BSN to DNP Online – Executive Leadership
Your BSN Opens the Door to a DNP and Executive Leadership
Online Coursework
As Few as 36 Months (9 Semesters)
64 Credit Hours
$860 per Credit
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The Online BSN to DNP Program for Rising Leaders in Chicago and Beyond
- Apply By: 12/14/26
- Start Class: 01/11/27
As a nurse, you’ve seen the challenges that impact patient care today. To gain the authority and expertise needed to lead healthcare organizations in the face of continuous change, begin the BSN to DNP – Executive Leader pathway from North Park University.
This online program is led by Dr. Mary Shehan, a former chief nursing officer who doesn’t simply oversee the curriculum—she has lived it. Her mentorship, coupled with North Park’s connections to Chicago health systems, will help you advance into leadership roles that focus on improving healthcare for nurses and patients alike.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at North Park University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Program Details
- Designed for BSN graduates without post-licensure hours
- Leap ahead to a DNP, no MSN required
- Complete online courses that fit your schedule
- Study part-time or full-time
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Explore the Curriculum for the BSN to DNP – Executive Leader Program
20 Courses
64 Credit Hours
Complete the online BSN to DNP – Executive Leader program to become a practice-ready leader who drives transformative change within healthcare organizations. The curriculum explores biostatistics, health policy, information systems, and other topics relevant to nursing leadership. Each course is grounded in our Christian mission, deepening your commitment to patient dignity and holistic care.
North Park places relationships at the forefront of this online program, with small cohorts that help you receive personalized mentorship from our faculty. You can also attend optional synchronous sessions to explore topics in-depth and interact with other students in your cohort.
What Makes the Online BSN to DNP Program Stand Apart?
Expert Faculty with Direct Nursing Experience
Join a close-knit community led by active practitioners who take the time to learn your goals and stay invested in your success.
Hands-On Practicum Experiences
Through our relationships with Chicago-area health systems, you’ll get the opportunity to find local placements for fulfilling your practicum hours.
Relationship-Forward Education
Establish clinical contacts, network with members of your cohort, and attend white coat ceremonies to celebrate your accomplishments.
Admission Requirements
How to Begin the BSN to DNP Online Program
Application Deadline 12/14/26
Start Date 01/11/27
North Park’s enrollment team is here to offer guidance during every step of the application process. The following table shows what to submit when applying to the online BSN to DNP – Executive Leader program. You can save your progress after starting the online application and return to it at any time.
| Online Application Form | Completed NursingCAS application |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Requirements |
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| GPA Requirement | 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all previous schools required, submitted via NursingCAS |
| Prerequisite Courses | Transcripts must show completion of the following prerequisite courses, with a grade of C or higher:
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| Transfer Credits | Graduate nursing students may transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of equivalent coursework from an ACEN, NLN or CCNE accredited Master of Science in Nursing program to North Park, with approval. Transferred courses must have a grade of “B” or higher and be no more than five years old. The credentials examiner, in consultation with the academic standing committee of the graduate nursing faculty, will ascertain the transferability of a course. |
| Work Experience | All new RN students with less than one year of full-time or two years of part-time nursing experience (paid employment as an RN), must work as an RN during the program. |
| Additional Requirements |
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It’s Always a Good Time to Apply to North Park
With multiple start dates per year, we make it easy for you to apply to the program of your choice and begin your educational journey. Our admissions process is straightforward, and our team is always here to guide you through the process.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
Discover a BSN to DNP – Executive Leader Program with Transparent Tuition
Calculate your cost for attending North Park
Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
You’ll benefit from straightforward tuition while completing the BSN to DNP program online. Review the following table to get the complete picture. You can also request information to discuss the program costs and financial aid options with our enrollment team.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $860 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 64 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $55,040 |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | Additional costs may include books and materials not billed to you by North Park. These costs can vary depending on what courses you need to take, how you obtain textbooks, and a variety of other factors. There may also be costs associated with licensure and examination. |
Military Students at North Park
North Park University welcomes veterans of the US Armed Forces as students. Financial benefits are available for veterans attending the university as undergraduate or graduate students. Questions about benefits for veterans should be directed to the veterans coordinator in the Office of the Registrar at (773) 244-5560 or by email.
Paying for Your North Park Degree
There are multiple options for financing your degree at North Park. Be sure to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year and explore third-party scholarship opportunities. Investing in your education is a big decision, and we are here to help you finance your degree in a way that fits your needs. Programs are not eligible for NPU scholarships, or tuition discounts.
Tuition Details
Build Expertise for Executive Nurse Leader Jobs
Healthcare organizations need leaders who understand the clinical and operational sides of care. Completing the BSN to DNP – Executive Leader program online prepares you for roles in healthcare administration, operations, consulting, and other areas where success and leadership go hand in hand. Demand for health services managers is rising, with 23% employment growth expected through 2034.1
Executive Nurse Leader Salaries in Chicago
Director of Nursing $119,604 per year2
Clinical Director $91,940 per year3
What You’ll Learn
You’re ready to make a bigger impact for your patients, your organization, and the nursing profession at large. North Park designed our online BSN to DNP – Executive Leader program to support that mission. You’ll develop leadership competencies and expertise in systems thinking to drive change at the organizational level. The courses cover:
- Biostatistics
- Healthcare delivery systems
- Health information systems
- Policy development and implementation
- Population health epidemiology
- Strategic leadership
Program Outcomes
- Integrate science-based theories and concepts with ethical principles in the development, delivery, and evaluation of practice approaches that improve outcomes and reflect the Christian principles of the philosophy of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
- Utilize knowledge of organizations and systems together with leadership skills to improve health outcomes and ensure patient safety.
- Provide leadership for the translation of research into practice.
- Show proficiency in the use of information systems/technology resources to implement quality improvement initiatives and to support practice and administrative decision-making.
- Demonstrate leadership in the development and implementation of health policy at various levels.
- Employ leadership skills with interprofessional teams to improve patient and population health outcomes.
- Engage in leadership to operationalize evidence-based clinical prevention and population health services for individuals, aggregates, and populations.
- Apply advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based approaches to improve patient outcomes.
Expert Faculty Who Are Committed to Your Success
Our instructors have professional experience in their respective fields and are ready to form meaningful relationships with you as they guide and mentor you toward success. Our faculty are committed to the achievement of every student.
Dr. Mary Shehan, Professor of Nursing
Faculty Spotlight: Mary Shehan
Dr. Mary Shehan combines individual and group instruction in a teaching approach that values both science and people. Supported by small class sizes, Shehan prioritizes getting to know her cohort of students whom she serves as a teacher, mentor, and resource.
Her classroom is a positive learning environment with ample opportunities for building peer-to-peer connections as well as the teacher–student relationship. While guiding her students toward career pathways in nursing, Shehan encourages them to engage and share experiences with one another and develop a network of nursing colleagues so they can continue to communicate post-graduation. “I really think North Park is about developing lifelong relationships,” she says.
Online Learning Experience
At North Park University, we’re here for you — even when you aren’t here. Our online programs are delivered through Canvas and taught by responsive faculty. You’ll be supported every step of the way.
Benefits:
- Hands-on, supportive faculty who have experience in online learning environments
- Flexible coursework that can be completed when and where you are
- Connections with a diverse student body from many walks of life, helping you develop a global perspective
- North Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Related Programs
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Medical and Health Services Managers.” Retrieved June 11, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.
- Payscale. “Average Director, Nursing Salary in Chicago, Illinois.” Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director%2C_Nursing/Salary/231fb83a/Chicago-IL.
- Payscale. “Average Clinical Director Salary in Chicago, Illinois.” Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Director/Salary/5fa13632/Chicago-IL.