To Start, You Need

• A BSN from a nationally accredited (CCNE or ACEN) college or university. International applicants will be reviewed for the status of their undergraduate institution's accreditation and are required to be living and working in the United States at the time of the program.
• A recent statistics course
• Unencumbered RN license or eligibility for RN licensure in the state where clinical course work hours will be completed

Finishing Will Take

• 11 semesters over 4 years
• Includes 3 summer terms
• 84 credit hours
• 780 hours of direct patient care clinical hours
• 400 DNP Practice Innovation Project practicum hours

Preceptor Requests

Saint Mary's College is dedicated to providing our DNP students with clinical rotations that demonstrate excellence in patient care and professionalism in the role. Saint Mary's prepares both the FNP and AGACNPs. We are looking for clinicians (physicians and advanced practice providers) to help us provide this experience to our students. Preceptors will be offered financial support for their time and expertise. If interested in becoming a part of our preceptor network, please reach out to Scarlet Spain, Director of DNP Programs and FNP Program Director at sspain@saintmarys.edu with your updated CV.

You Can Begin Your Degree In

Fall 2025

​You Will Take Classes

• Online
• During one weekend visit to campus each semester

Where This Degree Can Take You

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree opens diverse career opportunities across healthcare, academia, research, and leadership:

• Healthcare: Upon graduation, DNP prepared nurse practitioners will provide high-level, evidence-based patient care, in primary care, acute care, or specialty settings.
• Academic Settings: DNP-prepared nurses may teach in nursing schools, developing curriculum and mentoring future nurses, particularly in clinical practice and leadership.
• Research: While DNPs typically focus more on applying research than conducting it, they play a critical role in translating evidence into practice, improving patient outcomes, and evaluating quality improvement initiatives.
• Leadership: DNPs can serve in executive roles such as Chief Nursing Officer, policy advisor, or healthcare administrator, shaping healthcare delivery systems and influencing health policy through clinical expertise and systems-level thinking.

Overall, a DNP equips nurses to lead change, improve healthcare outcomes, and advance the profession through a strong foundation in clinical practice, organizational leadership, and evidence-based care.

DNP Program Outcomes

1. Translate scientific evidence aimed at improving clinical practice and health outcomes.
2. Synthesize and integrate evidence-based advanced practice clinical care management within a collaborative, cultural, and spiritual context for individuals, families, and/or populations.
3. Innovate and champion collaborative initiatives for health promotion, disease prevention & health equity through evidence-based translational scholarship.
4. Lead the interprofessional team in synthesizing and translating innovative nursing knowledge, steering transformative healthcare advancements through scholarly inquiry and evidence-based practice.
5. Synthesize and integrate established and emerging quality improvement principles to foster optimal outcomes by reducing potential harm to patients and providers.
6. Cultivate advanced communication skills and collaboration strategies that foster a transformative interprofessional team approach.
7. Innovate and orchestrate clinical practice within complex healthcare systems, leveraging multi-disciplinary expertise and resources to foster transformative changes for social justice, equity, and ethical policies in health systems.
8. Utilize entrepreneurial principles, comprehensive data analytics and emerging technologies to make informed decisions, facilitate interdisciplinary communication, and spearhead initiatives that elevate healthcare services' quality, safety, and efficiency.
9. Embody an exemplary professional advanced practice nursing identity that reflects the highest levels of accountability and ethical standards.
10. Practice continuous self-reflection and lifelong learning, leveraging a rich foundation of knowledge, critical thinking, evidence-based practice, professional development, and self-care strategies.

Geriatric Neuropsychiatry Specialization

Saint Mary’s College Department of Nursing Science and GuideStar Eldercare have joined together to offer an advanced specialization in Geriatric Neuropsychiatry as part of the DNP program at Saint Mary’s College. Starting in Fall 2025 students in the DNP and Nurse Practitioners in the MSN-APRN to DNP program can take 5 additional courses and will graduate with their DNP as well as an advanced area of emphasis in Geriatric Neuropsychiatry.  

Practicing APRNs with either a MSN or terminal degree can complete a certificate in geriatric neuropsychiatry without completing their DNP if desired.

From the Guidestar Eldercare press release:

“Graduates will be qualified to provide highly sophisticated direct patient care, conduct important clinical research, and educate other healthcare professionals benefiting this critically underserved demographic.

GuideStar Eldercare is pleased to support this unique program with a generous gift establishing the GuideStar Eldercare Excellence in Nursing Geriatric Neuropsychiatry Education Fund. Steven Posar, MD, GuideStar CEO, was appointed as Clinical Professor of Geriatric Neuropsychiatry and will teach several courses in this program. Other key clinical leaders from GuideStar Eldercare will also teach courses within their areas of expertise.” Read more here!

MSN-APRNs applying to the DNP program can contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at graduateadmission@saintmarys.edu for more information.

Accreditations

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Saint Mary's College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Visit Nursing Science Student Central for handbooks