Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Post-master's DNP students finish in 36 credit hours across five to six full-time semesters. The BSN to DNP path takes 64 to 77 credit hours across eight full-time semesters, and dual specialties add time. Nurse anesthesia runs 36 months, or nine full-time semesters. Part-time learning options are also available and add to the program length.

The advanced clinical practice, advanced systems practice and executive leadership tracks are primarily online and asynchronous, so you do not have to relocate. You come to Nashville for one week-long intensive each semester. Nurse anesthesia is the exception, and runs full time and in person.

The post-master's tracks are built for nurses who keep working, with asynchronous coursework and one campus week per semester. Part-time study is also available. Nurse anesthesia is only offered as a full-time and in-person program. 

BSN to DNP is for registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who want advanced practice certification and the doctorate in one program, without earning a separate master's first. MSN to DNP, also called the post-master's DNP, is for nurses who already hold a master's in nursing and want to gain additional competencies in evidence-based methods, leadership, quality improvement, and more.

Advanced clinical practice prepares expert clinicians as nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and clinical nurse specialists. Advanced systems practice focuses on improving health care systems. Executive leadership prepares nurses to drive innovation, influence policy and lead teams. Nurse anesthesia prepares nurses to administer anesthesia.

VUSN charges by the credit hour. The posted rate for 2025-2026 is $2,057 per credit hour, plus annual fees for health insurance, student services and student health. Full-time DNP students receive a partial scholarship of $1,000 per semester unless another scholarship covers tuition in full. Total cost depends on your track and credit load.

Requirements vary by track. Post-master's applicants need a master's in nursing with advanced practice certification, or a related master's for the systems and executive leadership tracks, plus an unencumbered RN license. BSN to DNP applicants need a BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited school. Standardized test scores are not required. BSN to DNP applicants submit one reference letter from a doctorally prepared individual; Post-Master's DNP and DNP + PMC applicants submit three.

The DNP is a practice doctorate in nursing, and the PhD in Nursing Science is a research doctorate. Choose the DNP to translate evidence into care delivery and lead practice. Choose the PhD to generate new evidence through original research. The table above compares format, length and entry requirements.

The MSN prepares you for an advanced practice or specialized nursing role, such as nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife or nurse informaticist, typically in 4 to 8 full-time semesters. The DNP is a practice doctorate that builds on that preparation, or admits bachelor's-prepared nurses directly through the BSN to DNP track, and adds leadership, systems and evidence-based practice training that culminates in a scholarly project. Choose the MSN if you want to enter or change an advanced practice specialty as quickly as possible. Choose the DNP if you want nursing's terminal practice degree, whether you're starting from a bachelor's or a master's.

No. VUSN DNP students complete a scholarly project instead of a dissertation. The project applies evidence to a practice problem and demonstrates the synthesis of a student's coursework and clinical experience.