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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School of Public Service Leadership

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Prepare yourself to be a leader in the field of nursing by earning a DNP, the preferred credential for advanced practice nurses. Because a DNP focuses on practical contributions to the nursing field, it can be completed more quickly than a research-focused PhD. Unlike many DNP programs, Capella's online DNP focuses on administrative, organizational, and systems leadership competencies to prepare you for a variety of nursing leadership positions. Topics covered in this program include leadership and ethics, health care management, policy and advocacy, health care information systems, and health promotion and disease prevention for global populations. Capella's curriculum also incorporates The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Convenient electronic textbooks are available for most courses, which lowers costs and provides immediate access to course materials. Field experiences allow you to apply what you are learning and focus on your areas of interest, culminating in a final project that produces a practice- and evidence-based solution to a problem you encountered in the field. This program would be a strong choice for advanced practice nurses who want to move into leadership positions, nurse administrators who want to expand their leadership responsibilities, or nurse leaders who want to implement health care delivery programs.

Capella’s CCNE accreditation site visit for the DNP program was held in the Spring of 2012. A decision on CCNE accreditation for this program will be known by the end of this calendar year.

Learn more about nursing programs at Capella

Read what others have to say about this specialization, or leave your own comment, and be sure to check back often to converse with others about their Capella experiences.

Total Program: 52 quarter credits
Next Start Date: July 9, 2012
Credit: $816 §
Residency: $1,495 §

Cheryl Dover Cheryl Dover

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Residency requirements: One 6-day residential colloquium

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
In addition to your online courses, you will attend one 6-day residential colloquium. This energizing residency provides you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your DNP studies and beyond.

What do they cost?

The price for the DNP colloquium is $1,495 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment), but doesn't include costs for evening meals and travel. You'll be responsible for making your hotel reservations and travel arrangements.
  • Learn more about residency requirements.
  • Get more detailed information and learn how the residency experiences will enrich your learning at Capella University. Speak with an enrollment counselor at 1.877.291.9270.

Courses (each course 4 quarter credits, each field experience 1 quarter credit)

  • All courses taken in the following sequence:
  •  
  • DNP8000 - Theoretical Foundations and Applications*
  • DNP8001 - DNP Field Experience 1*†
  • DNP8002 - Contemporary Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice*
  • DNP8003 - DNP Field Experience 2*†
  • DNP8004 - Investigation, Discovery, and Integration*
  • DNP8005 - DNP Field Experience 3*†
  • DNP8006 - Policy and Advocacy in Advanced Nursing Practice*
  • DNP8007 - DNP Field Experience 4*†
  • DNP8008 - Executive Leadership and Ethics in Health Care*
  • DNP8009 - DNP Field Experience 5*†
  • DNP8010 - Management in Advanced Contemporary Nursing*
  • DNP8011 - DNP Field Experience 6*†
  • DNP8012 - Nursing Technology and Health Care Information Systems*
  • DNP8013 - DNP Field Experience 7*†
  • DNP8014 - Global Population Health*
  • DNP8015 - DNP Field Experience 8*†
  • DNP8016 - DNP Capstone 1*
  • DNP8017 - DNP Field Experience 9*†
  • DNP8018 - DNP Capstone 2*
  • DNP8019 - DNP Field Experience 10*†
  • DNP-R8016 - DNP Residential Colloquium*†
Learners are responsible for the cost of their travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses associated with this course.
North Dakota and North Carolina residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this program.
The DNP degree program requires certain conditions of enrollment that learners must maintain throughout the program, including a current, unrestricted RN license, submitting to an annual background check (fees apply), and providing documentation of a current CPR certification and certain immunizations. Learners should consult the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Handbook for details about the conditions of enrollment.
Admission to the DNP degree program requires learners to complete and submit the RN License Verification and Work Experience Acknowledgement Form with Field Experience.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

Course Descriptions

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Accreditation

December 29, 2010Keley Is the DNP accredited??

How long does the DNP program take?

June 29, 2011melody Can you tell me how long the DNP program takes to complete or how quickly it can be completed? Thank you

Financial aid

June 23, 2011Lesa Does Capella have any plans to participate in the Nurse Faculty Loan Repayment Program (NFLRP)? This program repays up to 85% of a nurse loan as long as he/she agrees to teach in a nursing program for 3-4 years. I want to attend Capella but I do not want a 60k debt, upon graduation.

DNP

March 13, 2011susan Do you plan to get CCNE accreditation?

what are the pre-requisites for the DNP program?

April 6, 2011Nestor I have a Master Degree in Nursing Education and will like to know if i have to take any pre-requisites

DNP Program - Great Decision

April 27, 2011Patrick Making a decision to enroll in a DNP program can come with hesitation, concerns over the future of the degree, and the value a DNP prepared nurse will have in clinical practice, administration, and education. I know for me, my decision to enroll in Capella's DNP program has been the single best decision I have made for my education. Over the last two quarters, I have learned so much and have been guided by some really wonderful faculty members. This guidance helped me to frame my capstone project, begin thinking and writing at a whole new level, and helped my practice in terms of better understanding research so I can translate empirical knowledge into practice changes that have a positive impact on the outcomes of care! When you make a decision to begin your doctoral education, be sure the program is a perfect fit for you. For me, Capella University's DNP program has been the perfect fit for me. Best wishes on your decision.

DNP & TEACH Grant Eligibility?

November 18, 2011Perry Is it possible for DNP students to receive TEACH Grant assistance? Will the DNP program adequately prepare a student to pursue a role in higher education; or, are add'l courses required?

MSN to DNP online program

May 14, 2011Val Do you have a MSN to DNP online program?

Accreditation

August 12, 2011Gail Do you have your CCNE accrediation yet? Thank you.

1000 hours field experience hours

July 9, 2011Teresa Can you give me some information about the field experience hours? Is there any way to use some of the hours I spend in clinical instruction?
Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's human services degree programs
Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's human services degree programs

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