Top 10 DNP Programs That Accept Transfer Credits 2026

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are primarily for registered nurses (RNs) who want to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), also commonly called nurse practitioners, and for APRNs who want to further their education. Sometimes, the path to a DNP isn't straightforward, and students choose to earn graduate certificates before they pursue a DNP or start an APRN program, but opt to take a break between their studies.

When that happens, it's helpful to find a DNP that will accept your prior learning so it doesn't go to waste. Keep reading to discover DNP programs that accept transfer credits.

Do DNP Programs Accept Transfer Credits?

Some DNP programs accept transfer credits, but it depends on the program. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to DNP programs will sometimes accept credits from post-bachelor's certificates or any other type of graduate-level coursework you've taken. If the school you're applying to doesn't offer a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) to DNP track, you may be able to transfer in your entire MSN degree.

MSN to DNP programs aren't technically transfer programs, but they do have a shorter time frame since students have already completed a graduate degree. Some MSN to DNP programs will also accept post-master's credits, like those from a certificate program or continuing education, for transfer.

What Credits Can I Transfer to a DNP Program?

The specific credits you can transfer into a DNP program will depend on the program. Generally, these credits need to be graduate-level and need to be nursing or healthcare related.

Best DNP Programs That Accept Transfer Credits

While not all DNP programs accept transfer credits, many do. Below, we've highlighted some of the top schools that offer DNP programs that accept transfer credits.

1. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a private research institution in Baltimore, MD. It's one of the top healthcare universities in the U.S., and its DNP program offers several advanced practice tracks, including:

• adult-gerontological acute care
• family primary care
• pediatric primary care
• nurse anesthesia

The school accepts up to six credits of transfer from outside the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. This program takes three to four years of full-time study to complete.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,057 per credit
• Maximum transfer credits: Six hours
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)

2. Duke University

At Duke University, students can earn their DNP through the School of Nursing. The school offers a BSN to DNP and an MSN to DNP online as well as an on-campus nurse anesthesia DNP.

Duke, a private research university, is located in Durham, NC. It allows students in the MSN to DNP program to transfer in up to six post-master's credit hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,250 per credit
• Maximum transfer credits: Six hours
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), CCNE, COA

3. Rutgers University

Rutgers University's School of Nursing offers a BSN to DNP and an MSN to DNP, as well as post-master's certificates. Rutgers is a public research university in New Brunswick, NJ.

The post-bachelor's program is available in areas like family nursing practice, nurse anesthesia, women's health/gender-related nursing practice, and nurse midwifery. Students can transfer in a maximum of 12 credits, but clinical theory and practicum courses are not transferable.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,125 per credit (in-state); $1,647 per credit (out-of-state)
• Maximum transfer credits: 12 hours
• Accreditation: MSCHE, CCNE, COA, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)

4. University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The DNP program at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN) is available to students with a BSN or an MSN. It offers 12 areas of specialization, including adult/gerontological nursing, psychiatric/mental health nursing, nurse midwifery, and nursing informatics.

UMN, located across the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, is a public research university. It allows MSN to DNP students to transfer in up to 10 credits, while BSN to DNP students can transfer in up to 12.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,172 per credit
• Maximum transfer credits: 10 hours (MSN to DNP); 12 hours (BSN to DNP)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), CCNE, COA, ACME

5. Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University is a private Catholic institution in Fairfield, CT. It offers a BSN to DNP in family nursing practice as well as an MSN to DNP with tracks in education and executive leadership.

The university accepts up to six transfer credits for the MSN to DNP. Transfer credits are not accepted for the BSN to DNP.

• Estimated tuition cost: $995 per credit
• Maximum transfer credits: Six hours
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), CCNE

6. Ohio State University

Students at Ohio State University (OSU) can earn a BSN to DNP in multiple areas, including nurse anesthesia, pediatric primary and acute care, nurse midwifery, and neonatal nursing practice. An MSN to DNP is also available with a clinical expert track and a nurse executive track.

OSU, a public research university, is located in Columbus, OH. It allows students to transfer up to 10 credits of coursework taken as a graduate non-degree student into the program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $864.45 per credit
• Maximum transfer credits: 10
• Accreditation: HLC, CCNE, COA, ACME

7. University of Maryland, Baltimore

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) offers a BSN to DNP option and an MSN to DNP option through the School of Nursing. UMB is a public research university in Baltimore.

The BSN to DNP offers concentrations like adult/gerontology acute and primary care, nurse anesthesia, family nursing, and psychiatric mental health nursing. The MSN to DNP allows students to transfer in up to six credit hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $926 per credit (in-state); $1,643 per credit (out-of-state)
• Maximum transfer credits: Six hours
• Accreditation: MSCHE, CCNE, COA

8. Case Western Reserve University

The DNP at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is available in nurse anesthesia and nurse leadership. This is primarily a BSN to DNP program, and it accepts up to six transfer credits. However, students that earn their MSN at CWRU can transfer up to nine credits to the DNP.

CWRU, located in Cleveland, OH, is a private research university. The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing created the first practice doctorate in nursing in 1979.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,497 per credit
• Maximum transfer credits: Nine hours
• Accreditation: HLC, CCNE, COA, ACME

9. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university in Tempe, AZ. It offers a BSN to DNP option with tracks in areas like:

• emergency nursing
• family nursing
• primary care
• women's health nursing

ASU also offers an MSN to DNP program with an optional concentration in innovation leadership. The post-master's DNP accepts up to 40 transfer credits, including those from the master's program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,241 (in-state); $1,862 per credit (out-of-state)
• Maximum transfer credits: 40 hours
• Accreditation: HLC, CCNE

10. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), students can earn a BSN to DNP in several fields, including adult gerontology acute and primary care, family nursing practice, psychiatric mental health nursing, and pediatric acute and primary care. An MSN to DNP with a leadership focus is also available.

UAMS, a public health sciences university, is located in Little Rock, AR. It allows students in both program options to transfer up to 12 credits into their DNP.

• Estimated tuition cost: $525 per credit (in-state); $888 per credit (non-resident)
• Maximum transfer credits: 12 hours
• Accreditation: HLC, CCNE, COA

How We Rank Schools

To choose the nursing schools listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All institutions are regionally accredited and all nursing schools are accredited by the CCNE. Schools with nurse anesthesia or nurse midwifery programs are accredited by the corresponding agency.
• Credit-transfer policy: All schools listed allow students to transfer credits into their DNP program.
• Program reputation: Every school on this list is well-known for offering high-quality nursing programs.

FAQs About DNP Programs and Transfer Credits

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about DNP programs that accept transfer credits.

How Much Does It Cost To Earn a DNP?

The cost to earn a DNP can vary based on several factors, including what school you choose, whether you already have an MSN, and how many credit hours you need. Some schools charge less than $800 per credit for in-state students, while others charge over $2,000 per credit.

How Many Credits Can You Transfer Into a DNP Program?

Most DNP programs that accept transfer credits will allow students to bring in up to six credit hours. However, a few accept 10 or 12 credits, while others may accept more.

Do I Need an MSN To Earn a DNP?

While some schools may only offer MSN to DNP programs, most allow you to earn a DNP with a bachelor's degree, as long as your degree is in nursing and you have a valid RN license.

Can You Transfer Credits From a Non-Nursing Graduate Degree?

Generally, the credits you transfer need to be from a nursing degree. Some schools may allow you to transfer credits from related graduate degrees, like those in public health or health administration.

Do Online DNP Programs Accept Transfer Credits?

Many online DNP programs accept transfer credits, but not all. Check with the individual program to find out if you can transfer your credits.

Explore DNP Programs

Make use of your prior learning by exploring the DNP programs that accept transfer credits featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and transfer policies.