Online DNP Program—Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree

A DNP degree, otherwise known as the Doctor of Nursing Practice, is designed to help prepare experts in the nursing field. If you want to expand your clinical practice into a high-level leadership position or become a clinical educator, this could be a great option for you. The DNP is a terminal degree, meaning you will have completed the highest level of nursing education. If you’re exploring how to become a DNP, we encourage you to speak with an Enrollment Representative, who can walk you through the DNP program requirements and process.

Chamberlain's DNP program can be completed in as little as two years by taking one course at a time in each eight-week session. Our program consists of eight didactic courses and five practicum courses for a total of 13 courses.

In the DNP program practicum, you will complete a practice-change project in partnership with your organization's practicum location and its organizational needs. This can be a process improvement, quality improvement, or something else that impacts patient care outcomes. Many students will use their current workplace, where they can benefit from the impact of their DNP project. You must have a current and unrestricted license in the state in which you plan to complete a practicum.

Coursework is completed 100% online with a practicum component.

There are no mandatory login times for our Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Most DNP online classes require that you log in two to three times per week. 

Chamberlain has several resources to help you become acclimated and comfortable with the online classroom of our DNP program. You can also ask your Enrollment Representative for a personal tour of the DNP online environment. We also have a view series, Online Classroom Demonstration, to learn about what you can expect when you log in to your class. 

Classes in the DNP program are asynchronous, meaning you attend on your schedule when it’s convenient for you. You go to class by logging into your course from a device connected to the internet such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Request more information to have an Enrollment Representative provide you with a comprehensive full course tour. 

Requirements may vary by educational institution—so if you have a specific school in mind, explore their requirements for faculty. 

Yes! Chamberlain provides registered nurses with the opportunity to enroll in preparatory coursework to prepare for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and a master’s degree in a field other than nursing must transfer in or complete at least six designated Chamberlain courses (18 credit hours) prior to being admitted to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program. 

Chamberlain does not accept transfer of credit toward the didactic courses to protect the integrity of our CCNE-accredited DNP program. We will review and consider hours earned in your MSN degree program for transfer of credit toward the practicum credit and hour requirement. If you are a Chamberlain graduate seeking a DNP degree, now you can add an advanced degree and save up to 20% on tuition with our alumni tuition rate. Speak with an Enrollment Representative to help you understand your transfer credit and tuition requirements. 

After you graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, your professional title will be doctor in an academic setting, but not in a clinical setting. 

Chamberlain’s DNP program takes two years to complete and launches you into a new phase of leadership. Prior to entering the DNP program, you will need a BSN and an MSN, or a BSN and a master’s degree in a field other than nursing. Completion times vary, but it can take five years or more years to earn both degrees prior to starting our two-year DNP program.

No. Someone who completes the DNP program graduates with a doctoral degree and is prepared for roles in advanced clinical practice and healthcare leadership. A nurse practitioner is a nurse who has earned a master’s degree and completed additional clinical training that qualifies them to be certified in one or more specialties. A DNP is a higher level of education. 

A doctorate in nursing prepares you for a wide range of roles in a variety of healthcare settings. Gain skills to lead, analyze, and influence nursing practice to prepare you for advanced roles such as chief nursing officer, healthcare consultant, quality improvement specialist, nurse executive, or clinical nurse practitioner. To learn more, call 877.751.5783 to speak to a representative or request more information.

Chamberlain’s DNP program curriculum covers foundational concepts for advanced nursing practice, leadership and role development, informatics for advanced nursing practice, quality and safety, research methods and evidence-based practice, and population health and epidemiology. Additionally, core courses include applied organizational and leadership concepts, healthcare informatics and information systems, fiscal analysis and project management, and concepts in population health outcomes and health policy. You can also choose from three elective focus areas—Advanced Practice Leadership, Educational Leadership, and Healthcare Systems Leadership—to tailor your curriculum to your specific leadership goals. 

With a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, you will have the academic background needed to pursue advanced roles such as chief nursing officer, healthcare consultant, quality improvement specialist, or nurse executive. Additionally, you can explore leadership roles in areas such as clinical nursing practice, informatics, and healthcare policy. These positions allow you to lead, analyze, and influence nursing practice, transform healthcare systems, and improve patient outcomes. You can also impact nursing practice and patient outcomes through the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational initiatives across settings.