Doctor of Nursing Practice

College of Nursing

Now is the time to reach for the highest level of expertise in nursing.

With the level of nursing education required to become a Doctor of Nursing Practice, students will be prepared to achieve the one goal that resides at the very core of nursing – improved patient outcomes. The online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program offers two pathways to the doctoral degree.

BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice pathway
Students who have earned their BS in nursing will enroll in the clinical expert BSN to DNP pathway, earning their master’s degree and DNP degree. Students in this pathway are eligible for certification in one of our advanced practice specialties. The specialties available in an online format include Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice pathway
Students who have already earned their master’s degree will enroll in the Post-Master's DNP pathway. This pathway offers doctoral preparation to nurses whose career emphasis is in direct clinical nursing practice or transformative leadership as a nurse executive.

Campus Requirements:

Upon acceptance into the DNP program, you will participate in one required on-campus orientation session.

Contact Admissions by completing our Learn More form

Kay Ashworth

Program Graduate

"The program provided me with insights on how to dive deeper. I’m using evidence-based practice to support the decisions I’m making for my patients."

Tuition and Fees

State Authorization

Application Info

Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (Full)

Newsroom

Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate works to eliminate food deserts

Staying Engaged in an Online Program

Top 4 Things to Ask When Considering an Online Program

Program Tracks

BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice pathway online specialties

As a BSN to DNP student, you will earn your DNP degree, master’s degree, and be eligible for certification in one of our advanced practice specialties. One specialty must be selected at the time of application. Below are the specialties available in an online format:

Family Nurse Practitioner

The FNP role includes preventative healthcare as well as the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness. Graduates of this track are prepared to care for individuals and families across the lifespan. Learn more about this track.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Neonatal Nurse Practitioners provide healthcare to neonates, infants, and children up to 2 years of age. In this track, you’ll attain the specialized knowledge and skills to provide safe and high-quality care to neonates. Learn more about this track.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners focus on individuals, families and populations across the lifespan at risk for developing and/or having a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders or mental health problems. The PHMNP provides primary mental healthcare to patients seeking mental health services in a variety of settings. Learn more about this track.

Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice pathway tracks

As a nurse with a master’s degree, there are two tracks you may pursue in the DNP program:

DNP Clinical Expert track

This track is the right choice if you want to reach the highest levels of patient care expertise. To be eligible, you must hold a master’s degree in nursing and a national-level advanced practice nursing certification. Learn more about this track.

DNP Nurse Executive track

This track is the right choice if you want to lead innovative, transformative healthcare organizations. To be eligible, you must hold a master’s degree in nursing or other field, such as a Master of Business Administration or Master of Public Health. A national-level advanced nursing certification is preferred, but not required. Learn more about this track.

Sample Courses

NURSING PRACTICE 8400

Leadership throughout Organizations and Systems

Socialization to leadership and excellence in multiple dimensions of the Doctor of Nursing Practice role.

NURSING PRACTICE 8401

Strategic Macrosystem Management for the Doctor of Nursing Practice

Integration of theoretical, leadership and communication principles into strategic management strategies for evidence based, innovative macro system health care optimization for selected populations.

NURSING PRACTICE 8480

Quality Improvement in Doctoral Nursing Practice

Advanced concepts in collaboration, design, leadership, implementation and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives.

NURSING PRACTICE 8500

Health Policy for Doctoral Nursing Practice

Analysis of policy and advocating for change that impacts health at institutional, local, state and federal levels.

Featured Faculty

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Randee Masciola, DNP, APRN-CNP, WHNP-BC

Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, Director of DNP Program, Clinical Expert Track

Barbara Warren, PhD, RN, CNS-BC, PMH, FAAN

Professor of Clinical Nursing

Sharon Tucker, PhD, RN, FAAN

Grayce Sills Endowed Professor in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Professor, Director of the Translational/Implementation Research Core, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for EBP, Director of DNP Program, Nurse Executive Track

Is this program offered in my state?

The selected program is available in the following states

Authorized

Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.

Limited Authorization

Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state.

Program Not Available

Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.

View as table

State/Territory	Status	Description	Disclosures Info
Alabama	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Alabama
Alaska	Limited Authorization	Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state.	View Disclosure information for Alaska
Arizona	Limited Authorization	Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state.	View Disclosure information for Arizona
Arkansas	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Arkansas
California	Limited Authorization	Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state.	View Disclosure information for California
Colorado	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Colorado
Connecticut	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Connecticut
Delaware	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Delaware
District of Columbia	Limited Authorization	Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state.	View Disclosure information for District of Columbia
Florida	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Florida
Georgia	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Georgia
Hawaii	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Hawaii
Idaho	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Idaho
Illinois	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Illinois
Indiana	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Indiana
Iowa	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Iowa
Kansas	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Kansas
Kentucky	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Kentucky
Louisiana	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Louisiana
Maine	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Maine
Maryland	Limited Authorization	Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state.	View Disclosure information for Maryland
Massachusetts	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Massachusetts
Michigan	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Michigan
Minnesota	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Minnesota
Mississippi	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Mississippi
Missouri	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Missouri
Montana	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Montana
Nebraska	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Nebraska
Nevada	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Nevada
New Hampshire	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for New Hampshire
New Jersey	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for New Jersey
New Mexico	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for New Mexico
New York	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for New York
North Carolina	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for North Carolina
North Dakota	Limited Authorization	Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state.	View Disclosure information for North Dakota
Ohio	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Ohio
Oklahoma	Limited Authorization	Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state.	View Disclosure information for Oklahoma
Oregon	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Oregon
Pennsylvania	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Puerto Rico
Rhode Island	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Rhode Island
South Carolina	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for South Carolina
South Dakota	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for South Dakota
Tennessee	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Tennessee
Texas	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Texas
Utah	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Utah
Vermont	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Vermont
Virgin Islands	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Virgin Islands
Virginia	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Virginia
Washington	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Washington
West Virginia	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for West Virginia
Wisconsin	Authorized	Meets or exceeds state standards and is authorized to legally offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing.	View Disclosure information for Wisconsin
Wyoming	Pursuing Authorization	Researching required authorizations by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing to legally offer distance education.	View Disclosure information for Wyoming