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
- Bachelor's degree in nursing1 or master's degree in advanced practice nursing2 that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing for unconditional admission
- 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 (only for post-Bachelor of Science in Nursing applicants)
- Résumé 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) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 560 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 83 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 78 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 55 PTE score
- Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score
1Upon admission to the D.N.P. degree, students who hold only a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited bachelor's degree in nursing will be admitted also to the M.S.N. degree. 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.
2Students with a master's degree must submit proof of current, national certification as an advanced practice registered nurse within their first semester or prior to beginning their practicum hours, whichever comes first.
Students selected for admission to the nursing program must meet the College of Nursing's Clinical Compliance Policy.
This program is only offered in select states, please see the College of Nursing Admissions tab for more information.
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.
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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.