Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Information

A Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) from MU can help you advance your career in an advanced nursing role. Our program is distance mediated, providing online coursework with minimal on-campus visits (generally once per year), ideal for the working professional. Students may select from part-time or full-time plans of study to meet individual student needs.

Program Overview

• You will complete most course work online, but an on-campus visit is required for five days during the summer before course work begins for orientation to the DNP program. Additional campus visits will be required throughout the program.
• Integrate advanced knowledge of nursing theories, methods of inquiry, humanities and related sciences in the delivery of care to rural and other underserved populations.
• Serve as leaders, in collaboration with multiple disciplines to improve the quality of health care outcomes for individuals, populations and systems.
• Systematically evaluate a defined area of nursing using technologies in order to advance cost-effective health care delivery.
• Appraise scientific data from various domains in order to translate the best evidence into nursing practice and health care delivery.
• Analyze the social, economic, cultural, environmental, political and policy components of health care to advocate for improved health outcomes and reduce health disparities.
• Courses are semester-based. How long it takes to complete the program depends on your academic progress so far. If you already have a master’s degree, you can study part time and complete the program in three years. If you have a bachelor’s degree and want to study part time, the program is more likely to take you five or six years.

Student Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the DNP program in nursing, the learner will:
• Integrate advanced knowledge of nursing theories, methods of inquiry, humanities, and related sciences in the delivery of care to rural and other underserved populations. (Essential I, Essential VIII)
• Serve as leaders, in collaboration with multiple disciplines to improve quality of health care outcomes for individuals, populations, and systems. (Essential II, Essential IV, Essential V, Essential VI, Essential VIII)
• Systematically evaluate a defined area of nursing using technologies in order to advance cost effective health care delivery. (Essential II, Essential III, Essential IV, Essential VIII)
• Appraise scientific data from various domains in order to translate best evidence into nursing practice and health care delivery. (Essential III, Essential VII, Essential VIII)
 • Analyze the social, economic, cultural, environmental, political, and policy components of health care to advocate for improved health outcomes and reduce health disparities. (Essential V, Essential VII, Essential VIII)

(Approved by Sinclair School of Nursing Faculty Assembly, August 2009)

- By the Numbers -

A Doctor of Nursing is a Good Career Choice

#35

For 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked our DNP program #35 in the country.

$121,610

Median Salary for Doctor of Nursing Practice

26%

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 26% job growth for Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners.

Why Choose SSON

Through a strong foundation of education excellence and a new home designed for innovation, the Sinclair School of Nursing is opening new doors for immersive learning and research opportunities to advance the next Mizzou Nurse.

Points of Pride

Funding Your Education

Estimated cost for the BSN to DNP program is $41,228

Estimated cost for the MS to DNP program is $21,760

Out-of-state and in-state graduate students pay the same online graduate course fees.

Scholarships & Assistance

The Sinclair School of Nursing offers a number of nursing-specific scholarships for clinical nursing majors and graduate students. Scholarships numbers and amounts (usually $1,000 to $4,000) vary from year to year for qualified applicants. A call for applications and announcement of awards is made each year during the spring semester for the following academic year. In addition, undergraduate research assistantships, University of Missouri scholarships, external scholarships, and other opportunities are available.

Hear from our Students

Kweku Osei

DNP '19

"I cannot thank the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing enough ... they have prepared me very well for the real world."

Questions? Contact Us.

If you have questions, please contact the Sinclair School of Nursing student services at 573-882-0277 or nursing@missouri.edu.