DNP Program Overview
- Earn nursing’s highest practice degree
- Clinical, Education and Leadership track options
- Complete in as little as 2 years
- 1,000 DNP clinical hours, with up to 500 accepted from a qualifying master’s program
- Online coursework + in-person project presentation
- Prepares you to take the Nurse Coaching certification exam
After years of caring for patients, you’ve developed insights that can genuinely transform healthcare delivery. Texas Wesleyan’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) gives you the research foundation terminal degree to turn those insights into real change and better patient outcomes.
Our DNP program is challenging, but it’s designed to be manageable for working nurses. Most of the coursework is online and asynchronous, so you can fit it in around your shifts and personal schedule. You’ll join us on campus twice: once for orientation and then near the finish to present your final DNP scholarly project.
Download our program brochure to get comprehensive details about your doctoral preparation.
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Some people say, why do I even need a DNP, right? Why do I need the doctorate? Well, if you want a seat at the table, then that’s what you need to have. I don’t want the nurse to be the one who says, ‘I don’t know how to do that, or I’ve never done that, or I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ We need to be as qualified and knowledgeable as everybody else.”
Expand Your Impact With Focused Track Offerings
Our DNP offers three tracks that build on the core program.
Clinical Track
If you want to continue providing direct care, the Clinical track will teach you to recognize gaps in practice and research and implement best-evidence in clinical environments. You’ll continue improving patient outcomes, leading in clinical settings and translating research into practice as you learn.
Education Track
If you want to shape the next generation of nurses, the Educator track emphasizes evidence-based curriculum design and instructional strategies. You’ll be prepared to teach nurses in academic settings and at the healthcare system level.
Leadership Track
If you want to lead systems-level change in healthcare, the Leadership track gives you the decision-making skills to guide policy and strategic initiatives that improve outcomes.
Learn more about courses and curriculum.
What Makes Texas Wesleyan Different?
Personal relationships matter here. Texas Wesleyan faculty and staff will know your name, your strengths and what motivates you. With small classes and instructors who still work in clinical practice, you get individual attention from people who truly understand your career.
Develop the credentials and skills to transform patient care delivery. Beyond patient care, you’ll learn grant writing, quality improvement methods, policy development and evidence-based practice to address real clinical and administrative challenges. Your capstone project gives you direct experience implementing solutions to actual healthcare problems in your community or clinic.
Understand the business side of care. Our faculty have owned practices and understand the business side of healthcare. They’ll teach you how to create business plans, navigate insurance credentialing and manage finances so you can run operations effectively or open your own practice.
Request Information
To download a program brochure and learn more about the Texas Wesleyan online DNP program, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 817-785-9307.
Is the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program for You?
The DNP program is ideal for experienced MSN-prepared nurses ready to advance to the terminal practice degree. Depending on your chosen path, requirements vary: the Clinical track requires APRN licensure or the clinical nurse specialist credential, while the Education and Leadership tracks do not.
This program is designed for nurses with an MSN who want to:
- Lead systems-level healthcare change and influence policy decisions
- Develop expertise in quality improvement and organizational strategy
- Advance to administrative positions or healthcare leadership roles
- Make an impact in advanced roles across direct patient care, nursing education and healthcare leadership
If you want to earn your doctorate and prepare for your FNP certification, consider our online DNP-FNP degree program.
See the full DNP degree requirements and admissions steps.
The DNP is rapidly becoming the standard for advanced practice. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties now recommends that all entry-level nurse practitioners hold doctoral-level education.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The DNP is the terminal practice degree for nurses who already have their master’s degree. This program takes a minimum of two years and focuses on leadership, policy work and organizational change. DNP students must complete 1,000 total clinical hours to graduate. Up to 500 hours may be transferred from a qualifying master’s program.
- The DNP-FNP is for nurses who want to earn their doctorate and become certified family nurse practitioners. The program includes leadership training, policy development and evidence-based practice coursework. This degree takes a minimum of three years and includes 1,035 clinical hours.
In this program, clinical hours are better understood as practice hours that reflect real-world application of advanced nursing skills. These hours can be completed through a variety of experiences, including leadership initiatives, policy work, quality improvement projects, mentorship, and other professional activities. A significant portion of these hours is earned while developing and implementing your DNP Scholarly Project.
You do not need to secure a preceptor or clinical placement to apply or participate in the program.
All DNP students are required to complete 1,000 total clinical hours to graduate, which is a national accreditation standard. Up to 500 hours may be transferred from a qualifying master’s program. Any remaining hours will be completed through structured coursework and project-based experiences.
To apply for the DNP program, you need:
- Unencumbered RN license
- APRN licensure or clinical nurse specialist credential required for the Clinical track; not required for Education or Leadership tracks
- Master of Science in Nursing with federally recognized accreditation from a nurse education accrediting body
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in master’s-level coursework
- Completed undergraduate statistics and research courses with a grade of B or higher
When you apply, you’ll submit a resume, three professional or academic references and official transcripts. You’ll also complete a virtual interview.
Visit our admissions page to see application details and to start your application process.
With a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), you can step into high-level roles where you’ll make a systemic difference in patient care. Many DNP graduates work as nurse practitioners, clinical leaders or nurse educators, leading teams and improving organization-level patient outcomes.
You might find yourself in a hospital, a primary care clinic or even running your own practice. With a DNP, you'll have the authority to make clinical decisions and lead system-wide improvements.
Not sure which program fits your goals?
Download a brochure to compare the programs. You can also reach out for a one-on-one consultation: call us at 817-785-9307 or email us to set up a time to talk.