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

Audra Hanners

Doctor of Nursing Practice Graduate

"As an online student, there's so many connections you can make that will have a really meaningful impact on your education. The opportunities that exist at Ohio State feel limitless."

Tuition and Fees

State Authorization

Application Info

Meet Jane Ginther: Nurse Practitioner and DNP Student

Newsroom

DNP Grad Brings Evidence to the Bedside to Improve Patient Outcomes

Staying Engaged in an Online Program

Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate works to eliminate food deserts

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 8402

Innovation and Leadership Development for the DNP Nurse (Synchronous)

Examination of leadership development to maximize innovation and positive organizational impact with an exploration of own leadership development.

NURSING PRACTICE 8404

Nurse Executive Leadership (Synchronous)

Analysis of the role of the DNP nurse executive within complex healthcare systems.

NURSING PRACTICE 8480

Quality Improvement in Doctoral Nursing Practice (Synchronous)

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

NURSING PRACTICE 8500

Health Policy for Doctoral Nursing Practice (Synchronous)

Principles of policy-making at the institutional, local, state, and federal levels to influence policy change affecting health care.

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

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

Dr. Barbara Jones Warren, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FNAP, FAAN

Professor, Clinical Nursing & Director, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty, Across the Lifespan

Is this program offered in my state?

The selected program is available in the following states

Authorized

Meets state standards to 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 state requirements to offer distance education

View as table

State/Territory	Status	Description	Disclosures Info
Alabama	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to 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 state standards to 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	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency and by the State Board of Nursing	View Disclosure information for California
Colorado	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Colorado
Connecticut	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to 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 state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Georgia
Hawaii	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Idaho
Illinois	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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 state standards to 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 state standards to 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 state standards to 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 state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Louisiana
Maine	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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 state standards to 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 state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Minnesota
Mississippi	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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 state standards to 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 state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Nebraska
Nevada	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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 state standards to 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 state standards to 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 state standards to 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	Limited Authorization	Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state	View Disclosure information for New York
North Carolina	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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 state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Oregon
Pennsylvania	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Puerto Rico
Rhode Island	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Rhode Island
South Carolina	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for South Dakota
Tennessee	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Tennessee
Texas	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Utah
Vermont	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Virgin Islands
Virginia	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Washington
West Virginia	Authorized	Meets state standards to 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 state standards to 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	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Wyoming