The Simmons Doctor of Nursing Practice | OnlineThe Simmons Doctor of Nursing Practice | OnlineThe Simmons Doctor of Nursing Practice | Online

The CCNE-accredited online DNP program from Simmons University will prepare you to advance to the highest level of professional nursing practice — and to drive meaningful change in health care as a nurse leader. Depending on your preferred learning schedule, point of entry, and track, you can complete the program in as few as 28 months full time or 48 months part time.The CCNE-accredited online DNP program from Simmons University will prepare you to advance to the highest level of professional nursing practice — and to drive meaningful change in health care as a nurse leader. Depending on your preferred learning schedule, point of entry, and track, you can complete the program in as few as 28 months full time or 48 months part time.The CCNE-accredited online DNP program from Simmons University will prepare you to advance to the highest level of professional nursing practice — and to drive meaningful change in health care as a nurse leader. Depending on your preferred learning schedule, point of entry, and track, you can complete the program in as few as 28 months full time or 48 months part time.

  • Three DNP Tracks — Choose the track that best aligns with your career goals: executive leadership, family nursing practice, or psychiatric mental health nursing practice.
  • Become a Nurse Leader — Complete the BSN to DNP program to earn your MSN, Leadership along the way, or begin with the MSN to DNP.
  • Practice-Based Program — Experience a DNP that offers hands-on experience, conduct in-clinic research, and learn to design and assess care.

Program Overview

Recognizing the increasing complexity of our nation’s health care environment, Nursing@Simmons offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) grounded in evidence-based practice. The curriculum features courses in informatics, quality improvement, and research methods that empower you to analyze data, apply research findings, and improve patient outcomes. 

There are three DNP tracks to choose from to strengthen your leadership, family practice, and mental health skills. The program culminates with an on-campus DNP symposium where you will present your scholarly project to faculty, peers, and stakeholders, demonstrating your readiness to lead and innovate in health care. 

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Simmons University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791 (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). The Simmons University Nursing Program is fully approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

The Post-Graduate FNP and PMHNP certificate programs at Simmons University are pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Offering the Support Nurses Need

Scholarships are available for qualified applicants admitted to the upcoming cohort.
The final deadline for the September 2025 cohort is July 21, 2025.

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Select From Two Starting Points

The online DNP program offers two pathways for registered nurses to earn their DNP depending on whether they currently have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Both pathways for the online DNP program integrate evidence-based practice with strong analytical and leadership principles, preparing nurses to lead at the highest level of professional nursing practice.

BSN to DNP — A direct path for RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

MSN to DNP — Built for master’s-prepared nurses who want to advance their roles.

BSN to DNP Program

64–85

Credits

5–6

Clinical Courses

1–2

On-Campus Experiences

32–48

Months to Complete

Designed for those who have earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) enables you to earn your MSN, Leadership on the way to earning your DNP. With an MSN, Leadership, you’ll gain advanced knowledge in nursing leadership theory, explore the evolution of nursing as a profession, and master essential management skills like planning, organizing, and directing. 


Depending on your preferred learning schedule and track, you can complete the program in as few as 32 months full time or 48 months part time. 

MSN to DNP Program

43–67

Credits

2–3

Clinical Courses

1–2

On-Campus Immersions

28–36

Months to Complete

Designed for nurses who have already earned their Master of Science in Nursing, the online Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares you to advance your clinical practice through the implementation of evidence-based research. DNP-educated nurses are prepared as systems thinkers who become leaders in a variety of health care settings, transform health care systems and policies, and improve outcomes for patients and communities.

Depending on your preferred learning schedule and track, you can complete the program in as few as 28 months full time or 36 months part time.

Choose From Three Tracks

During the online program, you have the option to choose between three tracks to match your unique career goals, whether starting with a BSN or MSN. 

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Executive Leadership 

  • Tailored for registered nurses (RNs) who are looking for management expertise to take on leadership roles in their organization
  • Clinical hours accrued throughout your time in the program
  • After graduation, you will be prepared to pursue a variety of roles such as nurse manager, chief nursing officer, chief operating officer, and more

Two Pathways

  • BSN to DNP
    • 64 credits total
    • 32 months full time or 48 months part time
  • MSN to DNP
    • 43 credits total
    • 28 months full time or 32 months part time

BSN-DNP Executive Leadership Track Curriculum

MSN-DNP Executive Leadership Track Curriculum

  • While the courses are the same for both full-time and part-time tracks, the order in which you will complete them will vary. Courses include: 

    • Advanced Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, and Pharmacology
    • Introduction to Nursing Leadership
    • Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics
    • Advanced Research Methods
    • Quality Improvement in Health Care
    • Nursing Leadership and Management
    • Healthcare Economics and Finance
    • Leadership Clinical Course I
    • Leadership Clinical Course II
    • Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III
    • Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts
    • Health Care Negotiations and Problem Solving
    • Health Care Systems and Health Policy
    • Epidemiology
    • Biostatistics
    • Scholarly Writing
    • Health Policy Clinical Course
    • Social Justice and Ethical Leadership in Global Health Care
    • DNP Project Seminar I
    • DNP Project Seminar III
    • DNP Project Seminar II
    • Simmons Arrive and Thrive
    • Social Justice Clinical Course
    • Choose one of the following:
      • Leadership and Change
      • Learning Theory and Practice
    • DNP Symposium – FNP

  • While the courses are the same for both full-time and part-time tracks, the order in which you will complete them will vary. Courses include: 

    • Advanced Research Methods
    • Quality Improvement in Health Care
    • Biostatistics
    • Simmons Arrive and Thrive
    • Epidemiology
    • Health Care Economics and Finance
    • Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics
    • Health Care Negotiations and Problem Solving
    • DNP Project Seminar I
    • DNP Project Seminar II
    • DNP Project Seminar III
    • Scholarly Writing
    • Health Care Systems and Health Policy
    • Social Justice and Ethical Leadership in Global Health Care
    • Health Policy Clinical Course
    • Social Justice Clinical Course
    • Choose one of the following:
      • Health Care Law and Ethics
      • Practice Management
      • Learning Theory and Practice
      • Leadership and Change
    • DNP Symposium

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Tailored for registered nurses (RNs) who aspire to become family nurse practitioners (FNPs)
  • You will partner with a clinical placement specialist to find clinical sites and preceptors near your community
  • After graduation, you will be eligible to sit for the ANCC or AANP Family Nurse Practitioner board certification exam to become a FNP-BC™

Two Pathways

  • BSN to DNP
    • 83 credits total
    • 32 months full time or 48 months part time
  • MSN to DNP
    • 65 credits total
    • 28 months full time or 36 months full time

BSN-DNP Leadership-FNP Track Curriculum

MSN-DNP FNP Track Curriculum

  • While the courses are the same for both full-time and part-time tracks, the order in which you will complete them will vary. Courses include: 

    • Advanced Pathophysiology
    • Epidemiology
    • Health Care Systems and Health Policy
    • Health Care Finance and Economics
    • Quality Improvement in Health Care
    • Biostatistics
    • Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
    • Introduction to Nursing Leadership
    • Nursing Leadership and Management
    • Advanced Research Methods
    • Family Theory: Health & Illness
    • Leadership Clinical Course I
    • Leadership Clinical Course II
    • Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III
    • Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics
    • Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span
    • FNP I: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care I
    • FNP II: Women’s Health in Primary Care
    • FNP III: Pediatrics in Primary Care
    • FNP IV: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care II
    • FNP V: Behavioral Health in Primary Care
    • Advanced Pharmacology
    • Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts
    • Scholarly Writing
    • Immersion and Clinical Qualification Course
    • FNP Clinical Decision-Making I
    • FNP Clinical Decision-Making II
    • FNP Clinical Decision-Making III
    • DNP Project Seminar I
    • DNP Project Seminar II
    • DNP Project Seminar III
    • DNP Symposium

  • While the courses are the same for both full-time and part-time tracks, the order in which you will complete them will vary. Courses include: 

    • Advanced Pathophysiology
    • Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
    • Health Care Systems and Health Policy
    • Advanced Research Methods
    • Advanced Pharmacology
    • Biostatistics
    • Leadership and Change
    • Quality Improvement in Health Care
    • Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span
    • Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics
    • Epidemiology
    • Scholarly Writing
    • Family Theory: Health & Illness
    • DNP Project Seminar I
    • DNP Project Seminar II
    • DNP Project Seminar III
    • FNP I: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care I
    • FNP II: Women’s Health in Primary Care
    • FNP III: Pediatrics in Primary Care
    • FNP IV: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care II
    • FNP V: Behavioral Health in Primary Care
    • FNP Clinical Decision-Making I
    • FNP Clinical Decision-Making II
    • FNP Clinical Decision-Making III
    • Immersion and Clinical Qualification Course
    • DNP Symposium – FNP

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

  • Tailored for registered nurses (RNs) who aspire to become psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs)
  • You will partner with a clinical placement specialist to find clinical sites and preceptors near your community
  • After graduation, students will be eligible to sit for the ANCC or AANP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification exam to become a PMHNP-BC™

Two Pathways

  • BSN to DNP
    • 85 credits total
    • 32 months full time or 48 months part time
  • MSN to DNP
    • 67 credits total
    • 28 months full time or 36 months full time

BSN-DNP Leadership-PMHNP Track Curriculum

MSN-DNP PMHNP Track Curriculum

  • While the courses are the same for both full-time and part-time tracks, the order in which you will complete them will vary. Courses include: 

    • Advanced Pathophysiology
    • Epidemiology
    • Health Care Systems and Health Policy
    • Health Care Economics and Finance
    • Quality Improvement in Health Care
    • Biostatistics
    • Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
    • Introduction to Nursing Leadership
    • Nursing Leadership and Management
    • Advanced Research Methods
    • Leadership Clinical Course I
    • Leadership Clinical Course II
    • Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III
    • Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics
    • Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span
    • Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
    • Advanced Pharmacology
    • Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders
    • Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts
    • PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan
    • PMHNP II: Diagnosis and Management
    • PMHNP III: Diagnosis and Management
    • PMHNP IV: SMI & Addictions Medicine
    • Scholarly Writing
    • Immersion and Clinical Qualification Course
    • PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making I
    • PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making II
    • PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making III
    • DNP Project Seminar I
    • DNP Project Seminar II
    • DNP Project Seminar III
    • DNP Symposium PMHNP

  • While the courses are the same for both full-time and part-time tracks, the order in which you will complete them will vary. Courses include:

    • Advanced Pathophysiology
    • Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
    • Health Care Systems and Health Policy
    • Advanced Research Methods
    • Advanced Pharmacology
    • Biostatistics
    • Leadership and Change
    • Quality Improvement in Health Care
    • Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span
    • Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics
    • Epidemiology
    • Scholarly Writing
    • Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
    • Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders
    • DNP Project Seminar I
    • DNP Project Seminar II
    • DNP Project Seminar III
    • PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan
    • PMHNP II: Diagnosis and Management
    • PMHNP III: Diagnosis and Management
    • PMHNP IV: SMI & Addictions Medicine
    • PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making I
    • PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making II
    • PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making III
    • Immersion and Clinical Qualification Course
    • DNP Symposium – PMHNP

DNP Career Outcomes

The Nursing@Simmons online DNP program prepares students to:

  • Become leaders in organizations and health care systems, and promote secure and efficient health care delivery to individuals and populations
  • Conduct practice-based research
  • Use informatics, data, and technology to improve processes and implement change in health care systems
  • Design and apply policies that affect health care financing, safety, quality, practice regulation, access to care, and efficacy of care
  • Collaborate with professionals and teams across disciplines to improve health outcomes for patients and populations
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Earn Your DNP Online

Empowering and educating nurses since 1902, Simmons University offers an online doctoral program for registered nurses. Nursing@Simmons is designed to bring the Simmons on-campus experience to you through a dynamic, virtual platform.

As a Nursing@Simmons student, you will:

  • Enjoy live, face-to-face online classes with esteemed faculty members and peers from across the country
  • Balance your personal commitments with your education by choosing a learning schedule that works for you
  • Access your coursework 24/7 — at home or on the go — with our integrated mobile app
  • Learn in an intimate classroom environment with approximately 20 or fewer students per class
  • Have professional networking opportunities during the required immersion experience on the Simmons University campus in Boston, Massachusetts

Not sure if our DNP program is right for you? Click here to see our other program offerings.

Pursue a Post-Graduate Certificate To Become an FNP or PMHNP

If you’re looking for an alternative option to advance your nursing career, Simmons offers streamlined online post-graduate certificate programs to prepare current Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to pursue board certification in a different specialization.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Complete 22 credits and 672 clinical hours.
  • Earn your certificate in as few as 12 months (full time).
  • Graduate ready to sit for the ANCC or AANP Family Nurse Practitioner board certification exam.

To view specific plans of study, visit the FNP course sequence page for full-time and part-time schedules. Ready to take the next step? Learn more about the FNP application requirements and upcoming deadlines.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

  • Complete 27 credits and 672 clinical hours.
  • Earn your certificate in as few as 16 months (full time) or 24 months (part time).
  • Graduate ready to sit for the ANCC or AANP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification exam.

To view specific plans of study, visit the PMHNP course sequence page for full-time and part-time schedules. Ready to take the next step? Learn more about the PMHNP application requirements and upcoming deadlines.

In our online post-master’s certificate programs, you’ll experience the Nursing@Simmons innovative learning environment and support services, including predictable online course scheduling and clinical placement support.

To be eligible, you must be a licensed, certified APRN with a graduate degree in nursing (MSN or DNP). Request information to learn more about the online post-graduate certificate programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • A DNP degree prepares board-certified registered nurses (RNs), to reach the highest level of professional nursing practice. DNP-educated nurses have the advanced skills needed to assume leadership in a variety of health settings, to improve patient outcomes, and to enhance health care delivery systems.

  • No. A nurse practitioner (NP) is a job title that refers to a nursing professional with graduate-level training. A DNP — or a Doctor of Nursing — is a terminal academic degree awarded to a nursing professional who has completed the highest level of training in nursing practice.

  • A DNP degree does not grant authority to write prescriptions. To write prescriptions in any of the 50 states, nurse practitioners (NPs) — some of whom hold an MSN while others hold a DNP — must be board-certified. (Note that in certain states, NPs must be supervised by a physician to write prescriptions.)

  • A DNP degree allows you to academically add the title of “Doctor” to your name. However, it does not give you the professional title of “Doctor,” which is reserved to physicians/medical doctors. Some states have strict legislation about where and when a nurse can be referred to as a “doctor.”

  • This depends on your current experience level. Many Doctor of Nursing Practice programs offer different paths of study — which can take under two to four years to complete — based on a candidate’s current credentials, such as an RN license, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Explore More About the DNP Program

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