DNP: Educational Leadership Emphasis
journey today.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with an Emphasis in Educational Leadership at Grand Canyon University consists of the full DNP program plus the opportunity to take three additional courses that focus on education in nursing practice. These courses emphasize teaching strategies, curriculum development and student assessments. As you work toward becoming a nurse leader with a DNP in nursing education, you can set your sights on improving the future of healthcare delivery by inspiring and preparing the next generation of nurses.
GCU’s DNP with an educational leadership emphasis is designed for MSN-prepared nurses who wish to progress to the pinnacle of education and the practice of nursing. You will have the opportunity to explore core competencies in nursing practice and nursing leadership education, including informatics, patient outcomes, sustainable change and scientific underpinnings as they pertain to education in nursing practice and healthcare research. The synthesis and application of advanced knowledge from evidence-based principles is essential in advancing education and facilitating optimal patient outcomes.
As a private Christian university, GCU encourages you to apply a Christian worldview and its concept of leadership to all that you do, including nursing. Nurse educational leaders may benefit from examining faith-integrated worldviews and their influence on patient care across different cultures.
Earn a DNP in Leadership in Nursing Education Online1
GCU strives to make higher education accessible to working professionals who need flexible scheduling and geographical convenience. With our interactive e-learning platform, you can earn your DNP in nursing education leadership online.1 Interact with peers and instructors from virtually anywhere while receiving the same quality of instruction as our on-campus DNP in leadership students. The competencies you will be taught online are immediately applicable to your current nursing practice.
DNP in Leadership in Nursing Education Program Requirements
For completion of the immersion hours and the Direct Practice Improvement (DPI) project, you must have access to a clinical site. You must additionally complete practicum hours during three education-specific courses. These practicum hours may be completed at an academic or clinical site. Practicum hours are not applied toward the DPI project and are in addition to the required immersion hours. A university counselor can provide more information.
These nursing leadership education courses are designed to empower you to initiate evidence-based nursing practice strategies that enhance healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
Offered by the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions at GCU, the DNP in nursing education and leadership emphasizes teaching strategies, curriculum development and student assessments. You will be encouraged to collaborate with other disciplines in analyzing and conducting research to improve healthcare outcomes.
The curriculum you will encounter at GCU may also help prepare you for teaching nursing strategies and leadership at academic institutions and other educational settings.2 In a teaching role, you may work directly with the next generation of nursing leaders or inspire excellence from a nursing education administration position.
Examine Skills at the Highest Level of Nursing Education
GCU seeks to graduate nurse leaders who possess high-level knowledge applicable to both a clinical and academic setting. You will be prompted to serve as an ethical, forward-thinking advocate for the practice of nursing. You are encouraged to keep your professional responsibility in mind as both a nurse and an educator to further the common good. The program’s goal is to equip you to work toward better healthcare systems and processes for nursing leadership and education.
Completion of this DNP in nursing education and leadership is designed to provide you with competencies in educational leadership for nursing and to teach core concepts and skill sets that are both broad in scope and in-depth in nature.
You will have the opportunity to explore areas such as:
Evaluate
The use of information technology to evaluate care systems, outcomes of care and programs of care in light of industry standards and ethical, regulatory and legal principles
Design and Evaluate
Designing, evaluating and improving educational programs with a focus on the regulatory and accrediting body requirements
Strategize
Instructional strategies and methods grounded in evidence-based practice that facilitate learning
Select
The selection of content and educational strategies based on diverse student needs
The doctorate in nursing practice with an emphasis in educational leadership seeks to instill the advanced knowledge and clinical skills necessary for you to lead nursing teams, inspire positive change in healthcare organizations and improve patient outcomes. With a firm foundation in clinical and educational nursing competencies, you may prepare to become a nurse education leader who designs and implements programs for workforce development and centers for nursing excellence.
Since our founding in 1949, GCU has been committed to preparing graduates for their futures by providing quality education. We are proud to be institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, who has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our University Accreditation and Regulations page.
DNP: Educational Leadership FAQs
As you look toward your future and make plans for pursuing advancement in the healthcare field, some questions may arise. GCU has compiled information to help address some of the most common questions of prospective DNP students.
Nursing is a broad field. Although it’s largely defined by the delivery of direct patient care, nursing encompasses much more, including nursing education. In the field, an educational leader is one who works toward expanding and improving the clinical skills and nursing knowledge of other nursing professionals.
Educational leadership is found not only in academic institutions but also in workforce development programs and similar quality improvement initiatives within healthcare delivery systems. Nurse educational leaders spearhead learning activities for their organizations while keeping in mind the needs of culturally diverse populations.3
Leadership is more than a title; every nurse, regardless of official job title, has the potential to step into a leadership role by inspiring and empowering others to achieve their true potential. Healthcare organizations rely on nurse leaders to encourage clear communication among team members, motivate coworkers and elevate the standards of professionalism and ethical practice. The end goals include promoting a safe, healthy work environment while prioritizing patient care excellence.4
Nurse educators may take a variety of paths to achieve a role in an academic institution or teaching hospital. In general, however, aspiring nurse educators must complete the following steps:2
Pursue nursing excellence and explore best practices in education in nursing practice. Join the nursing community at GCU and earn your DNP in leadership in nursing education.
§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-Sept2025: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in September 2025. 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.
While this program is offered online, it includes required synchronous activities that students must attend at scheduled times. These include, but are not limited to, class meetings, midterm checks, remediation and project defenses.
Clinical, practicum and immersion hours completed locally.
- NurseJournal. (2022, May 11). How to Become a Nurse Educator. Retrieved Dec. 27, 2023.
- Karaman, F., Kavagaoglu, D., Yildirim, G., Rashidi, M., Jafarov, G. U., Zahoor, H. & Kiskac, N. (2023, April 10). Development of the Educational Leadership Scale for Nursing Students: A Methodological Study. BMC Nursing. Retrieved Dec. 27, 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, Aug. 5). Professional Wellbeing. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved July 28, 2025.