Doctor of Nursing Practice: Online
Lead change in healthcare practice and delivery
Advance to the highest level of nursing practice and lead meaningful change in healthcare through Simmons University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Offered through the prestigious School of Nursing, the online DNP will enable you to build the skills to improve patient outcomes across clinical practice, leadership, and research. You'll complete 43 credits and graduate ready to meet the evolving demands of today’s healthcare systems.
What will you learn in Simmons’ Online DNP program?
Simmons’ online DNP uses a blended format that combines flexible online coursework with in-person connection. You’ll attend one on-campus DNP Symposium while completing the rest of your coursework in a hybrid format blending synchronous live sessions and asynchronous content online.
In this terminal degree program, you will:
- Develop advanced nursing skills in clinical evidence-based practices, leadership, and systems improvement
- Complete DNP practice hours and policy-focused experiences
- Build a comprehensive portfolio in advanced nursing practice that reflects your applied learning
- Graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Choose your DNP pathway and track
You can tailor your degree based on your background and career goals:
Pathways
- BSN to DNP: Earn your MSN in Nursing Leadership as you progress toward your DNP. This program will require additional credits as MSN and DNP are conferred.
- MSN to DNP: Advance your clinical expertise and apply evidence-based research in practice
Tracks
- DNP Executive Leadership
- DNP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
What can you do with a DNP degree?
An online DNP degree prepares registered nurses to reach the highest level of professional nursing practice. DNP-educated nurses have the advanced skills needed to assume leadership roles in a variety of health settings.
Graduates of the online DNP program are prepared to pursue advanced roles across both clinical and non-clinical settings, including administration, academia, research, and patient care. Career paths vary depending on track, but may include:
- Nurse practitioner
- Nurse executive or manager
- Nurse educator or researcher
The Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership includes 567 clinical hours and 35 credit hours.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice - Executive Leadership includes 252 clinical hours, 29 credit hours, and 181+ DNP Project hours.
Full-Time Course Sequence
Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership conferred after Term 4.Term 1
| NURP405 | Advanced Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, and Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURP640 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| MGMT509 | Health Economics and Finance | 3 |
Term 2
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
| NURP590 | Introduction to Nursing Leadership: Building Leadership Competencies in Nursing | 3 |
| NURP590A | Leadership Clinical I | 3 |
Term 3
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
| NURP591 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURP591A | Leadership Clinical Course II | 3 |
Term 4
| NURP650 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURP592 | Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts | 3 |
| NURP592A | Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III | 3 |
Term 5
| MGMT507 | Health Care Negotiations and Problem-Solving | 3 |
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP655 | Biostatistics | 3 |
Term 6
| NURP670 | Health Policy | 3 |
| NURP670A | Health Policy Clinical Course | 2 |
| NURP750A | DNP Project Seminar I | 2 |
Part-Time Course Sequence
Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership conferred after Term Six.Term 1
| NURP405 | Advanced Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, and Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURP640 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
Term 4
| NURP590 | Introduction to Nursing Leadership: Building Leadership Competencies in Nursing | 3 |
| NURP590A | Leadership Clinical I | 3 |
Term 6
| NURP592 | Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts | 3 |
| NURP592A | Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III | 3 |
Term 7
| NURP600 | Arrive & Thrive: Leadership Strategies for Nurse Leaders & Advanced Practice Nurses | 1 |
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP655 | Biostatistics | 3 |
Term 9
| NURP680 | Social Justice and Ethical Leadership in Global Health Care | 3 |
| NURP680A | Social Justice Clinical Course | 2 |
The Master of Science in Nursing Leadership includes 567 clinical hours.
Full-Time Course Sequence
Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership conferred after Term Four.
Term 1
| CHSO404 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| MGMT509 | Health Economics and Finance | 3 |
| NURP 402 | Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | 1 |
| NURP640 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
Term 2
| NURP650 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
| NURP590 | Introduction to Nursing Leadership: Building Leadership Competencies in Nursing | 3 |
| NURP590A | Leadership Clinical I | 3 |
Term 3
| NURP655 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| NURP670 | Health Policy | 3 |
| NURP591 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURP591A | Leadership Clinical Course II | 3 |
Term 4
| NURP424 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP530 | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span | 3 |
| NURP592 | Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts | 3 |
| NURP592A | Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III | 3 |
Term 5
| NURP561 | FNP I: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care I | 2 |
| NURP562 | FNP II: Women’s Health in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURP563 | FNP III: Pediatrics in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP534 | Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course | 1 |
Part-Time Course Sequence
Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership conferred after Term Seven.
Term 1
| CHSO404 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| MGMT509 | Health Economics and Finance | 3 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
Term 2
| NURP 402 | Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | 1 |
| NURP590 | Introduction to Nursing Leadership: Building Leadership Competencies in Nursing | 3 |
| NURP590A | Leadership Clinical I | 3 |
Term 3
| NURP505 | Family Theory: Health & Illness | 2 |
| NURP591 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURP591A | Leadership Clinical Course II | 3 |
Term 4
| NURP592 | Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts | 3 |
| NURP592A | Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III | 3 |
Term 6
| NURP424 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
Term 8
| NURP561 | FNP I: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care I | 2 |
| NURP562 | FNP II: Women’s Health in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURP670 | Health Policy | 3 |
Term 9
| NURP563 | FNP III: Pediatrics in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURP564 | FNP IV: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care II | 2 |
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP534 | Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course | 1 |
Practitioner Track
The Master of Science in Nursing Leadership includes 567 clinical hours.
Full-Time Course Sequence
Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership conferred after Term Four.
Term 1
| CHSO404 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| MGMT509 | Health Economics and Finance | 3 |
| NURP 402 | Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | 1 |
| NURP640 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
Term 2
| NURP650 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
| NURP590 | Introduction to Nursing Leadership: Building Leadership Competencies in Nursing | 3 |
| NURP590A | Leadership Clinical I | 3 |
Term 3
| NURP655 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| NURP670 | Health Policy | 3 |
| NURP591 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURP591A | Leadership Clinical Course II | 3 |
Term 4
| NURP424 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP530 | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span | 3 |
| NURP592 | Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts | 3 |
| NURP592A | Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III | 3 |
Term 5
| NURP426 | Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP540 | Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders | 2 |
| NURP541 | PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP 534P | PMHNP Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course | 1 |
Part-Time Course Sequence
Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership conferred after Term Seven.
Term 1
| CHSO404 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| MGMT509 | Health Economics and Finance | 3 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
Term 2
| NURP 402 | Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | 1 |
| NURP590 | Introduction to Nursing Leadership: Building Leadership Competencies in Nursing | 3 |
| NURP590A | Leadership Clinical I | 3 |
Term 3
| NURP591 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURP591A | Leadership Clinical Course II | 3 |
Term 4
| NURP592 | Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts | 3 |
| NURP592A | Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III | 3 |
Term 6
| NURP424 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
Term 8
| NURP426 | Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP540 | Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders | 2 |
| NURP670 | Health Policy | 3 |
Term 9
| NURP541 | PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NURP542 | PMHNP II: Diagnosis & Management | 2 |
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP 534P | PMHNP Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course | 1 |
The Doctor of Nursing Practice - Executive Leadership Track includes 252 total clinical hours, 43 credit hours, and a minimum of 248 DNP Project hours.
Former Simmons MSN students who completed NURP 589 and NURP 450 during their program may waive NURP 660 and NURP 670 if taken within the past 5 years.
Full Time Course Sequence
Term 1
| NURP600 | Arrive & Thrive: Leadership Strategies for Nurse Leaders & Advanced Practice Nurses | 1 |
| NURP640 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
Term 5
| NURP670 | Health Policy | 3 |
| NURP670A | Health Policy Clinical Course | 2 |
| NURP750A | DNP Project Seminar I | 2 |
Part-Time Course Sequence
Term 2
| NURP600 | Arrive & Thrive: Leadership Strategies for Nurse Leaders & Advanced Practice Nurses | 1 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
The Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner includes 65 credit hours and 756 total clinical hours.
Former Simmons MSN students who completed NURP 589 and NURP 450 during their program may waive NURP 660 and NURP 670 if taken within the past 5 years. Current APRNs may waive CHSO 404, NURP 424, and NURP 530 if they successfully completed (with a grade of B or better) a three-credit course taught across the lifespan in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment.
Full-Time Course Sequence
Term 1
| CHSO404 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURP 402 | Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | 1 |
| NURP640 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
Term 2
| MGMT508 | Leadership and Change | 3 |
| NURP424 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP505 | Family Theory: Health & Illness | 2 |
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
Term 3
| NURP530 | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span | 3 |
| NURP650 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURP655 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| NURP670 | Health Policy | 3 |
Term 4
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP561 | FNP I: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care I | 2 |
| NURP562 | FNP II: Women’s Health in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURP563 | FNP III: Pediatrics in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURP534 | Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course | 1 |
Part-Time Course Sequence
Term 1
| CHSO404 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURP 402 | Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | 1 |
| NURP640 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
Term 2
| MGMT508 | Leadership and Change | 3 |
| NURP650 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
Term 3
| NURP424 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP505 | Family Theory: Health & Illness | 2 |
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
Term 5
| NURP561 | FNP I: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care I | 2 |
| NURP562 | FNP II: Women’s Health in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURP670 | Health Policy | 3 |
Term 6
| NURP563 | FNP III: Pediatrics in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURP564 | FNP IV: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care II | 2 |
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP534 | Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course | 1 |
Practitioner Track
The Doctor of Nursing Practice - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner includes 67 hours and 756 total clinical hours.
Former Simmons MSN students who completed NURP 589 and NURP 450 during their program may waive NURP 660 and NURP 670 if taken within the past 5 years. Current APRNs may waive CHSO 404, NURP 424, and NURP 530 if they successfully completed (with a grade of B or better) a three-credit course taught across the lifespan in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment.
Full-Time Course Sequence
Term 1
| CHSO404 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURP 402 | Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | 1 |
| NURP640 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
Term 2
| MGMT508 | Leadership and Change | 3 |
| NURP424 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
Term 3
| NURP530 | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span | 3 |
| NURP650 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURP655 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| NURP670 | Health Policy | 3 |
Term 4
| NURP426 | Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP540 | Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders | 2 |
| NURP541 | PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NURP542 | PMHNP II: Diagnosis & Management | 2 |
| NURP 534P | PMHNP Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course | 1 |
Part-Time Sequence
Term 1
| CHSO404 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURP 402 | Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | 1 |
| NURP640 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
Term 2
| MGMT508 | Leadership and Change | 3 |
| NURP650 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURP660 | Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics | 2 |
Term 3
| NURP424 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP610 | Scholarly Writing | 2 |
| NURP675 | Quality Improvement in Health Care | 3 |
Term 5
| NURP426 | Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURP540 | Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders | 2 |
| NURP541 | PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan | 2 |
Term 6
| NURP542 | PMHNP II: Diagnosis & Management | 2 |
| NURP543 | PMHNP III: Diagnosis & Management | 3 |
| NURP544 | PMHNP IV: SMI & Addictions Medicine | 2 |
| NURP 534P | PMHNP Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course | 1 |
Shoutouts from Nursing Students and Alums
Direct Entry Nursing Student on Impacting Patient Lives
Direct entry nursing student Hunter Lynch ’26FNP works in primary care and aspires to one day become a nursing educator. We spoke with him about hands-on learning at Simmons and the rewards of the nursing profession.
Forging a Path in Community Health
Joan Vera ’27MSN shares her experience in the direct entry Master of Science in nursing and post-graduate certificate family nurse practitioner (MSN/PGC FNP), an accelerated program for students who completed a bachelor’s degree in a field outside of nursing.
School of Nursing Students Train to Work with Children with Developmental Disorders
Simmons School of Nursing students Rachel Takes ’24MSN and Elizabeth Strager ’19 ’21MSN, FNP- C, ’25DNP were recruited into the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program (LEND Boston) at Boston Children's Hospital’s Institute for Community Inclusion.
Kimberly Noonan ’18DNP Selected as 2023 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
On October 7, 2023, Kimberly Noonan ’18DNP was inducted as a Fellow within the American Academy of Nursing. A Chief Nurse Practitioner at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Noonan is committed to supporting Nurse Practitioners and advancing oncology nursing.
Kasie Cassell '23 DNP Finds Fulfillment Working in Mental Health
Tell us about the work that you do. I am a dual licensed, board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. I work at Columbia Associates in Psychiatry, an outpatient psychiatric practice based in Virginia, with...
Our Faculty
Naila Russell
Associate Professor of Practice, Chair of Graduate Nursing Programs, and Alumni Endowed Chair
Eileen McGee
Adjunct Faculty
Carmen Harrison
Professor of Practice
Patricia Rissmiller
Associate Professor
Chaluza Kapaale
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Beth James
Associate Professor of Practice
Meredith Troutman-Jordan
Associate Teaching Professor
Renee Bauer
Adjunct Faculty
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