Classes Start April 8th
Ready to get started? We’re ready for you. Chat with an enrollment counselor or apply now to take the first step on the journey toward your future.
$50 Application Fee (waived w/promo WINTER)
DNP Preparatory Program Highlights
Interprofessional Education
Share courses with other health care professionals to learn about,
from, and with industry colleagues.
Reduce Your Tuition by $10,000
Enroll in a qualified program, apply for a $10K scholarship, and meet the eligibility requirements.
Industry Aligned
More than 600 organizations—including corporations, health care
organizations, and community colleges—invest in their employees by
partnering with Capella to offer discounted education programs.
Exclusive Learner Success Lab
Our Learner Success Lab provides program-specific content and offers
time management tools and other resources to help you thrive
throughout your program.
96% of Nursing alumni are satisfied with their Capella education.
Source: Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2017–2018
Capstone & Practicum
Investigate a real organizational issue and collaborate with an
interprofessional team to find an evidence-based solution.
25 Years of Online Doctoral Experience
With over 25 years of experience in online doctoral education, we understand the unique needs of doctoral students, and have designed our programs to meet those needs. We've structured our programs to help you reach your goals and obtain critical skills—with our expert faculty, support teams, and online resources to help guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your DNP Faculty
Our distinguished DNP faculty are industry leaders, bringing
real-world relevance into the courseroom to enrich your education, and
career.
Get the Support You Need for Success
Our dedicated support teams guide and advise you through every step of your educational journey.
Enrollment Counselors
These experts will set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree and program, and answer all your questions about Capella.
Doctoral Advising
Doctoral programs are specific and challenging. That's why you'll have access to expert support at every step along the road to your degree.
Capstone Mentors
For the culminating project of your doctoral degree, you’ll be paired with a mentor who can support and assist you along the way.
Cost & Learning Format
Our original learning format offers extra structure for those who
want it. We'll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1-3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
Get the Details
Speak with an enrollment counselor to get a personalized cost estimate for what you can expect to pay.
Accredited & Recognized
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet
standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and
fiscal stability. See all of our accreditations and recognitions.
The BSN, MSN, and DNP programs at Capella University are
accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Ways to Save
Affording your education shouldn’t be an obstacle to reaching your goals. We can help you find ways you can save.
Reduce Your Tuition with $10K
Enroll in your doctorate degree, apply for the scholarship, meet eligibility requirements, and receive up to $10K.
Employer & Association Discounts
Many employers and organizations partner with Capella to offer tuition discounts. An enrollment counselor can tell you more.
Employer Reimbursements
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement to employees. Ask your manager or HR department about options.
DNP Sample Courses
Our online DNP preparatory pathway program can help you increase your mastery in assessing and applying theory, building therapeutic relationships, designing and implementing therapeutic interventions, and leading and managing in the health care environment.
| MSN6013 * |
Principles of Advanced Nursing Practice
This course provides learners with an overview of the diverse roles
and practice credentials of a master’s-prepared nurse. Learners gain
insight into various aspects of master’slevel nursing practice, such
as interpersonal collaboration, use of technology, and cultural
competency, as well as ethical, regulatory, and legal principles as
they relate to advanced nursing practice. Learners also identify the
theoretical foundation(s) of current and future practice in nursing.
Prerequisite(s): MSN5007. DNP Preparatory Program learners are
exempt from this prerequisite.
|
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSN6014 * |
Advanced Leadership for Contemporary Nursing
Learners in this course explore the leadership skills necessary for
today’s nursing leaders. Learners develop and demonstrate the ethical,
legal, and critical decision-making skills needed to support
organizational and systems change and to promote critical high-quality
safe care for the people they serve. Other leadership skills include
addressing the needs of diverse populations, providing quality
improvement and resource management, bolstering team and
interprofessional relationship building, and participating in
strategic planning. Throughout the course, learners also evaluate the
leadership styles vital to effecting and sustaining change in today’s
health care system.
Prerequisite(s): MSN6013. BSN-toDNP learners must have completed
or be concurrently registered in MSN6013.
|
4 quarter credits |
| DNP8012 |
Nursing Technology and Health Care Information Systems
Learners in this course apply information technology and research
methods used within the health care environment. In particular,
learners evaluate the use of technology in health care information
systems for the purposes of monitoring outcomes of care and assessing
quality improvement. |
4 quarter credits |
| DNP8014 * |
Global Population Health
In this course, learners analyze epidemiological, biostatistical,
occupational, and environmental data and use it to develop, implement,
and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention efforts in global
populations. Throughout the course, learners focus on preparing
themselves to lead the development and implementation of
institutional, local, state, national, or international health care
policy.
Prerequisite(s): DNP8010. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
|
4 quarter credits |
| NHS8070 * |
Evaluation and Interpretation of Data in Health Care
In this course, learners explore underlying concepts and reasoning
related to the collection and evaluation of qualitative and
quantitative data in health care research. Learners apply appropriate
statistical techniques and practice interpreting frequently
encountered statistical outcomes. In addition, learners assess the
quality of statistical and qualitative research methods reported in
peer-reviewed health care literature.
Prerequisite(s): NHS8060. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
|
4 quarter credits |
What You’ll Learn
The right education can change everything. Discover your path to
gaining real-world skills to lead at the highest level of the nursing
profession.
- Build leadership skills for creating health care delivery models with a focus on quality improvement.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based health care delivery models.
- Broaden your understanding of a wide range of health care professions for mastery that can help you achieve common goals.
- Apply a science-based, theoretical foundation to develop and evaluate new practices and approaches to health care delivery.
- Develop, implement, and advocate for health care policy that meets the needs of specific populations.
- Plan for and implement health care technologies that improve quality for specialized areas of practice.
DNP Career Insights
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society Membership Benefits Nursing Students
The international honor society allows Capella nursing students to join a professional organization of more than 135,000 members.
The Value of Interprofessional Education in Health Care
What is interprofessional education, and why is it especially important in the health care field?
How Nurses on Boards Impact Health Care
Nurses today make up a small percentage of those serving on hospital boards—here’s a look into what’s being done to increase the number.
DNP Professional Paths
Your education can help you reach your goals, professionally and personally. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a DNP.
Related Job Titles to Explore*
- Chief nursing officer
- Nursing administrator
- Nursing director
- Nurse manager
- Nursing operations director
- Health care director
- Education consultant
- Nurse educator
- Nursing professor
- Nursing instructor
Related Employment Settings to Explore
- Hospital
- Medical clinic
- Health care organization
- Insurance company
- Home health care services
- Government—local, state, federal
- Community health agency
- Nursing care facility
- Social service agency
- Land-based or online college or university
- Self-employment
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some
positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure,
certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because
many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella
cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a
promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you
to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
Other Programs to Explore
Is this program close to what you need, but maybe not a perfect fit? The programs below might be interesting. Check them out to find one that suits your academic and professional goals.