Easiest DNP Programs

It’s been said that nursing is one of the oldest professions, which might explain why licensed nurses are so very much in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that registered nurses (RNs) are expected to see a six percent employment growth between 2021 and 2031. Nurses who want leadership positions or just want to advance their nursing education often choose to complete DNP programs. Nursing can be a very intense program, so many want to find the easiest DNP programs available.

What is a DNP?

Graduates of this program have the highest level of nursing skills and education and are qualified to work in either a leadership role or in a clinical setting. These highly educated individuals are very much in demand today.

Who Needs a DNP?

This may seem like a complex question, but one of the easiest answers is that any nursing professional who wants to be educated at the highest level should consider this degree program. DNP graduates generally have better career opportunities and substantially higher wages than registered nurses.

The DNP is also the ideal degree for an individual who wants a leadership position in the nursing field, wants a career performing research, or wants to become a nursing educator. With the addition of online programs, it’s much easier to earn a DNP online. Most DNP students earn the degree while continuing to work at their nursing job.

Stats and Facts about DNP Programs

• There are more than 405 DNP programs enrolling nursing students in the U.S. according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
• DNP programs are available in all the states.
• Of the many Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), only about 14 percent have a DNP degree as reported by com.
• Nurse practitioners are expected to have a DNP by 2025 according to the National Organization of Licensed Practitioners Faculties.

With so many DNP programs available both on campus and online, students can choose from many of the easiest DNP programs. Below you will find a list of 15 of the easiest DNP programs. all of which are online programs.

15 Easiest DNP Programs

1. Delta State University

DNP with several options available

• Admission Requirements – Must have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a 3.0 GPA; a current RN license; at least a year of nursing experience; resume, and application.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – Delta offers a few different options for aspiring DNP students, including a BSN to DNP; BSN/Post Master’s to DN; MSN to DNP; and both a BSN and MSN to DNP with concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner. Credit requirement varies by program but is generally about 69 credits. Students must attend campus one to three times and complete some clinical hours. Students entering the MSN to DNP program must have a nursing master’s degree.
• Time to Graduate – Three years
• Cost/Value – $2,033 for course/lab fees plus tuition
• What Makes it Easier – The program has a 100 percent acceptance rate.

2. Keiser University

MSN-to-DNP

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing with 3.0 GPA; a resume; a personal statement; and official transcripts.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – This 36-credit program, offering eight-week courses, prepares students for licensure as APRNs. The curriculum includes evidence-based research, theory, and practical application.
• Time to Graduate – 18 to 24 months
• Cost/Value – KU offers various student loan and scholarship options to students.
• What Makes it Easier – This fully online program has a 97 percent acceptance rate and is one of the easiest DNP programs to get into. Students can transfer 18 credits and have the option of only taking one class at a time.

3. Southeastern Louisiana University

BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing (depending on the program), an application, letters of recommendation, a resume, a statement of purpose, transcripts, and a valid nursing license.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – The DNP programs at SLU are available for RNs with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. Students must be on campus to defend their thesis. The DNP program offers specialties in Nurse Executive Leadership; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; and Family Nurse Practitioner.
• Time to Graduate – Four to nine semesters depending on the program
• Cost/Value – $858 per credit hour
• What Makes it Easier –This 100 percent online program has an acceptance rate of 97 percent.

4. University of Kentucky

BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP

• Admission Requirements – Depending on the program chosen, the applicant must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing, a resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a current RN license.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – Both the BSN and the MSN program offer several areas of concentration. They require completion of 74-77 credits, but the basic DNP program is only 34 credits. Every track offered here will prepare the student for national certification in that field or specialty.
• Time to Graduate – Three years
• Cost/Value – $953 per credit
• What Makes it Easier – With an acceptance rate of 96 percent, this program is easy to get into.

5. University of New Mexico

BSN to DNP with a concentration in Nursing Administrative Leadership

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a current RN license, three letters of recommendation; official transcripts; a 3.0 GPA and must answer three essay questions. The applicant must also have at least one year of nursing experience.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – This 62-credit program prepares students to become nursing leaders. It’s an online program where students can learn at their own pace.
• Time to Graduate –Two years
• Cost/Value – $617 per credit
• What Makes it Easier – No GRE or GMAT requirements; high has acceptance rate; fully online

6. University of Southern Mississippi

BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a nursing degree, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a personal statement, and a resume. Students pursuing the Clinical Nursing track must have proof of immunization and submit GRE scores.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – The DNP program at USM is available to those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a master’s degree in nursing. Depending on the program chosen, students can choose from three concentrations: Clinical Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Family Nurse Practitioner. Students will complete 71 to 73 credits.
• Time to Graduate – Five semesters or up to 3 years
• Cost/Value -$513 per semester hour
• What Makes it Easier – The fully online curriculum allows students to study at their convenience. Graduates of this program have a 95-100 percent pass rate when taking the board examinations.

7. University of St Thomas

DNP

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must submit proof of a current nursing license, a resume, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and application, and personal statement
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – The DNP program at the University of St. Thomas offers two areas of concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Transformational Leadership. Students will complete 34-75 depending on the program.
• Time to Graduate – Two to three years
• Cost/Value – $500 to $768 per credit hour
• What Makes it Easier – This program has a 96 percent acceptance rate. The concentrations allow students to customize the program to match their career goals.

8. University of Massachusetts Global

BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a current RN license and must submit letters of recommendation, personal statements, an application, resume, self-evaluation, and sit through an interview.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – This program is for students with either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. It offers a couple of different concentrations. Depending on the program, students will complete 27-73 credits.
• Time to Graduate – Two to seven semesters
• Cost/Value – $1200 per credit (approximately)
• What Makes it Easier –Students can choose from different concentrations; school advisors are available should students need help.

9. Old Dominion University

MSN to DNP

• Admission Requirements – Master’s degree from an accredited school, application, resume, letters of recommendation, an essay, and transcripts demonstrating a GPA of 3.0.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – This accredited program is aimed at RNs interested in advancing their education, seeking leadership roles, or becoming APRNs. Students can choose from a concentration in Nurse Executive or Advanced Practice. Both programs require completing 36 credits, and both require clinical work.
• Time to Graduate – Four semesters
• Cost/Value – $571 to $795 per credit hour
• What Makes it Easier– Students can log into their schoolwork from any location and at any time.

10. University of Toledo

BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP

• Admission Requirements – Students in the BSN program must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, while those in the MSN program must have a master’s degree in nursing. Applicants must pass a criminal background check and submit an application, a resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement, and must go through an interview.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – The DNP program offers about six different concentrations. Students must complete 69 to 74 credits. It’s a fully online program.
• Time to Graduate – Ten terms or three years
• Cost/Value – $769 per credit hour; Students can get financial help from UT’s College of Nursing.
• What Makes it Easier – The numerous concentrations offered make it easy for students to customize their curriculum to match their career goals. Students can get help online. There is no GRE requirement.

11. Eastern Kentucky University

• Admission Requirements – Must have a master’s degree in nursing and submit a resume, application, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a valid RN license.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? The DNP program at EKU requires completing 32-38 credits and offers a specialization in Organizational Leadership. Graduates are prepared for leadership positions in the healthcare industry.
• Time to Graduate – Two years
• Cost/Value – $682 per credit hour
• What Makes it Easier- Students can transfer in 12 hours of credits. This program is all online with an acceptance rate of 98 percent.

12. Felician University

MSN to DNP

• Admission Requirements – A master’s degree in nursing is required with a GPA of 3.0. Other requirements include three letters of recommendation, a resume, a personal statement, an essay, a notarized copy of identification, and the completion of an interview.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? The MSN to DNP program is for RNs who have a master’s degree but want to advance their nursing education to the highest level. It offers specialties in Executive Leadership and Advanced Practice. The program requires completing 36 credits, some of which come from a DNP project the student must complete.
• Time to Graduate – Two years
• Cost/Value – $1145 per credit
• What Makes it Easier – This fully online program is flexible enough to allow students to work and still earn the degree. The program also has a high acceptance rate. No SAT or ACT is required.

13. Colorado State University

MSN to DNP

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a nursing master’s degree and a current RN license as well as transcripts and a GPA of at least 3.0. Required prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – The DNP program is aimed at the RN who wants to work at the highest level of clinical nursing. This 32-credit-hour program teaches students about healthcare policy and advanced nursing practice. Students must also complete a research project.
• Time to Graduate – Five to Seven Semesters (or two to three years) depending on if it’s completed part-time or full time
• Cost/Value – $550 – $600 per credit hour
• What Makes it Easier – Up to nine credits can be transferred into the program. This flexible online program has a 94 percent acceptance rate.

14. Carlow University

DNP

• Admission Requirements – In addition to having a master’s degree in nursing and a current RN license, the applicant must have a resume, writing sample, letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all colleges attended. Applicants must also complete an interview.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – This program is aimed at RNs with extensive experience in this field. It offers a very challenging curriculum that requires the completion of 28 to 34 credits.
• Time to Graduate – 15 months with full-time study
• Cost/Value – $950 per credit hour
• What Makes it Easier – The program has an acceptance rate of 94 percent, several tuition assistance opportunities, and faculty that’s available 24/7.

15. Azusa Pacific University

DNP

• Admission Requirements – Applicants must have a nursing master’s degree, a current RN license, two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and official transcripts, and must sit for an interview. They must also show proof of clinical work and completion of required graduate classes.
• What Type of DNP Program is it? – This program, which requires students to complete 39 to 43 credits, is designed for nursing professionals who want to advance their education and improve career opportunities.
• Time to Graduate – Five to six semesters
• Cost/Value – $1,160 per unit
• What Makes it Easier – The school’s 94 percent acceptance rate makes entry easier than at many schools. It’s a very flexible online program.

Getting Started

Don’t let the thought of going back to school keep you from your dreams. If the next step in your career is a DNP, then investigate the easiest DNP programs to find one that fits your requirements. That way, if you are busy working, have been out of school for a while, or need an easier program for another reason, there is something for you.