Are There Online DNP Programs Without Clinicals?

Why Clinicals Are Required To Become a Registered Nurse

Students pursuing an RN license must complete a nursing program approved by the state's board of nursing where they plan to work. These programs include coursework in nursing theory, pharmacology, mental health, and beyond. To ensure students can apply classroom concepts and provide quality patient care in real-world healthcare settings, clinical training is required.

Options for Reducing or Modifying Clinical Requirements

DNP programs generally include clinical training; however, some institutions modify this requirement to accommodate working nurses. Here are some options:

• Hybrid programs: Hybrid DNP programs enable learners to take nursing courses online and possibly complete clinicals in their local community.
• Competency-based models: In competency-based programs, students complete coursework at their own pace and may benefit from flexible clinical scheduling.
• Workplace-based clinicals: Some programs allow DNP students to complete clinicals at their workplace instead of commuting to a separate location for training.
• Condensed clinical schedules: You might encounter DNP programs that offer clinicals on weekends or just a few times a month for greater flexibility.

10 Most Flexible Online DNP Programs

Online DNP programs prepare RNs for key leadership roles in healthcare. Review the following schools to discover some of the nation's most flexible doctoral programs.

1. Liberty University

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Liberty University is a fully online option exploring advanced nursing research, clinical prevention, healthcare options, and more. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this program offers the option to transfer in up to 50% of the required credits.

Areas of focus are available for students who want to become family nurse practitioners (FNPs) or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). To meet clinical requirements, students are matched with a preceptor and site that align with their educational needs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $610 per credit hour (full-time); $675 per credit hour (part-time)
• Financial aid: Scholarships and federal student aid can increase school affordability.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas, accredited by the CCNE, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to DNP and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to DNP, both consisting of 100% online coursework and requiring minimal campus visits. Clinical practicum hours are student-arranged with qualified preceptors in their areas.

To enroll, learners need an unencumbered RN license and a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 credit hours of attempted coursework. GRE scores aren't required.

• Estimated tuition cost: $612.62 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Federal student aid, private aid, and scholarships can make learning more affordable.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

3. Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University is home to a 32-credit DNP program consisting of 100% online courses, a mandatory two-day online orientation, and a final evidence-based practice (EBP) project. Enrollees must complete clinical hours; however, they can meet this requirement in their geographic area of residence.

To gain admission, learners need proof of completion of an MSN degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Proof of an active, unrestricted, or unencumbered RN license is also required.

• Estimated tuition cost: $625 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Scholarships and educational loans are available to reduce school costs.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. National University

National University's DNP in executive leadership is a 100% online program that students finish in as little as 30 months. Courses explore healthcare policy, advocacy, evidence-based practice, health outcomes research, informatics in healthcare delivery, and more.

In addition to didactic coursework, learners must complete practice courses to obtain executive leadership experience and meet degree requirements. Upon completion, learners will be ready for director of nursing, clinical nurse leader, and chief nursing officer roles.

• Estimated tuition cost: $735 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Federal student aid and scholarships like the National University Key Grant help students save.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

5. Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University's CCNE-accredited DNP is a 21-month online program offering specializations in executive leadership and public health and policy. Enrollees benefit from the school's Empowered Learning competency-based format, which is self-paced with no weekly deadlines.

Practice hours consist of immersion experiences students can complete in their own community ?possibly at their own organization. Rasmussen also offers practicum courses to help learners attain the required post-baccalaureate clinical hours, based on the clinical hours earned before entering the program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $738 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students in this program can save with military benefits and employer tuition assistance.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Northern Illinois University

At Northern Illinois University, RNs with a bachelor's or a master's degree can pursue a BS to DNP or an MS to DNP. Both programs offer flexible online coursework and precepter-organized in-person clinical hours with local health organizations.

Specializations available to both programs include educational leadership and health care leadership. BS to DNP enrollees also have a family nurse practitioner (FNP) option. Admission requirements include a current Illinois RN license and a GPA of 3.0 (BS to DNP) or 3.2 (MS to DNP).

• Estimated tuition cost: $773.32 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Federal student aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance help enrollees save.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

The School of Nursing at Oklahoma Wesleyan University offers two 100% online DNP pathways. The BSN to DNP enables learners to specialize in nursing administration, nursing education, or informatics. The post-master's DNP focuses on executive leadership.

Enrollees complete direct and indirect practice experiences embedded in courses, and direct clinical practice experiences in the final three courses. Students can transfer up to 500 clinical practice hours from a master's program and obtain additional practice experiences through flexible professional nursing activities.

• Estimated tuition cost: $799 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can reduce costs with scholarships, loans, work-study jobs, and military benefits.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Chamberlain University

The DNP program at Chamberlain University is the largest in the U.S. This CCNE-accredited online degree explores informatics, evidence-based practice, and leadership, and offers three elective focus areas:

• healthcare systems leadership
• educational leadership
• advanced practice leadership

Enrollees complete a five-part DNP project and practicum experience at a location they select. Admission is open to RNs with a BSN and a non-nursing master's degree who complete six MSN core courses. RN licensure and a 3.0 GPA are required for all applicants.

• Estimated tuition cost: $830 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The DAISY Honoree Scholarship, Doctor of Nursing Practice New Student Grant, and Nursing Excellence Grant can help online students save.
• Accreditation: HLC

9. Capella University

Learners attending Capella University can pursue an online DNP incorporating principles from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. This CCNE-accredited program offers two learning formats: GuidedPath (set schedules and deadlines) and FlexPath (self-paced).

Alongside coursework in global population health, evidence-based practice, and executive leadership, students complete a practicum in their preferred location. In some cases, their employer's location may qualify.

• Estimated tuition cost: $850 per credit (GuidedPath); $3,480 per 12-week billing session (FlexPath)
• Financial aid: Learners can save with scholarships, employer benefits, work study jobs, military benefits, and the $32k Capella Tuition Cap.
• Accreditation: HLC

10. University of Maryland School of Nursing

At the University of Maryland School of Nursing, located at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, students can pursue a flexible, blended (online and face-to-face) post-master's DNP designed for completion in two years. This competency-based program allows learners to streamline their plans of study by taking only the courses they need.

Clinical experiences are required, but can be set up in each student's home state. To enhance their degrees, learners can add certificates in environmental health, global health, and nursing informatics.

• Estimated tuition cost: $926 per credit hour (in-state); $1,643 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Financial assistance includes federal aid, merit scholarships, donor-funded scholarships, the Conway Scholarship, and graduate assistantships.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

How We Rank Schools

Our team thoroughly vetted the schools in this ranking list to confirm that each meets the following criteria for delivering a quality academic experience:

• Accreditation: The schools above are accredited by nationally recognized organizations, such as the HLC and the MSCHE.
• Affordability: We picked institutions offering low-cost tuition rates and financial assistance (e.g., scholarships, federal student aid, etc.) to reduce costs for nursing students.
• Program reputation: These programs are taught by reputable faculty members and have quality graduate outcomes.

FAQs About DNP Programs Without Clinicals

Are you ready to take your nursing career to the next level? Review the FAQs below to learn more about DNP programs before getting started.

How Long Are the Online DNP Programs?

The program length for online DNP programs averages two to four years. However, enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time) and transfer credits can impact your graduation timetable. If you want to speed up degree completion, consider accelerated programs with short course terms (e.g., five-week and eight-week classes) and multiple start dates.

What Can I Do With a DNP Degree?

A DNP is a terminal degree that prepares RNs to become nurse leaders at the highest level. Common job titles for DNP graduates include:

• nurse practitioner (e.g., family, pediatric, psychiatric/mental health, etc.)
• certified nurse midwife
• certified registered nurse anesthetist
• clinical nurse specialist
• nurse educator
• clinical informatics nurse
• healthcare administrator

How Much Does an MSN to DNP Program Cost?

The cost of an MSN-DNP program varies by school, program, learning format, residency, and more. However, many institutions offer low-cost programs with affordable tuition and financial aid, including Colorado Christian University and Liberty University, which charge less than $700 per credit hour.

Can You Go Straight From RN to DNP?

Yes, it's possible to go straight from working as an RN to earning a DNP. Most programs are offered as BSN to DNP programs in which students can earn an MSN and DNP simultaneously. However, you can also find Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to DNP programs for students who don't have a bachelor's or master's degree and want to earn their doctorate.

How Much Can You Make With a DNP?

Nurses with a DNP earn varying amounts depending on their position. Here are a few salary examples, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• nurse anesthetists: $223,210
• nurse practitioners: $129,210
• nurse midwives: $128,790
• nurse educator: $79,940

Discover Online Nursing Degrees

Start an exciting journey in advanced practice nursing by exploring the accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest to learn how they can help you reach your career goals.