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Post-Master's DNP Online
Equip yourself to meet the challenges of a complex healthcare sector and improve patient outcomes with this CCNE-accredited DNP online program.
Apply by
1/2/27
Program Overview
What is the online Post-Master's DNP program at Northern Kentucky University?
Prepare to practice nursing at the highest level when you complete your Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Northern Kentucky University. This 100% online, CCNE-accredited program will equip you to meet the challenges of a changing healthcare sector. As a nurse leader, you can be part of the solution to complex healthcare issues as you work to improve the lives of patients, the health of populations, and healthcare systems at a high level.
What skills will I gain from the online Post-Master's DNP program?
- Learn cost-effective strategies to promote and sustain financial viability of practice initiatives
- Focus on the roles of information systems and electronic data in new and evolving delivery and value-based models as they apply to advanced nursing practice
- Conceptualize new care delivery models that are based in contemporary nursing science and that are feasible within current organizational, political, cultural, and economic perspectives
- Explore the roles of the clinical scholar and leader associated with the scholarship of discovery, integration, and application of knowledge to solve problems across disciplines
- Learn cost-effective strategies to promote and sustain financial viability of practice initiatives
- Focus on the roles of information systems and electronic data in new and evolving delivery and value-based models as they apply to advanced nursing practice
- Conceptualize new care delivery models that are based in contemporary nursing science and that are feasible within current organizational, political, cultural, and economic perspectives
- Explore the roles of the clinical scholar and leader associated with the scholarship of discovery, integration, and application of knowledge to solve problems across disciplines
What careers can you pursue with an online Post-Master's DNP?
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Chief Health Information Officer
- Chief Clinical Officer
- Chief Patient Experience Officer
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Chief Health Information Officer
- Chief Clinical Officer
- Chief Patient Experience Officer
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Nursing programs online. View our online healthcare programs.
Total Tuition
$23,415
Program Duration
As few as 20 months
Credit Hours
35
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Tuition
How much does the online Post-Master's DNP program cost?
The Post-Master's DNP online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Total Program with Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Master’s DNP | $653 | $23,415 |
Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.
Tuition Breakdown:
Total Tuition
$23,415
Per Credit Hour
$653
A Top Public School
Recognized among the "Top Public Schools" by U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Calendar
When can I start the online Post-Master's DNP program?
The Post-Master's DNP online program is flexible and efficient for busy schedules, with accelerated courses that start multiple times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to submit your application, registration, documents and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2 | 10/21/26 | 10/8/26 | 10/13/26 | 10/16/26 | 10/21/26 |
| Spring 1 | 1/11/27 | 1/2/27 | 1/5/27 | 1/8/27 | 1/11/27 |
| Spring 2 | 3/15/27 | 3/3/27 | 3/8/27 | 3/12/27 | 3/15/27 |
| Summer 1 | 5/10/27 | 4/28/27 | 5/3/27 | 5/7/27 | 5/10/27 |
Now enrolling:
Apply Date
1/2/27
Class Starts
1/11/27
Admissions
What are the admission requirements for the online Post-Master's DNP program?
The admission process is the first step toward earning your Post-Master's DNP degree online.
Review the link here to determine eligibility of this program in your
state.
Admission Requirements:
- Master's degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- RN license current and unencumbered
- Official transcripts of all coursework from accredited institutions
Post-Master's DNP Online Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have 1) a master's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, 2) a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing, and 3) successfully completed an undergraduate (or higher level) statistics course
- Complete online application and pay $55 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework from accredited institutions
- Verification of a current unencumbered U.S. RN license that includes expiration and the state in which you practice
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae: educational background, employment history, awards, and accomplishments
- Submission of a writing sample = Submission of a 500-word scholarly writing sample, authored solely by the prospective student, meeting the criteria on the rubric for evaluation. Rubric for evaluation. DNP Program Writing Sample Rubric
- Post-Master's DNP applicants must have experience in a professional nursing role including volunteer/community service activities
- TOEFL scores as needed per international student admission requirements
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
What courses are in the online Post-Master's DNP curriculum?
For the Post-Master's DNP online program, students must complete a total of 30 credit hours and the DNP Practicum/Project, a one-hour course that must be taken five times (5 credit hours)—for a total of 35 credit hours.
Core Courses
Students must take the following courses:
DNP 800: Theory and Research for EBP
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers the identification, critique, analysis, synthesis, application and evaluation of evidence to support clinical and organizational practices. It will provide students with knowledge to utilize evidence and theoretical concepts in nursing practice and healthcare systems.
DNP 801: Epidemiology and Population Health
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Advanced nursing application of epidemiologic principles and biostatistical data analysis in the clinical assessment, program planning, and implementation of interventional population health strategies. Students will explore historical, socio-cultural, and systemic public health infrastructures for health promotion and prevention, and disease/infection control at the individual, community, national, and global levels. Prerequisite: DNP 802.
DNP 802: Role Development
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examination of the professional responsibilities, ethics, and core competencies of advanced practice nurses. An emphasis is placed on exploring the various roles of a clinical scholar and leader across nursing disciplines. The course engages students in scholarship of discovery, integration, and application of knowledge to solve problems inter/intraprofessionally.
DNP 803: Leadership in Organizations and Systems
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examine organizations, identify system issues, and identify leadership principles in facilitating organization-wide changes in practice delivery; promote communication and collaboration with interprofessional teams. Conceptualize new care delivery models that are based in contemporary nursing science and that are feasible within current organizational, political, cultural, and economic perspectives. Prerequisite: DNP 802.
DNP 804: Economics and Financial Aspects of Healthcare
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Principles of business, finance, and economics are explored to develop and implement evidence-based healthcare practice to improve quality of care across systems. Additionally, cost-effective strategies to promote and sustain financial viability of practice initiatives are analyzed and applied. Prerequisite: DNP 802.
DNP 805: Quality Improvement Strategies
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the design, implementation, and outcomes of quality improvement initiatives for patient populations, communities, and healthcare systems. Students will assess organizational culture, qualitative initiatives, and patient safety data to translate findings into systems changes. Systems leadership principles are utilized to facilitate organization-wide changes in practice delivery. Prerequisite: DNP students-DNP 802; MSN Students-MSN 602
DNP 806: Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation for Health Care
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the skills to conduct strategic analysis and planning for program development, implementation, and evaluation within healthcare systems. The use of models and theories to enhance healthcare outcomes are incorporated. The principles of working with interprofessional teams are included to improve healthcare. Prerequisite: DNP 802.
DNP 808: Health Care Policy
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The complexity of healthcare policy development and legislation as well as healthcare policy's economic, political, social, and ethical impact on nursing, systems, and populations will be examined. The leadership role of the advanced practice nurse as a change agent to influence healthcare policy will be investigated. Prerequisite: DNP 802.
MHI 815: Information Systems and Technology in Advanced Practice
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Particular focus is placed upon the roles of information systems and electronic data in new and evolving delivery and value-based models as they apply to advanced nursing practice. Cultural, ethical, financial, regulatory, and legal issues related to information systems and technologies are examined. Prerequisite: DNP 802.
DNP 816: Analysis and Application of Health Data for Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP)
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Understanding and analysis of health data for application to evidence-based nursing practice for public health, health promotion, clinical prevention, and population health. Emphasis is placed on the use of health data and the best evidence in the application and evaluation of recommendations to improve health outcomes. Prerequisite: DNP students-DNP 802, DNP 800; MSN students-MSN 602.
DNP 897: Practicum/Project Continuing Credit
Duration: 16 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This course provides continued enrollment for students needing an additional one credit of Project/Practicum Course after completing five credits of DNP 896 Project/Practicum. This course can be used to meet the post BSN 1000 hours of practicum time and/or completion of the publishable manuscript and/or completion of the project presentation. Prerequisite: DNP 896
DNP 881: Project Planning & Practice Application
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.25
Students plan the DNP scholarly project guided by the finalization of a clinical question, literature review, and creation of a project outline. Students establish individualized learning goals for application of DNP competencies in healthcare. This is the first of four sequential courses culminating in project completion and dissemination. Pre-req: DNP 802
DNP 882: Project Development & Practice Application
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.25
Students develop the DNP scholarly project through completion of a written proposal in collaboration with the project site. Students establish individualized learning goals for utilization of DNP competencies in healthcare. This is the second of four sequential courses culminating in project completion and dissemination. Pre-req: 881
DNP 883: Project Implementation & Application
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.25
Students implement the DNP scholarly project at the project site in collaboration with the project team. Students report preliminary and/or final project findings. Students establish individualized learning goals for immersion of the DNP prepared nurse’s role. This is the third of four sequential courses culminating in project completion and dissemination. Pre-req: DNP 882
DNP 884: Project Evaluation Dissemination and Practice Application
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.25
Students integrate and synthesize advanced practice core nursing competencies. Students conclude the DNP scholarly project through a final report of findings, project evaluation, public presentation, and completion of publishable manuscript under the guidance of their faculty advisor. Students write individualized learning goals for transitioning into the DNP-prepared nurse’s role. Pre-req: DNP 883
