Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at Grand Canyon University (GCU) is ideal for nurse leaders, including nurse informaticists and advanced practice registered nurses, who wish to remain on the forefront of patient care. In the DNP program, you will examine and expand upon the theoretical and scientific foundations of healthcare through engaging peer discussions and scholarly activities led by expert instructors. Expand your healthcare knowledge and nursing skills through immersion activities designed to propel you to the highest level of nursing practice. Continue to meet your current professional obligations while progressing through a rigorous curriculum, which culminates in an evidence-based research Direct Practice Improvement project.
Achieve the Highest Level of Nursing Education With a DNP Degree
The online DNP degree1 at GCU can stimulate personal and professional growth, allowing master's prepared RNs to work toward the pinnacle of their career. Explore principles in organizational change leadership that you can apply to your current healthcare organization. Become a compassionate servant leader who inspires nursing teams to continually strive for healthcare excellence. Examine best practices in clinical solutions. Demonstrate your advanced knowledge and skills by identifying a health practice or organizational change leadership topic for your direct practice improvement (DPI) project.
GCU is committed to offering a flexible learning path for professional learners. Earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice degree via our online platform. The online DNP program requires a total of 39 credits for graduation. Online courses are eight weeks in length, with the exception of the three project courses, which are 16 weeks in length.
Expand Your Theoretical Knowledge With an Online DNP Program
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is a comprehensive program that blends theoretical knowledge with clinical application. Some of the courses you will take include:
- Emerging Areas of Human Health
- Scientific Underpinnings
- Patient Outcomes and Sustainable Change
- Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice
- Health Care Informatics
Learners develop core competencies in nursing science and consider ethical issues in health care research. There is an emphasis on the application of evidence-based nursing science to optimize patient outcomes.
Study Relevant Topics in Your Field
Graduates of GCU are taught to effect positive change in health care organizations by applying research-based principles to nurture favorable patient outcomes. Some DNPs prefer to continue working directly with patient populations as advanced practice registered nurses. Others may undergo additional training to pursue specialized career paths, such as the role of nurse educator. Some employment settings may include the following:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Public health offices
- Research facilities
- Physicians’ offices
- Independent practice
For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our University Accreditation and Regulations page.
DNP Degree FAQ
If you’re looking to reach the highest level of nursing practice, read through our frequently asked questions to gain more information on earning your DNP degree.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a practice-focused program. This nursing practice degree guides nurses in applying current research to improve healthcare systems and enhance patient outcomes.
DNP programs can prepare you to work collaboratively as an interprofessional partner with any doctoral-level peer to participate in and/or translate research that can improve the healthcare system and population health outcomes. Get empowered as a nurse leader to properly utilize and communicate industry terms used in research and evidence-based practice and quality improvement processes in the nursing and healthcare industry.
Both the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are considered the highest forms of education available for nurses, preparing you to further your knowledge.
The DNP is aimed at translating evidence-based research into clinical practice. DNP graduates seek to impact clinical settings and improve health outcomes through quality improvement processes, including the innovation and implementation of quality improvement processes in specific practice settings, systems or populations. In contrast, the PhD is more generalizable, and focuses more on rigorous, original research and statistical methodologies that may be broadly applicable.
A DNP can help prepare graduates to work as highly skilled nurses, step into healthcare management roles or assume a role in academia within practice-based nursing programs. PhD graduates can be equipped to become nursing researchers, hold various health policy positions or assume full-time teaching and administrative positions.
To make an impact on the lives of others at the highest level of nursing, learn more about the DNP program by filling out the form on this page.
GCU alumni enrolling in a doctoral program for the first time may be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship.§
1 While all courses are completed online, you will need to attend immersion hours in person locally.
§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-Sep2023: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in September 2023. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.
Time to Completion and Dissertation Process
To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course introduces learners to the skills and mindset necessary for success on the doctoral journey. These skills include critical thinking and analysis, navigating resources, academic writing for the doctoral level, identifying and understanding scholarly research, and the role of the practitioner-scholar.
Course Description
This course provides the foundations for using information systems/technology to support and improve patient care and health care systems. The course is designed to provide the tools needed to manage individual and aggregate level information and use information systems/technology to evaluate programs of care, outcomes of care, and care systems using industry standards and related ethical, regulatory, and legal principles. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice. Prerequisite: DNP-801A.
Course Description
Advanced nursing practice requires practice expertise and specialized knowledge in making diagnostic and practice management decisions. This science-based course gives learners insight into emerging areas of human health to improve health outcomes and establish programs of clinical excellence and emphasizes guidance and coaching of individuals and families through developmental, health-illness, and situational transitions from a holistic perspective. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice. Prerequisite: DNP-805A.
Course Description
This course creates a base for the application of science into advanced nursing practice and includes philosophical, ethical, and historical foundations. Nursing science frames the development of theories and concepts to guide nursing practice and determine the nature and significance of health and health care delivery phenomena. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practice immersion hours: Learners are required to document a minimum of 50 practice hours (25 direct and 25 indirect) in association with this course. Practicum/field experience hours: 100. Prerequisite: DNP-810A.
Course Description
This course focuses on a core set of skills and knowledge application activities related to the translation of research into practice, the evaluation of practice, and improvement of health care outcomes. Learners examine evidence to guide improvements in practice and outcomes of care. Literature reviews focus on gaps or tensions in the translation of research into practice. Ethical considerations are also examined in the context of health care research. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice. Prerequisite: DNP-815A.
Course Description
This course examines ideas that promote understanding of aggregate, community, environmental/occupational, and cultural/socioeconomic dimensions of health. Learners analyze epidemiological, biostatistical, occupational, and environmental data in the development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical prevention and population health. Evidence-based recommendations for health promotion and risk reduction for individuals and families and concepts of public health are emphasized. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice. Prerequisite: DNP-820A.
Course Description
This course prepares learners to develop effective strategies to ensure safety and quality health care for patients and populations and includes evaluation of health care outcomes. Learners engage in inquiry into the state of health care delivery, patient-centered care, sustainable change, and ethical principles surrounding practice. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Prerequisite: DNP-825A.
Course Description
Advanced nursing practice requires political skills, systems thinking, and the business and financial insight needed for the analysis of practice quality and costs related to caring for the needs of a panel of patients, a target population, a set of populations, or a broad community. Learners conceptualize new interprofessional care delivery models that are based in contemporary nursing science and that are feasible within current organizational, political, cultural, and economic perspectives. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace. Practicum hours must include a minimum of 25 direct and a minimum of 25 indirect logged and approved practice hours in association with this course. Practicum/field experience hours: 100. Prerequisite: DNP-835A.
Course Description
This course focuses on the analysis of data that is grounded in clinical practice and designed to solve practice problems or to inform practice directly. It emphasizes the use of analytic methods to critically appraise gathered evidence to determine and implement the best evidence for practice. Learners also learn to disseminate findings from evidence-based practice and research to improve health care outcomes. Learners are expected to integrate and synthesize core program competencies and specialty practice requirements necessary to demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice. Practicum hours must include a minimum of 25 direct and a minimum of 25 indirect logged and approved practice hours in association with this course. Practicum/field experience hours: 125. Prerequisite: DNP-840A.
Course Description
Learners finalize an issue in health care that will become the basis of an evidence-based research project to be carried out prior to completion of the doctoral program. Learners leave this course with a project goal/topic, a literature review, a proposed methodology, and a clear description of how addressing the issue presented will improve patient care. A project proposal is written in preparation for the Institutional Review Board (IRB) review. Learners are required to plan and document their learning goals and activities using the DPI Project Milestone Guide. Learners also continue work as necessary in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace to ensure that all programmatic requirements have been met. Practicum hours must include a minimum of 75 direct and a minimum of 50 indirect logged and approved practice hours in association with this course. Practicum/field experience hours: 225. Prerequisite: DNP-830A.
Course Description
Learners submit a project for approval to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Once IRB approval is obtained, the learner conducts the project. Data are appropriately gathered for future analysis to determine if the practice investigated in the project brought about improved outcomes. Learners are required to plan and document their learning goals and activities using the DPI Project Milestone Guide. Learners also continue work as necessary in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace to ensure that all programmatic requirements have been met. Practicum hours must include a minimum of 75 direct and a minimum of 50 indirect logged and approved practice hours in association with this course. Practicum/field experience hours: 225. Prerequisite: DNP-955A.
Course Description
Data gathered during the project is analyzed and evaluated to determine the outcomes garnered by the project. A proposal for dissemination and mass implementation is created. Learners identify areas of future research and practice change for the continued improvement of health care. Learners are required to plan and document their learning goals and activities using the DPI Project Milestone Guide. Learners also continue work as necessary in the DNP Practice Immersion Workspace to ensure that all programmatic requirements have been met. Practicum hours must include a minimum of 50 direct and a minimum of 50 indirect logged and approved practice hours in association with this course. Practicum/field experience hours: 225. Prerequisite: DNP-960A.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.