Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice online
Rise to the highest level of nursing leadership with a doctorate program that prioritizes evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Program Overview
Pursue top-level nursing roles with the online Post-Master’s DNP program
$35,112
Total Tuition
As few as 30 months
Duration
38*
Credit Hours
Build upon your MSN credentials to become a medical scholar and thought leader when you earn your Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice online. In this CCNE-accredited program, you will study nursing theories, teaching methods, humanities, economics, and related sciences while exploring how to utilize technology for patient care, evaluate healthcare policies, and build partnerships across wellness settings.
The diverse curriculum will support your growth into a well-rounded candidate for leadership, administrative, and academic roles. Gain valuable experience through in-person practicum hours and a scholarly project that enables you to be a problem-solver ready to implement research-backed interventions in your area of interest.
As a graduate of this online DNP program for MSN-prepared nurses, you will be able to:
- Provide advanced nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and clinical populations
- Appraise and utilize current technologies to advance the quality and accessibility of care
- Critique and selectively translate science to guide clinical decision-making and program development
- Evaluate and influence healthcare policy and systems
- Provide leadership and interprofessional collaboration in multiple healthcare arenas
- Evaluate system responses to health and illness as a basis for the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of health and the prevention of illness
- Integrate advanced knowledge of nursing theories, related sciences and humanities, and methods of inquiry
- Initiate changes in the healthcare system through the design and implementation of health-related projects that strengthen the outcomes in the healthcare delivery system
- Provide advanced nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and clinical populations
- Appraise and utilize current technologies to advance the quality and accessibility of care
- Critique and selectively translate science to guide clinical decision-making and program development
- Evaluate and influence healthcare policy and systems
- Provide leadership and interprofessional collaboration in multiple healthcare arenas
- Evaluate system responses to health and illness as a basis for the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of health and the prevention of illness
- Integrate advanced knowledge of nursing theories, related sciences and humanities, and methods of inquiry
- Initiate changes in the healthcare system through the design and implementation of health-related projects that strengthen the outcomes in the healthcare delivery system
Potential Career Opportunities with this DNP:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- Clinical Leader
- Specialized Practitioner
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Executive Nurse Leader
- Director of Nursing
- Quality and Patient Safety Officer
- Public Health Nursing Leader
- Professor
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- Clinical Leader
- Specialized Practitioner
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Executive Nurse Leader
- Director of Nursing
- Quality and Patient Safety Officer
- Public Health Nursing Leader
- Professor
Also available:
William Paterson University offers a variety of healthcare degree and certificate online programs.
$35,112
Total Tuition
As few as 30 months
Duration
38
Credit Hours
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, post-master's degree certification in adult gerontology and family nurse practitioner, and DNP programs at William Paterson University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (ccneaccreditation.org). Expires June 30, 2030.
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Tuition
Learn more about tuition and payment options
The William Paterson University online Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice
program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. Tuition includes a nursing course fee that provides students a range of services and resources that specifically support student learning and success in the online nursing program.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Master’s DNP | $924 | $2,772 | $35,112 |
Tuition breakdown:
$35,112
Total Tuition
$924
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
Keep up with these essential program dates and deadlines
William Paterson University online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring I | 1/26/26 | 1/4/26 | 1/7/26 | 1/16/26 | 1/21/26 | 5/10/26 | 15 weeks |
| Summer I | 5/18/26 | 4/26/26 | 4/29/26 | 5/8/26 | 5/13/26 | 8/30/26 | 15 weeks |
| Fall I | 9/8/26 | 8/16/26 | 8/19/26 | 8/8/26 | 9/2/26 | 12/20/26 | 15 weeks |
Now enrolling:
1/4/26
Apply Date
1/26/26
Class Starts
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Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Get started with the streamlined admission process for your Post-Master’s DNP program
At WP, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly. Please note all requirements for admission to the Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice online program, including required documents and where to send them. Review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this online program in your state.
The requirements include:
- Master’s degree in nursing
- Unencumbered, registered nurse license in the state of residency
- One year of work experience as registered nurse
You must meet the following requirements for admission to this Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice online program:
- A master’s degree with a major in nursing in an advanced clinical practice or in a nursing administration/management program accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
- GPA of 3.3 on prior graduate level coursework
- Course in research at the graduate level taken within the last six years
- Verification of the number of supervised clinical hours from completed MSN program
- Unencumbered and registered nurse license in the state of residency
- One year of work experience as a registered nurse
- Current certifications (if you are a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist)
- Contact information for two references
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- In-person interview may be requested by faculty, if desired
Official transcripts, test scores, and other documents should be sent from the granting institutions to:
Email address: [email protected]
Mail address:
Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Services
William Paterson University
Morrison Hall 102
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
At WP, you'll learn from faculty who are innovative pioneers in their fields and committed to your success. Two WP nursing professors received the Diva and Don Award in 2019 for advancing healthcare in New Jersey.
Courses
Explore these advanced nursing practice courses
In order to earn the Post-Master’s DNP online, you must complete 38 credit hours.
NUR 6600: Graduate Statistics
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces graduate students to statistics and computing. The course will examine the selection of univariate and bivariate statistical procedures appropriate for research in the health sciences. The level of data, sample size and type of samples along with the use of computer programs that assist with analyzing data will be addressed
NUR 7100: Applied Biostatistics
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focus on the statistical skills required to critically evaluate biomedical and health care research. Examination of advanced quantitative statistical method is studied to identify appropriate techniques for interpretation of findings and presentation of results. Introduction to the use and interpretation of SPSS statistical software package will be utilized in the course.
NUR 7300: Scientific Foundations of Nursing
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the history and development of nursing as a profession and its related theories with a concentration on prominent nursing theories, their application to evidence-based practice, and their application to the healthcare delivery phenomenon. This course includes an exploration of contemporary issues in theory development, addresing the benefits and differences in use of different types of therories in research., education and practice. Theories from other disciplines are discussed and reviewed along with their use of the promotion of best practice for patient cntered healthcare outcomes.
NUR 7320: Information Systems Management
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course builds on computer skills and knowledge to information technology and patient care technology to manage individual and aggreate level information. Students will analyze practice information systems and decision supports and/or web-based learnign or intervention tools to support and improve patient care.
NUR 7340: Health Policy
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores the political process, development, and evaluation of health policy. Specific legislation which has influenced health cre delivery will be examined in detail with application to community-based nursing. Emphasis is on the role of the community-based nurse as a politically active client advocate.
NUR 7360: Clinical Health Promotion and Disease Promotion in Advanced Practice Nursing
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The focus of this course is the application of public health concepts to the role of leadership for the advanced practice nurse and the nurse executive. Based on an understanding of epidemiology and biostatistics the determinants of health for individuals, aggregates, and communities are explored and analyzed. Evidenced-based interventions for clinical and population health services are discussed within the framework of health care delivery models.
NUR 7380: Leadership and Collaboration
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An exploraton of the role of the DNP in health care and pateint safety. Current leadership and management theory are used to examine issues within a multidisciplinary health care enviornment. Focus of the course is on the critical study of leadership and collaboration with intra-professional and inter-professional teams.
NUR 7400: Evidence-based and Translational Methods of Nursing Knowledge and Practice
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides students with the skills to criticall evaluate and use evidence-based practice as a problem-solving approach to clinical practice. Students will integrate and synthesize current evidence to guide nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on the process of collecting the best evidence and integrating nursing science with knowledge form a mulidiscipline approach to form the basis for the highest level of nursing practice. Students propose an evidence-based practice project with application to thier area of clinical interest.
NUR 8300: Doctor of Nursing Practice I
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The DNP project is a scholarly process which addresses a clinically relevant project in nursing. The skill development in Docotro of Nursing Practice Project 1 will include the clarification of the problem, engaging in the review of the literature and developming a proposed methodology. The final objective is the development of a DNP project proposal that demonstrates the ability to read, comprehend, analyze, and write advanced scholarly nursing and science literature.
NUR 8301: DNP Project Advisement I
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The DNP Project Advisement I pairs the DNP student and the DNP project nursing faculty team chairperson to engage in the scholarship of discovery and integration in the development of the first three chapters/sections of the DNP project.
NUR 8310: Doctor of Nursing Practice Project II
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The DNP project is a scholarly process which addresses a clinically relevant project in nursing. The project will include implementation and evaluation.
NUR 8311: DNP Project Advisement II
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
The DNP project is a scholarly process which addresses a clinically relevant project in nursing. The project will include implementation and evaluation.
NUR 8350: Doctor of Nursing Practice Practicum I
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The DNP practice practicum is required in the area of specialization. This course is the first of four sequential practicums. Students are expected to develop goals for the practicum and complete a minimum of 90 hours with a preceptor expert in their field. This practicum will provide the opportunity for the DNP student to gain experience (advanced clinical skills), link policy making with clinical systems, translate research into practice and/or serve as change agents for health care. Students are expected to initiate plans for the DNP project appropriate to the practicum site.
NUR 8351: Doctor of Nursing Practice Practicum II
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The DNP practice practicum is required in the area of specialization. This course is the second of four sequential practicums. Students are expected to develop goals for the practicum and complete a minimum of 90 hours with a preceptor expert in their field. This practicum will provide the opportunity for the DNP student to gain experience (advanced clinical skills), link policy making with clinical systems, translate research into practice and/or serve as change agents for health care. Students are expected to initiate plans for the DNP project appropriate to the practicum site.
NUR 8360: Doctor of Nursing Practice Practicum III
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The DNP practice practicum is required in the area of specialization. This course is the third of four sequential practicums. Students are expected to develop goals for the practicum and complete a minimum of 90 hours with a preceptor. This practicum will provide the opportunity for the DNP student to further gain experience (advanced clinical skills), link policy making with clinical systems, translate research into practice and/or serve as change agents for health care. The practice practicum will be under the guidance of the DNP faculty member and the student will be expected to complete and defend the DNP project.
NUR 8361: Doctor of Nursing Practice Practicum IV
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The DNP practice practicum is required in the area of specialization. This course is the fourth of four sequential practicums. Students are expected to develop goals for the practicum and complete a minimum of 90 hours with a preceptor. This practicum will provide the opportunity for the DNP student to further gain experience (advanced clinical skills), link policy making with clinical systems, translate research into practice and/or serve as change agents for health care. The practice practicum will be under the guidance of the DNP faculty member and the student will be expected to complete and defend the DNP project.
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