Direct Entry MSN to DNP Online – Executive Leadership
Earn Your DNP and Accelerate Your Rise to Executive Leadership
Online Coursework
As Few as 36 Months (9 Semesters)
58 Credit Hours
$860 per Credit
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The Direct Entry MSN to DNP Program for Nurses Ready to Lead
- Apply By: 12/14/26
- Start Class: 01/11/27
North Park University’s online Direct Entry MSN to DNP – Executive Leader program is for nurses ready to rise to leadership roles within healthcare organizations. You’ll develop the authority and expertise to become an agent of positive change for other nurses and the patients in their care.
Our program director is a former chief nursing officer who has worked at every level of healthcare organizations. She centers the curriculum around the demands of nursing today, providing a pathway to leadership for nurses in Chicago and beyond.
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
- Transfer up to nine credits of relevant core coursework
- Complete online courses without pausing your career
- Gain hands-on experience during practicum placements
- 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
Become an Executive Leader Through This Online MSN to DNP Program
18 Courses
58 Credit Hours
Addressing the challenges that affect healthcare systems demands clinical insight and the authority to lead solutions. Through North Park’s Direct Entry MSN to DNP – Executive Leader program, you’ll develop the leadership skills and organizational perspective to streamline healthcare operations, refine policies, and drive quality improvements where they’re most needed. This DNP pathway builds directly on the leadership orientation you already have—no matter what your title is today.
While completing the Direct Entry MSN to DNP online program, you’ll learn from faculty who connect course concepts with the challenges executive leaders face today. North Park places relationship-building at the center of this program, and you can join optional synchronous sessions to gain additional faculty mentorship and discuss topics further. You’ll also complete practicum hours that focus on leading change in real-world healthcare settings.
Key Elements of the Direct Entry MSN to DNP – Executive Leader Curriculum
Learn from Faculty Who Invest in Your Success
Your instructors take the time to understand what drives you and provide mentorship around your goals.
Explore Practicum Placements in Chicago
With local roots dating back more than 130 years, North Park offers connections to practicum placements within Chicago-area health systems.
The Relationships You Establish Here Stay with You
North Park offers small cohorts, clinical contacts, and white coat ceremonies, helping you form connections that follow you into practice.
Admission Requirements
How to Begin the Direct Entry MSN to DNP – Executive Leader Program
Application Deadline 12/14/26
Start Date 01/11/27
North Park offers a straightforward admission process for the Direct Entry MSN to DNP – Executive Leader program, and you don’t have to complete it alone. Our enrollment team is here to answer your questions and help you move forward with confidence. You can start your application today and save your progress if you need to take a break.
| 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. |
| 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
Estimate the Cost of Completing Your Direct Entry MSN to DNP Program Online
Calculate your cost for attending North Park
Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
North Park’s Direct Entry MSN to DNP – Executive Leader program offers transparent tuition without surprises. If you have questions about financial aid and other ways to make this online program fit your budget, request information to connect with our enrollment team.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $860 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 58 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $49,880 |
| 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
Become an Executive Leader Through the Online Direct Entry MSN to DNP Program
Healthcare organizations need leaders who understand both the clinical and operational sides of care. By completing North Park’s Direct Entry MSN to DNP program online, you can prepare for leadership roles focusing on healthcare administration, operations, policymaking, and beyond. It’s an ideal time to advance toward these roles, as the demand for health services managers is projected to increase by 23% through 2034.1
Executive Nurse Leader Salaries
Chief Nursing Officer $160,227 per year2
Chief Clinical Officer $132,393 per year3
What You’ll Learn
At North Park, MSN graduates interested in online Doctor of Nursing Practice programs can build expertise in shaping policy, overseeing quality improvements, and leading change across healthcare systems. The courses cover these topics and more:
- Biostatistics
- Healthcare delivery systems
- Health information systems
- Policy development and implementation
- Population health epidemiology
- Research
- 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.
Keith Bakken, Professor of Nursing
Faculty Spotlight: Keith Bakken
Keith Bakken began his nursing career in Illinois before moving to Belgium, where he studied French and Tropical Medicine, and then to the Democratic Republic of Congo for three years as part of a missionary service.
Bakken’s most popular class at North Park is Health Policy and Politics, which provides students with relevant and in-depth knowledge for the medical workplace. Bakken says there are two important things he wants his students to know: “We will help you achieve your goal of becoming a trusted healthcare professional. But more than that, we will walk along with you and support your desire to become a person who lives out their values daily.”
Part of Bakken’s inspiration for his classroom comes from his time studying at North Park, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. “My favorite teacher was Dr. Larry Knipp. He was a man of faith and integrity. He radiated joy and loved to teach. He inspired me to do my best and taught me that success in the classroom was achievable with hard work and to have a passion for truth and remain joyful no matter the hardship,” he said.
Education
- MS Nursing with Leadership and Management, North Park University
- BS Nursing, North Park University
Professional Organizations & Associations
- Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses Association
- Nursing Honor Society
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 15, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.
- Payscale. “Average Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Salary.” Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chief_Nursing_Officer_(CNO)/Salary.
- Payscale. “Average Chief Clinical Officer Salary.” Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chief_Clinical_Officer/Salary.