DNP Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania DNP Programs

Regardless of where an individual is in his or her career, it is important to have a career path and to set goals. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a great option for nurses wishing to continue education for an advanced, clinical-focused degree. Pennsylvania is among more than 5 states with the most DNP programs in the country. Currently, there are 15 programs in the state. Many of the top DNP programs in Pennsylvania are available to students with a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing. A good starting point is to compare what each has to offer.

Admission Requirements

Pennsylvania is among more than 5 states with the most DNP programs in the country. With such a wide selection of choices, the requirements for DNP programs in the state of Pennsylvania can vary considerably. However, there are a lot of requirements that are standard for most programs. Some of the items that programs can require students to submit are:

  • An application
  • Official nursing school transcripts showing that he or she graduated from a BSN or MSN program with at least a 3.0 GPA
  • A resume or CV
  • A copy of his or her current RN license
  • Letters of recommendation
  • An essay
  • Documentation of clinical experience
  • A criminal background check
  • At least one year of experience working as an RN
  • Certification as an advanced practice nurse in a specialty area
  • An application fee

Many programs in Pennsylvania include an interview as part of the admission process.

Application deadlines vary for each program. For example, application deadlines at the University of Pittsburgh are February 15 and May 1. At Carlow University, the application deadline is April 1.

Tuition

Tuition costs vary between programs as well. For example, at Chatham University, tuition for the DNP program costs $22,923. At DeSales University, tuition for the DNP program costs $36,400.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

The number of credits a student must complete in order to earn a DNP depends not only on the program that the individual has chosen, but also on the level of education he or she has already attained. For example, at Temple University, an individual with a BSN must complete 58-62 credits in order to obtain a DNP degree. If the individual already has an MSN degree, he or she will have to complete 30 credits to earn a DNP degree. At Chatham University, an individual with a BSN degree must earn 27 credits in order to obtain a DNP degree.

Additional Resources

DNP Schools Near You & Online in Pennsylvania

Robert Morris University

  • 6001 University Blvd. Moon Township, PA 15108
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, BSN to DNP, DNP, Medical Assistant, Nuclear Medicine Tech, RN
    1(800)762-0097

Drexel University

  • 3141 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, BSN to DNP, Clinical Nurse Leader, DNP, Nurse Anesthetist, Physician Assistant, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (215) 895-2000

La Salle University

  • 1900 West Olney Ave Philadelphia, PA 19141
    Programs: BSN, Clinical Nurse Leader, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner - certificate, LPN to BSN, MSN, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (215) 951-1000

Thomas Jefferson University

  • 1020 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, Accelerated MSN, ADN, BSN, DNP, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Tech, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, RN, RN to BSN, Sonography
    (215) 955-6000

Carlow College

  • 3333 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213
    Programs: BSN, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner - certificate, MSN, Nursing Administration, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    1(800)333-2275

Duquesne University

  • 600 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15282
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner - certificate, MSN, Nursing Administration, Nursing PhD, Physician Assistant, Psych Nursing - Certificate, Psychiatric Nursing, RN, RN to BSN
    (412) 396-6000

University of Pittsburgh

  • 3500 Victoria Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, BSN to DNP, Clinical Nurse Leader, DNP, Health Information Management-Bachelor's, Nurse Anesthetist, Nursing PhD, Physician Assistant, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (412) 624-4586

Wilkes University

  • 84 West South Street Wilkes Barre, PA 18766
    Programs: Accelerated MSN, BSN, DNP, LPN to BSN, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    1(800)945-5378