Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Overview

Why earn your DNP degree online?
- Access coursework 100% online with no campus visits required
- Apply with no GMAT, GRE, or statistics needed
- Earn your DNP in as few as 40 months
- Choose from 5 concentrations
- Complete clinicals locally in your preferred setting.
- Enjoy no waiting list once you’re accepted.

Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career?
Maryville University’s accelerated online BSN to DNP programs are for experienced nurses who want to prepare to advance their careers by earning one of the highest credentials in nursing practice education.
Our streamlined curriculum is deeply focused on the scientific underpinnings of nursing, healthcare policy, and organizational management. With five specializations to choose from, you can make a difference wherever your interests lie.

Our DNP graduates:
- Apply evidence-based research to improve the quality of patient care at the bedside and beyond.
- Advocate for patient safety at all points of contact, from admission through discharge.
- Lead projects that help to define the future of nursing within your organization.
- Prepare for an executive or policy-setting role as a high-level decision-maker.
- Educate other nursing professionals who are also ready to move ahead with their careers.

Why choose our online BSN to DNP program?

You can learn to lead in healthcare

How quickly can you earn your DNP?
You’ve already proved your initiative by earning your BSN degree. Our accelerated BSN to DNP online programs are more than just the next step. They’re a leap forward — helping you prepare for your future as you learn to thrive in nursing leadership.
Skip the MSN and fast-track your education to one of the highest credentials in nursing with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Maryville University.

Benefits of the online BSN to DNP programs:
- Graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Save time and money — skip the MSN and go straight to your DNP.
- Enjoy a flexible and convenient 24/7 online learning model.
- Explore important topics that can help pave the way to a better future.
- Take the opportunity to conduct research via clinical inquiry courses.
- Learn from an expert faculty of nursing leaders who openly share their experiences and insights.






Program Details

Choose your BSN to DNP Concentration
Our BSN to DNP online degree offers five concentrations to help you focus your leadership perspective. Concentrate your knowledge and skills in your area of interest:

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Careers

What can you do with your BSN-DNP?
Our online BSN to DNP is a leadership-focused degree designed for nurses interested in working in direct patient care or leading teams in clinical, nonclinical, educational, and administrative roles.
Graduates of our DNP programs are prepared to lead and make a meaningful impact at the top levels of healthcare. They also enjoy increased earning potential. According to data compiled by Payscale.com, DNP-prepared NPs can earn $8,000 more per year than master’s-prepared NPs.

What’s the career outlook with your BSN-DNP?
- The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job openings for nurse practitioners to increase by 45% between 2022 and 2032.
- The median annual pay for nurse practitioners was $126,260 in 2023, according to the BLS.
- Psychiatric NP, general NP, and gerontological NP are ranked among the 15 highest-paying nursing careers, according to Nurseslabs.
- Strong growth is projected for adult-gerontology nurse practitioners as baby boomers age, according to the BLS.

Career opportunities for DNP graduates
There is a shortage of qualified nurses and nurse practitioners that affects healthcare worldwide. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the International Council of Nurses called for the shortage to be treated as a “global health emergency” in 2023.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports that the ongoing nursing shortage is based on factors like an aging NP workforce, shifting demographics, and expanding healthcare needs.

Career opportunities for DNP graduates
- Become a nurse educator at a school of nursing or within the hospital setting.
- Start your own private practice.
- Pursue an executive-level position in hospital administration.
- Promote policy changes on the local, state, or national level.
- Advocate for patient rights in the delivery of safe, quality care.
- Conduct clinical research that can improve processes and procedures.

What is the typical salary for graduates of online BSN to DNP programs?
According to Payscale, DNP-educated nurses report an average base salary of about $112,000, though this might vary based on factors like location, education, specialization, and experience.
Here are the average salaries reported by specialization or position in 2024:
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP): $108,905
- Family nurse practitioner (FNP): $104,265
- Pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP): $92,000
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP): $120,383
- Chief nursing officer (CNO): $144,475
- Director of nursing services: $99,121

10 reasons why DNP-prepared nurses are in demand
- The Institute of Medicine and other leading authorities have called for rethinking clinical doctoral programs to prepare tomorrow’s expert practitioners.
- Today, about two dozen states grant full practice authority to NPs, enabling these professionals to open their own clinics.
- The shortage of physicians, including primary care and specialty care providers, is expected to reach as high as 139,000 by 2033.

10 reasons why DNP-prepared nurses are in demand
- Nursing is moving in the same direction as other health professions that require or offer practice doctorates.
- The shortage of nurse educators means that U.S. nursing schools have recently turned away more than 80,000 qualified applicants due to insufficient faculty and other factors.
- The DNP-prepared nurse is fully equipped to implement the science developed by nurse researchers in PhD, DNS, and other research-focused nursing doctorates.

10 reasons why DNP-prepared nurses are in demand
- The ongoing updates to healthcare legislation are inviting millions of new patients into the system.
- A daily influx of new technologies is constantly transforming the healthcare system.
- The aging patient population contributes to the complexity of care and the demand for leadership.
- The emergence of nurse-run clinics will continue to be integral in meeting the need for improved access to local community healthcare.
Curriculum
Want to advance your nursing career and make the biggest impact possible? If you have your Bachelor of Science in Nursing, then our online BSN to DNP programs are for you.
We designed our curriculum to help you become a researcher, practitioner, decision-maker, and leader at the highest levels of the nursing profession. With advanced courses in health promotion, pathophysiology, biostatistics, research, and systems leadership, our curriculum prepares you for success at the top of the nursing field.
The online BSN to DNP curriculum offers three entry points per year: spring, summer, and fall. This blended degree features five distinct program concentrations and includes master’s and doctoral-level courses, all of which can be completed 100% online.
Online BSN to DNP Core Curriculum
BSN to DNP | Credits by Concentration
AGPCNP 68 Credit Hours, AGACNP 74 Credit Hours, FNP 74 Credit Hours, PNP 71 Credit Hours, PMHNP 77 Credit Hours
BSN to DNP | Core Courses
This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care.
Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615 Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615
This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens of illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Also included are illness prevention, non-pharmacological and legal implications for prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner.
Note: Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed.
This course is designed to introduce students to the purpose, content, and methods of epidemiology and biostatistics. Students will learn to evaluate and use output from statistical computing software.
Prerequisite: NURS 710
This course is designed to explore the phenomenon of interest related to the DNP scholarly project. Students will systematically develop a project protocol that is supported by the literature and submit it for department approval.
Course objectives:
- Develop a clinical question that guides the scholarly project.
- Read critically from professional nursing literature and other related disciplines to interpret, analyze and apply current research to improve practice.
- Apply a systematic approach to address clinical problems within healthcare organizations, including outcome measures and a sustainability plan to create meaningful changes in clinical outcomes.
- Develop a protocol and submit it to the DNP council for project approval.
- Develop the first chapter of the scholarly project that includes needed sections based on the selected DNP project format.
This course is designed to emphasize an objective approach to the integration and synthesis of knowledge. Manuscript preparation and practical use of evidence are incorporated to prepare students for the design of research proposals.
Prerequisite: NURS 700 and NURS 701
This course will allow the students to design an evidence-based project that will guide clinical practice. The feasibility of conducting this initiative will be explored. Potential funding sources and budget issues will be examined. Students will apply the elements of protection of human subjects and complete the Maryville IRB.
Prerequisite: NURS 700, NURS 701, NURS 702, and NURS 703
This course is designed to expand the students knowledge of clinical project data collection and analysis of data. Students will apply integrated research concepts pertaining to the clinical project. Utilization of various methods of data analysis and data management systems will be explored. Complete project data is needed prior to the start of this course.
Prerequisite: NURS 705 and NUS 705L
This course is designed to expand the students understanding of methods of dissemination in translational research. Variables that impact the analysis of data related to the scholarly project will be examined. Implications for patients, clinical practice and the healthcare systems will be explored and findings disseminated.
Prerequisite: NURS 706
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the measurement of phenomena as it relates to the research process. Procedures for selecting, applying, and interpreting the correct statistical application to a research problem will be presented with students processing the results.
Prerequisite: NURS 700
FNP Concentration Curriculum
This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this first of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 621 or NURS 621C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice nurse and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 620
This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this second of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621 or NURS 621C
Corequisite: NURS 624 or NURS 624C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice provider and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of adults with chronic and acute health problems in a primary care setting.
Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621
Corequisite: NURS 623
This course prepares Family Nurse Practitioner students to develop expertise and assume responsibility for health promotion, maintenance, and management of chronic and acute illness of children and women’s health. Emphasis is placed on the child within the framework of the family.
Prerequisite: NURS 623 and NURS 624 or NURS 624C
Corequisite: NURS 630 or NURS 630C
This course provides the student with an opportunity to assume responsibility for the primary health care services of individuals and families under clinical supervision. The student is expected to assume increasing responsibility for planning and implementing therapeutic processes and for documenting and evaluating outcomes of care. The role of the FNP in health care promotion and management and collaboration with health professionals.
Prerequisite: NURS 623 and NURS 624
Corequisite: NURS 629
AGPCNP Concentration Curriculum
This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this first of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 621 or NURS 621C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice nurse and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 620
This course covers the care of adults experiencing acute, chronic and complex health problems of select body systems in this second of two sequential courses. Current research based interventions are analyzed. Individual, family, and group counseling/education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621 or NURS 621C
Corequisite: NURS 624 or NURS 624C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical and role components of care by an advanced practice provider and are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of adults with chronic and acute health problems in a primary care setting.
Prerequisite: NURS 620 and NURS 621
Corequisite: NURS 623
The care of adults experiencing acute, chronic, and complex health problems are studied in this course specifically for students in the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner program. The course expands on current research-based interventions unique to adults of varying ages, from wellness to illness. Individual, family, group counseling, and education for patients and families are incorporated. Included is primary, secondary, and tertiary disease prevention and management of complex symptomatology.
Prerequisites: NURS 620, NURS 621, NURS 623, and NURS 624
Corequisite: NURS 627C
This course will cover the theoretical, clinical, and role components of care by an advanced practice nurse are integrated in a supervised clinical practicum. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of adults with chronic and acute health problems in a primary care setting.
Prerequisites: NURS 620, NURS 621C, NURS 623, and NURS 624
Corequisite: NURS 626
AGACNP Concentration Curriculum
This is the first didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Focus is on individuals experiencing illness seen in the acute care setting. Students will analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 641 or NURS 641C
First practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in NURS-640 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in acute care practice settings.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615
Corequisite: NURS 640
This course is the second didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Students will continue to expand on knowledge, decision making and management of acute and emergent physiological alterations in health. Students will analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management.
Prerequisite: NURS 640 and NURS 641 or NURS 641C
Corequisite: NURS 643 or NURS 643C
This is the second practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 642 with focus on comprehensive health care to complex, acute and critically ill patients in a clinical, preceptored practicum experience.
Prerequisite: NURS 640 and NURS 641
Corequisite: NURS 642
This is the final didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will continue to analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management in complex symptomology.
Prerequisite: NURS 640, NURS 641 or NURS 641C, NURS 642 and NURS 643 or NURS 643C
Corequisite: NURS 645 or NURS 645C
This is the final practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. The student will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-644 with focus on comprehensive health care to complex, acute and critically ill patients in a clinical, preceptored practicum experience.
Prerequisite: NURS 642 and NURS 643
Corequisite: NURS 644
PNP Concentration Curriculum
This course focuses on growth and development and milestones of pediatric patients using theories and evidence based practice. Students will learn anticipatory guidance techniques, health promotion and illness prevention concepts within the pediatric population, incorporating individual, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual preferences.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 615 and NURS 612 (may also be taken concurrently)
Corequisite: NURS 655C
This course is the first in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, NURS 615 & NURS 650
Corequisite: NURS 652 or NURS 652C
This is the first practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-651 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings.
Prerequisite: NURS 650
Corequisite: NURS 651
This course is second in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents.
Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 or NURS 652C
Corequisite: NURS 654 or NURS 654C
This is the second practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 653 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings.
Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652
Corequisite: NURS 653
This practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program focuses on the primary care setting and the preventative well child visit. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 650 course with a focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings around pediatric health promotion.
Prerequisite: NURS 612
Corequisite: NURS 650C
PMHNP Concentration Curriculum
This course will cover assessment and identification of discrete aspects of cognition, psychopathology, affect and behavior in the diagnosis and treatment planning of psychiatric illness across the life span. Also included is the appropriate use, monitoring and evaluation of prescribing psychotropic medication, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612 and NURS 615
In this course theories and models will be used to develop an understanding of the etiologies of acute and chronic mental health disorders among adults and older adults. Selection of appropriate treatment strategies including individual and group psychotherapies will be discussed.
Prerequisite: NURS 660
Corequisite: NURS 662 or NURS 662C
This practicum course is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to adult and older adult patients with psychiatric illness. A variety of psychotherapeutic strategies will be explored.
Prerequisite: NURS 660
Corequisite: NURS 661
This is the first of two didactic courses designed to assist the student in development of the advanced practice nursing role with the care and management of individuals with a mental health disorder across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 661 and NURS 662 or NURS 662C
Corequisite: NURS 664 or NURS 664C
This practicum is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to patients with psychiatric illness across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 661 and NURS 662
Corequisite: NURS 663
This is the second of two didactic courses designed to assist the student in development of the advanced practice nursing role with the care and management of individuals with a mental health disorder across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 663 and NURS 664 or NURS 664C
Corequisite: NURS 667 or NURS 667C
This practicum is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to patients with psychiatric illness across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 663 and NURS 664
Corequisite: NURS 665
To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry trends. Undergraduate programs and certificates are designed to be taken at a part-time pace. Please speak to your advisor for more details.
Professional licensure and certification regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Students are encouraged to visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for the state in which they intend to practice to verify specific licensure requirements which includes ensuring the program of interest meets the licensure requirements prior to enrolling. Students may visit the professional licensure page or reach out to our team of enrollment advisors for guidance.
Admission Requirements

- BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution and CCNE/ACEN/CNEA accredited nursing program
- Cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale in all college work
- Have at least one year of professional nursing experience
- Hold current, unencumbered licensure as an RN in the U.S.
- Official transcripts from every post-secondary school where a degree was earned and any graduate-level coursework
- Transfer credit request form

- The acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Maryville University (click to view our transfer credit policy)
- Maryville’s online nursing programs require students with an international education background to have their BSN from a CCNE/ACEN accredited program for the MSN and BSN-DNP programs, and their MSN from a CCNE/ACEN accredited program for the Post-Master’s Certificate, DNP, and DNP-NP programs. Please reach out to an enrollment advisor for more information.
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Online BSN to DNP Degrees: Meet Our Faculty


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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Maryville’s online BSN to DNP degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
In addition, Maryville University proudly holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Maryville has maintained accreditation from the HLC since 1941.
Maryville’s online BSN to DNP degree gives you the opportunity to specialize in one of five online nurse practitioner concentrations:
Careers and Resources
