Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

Join the Highest Levels of Clinical Practice, Leadership, and Health Policy Influence

If you’re a nurse who is looking to make a difference, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at West Chester University will prepare you for leadership roles throughout the healthcare system.

The 35-credit post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice program builds upon traditional master’s degree programs by providing education in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, systems leadership, and other key areas.

The curriculum focuses on three components: The Science of Nursing, Leadership, and Practice culminating a final DNP project.

The DNP program is a cohort model that can be completed in 6 consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring). All coursework is online with the exception of the first course, NSG 701 Transition to Doctoral Studies, which is a 1-credit class that is completed over one day on WCU’s campus.

Benefits of Earning Your Doctoral Degree at West Chester University

Accreditation & Job Growth

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the DNP program prepares graduates for a job market projected to grow by 5% through 2034. Advanced practice nurses command higher salaries and are in-demand nationwide. Earning your doctoral degree at WCU gives you increased opportunities for advancement across all areas of healthcare.

Accomplished Faculty

Our faculty are experienced clinical experts who bring advanced practice knowledge and real-world insight into the classroom and clinical setting. They actively integrate current evidence, clinical judgment, and systems leadership to prepare nurses for excellence in advanced nursing roles. You’ll have opportunities to connect with faculty on a personal level thanks to WCU’s small classes and collaborative coursework.

Affordable Tuition

Affordability is part of WCU’s mission, and our tuition is among the most affordable in the region. To help put your graduate studies within reach, WCU also offers employee reimbursement options, payment plans, and graduate assistantships.

Practicum Hours & Culminating DNP Project

Practicum hours are directly related to your unique area of inquiry and will support the DNP Project as well as your identified clinical practice goals and course objectives. The DNP Project is a faculty-guided scholarly process to address a theoretically and clinically relevant problem, based on your professional and personal interests. Students enter the program with 500 clinical hours completed during their MSN and build upon this foundation by completing an additional 500 practice hours within the DNP program, culminating in a total of 1,000 clinical hours.

This culminating project puts all your applied research, clinical practice, and leadership principles into practice through problem identification, proposal development, implementation, and evaluation of a problem related to clinical practice, the health care delivery system, or a health care policy issue.

What Can You Do with a Doctor of Nursing Practice

Graduates of the post-master’s DNP program advance into leadership roles across healthcare systems, including positions in nurse administration, integrated care management, healthcare leadership, and advanced practice leadership within clinical settings.

Nursing positions are anticipated to grow by at least 5% through 2034. Advanced practice nurses are in-demand nationwide and command higher salaries overall.

Where are our graduates?

What Will You Study as a Student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program?

When you join WCU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice cohort, you become part of a growing network of nurse leaders nationwide and expand your career options dramatically. You will be trained in nursing science, leadership, and practice, and complete your program with a culminating DNP Project as evidence of your abilities.

Less than 3% of nurses nationwide hold doctoral degrees. You’ll stand out from your competition, command a higher salary, and earn your place as a subject matter expert.