Online BSN to DNP Pathways at North Park University

North Park’s BSN to DNP programs can be completed in as few as 36 months for Executive Leadership or 42 months for the FNP and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP tracks, with all students required to finish within five years. Designed for working nurses, each pathway offers part-time and full-time enrollment with three cohort start dates per year. Visit the BSN to DNP courses page to see how coursework is sequenced across each concentration.

To apply to North Park’s BSN to DNP programs, you must hold a BSN from a CCNE-, ACEN-, or NLNAC-accredited institution, an unencumbered Illinois RN license, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Your NursingCAS application requires official transcripts, a 300-word personal statement, a professional resume, and two professional references, at least one from a current or recent nursing supervisor. Prerequisite undergraduate coursework in nursing research, statistics, and health assessment is also required. Visit the BSN to DNP pathway page for complete details.

Yes, BSN-prepared registered nurses can pursue a DNP directly without first earning a separate MSN degree. North Park University offers three BSN to DNP concentrations: Executive Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Each pathway is designed for working nurses, combining online coursework with supervised practicum hours so you can continue your career while advancing toward the terminal degree in your field. Visit the BSN to DNP pathway overview to find the concentration that aligns with your goals.

Tuition for North Park’s BSN to DNP programs is $860 per credit hour across all three concentrations. Based on the credit requirements for each program, total tuition comes to $55,040 for the 64-credit Executive Leadership concentration, $61,920 for the 72-credit Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, and $58,480 for the 68-credit Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP concentration. Additional fees vary by track and include a $150 graduation fee, a $16 per-credit-hour comprehensive fee, and program-specific course and exam preparation fees for the APRN tracks. Visit the BSN to DNP pathway overview for a full cost breakdown.

The format depends on your concentration. The BSN to DNP in Executive Leadership is delivered entirely online with no required in-person attendance. The BSN to DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP tracks each include a required three-day on-site skills immersion prior to clinical practicum entry. All three concentrations require supervised practicum hours that students can often complete at their current employer. Review the individual concentration pages for complete details on format and requirements.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest practice-focused doctoral degree in nursing, preparing graduates for advanced roles in direct patient care or healthcare leadership. Unlike research-focused doctorates, the DNP emphasizes translating evidence into practice and leading healthcare system-level change. At North Park University, the DNP is grounded in the university’s 130-year Christian mission, preparing graduates who advance healthcare outcomes with both clinical mastery and moral conviction. Visit the BSN to DNP overview to explore your pathway options.