Online DNP in Executive Leadership
Prepare to Lead and Innovate in the Nursing Field
Online
20 Months
34 Credit Hours
$860 Per Credit
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Catapult Your Skills with an Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree
North Park’s DNP – Executive Leadership degree will help you gain the skills needed to meet the demands of the healthcare industry as an innovative and culturally sensitive leader. Along with your online coursework, you’ll enroll in a mentored practicum and collaborate with peers and instructors on projects.
The program offers start dates throughout the year. Graduate in as few as 20 months ready to lead and inspire compassionate care.
Program Details
- 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.
- Small class sizes
- Experienced, supportive faculty
- 2024-25 Colleges of Distinction – Nursing (five years)
Curriculum
Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Courses
34 total credits
14 courses
Along with a minimum 350-hour practicum, you’ll participate in online courses built with working nurses in mind. In the North Park DNP – Executive Leadership program, you’ll gain an understanding of organizational change, practice innovation, informatics, and more.
Course Highlights
- Healthcare Leadership in Organizations and Systems
- Healthcare Financial and Business Concepts
- Writing for Publication
- DNP Project Seminars and Evaluation
Admissions Requirements
Admissions Requirements
Application Deadline 08/15/2025
Start Date 09/08/2025
Apply to the online DNP program at North Park today. The application process is quick and easy, and you can save your progress as you work. Reach out to your enrollment counselor with any questions you encounter throughout the process.
| Online Application Form | Completed NursingCAS application |
|---|---|
| Degree | MSN or MS with a major in nursing degree from a U.S.-accredited program. Applicants are to be certified as advanced practice nurses (APN) or to be master’s-prepared in administrative/leadership nursing specialties, or in related master’s nursing specialties as approved by the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. |
| Minimum GPA | 3.2 on a 4.0 scale |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all previous schools required, via NursingCAS. |
| Transfer Credits | Up to nine credits for specific designated courses |
| 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
Online DNP Tuition
Calculate your cost for attending North Park
Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
Our team is here to help you estimate costs and discover the best way to pay for your online DNP Executive Leadership degree. Explore the costs you’ll encounter below.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $860 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 34 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $29,240 |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | Your only additional costs will be for 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. |
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, Graduate Assistantship, or tuition discounts.
Tuition Details
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Leadership Career
Our graduates are prepared to take on meaningful roles in the healthcare industry that improve the health of communities. You’ll be ready to pursue roles that lead change in healthcare organizations such as chief nursing officer, clinical director, and more.
Executive Leadership Positions
Chief Nursing Officer $173,372 per year1
Medical and Health Services Manager $110,680 per year2
What You’ll Learn
Our program will prepare you to make a lasting impact on patients’ lives as a nurse leader. You will learn processes to be used throughout your career to implement change and advance in today’s healthcare industry.
From a nursing director to a chief nursing officer, you’ll graduate ready to support a nursing team and facility with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. Our students are ready to hold executive leadership roles in nursing and broaden their careers.
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.
- 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.
- Demonstrate 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.
- Demonstrate 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 they can continue to communicate with post-graduation. “I really think North Park is about developing life-long 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
Related Programs
Sources
- Glassdoor. “Salary: Chief Nursing Officer.” Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/chief-nursing-officer-salary-SRCH_IM167_KO0,21.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Medical and Health Services Managers.” Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.