Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Practitioner (DNP-NP)

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:

1. Develop a clinical question that guides the scholarly project.
2. Read critically from professional nursing literature and other related disciplines to interpret, analyze and apply current research to improve practice.
3. 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.
4. Develop a protocol and submit it to the DNP council for project approval.
5. 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 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

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 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 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

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

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

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 primary care setting and the preventative well child visit. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 650 with a focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings around pediatric health promotion.

Prerequisite: NURS-612

Corequisite: NURS-650C

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

Maryville online DNP graduates have the skills and knowledge to lead at the highest levels in clinical, nonclinical, educational, and administrative roles in a wide range of settings. Maybe you’d like to become a nurse educator in a hospital or a school of nursing. Maybe you feel a calling to pursue an executive-level position as a hospital administrator. You can become a clinical researcher or healthcare policy advocate — or even start your own private practice.

Because our online DNP programs offer the option to earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice on its own or alongside one of five nurse practitioner concentrations, you can tailor your education to fit your interests and career goals.

The median salary for professionals holding a DNP from a U.S. higher education institution was about $115,000 as of 2025, according to PayScale. This average represents self-reported data across a variety of career types and settings, including patient-focused care, administration, leadership, research, and education.

Salaries vary based on factors like discipline, education level, years of experience, and location of practice.

Yes, Maryville’s online DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This means Maryville’s DNP and other nursing programs adhere to a rigid set of guidelines and meet or exceed the high standard of education quality set by the CCNE.

In addition, Maryville University proudly holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Maryville has maintained accreditation from the HLC since 1941.

As nursing practice nationwide trends toward more responsibility and higher levels of autonomy, your education level matters. The DNP is one of two main terminal degrees in nursing (the other being the PhD in Nursing), meaning it represents the highest echelon of education and training for nurses.

With your DNP, you can enhance your patient care, move into highly specialized disciplines, and build higher-level skills for your practice. You can also pursue leadership roles or explore opportunities adjacent to nursing, including careers in policy, law, government, education research, and administration.

A DNP-NP provides all the same opportunities, but this track also helps prepare you to pursue further NP certification and expand your practice even more.

Earning your DNP-NP at Maryville equips you with the advanced knowledge and leadership skills to pursue certifications in your chosen practice area. Our program prepares you to sit for certification exams offered by organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP), and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).

Maryville’s nursing program graduates consistently exceed national pass rate averages on certification exams across all specializations.

If you’re not interested in pursing NP certification, you can also choose to earn the standalone DNP, allowing you to graduate sooner as you prepare for top-level roles in and adjacent to nursing.

Your career goals and interests will help you decide if a DNP or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the right fit for you. A DNP is a terminal degree with an in-depth focus on nursing leadership, administration, research, and advanced practice. It provides comprehensive preparation for nurses looking to lead in their field or to enhance the quality and scope of their patient care practice.

On the other hand, an MSN may be a better choice for practicing RNs who want to transition into an NP role or for current NPs who want to pivot toward a new area of practice. MSN programs cover much of the same foundational material as DNP programs, but the DNP provides deeper exploration and broader career opportunities.

While an MSN is required for our standard DNP and DNP-NP degree programs, you don’t need an MSN to pursue your DNP. For bachelor's-prepared nurses, we offer a BSN to DNP option, allowing you to move directly to a DNP on an accelerated timeline.

Maryville’s online DNP-NP program gives you the opportunity to specialize in one of five online nurse practitioner concentrations:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
• Family NP
• Pediatric NP
• Psychiatric Mental Health NP

You can also choose to earn your DNP with no concentration. This route is designed to help you earn your terminal degree more quickly, but it’s not intended to prepare you for NP certification.