Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Executive Leadership, Doctorate

To apply to the DNP Executive Leadership track, you must have:

• a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited institution;
• master of science in nursing (MSN) degree from an ACEN or CCNE accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale in one of the five following concentrations: Health Administration, Health Policy, Clinical Informatics, Clinical Leadership/Clinical Nurse Leader, or Public Health;
• completion of a master's level statistics course with a grade of "B" or better within the last 5 years;
• current licensure as a registered nurse in the United States;
• national certification strongly recommended but not required;
• evidence of the equivalent of 12 months of full-time nursing practice within the last three years

Upon acceptance, the Director of the DNP Program will perform a gap analysis of all post-Master’s applicant transcripts to determine the amount of hours of practice post-baccalaureate is required in order to achieve the DNP competencies.

The DeSales DNP Program will provide up to 1,000 hours of practice post-baccalaureate as part of a supervised academic program that aligns with the corresponding DNP Essential(s) and to verify that standards specific to advanced practice have been met.

International applicants must contact Leslie Bartholomew, Designated School Official, at 610-282-1100, ext. 1859 or Leslie.Bartholomew@desales.edu to inquire about international admission requirements.

How to Apply

In the DNP Executive Leadership Track you'll complete:

• 14 courses plus scholarly project and portfolio
• 41 - 48 credits
• 525 minimum residency hours plus variable practicum hours based on individual gap analysis

Choose from either a full-time or part-time program of study.

 See the curriculum and course details

DNPs are employed in a variety of clinical practice positions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2015:

• Average MSN salary was $104,740/year
• Average DNP salary was $135,000/year 
• Average DNP/MBA salary was $155,000/year

With the evolution of skills and knowledge required to perform effectively in the practice arena, the DNP equips you to maneuver effectively in the changing health care environment.

The DNP graduate will serve in key leadership positions and activities designed to impact the health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities. The blending of clinical skills with organizational, economic, and leadership capabilities teaches you to be an active participant in the transformation of health care practices. 

Program Costs

• Tuition/credit hour: $945*
• Program Fees for Post-MSN DNP tracks: $250 per semester
• Graduation Fee: $120
• Returned Check Service: $30

*Tuition/credit hours listed are for 2023/2024 academic year. Tuition and fees are reviewed each academic year and are subject to change with notice.

View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and graduate program information sheets

Tuition Deferment

DeSales University offers graduate students the opportunity to defer payment of their tuition when they will be receiving reimbursement from their employer or when they are eligible to receive financial aid. A copy of your employer's tuition reimbursement policy must be forwarded to the Treasurer's Office and/or all necessary financial aid paperwork must be filed with the Financial Aid Office before tuition deferment is granted. 

Tuition deferment is a privilege given to graduate students at DeSales and can be revoked if this privilege is abused. Please note that you, as the student, are responsible for payment of your tuition balance in the event that your financial aid/loans or employer reimbursement is not received by the Treasurer's Office.

Tuition Reimbursement

When a student is eligible for tuition reimbursement from his/her employer, written evidence of eligibility is required. The student is responsible for requesting this reimbursement from his/her employer. In cases where reimbursement is contingent upon successful completion of the course(s) and the student either withdraws or does not achieve a grade sufficient to warrant maximum reimbursement, the student is ultimately responsible for payment for the course(s).

Refund on Withdrawal

A refund of tuition payments will be made to a student who withdraws from a course. In all cases, credits will be calculated from the date the student completed the official withdrawal form, and the rebate will be based on the schedule shown below. 

Refunds apply to tuition only. If a student is allowed to enroll by use of the deferred payment procedure, any funds due the University are immediately due and payable upon withdrawal.

Withdrawal during the add/drop period is 100% of tuition refunded. The schedule below is for withdrawal after the first class after the close of the add/drop period. 

The refund policy is based upon the number of classes held up to the date of withdrawal.

• Withdrawal after 1st class: 80% of tuition refunded
• Withdrawal after 2nd class: 65% of tuition refunded
• Withdrawal after 3rd class: 50% of tuition refunded
• Withdrawal after 4th class: 25% of tuition refunded
• Withdrawal after 5th class: No refund