional Collaboration for Improved Patient Care (Includes 50 direct clinical hours and 20 indirect clinical hours) | 4 |
| Didactic/Clinical IV — Leading Sustainable Change (Includes 150 direct clinical hours and 60 indirect clinical hours) | 6 |
| TOTAL TRACK CREDIT HOURS |
25 |
| CLASS TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
| Advanced Psychiatric Pharmacology | 3 |
| Didactic-Clinical I - Foundations of of Psychiatric Nursing (Includes 260 direct clinical hours) | 6 |
| Didactic/Clinical II - Advanced Assessment and Treatment Planning (Includes 260 direct clinical hours) | 6 |
| Didactic/Clinical III - Special Populations and Complex Cases (Includes 70 direct clinical hours) | 4 |
| Didactic/Clinical IV - Advanced Practice and Integration (Includes 210 direct clinical hours) | 6 |
| TOTAL TRACK CREDIT HOURS | 25 |
| CLASS TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
| Global Exploration of Nursing Leadership |
3 |
| Didactic/Clinical I - Introduction to Family Nurse Practitioner Role and Lifespan Care (Includes 260 direct clinical hours) | 6 |
| Didactic/Clinical II -Developmental Considerations and Assessment Techniques (Includes 210 direct clinical hours) | 6 |
| Didactic/Clinical III - Common Health Conditions Across the Lifespan (Includes 70 direct clinical hours) | 4 |
| Didactic/Clinical IV - Evidence-Based Interventions and Patient-Centered Care (Includes 210 direct clinical hours) | 6 |
| TOTAL TRACK CREDIT HOURS | 25 |
Meet the Faculty
Work closely with your nursing professors to gain specific knowledge to advance your skills and enhance your practice. Mount Vernon Nazarene University faculty establish connections and provide support while you complete your graduate courses.
Dr. Karla Adu, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC
Professor of Nursing, Nursing Program Director
Dr. Debra Garee, DNP, RN
Associate Professor of Nursing, Division Chair, DNP Program Director
Dr. Judy Gregg, DNP, RN
Professor of Nursing, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences
How much will it all cost?
Cost Per Credit Hour
$595
Fees not included
Transfer Credit
Up to 27 graduate credit hours accepted upon review.
Financial Aid
Apply for scholarships, loans, grants, and tuition reimbursement.
DNP Scholarships, Loans, and Grant Opportunities
Need a little help with finances? We’ve got you covered. Explore scholarships, grants, and other resources to help you pay for your education.
*Students must meet specific criteria of each to be eligible.
Get the Facts
27
Transfer up to
27 credit hours
45%
Job Growth 2022-2032*
$117,440
Annual mean wage of Nurse Practitioner in Ohio**
References: *American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2023). DNP Fact Sheet. Grey Associates. (2023). Market Research Report: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Concentration. **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). A look at nurse practitioners for National Nurse Practitioner Week.
Careers for DNP
DNP-prepared nurses have advanced clinical and leadership skills that open up a wide range of career opportunities across various healthcare settings. Some of the top jobs for DNP-prepared nurses could include:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
- Nurse Executive Manager
- Healthcare Administrator
- Clinical Educator
- Professor
- Health Policy Advocate/Analyst
- Quality Improvement Specialist
- Clinical Researcher
- Telehealth
- Public Health Nurse Leader
- Consultant
Empowering Leaders, Enriching Souls: Transforming Healthcare Through Faith and Knowledge
DNP FAQs
Steps for Applying to MVNU Online
Please have your transcripts sent to:
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Attn: College of Adult and Professional Studies Admissions
800 Martinsburg Road
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Official Electronic Transcripts should be sent to CAPSApplications@mvnu.edu.
*Additional materials may be required based on individual situations.
Fill out the FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov if you plan to use
Federal Student Aid.
MVNU Code: 007085
Once all transcripts have been submitted, you will receive an admission decision (typically within one week).
Review your admission decision with your Enrollment Counselor to understand transfer credits and program requirements..
After acceptance, you will receive a link to complete your registration agreement form. You will complete this form to reserve your spot in your intended start date.
We take care of all course scheduling for you — so that you can just jump into coursework stress-free! Once you are registered for classes, your financial aid counselor will reach out with your financial aid award and assist you with any financial aid questions.
We are excited to have you as a part of the MVNU community!
What Our Students Are Saying
“MVNU has taught me so many skills both in and outside the classroom that I will carry with me into the future as this chapter ends. My MVNU education has given me the knowledge and confidence needed to be a strong and Godly businesswoman.”
HANNAH HINERMAN '19
Master of Business Administration
"I debated so long regarding making the decision to go to school and get a degree at my age, however MVNU has made it one of the best decision I have made in my adult life."
MICHELLE BARNETT '26
Master of Business Administration