Doctor of Nursing Practice Online
Prepare for high-demand nursing roles in teaching and administration as well as innovative work in research, health technology, and entrepreneurship. This online DNP program gives you the credentials to become a transformational leader in healthcare.
Apply by:
2/28/25
Program Overview
Explore this CCNE-accredited online DNP program
The online Doctor of Nursing Practice program at St. Thomas University prepares you for the highest levels of professional achievement. Whether you're interested in administration, research and technology, teaching the next generation of nurses, or becoming a healthcare entrepreneur, our DNP curriculum will build on your experience as you rapidly expand your knowledge. Supportive STU professors will also mentor you at each stage of your development, from your first course to your final doctoral project.
Use evidence-based practice to enhance healthcare delivery and promote innovation. Study informatics and find data-driven solutions to the operational challenges hospitals and healthcare systems face. Address health disparities in your community through research, culturally sensitive care, and policy changes that have a positive impact on patients and providers. Get ready to transform your nursing practice.
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate advanced knowledge of nursing theory, methods of inquiry, and related sciences in care delivery for rural and underserved populations
- Demonstrate transformational leadership and accountability in advanced nursing, and analyze organizational models for safe and quality healthcare delivery
- Apply evidence-based knowledge to guide advanced nursing practice and improve healthcare outcomes for patients, communities, and the nation
- Demonstrate leadership in different realms of nursing while utilizing and evaluating healthcare information systems, information technology, communication systems, and patient care technology
- Serve as a leader and participate in creating and implementing health policy to advocate for the nursing profession and the healthcare community
- Support, collaborate, and communicate effectively with interprofessional teams to formulate effective practice approaches that improve health outcomes for individuals and communities
- Appraise scientific data to translate evidence into nursing practice and healthcare delivery
- Develop health strategies based on scientific knowledge for health promotion, disease prevention, and the elimination of health disparities in underserved populations
- Implement culturally sensitive and holistic approaches to leading and mentoring other nurses to ensure they achieve excellence in nursing practice and decision-making in complex situations, based on scientific evidence and advanced levels of clinical judgment
- Integrate advanced knowledge of nursing theory, methods of inquiry, and related sciences in care delivery for rural and underserved populations
- Demonstrate transformational leadership and accountability in advanced nursing, and analyze organizational models for safe and quality healthcare delivery
- Apply evidence-based knowledge to guide advanced nursing practice and improve healthcare outcomes for patients, communities, and the nation
- Demonstrate leadership in different realms of nursing while utilizing and evaluating healthcare information systems, information technology, communication systems, and patient care technology
- Serve as a leader and participate in creating and implementing health policy to advocate for the nursing profession and the healthcare community
- Support, collaborate, and communicate effectively with interprofessional teams to formulate effective practice approaches that improve health outcomes for individuals and communities
- Appraise scientific data to translate evidence into nursing practice and healthcare delivery
- Develop health strategies based on scientific knowledge for health promotion, disease prevention, and the elimination of health disparities in underserved populations
- Implement culturally sensitive and holistic approaches to leading and mentoring other nurses to ensure they achieve excellence in nursing practice and decision-making in complex situations, based on scientific evidence and advanced levels of clinical judgment
Doctor of Nursing Practice Career Opportunities
- Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
- Director of Nursing
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Administrator
- Manager of Informatics
- Nurse Researcher
- Nurse Faculty
- Nurse Entrepreneur
- Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
- Director of Nursing
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Administrator
- Manager of Informatics
- Nurse Researcher
- Nurse Faculty
- Nurse Entrepreneur
Total Tuition
$25,870
Duration
As few as 18 months
Credit Hours
39
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree, master's degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and post-graduate certificate programs in nursing at St. Thomas University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Tuition
Benefit from affordable tuition
Tuition for the Doctor of Nursing Practice online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students and can be paid by the course. The total tuition is inclusive of all fees, including a technology fee for each course.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $630 | $1,990 | $25,870 |
Tuition breakdown:
Total Tuition
$25,870
Per Credit Hour
$630
Calendar
Check out application deadlines
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that is best for you.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2 | 3/15/25 | 2/28/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/10/25 | 3/19/25 | 5/9/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer 1 | 5/17/25 | 5/2/25 | 5/7/25 | 5/12/25 | 5/21/25 | 6/27/25 | 6 weeks |
| Summer 2 | 6/28/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/23/25 | 7/2/25 | 8/8/25 | 6 weeks |
| Fall 1 | 8/23/25 | 8/8/25 | 8/13/25 | 8/18/25 | 8/27/25 | 10/17/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/25 | 10/3/25 | 10/8/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/22/25 | 12/12/25 | 7 weeks |
Now enrolling:
Apply Date
2/28/25
Class Starts
3/15/25
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Admissions
Review the qualifications for our online DNP program
Our very reasonable admission requirements allow students from diverse nursing backgrounds greater access to the Doctor of Nursing Practice online program. You must possess an unencumbered RN license and a master’s degree in nursing and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Due to in-person clinical requirements, only students currently residing in Florida and Georgia can enter this program.
Admission Requirements:
- Free application
- 3.0 GPA or higher
- Active RN license
The following are required for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice online program:
- Completed free application
- MSN degree from an accredited institution
- 3.0 GPA or higher
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
- Active and unencumbered Florida or Georgia nursing license
- Residency in Florida or Georgia for clinicals
Official transcripts can be sent to St. Thomas University through Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. Unofficial transcripts and other documents can be uploaded via your Admissions Portal or emailed to [email protected].
Courses
Learn more about your DNP curriculum
The Doctor of Nursing Practice online curriculum is comprised of 13 core courses for a total of 39 credits.
Courses in this program are seven weeks long. Courses during the two summer terms, however, are six weeks long.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice online curriculum is comprised of 13 core courses for a total of 39 credits.
Courses in this program are seven weeks long. Courses during the two summer terms, however, are six weeks long.
Students will take the following courses.
NUR 800: Evidence Appraisal
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will expand on the student’s knowledge and experience in research with the emphasis on clinical applications using a variety of models. A review of research methods including problem identification, levels of research, design, data collection, and strategies for analyzing data will be done. The course gives knowledge of a variety of research models and designs used for specific purposes.
NUR 810: Transformational Leadership
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course synthesizes leadership theory and organizational models within the context of the health care industry. This course will enhance leadership competencies within organizational theory and behavior, leadership principles and practices, and organizational structure and workforce culture. Models of human resource management, change management, strategic planning, program development, and implementation will be explored and applied. Based on these theories and models, the student will derive the DNP's role in complex health care organizations.
NUR 820: Applied Advanced Research and Nursing
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the bases for nursing knowledge and its relevance to advanced nursing practice at the doctoral level. Students will analyze steps on how nursing knowledge is generated, levels of evidence, nursing theories and theories from other disciplines and translate them into their advanced role. Students will identify and analyze concepts relevant to their topic of interest.
NUR 830: Information Technology and Nursing Implications
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course analyzes and synthetize informatics and its role in the delivery of evidence-based care. Focusing on healthcare information technology's (IT) and contribution to data acquisition, it will enhance the understanding of how data is transformed into information and knowledge for scholarly practice. This course prepares the student to optimize the use of clinical systems and technology tools to continue to advance practice and drive clinical transformation.
NUR 840: Health Care Policy
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses health policy and identifies steps for development, analysis of health policy and its economic impact within a socio-political context. The focus on the role of regulation within the U.S. health care system is addressed. The role of DNP contribution to health policy development is explored in a legal and ethical foundations for health care, as well as policy processes designed to improve health care access among diverse populations.
NUR 850: Population Health in Nursing
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the epidemiological concepts focusing on determinants of health, disease distribution, environmental influences, cultural diversity, health promotion, clinical prevention and disaster preparedness. Nursing practice and its outcomes on populations are analyzed and evaluated using epidemiological, environmental data and statistical measures. The DNP students will explore concepts and nursing strategies to improve individual, aggregate and population health.
NUR 860: Quantitative Research
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed for doctoral students in the Doctor in Nursing Practice program with an emphasis on quantitative research planning, design, and evaluation. The primary goal of this course is to prepare doctoral students for future design and development of project proposal and conduct of dissertation study in the quantitative paradigm. This course will lay the foundation that builds on these basic concepts and helps students hone skills for writing a quantitative project.
NUR 870: Qualitative Research
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the methods and procedures used in qualitative research. Topics include the philosophical basis for the method, the conceptualization of research questions, and selection of appropriate research designs, data collection data, manual and computerized data analysis, and the drawing of inference.
NUR 880: Quality Improvement in Health Care
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares students to design, implement and evaluate evidence-based quality health care practices for patient populations in acute, home, and community settings. The interdisciplinary teams work is illustrated and how to assess organizational culture, gather safety information, analyze data and translate findings into systems changes.
NUR 900: Practicum Project Proposal
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course enables the DNP student to translate evidence-based research and apply it into practice through complex clinical situations where the student will apply and demonstrate expertise and leadership qualities. This course will guide the DNP students how with research and best evidence well written project proposals are completed. Knowledge will be provided to Health care professionals in advanced practice to be able to deliver clinical project proposals using best evidence for advancing quality patient care. The course provides practical guidelines of common project models for developing and writing great proposals from start to finish. 125 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
NUR 910: DNP Practicum I
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course allows students to obtain residency experience and complete the required hours on the DNP program. The faculty advisors will work with students regarding goals and nursing interventions and their implementation following the AACN DNP Essential in Nursing. 125 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
NUR 920: DNP Practicum II
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course allows students to continue to obtain additional residency experience and complete the required hours on the DNP program. The faculty advisors will work with students regarding goals and nursing interventions and their implementation following the AACN DNP Essential in Nursing. 125 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
NUR 930: DNP Practicum III
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course allows students to complete the residency experience and complete the required hours on the DNP program. The faculty advisors will work with students regarding goals and nursing interventions and their implementation following the AACN DNP Essential in Nursing Education. 125 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
Students will take the following courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course will expand on the student’s knowledge and experience in research with the emphasis on clinical applications using a variety of models. A review of research methods including problem identification, levels of research, design, data collection, and strategies for analyzing data will be done. The course gives knowledge of a variety of research models and designs used for specific purposes.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course synthesizes leadership theory and organizational models within the context of the health care industry. This course will enhance leadership competencies within organizational theory and behavior, leadership principles and practices, and organizational structure and workforce culture. Models of human resource management, change management, strategic planning, program development, and implementation will be explored and applied. Based on these theories and models, the student will derive the DNP's role in complex health care organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course explores the bases for nursing knowledge and its relevance to advanced nursing practice at the doctoral level. Students will analyze steps on how nursing knowledge is generated, levels of evidence, nursing theories and theories from other disciplines and translate them into their advanced role. Students will identify and analyze concepts relevant to their topic of interest.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course analyzes and synthetize informatics and its role in the delivery of evidence-based care. Focusing on healthcare information technology's (IT) and contribution to data acquisition, it will enhance the understanding of how data is transformed into information and knowledge for scholarly practice. This course prepares the student to optimize the use of clinical systems and technology tools to continue to advance practice and drive clinical transformation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course addresses health policy and identifies steps for development, analysis of health policy and its economic impact within a socio-political context. The focus on the role of regulation within the U.S. health care system is addressed. The role of DNP contribution to health policy development is explored in a legal and ethical foundations for health care, as well as policy processes designed to improve health care access among diverse populations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course examines the epidemiological concepts focusing on determinants of health, disease distribution, environmental influences, cultural diversity, health promotion, clinical prevention and disaster preparedness. Nursing practice and its outcomes on populations are analyzed and evaluated using epidemiological, environmental data and statistical measures. The DNP students will explore concepts and nursing strategies to improve individual, aggregate and population health.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course is designed for doctoral students in the Doctor in Nursing Practice program with an emphasis on quantitative research planning, design, and evaluation. The primary goal of this course is to prepare doctoral students for future design and development of project proposal and conduct of dissertation study in the quantitative paradigm. This course will lay the foundation that builds on these basic concepts and helps students hone skills for writing a quantitative project.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course explores the methods and procedures used in qualitative research. Topics include the philosophical basis for the method, the conceptualization of research questions, and selection of appropriate research designs, data collection data, manual and computerized data analysis, and the drawing of inference.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course prepares students to design, implement and evaluate evidence-based quality health care practices for patient populations in acute, home, and community settings. The interdisciplinary teams work is illustrated and how to assess organizational culture, gather safety information, analyze data and translate findings into systems changes.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course enables the DNP student to translate evidence-based research and apply it into practice through complex clinical situations where the student will apply and demonstrate expertise and leadership qualities. This course will guide the DNP students how with research and best evidence well written project proposals are completed. Knowledge will be provided to Health care professionals in advanced practice to be able to deliver clinical project proposals using best evidence for advancing quality patient care. The course provides practical guidelines of common project models for developing and writing great proposals from start to finish. 125 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course allows students to obtain residency experience and complete the required hours on the DNP program. The faculty advisors will work with students regarding goals and nursing interventions and their implementation following the AACN DNP Essential in Nursing. 125 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course allows students to continue to obtain additional residency experience and complete the required hours on the DNP program. The faculty advisors will work with students regarding goals and nursing interventions and their implementation following the AACN DNP Essential in Nursing. 125 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course allows students to complete the residency experience and complete the required hours on the DNP program. The faculty advisors will work with students regarding goals and nursing interventions and their implementation following the AACN DNP Essential in Nursing Education. 125 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
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