The online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program admits master-prepared registered nurses who are ready to deliver safe, high-quality healthcare at the highest level of independent practice. Through complex decision-making, organizational leadership, and systems thinking, graduates are prepared to influence healthcare policy, engage in clinical scholarship, and develop, implement, and evaluate strategies that address emerging practice issues.
The 36-credit program can be completed in just over two years and includes a culminating DNP project. Courses are offered online, with two on-campus intensives, making the program ideal for working professional nurses.
The DNP program offers two tracks: a DNP in Nursing Education track and an Executive Leadership track. Students in the DNP in Nursing Education track focus on advancing nursing education through evidence-based teaching strategies, curriculum development, academic leadership, and innovative approaches to preparing the next generation of nurses. Students in the Executive Leadership track analyze populations, systems of care, organizations, and state or national policies to create quality improvement projects that enhance healthcare delivery and population outcomes.
Throughout the program, students learn from doctorally prepared faculty with broad expertise in nursing education, advanced practice, and nursing leadership. Graduates of Felician’s MSN program who meet academic requirements may enjoy a seamless transition into the DNP program.
*Please note, we are currently only enrolling students in the DNP in Nursing Education Track.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nursing Education Track
The online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nursing Education at Felician University prepares master’s-prepared registered nurses to assume advanced roles in nursing education, academic practice, and workforce development. Grounded in evidence-based practice, educational theory, and leadership, graduates are equipped to design, implement, and evaluate innovative teaching and learning strategies that improve educational and healthcare outcomes.
Designed for working professionals, the fully online, asynchronous format provides flexibility while maintaining academic rigor. The 36-credit program can be completed in just over two years, with courses offered year-round in three 14-week trimesters. This model supports continuous enrollment and timely degree completion while preserving a high-quality educational experience. Students complete a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours under the supervision of approved preceptors in both academic and clinical education settings.
Program Overview
The DNP in Nursing Education track emphasizes the development of expert nurse educators who can lead curriculum innovation, faculty development, and program evaluation across academic and healthcare environments. Building upon prior baccalaureate and master’s-level nursing education, the curriculum integrates:
- Advanced principles of nursing education and pedagogy
- Evidence-based practice and applied research
- Instructional design and curriculum development
- Simulation, assessment, and evaluation strategies
- Healthcare systems leadership and quality improvement
Throughout the program, students engage in progressively complex coursework and practicum experiences that promote the integration of theory into educational practice.
Curriculum Structure
The curriculum follows a scaffolded progression designed to support doctoral-level competency in nursing education and leadership.
Foundational Coursework
Students begin with courses in advanced nursing education, pathophysiology, applied research, and evidence-based practice, establishing a strong scientific and pedagogical foundation.
Advanced Educational Practice
Subsequent coursework focuses on instructional design, curriculum development, simulation, and student assessment. Structured practicum experiences allow students to apply teaching strategies in real-world academic and clinical environments.
Leadership Integration
Leadership development is embedded throughout the program, with coursework in healthcare systems leadership, quality improvement, advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and statistics. These experiences prepare graduates to lead educational initiatives within complex healthcare and academic systems.
DNP Scholarly Project
The program culminates in a two-semester DNP Immersion, where students synthesize learning through the development and implementation of an education-focused scholarly project. During this experience, students:
- Identify a gap in nursing education or practice
- Design and implement an evidence-based educational intervention
- Evaluate outcomes and impact
- Disseminate findings to contribute to nursing education and practice
This scholarly project emphasizes leadership, innovation, and the translation of evidence into practice to improve educational and healthcare outcomes.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the DNP Nursing Education track are prepared to assume leadership roles such as:
- Nursing faculty in academic programs
- Clinical educator and staff development specialist
- Curriculum and instructional design leader
- Program evaluation and accreditation specialist
- Workforce development and continuing education leader
Graduates are equipped to influence the future of nursing education through innovation, scholarship, and leadership.
Program Distinction
The DNP in Nursing Education at Felician University reflects the same commitment to excellence as the broader DNP program, which prepares nurses to deliver high-quality care, lead system-level change, and address complex healthcare challenges through scholarship and innovation.
Rooted in the University’s Franciscan values, the program emphasizes ethical leadership, service to others, and a commitment to advancing nursing education and healthcare delivery.
DNP Nursing Education Track Admission Requirements
- A Master’s degree in nursing or related field (i.e., MBA, MPA, MHA). If the Master’s degree is in a non-nursing field, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program that is nationally accredited and approved by the Board of Nursing is required.
Visit the graduate catalog for additional admissions criteria.
DNP Executive Leadership Program Track Admission Requirements
*Please note, we are currently only enrolling students in the DNP in Nursing Education Track (above).
- A Master’s degree in nursing or related field (i.e., MBA, MPA, MHA). If the Master’s degree is in a non-nursing field, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program that is nationally accredited and approved by the Board of Nursing is required.
- Completed application.
- Master’s degree in nursing or related field (e.g. MBA, MPA, MHA) from a nationally accredited program. If the Master’s degree is in a non-nursing field, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program that is nationally accredited and approved by the Board of Nursing is required.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in graduate coursework.
- Registered professional nurse license. The licensee cannot have any current or pending disciplinary action against their nursing license from any Board of Nursing.
- Successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course and a graduate-level nursing research course.
- A notarized copy of the photo page of a government-issued identification such as passport or driver’s license.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Curriculum vitae or resume.
- Written statement and essay.
- Personal interview.
- A minimum score of 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 550 on the paper-based TOEFL is required of graduates of non-English speaking countries.
- International academic credentials are reviewed by an international accrediting agency (World Education Services) on an individual basis.
Students in the Doctor of Nursing Program leave the program with the skills to develop and evaluate new practice approaches that will improve health care delivery, effect changes in clinical practice, and collaborate with health care teams to improve patient-centered care.
Upon completion of the Doctor of Nursing Practice, the graduate will be able to:
- Integrate nursing science and theories from other disciplines in the development and evaluation of new practice approaches that will improve health care delivery.
- Effect changes in clinical nursing practice through organizational and systems leadership using systems theory as a framework for quality improvement.
- Critically analyze current evidence to implement quality improvement modalities to promote effective, efficient and safe patient centered care.
- Use information systems and technology to improve and transform health care, which contributes to improved patient outcomes.
- Implement health policy initiatives that focus on clinical prevention and optimal health for vulnerable populations while advocating for social justice, equity, and ethical polices in health care.
- Collaborate with all members of the health care team to improve patient-centered care and to benchmark outcomes and quality improvement initiatives.
- Implement and analyze clinical prevention and intervention initiatives for diverse populations in order to effect improvement in the nation’s health.
- Advance the nursing profession through leadership initiatives that support other nurses to achieve excellence in advanced nursing practice.
- Lead with ethical comportment in all aspects of advanced nursing practice.
| NURS 700 The DNP-Prepared Professional – Explorations and Analysis (On-Campus Intensive) | 3 credits |
| NURS 702 Advocacy and Action for Health Care Policy and Social Justice | 3 credits |
| NURS 707 Methods for Evidence Based Practice I | 3 credits |
| NURS 715 Business and Financial Concepts for the DNP Professional | 3 credits |
| NURS 708 Methods for Evidence Based Practice II | 3 credits |
| NURS 741 Advanced Concepts in Population Health | 3 credits |
| NURS 730 Impacting Healthcare Outcomes | 3 credits |
| NURS 800: Knowledge Integration: Evidence Appraisal for Practice (200 project hours) | 3 credits |
| NURS 810 Knowledge Application: Project Implementation I (100 project hours) | 3 credits |
| NURS 705 Nursing Informatics | 3 credits |
| NURS 815 Knowledge Application: Project Implementation II (100 project hours) | 3 credits |
| NURS 820 Knowledge Dissemination (On-Campus Project Presentation – 100 project hours) | 3 credits |