College of Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Course Delivery
100% online
Total Credits
34
Approximate Program Cost
$18,200
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Overview
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Nursing is the terminal degree for nurses who want to advance their knowledge of nursing practice, gain exceptional leadership and technology skills, and become clinical scholars. Students develop leadership skills to improve health outcomes for individuals and populations by translating scientific evidence into clinical interventions, managing healthcare systems and collaborating with other healthcare providers.
Students prepare for their roles as advanced practice nurses to provide leadership, apply research evidence to clinical practice, and contribute to improving healthcare outcomes via direct practice, policy change, systems evaluation and practice scholarship. They graduate prepared to assume a leadership role in healthcare, make an impact on healthcare policy, apply current research and evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes, and practice with interdisciplinary teams, information systems and quality improvement.
Accreditation: The DNP degree in Nursing at Kent State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Program Structure
- 34 credit hours
- Graduate in as few as 5 semesters
Admissions Requirements
Domestic U.S. Students
- Completed application form and fee
- Bachelor's degree in nursing or master's degree in advanced practice nursing that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing for unconditional admission
- MSN degree students must submit proof of current, national certification as an APRN within their first semester or prior to beginning their practicum hours, whichever comes first
- Upon admission to the D.N.P. degree program, students who hold only a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited bachelor's degree in nursing will be admitted also to the M.S.N. degree program. This will allow students to complete M.S.N. coursework and enroll in some D.N.P. coursework after successfully completing their first two full-time semesters of graduate study. Students must first complete M.S.N. coursework, earn the M.S.N. degree and obtain APRN national certification before they can continue with D.N.P. coursework and earn the D.N.P. degree
- Minimum overall 3.000 GPA on a 4.000 point scale for unconditional admission
- Completion of an undergraduate- or graduate-level statistics course with a minimum C grade
- Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the state in which the student's practica will be completed
- GRE scores, no more than five years old (Effective spring 2019, GRE scores will only be required for post-Bachelor of Science in Nursing applicants)
- Resume or curriculum vitae that demonstrates professional experience in nursing
- Essay (300 words) describing professional goals and reasons for seeking the professional practice doctorate
- Three letters of reference from healthcare professionals or academic faculty who can speak to the applicant's professional and academic abilities
- Pre-admission interview
- English language proficiency: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions)
- Students selected for admission to the nursing program must meet the College of Nursing's Clinical Compliance Policy. For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website
- Students selected for admission to the nursing program must meet the College of Nursing's Clinical Compliance Policy
Kent State University College of Nursing is currently able to accept students from certain states into our online programs. Please consult the approved states for online learning list prior to applying.
International Students
International students may apply to our online MSN concentrations and certificates only if they meet admission criteria, especially the criterion, "graduation with a BSN from an accredited university." Also, the College of Nursing must be able to offer the program and develop an affiliation agreement with a healthcare practicum site in the student's country. To determine if you meet this criterion and if the college can offer the program, please contact Dr. Jay Hays, Student Services in the College of Nursing, at 330-672-8800.
Information for International Student Admissions
For more information about graduate admission, please visit the Graduate Studies website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
Important Dates
Courses
Courses for the online Doctor of Nursing Practice program develop nursing knowledge and leadership skills and prepare students for clinical scholarship and advanced practice. Topics include clinical analytics, research methods, evidence-based practice, healthcare leadership, organizational systems, quality improvement in healthcare delivery, population health, and finance and economic policy. All DNS students must also complete 7 credit hours (525 clock hours) of clinical practice. They must further complete a publication-suitable scholarly project which they will propose and develop in a seminar course, and which they will submit and defend to a committee comprised of the student’s academic advisor and at least two other doctoral-prepared members.
Tuition and Fees
| Ohio Residents | Out of State/International* | ||||
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Program Cost | Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Program Cost |
| $536 | $1,608 | Approximate Cost: $18,200 | $546 | $1,638 | Approximate Cost: $18,500 |
There is a $45 application fee for the program, which will be reimbursed for eligible Kent State preceptors. Contact gradnurse@kent.edu for more information. Program fees/semester figured on actual cost basis.
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $12 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs please contact the One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000, or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
*Out-of-state/International tuition includes a surcharge of $10 per credit hour for all students enrolled in an online program.