University of Florida DNP Programs: Admissions, Costs & Careers

At Florida's flagship public university, a Doctor of Nursing Practice costs $530.69 per credit for in-state students in 2025-2026, while non-residents pay $1,327.88. That rate puts UF's 35-credit MSN-to-DNP pathway in the low-$20,000s for nurses comparing MSN programs in Florida, a sharp contrast with many private programs. UF offers both MSN-to-DNP and BSN-to-DNP routes, with specializations including family nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner , a specialty covered in Best Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs in Florida.

CCNE accreditation and Florida Board of Nursing approval underpin the credential, admission through NursingCAS requires no GRE, and completion data remain strong even where program-level earnings are not yet published. The heavier lift is clinical: 660 supervised hours inside a hybrid schedule. For most candidates, the deciding factor is not simply gaining admission but arranging those hours around a full-time APRN position.

UF DNP Admissions Requirements and Application Deadlines

Admissions requirements at the University of Florida differ by entry point. Both the MSN-to-DNP and BSN-to-DNP tracks use NursingCAS and the UF Professional Program Application, and neither requires the GRE.

1. Choose your application cycle

   For the MSN-to-DNP, the Spring 2027 deadline is November 1, 2026. The fall cycle opens in September with a February 1 deadline, and the spring cycle opens in March with a November 1 deadline. For the BSN-to-DNP, the Fall 2027 cycle has a February 1 deadline and opens in September.
2. MSN-to-DNP prerequisites

   You need a master’s degree in nursing as an APRN from an ACEN-, CNEA-, or CCNE-accredited school, a master’s GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, an active unencumbered Florida or multi-state APRN license maintained throughout the program, and national NP certification.
3. BSN-to-DNP prerequisites

   You need a BSN as an RN from an ACEN-, CNEA-, or CCNE-accredited school, an overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a current unencumbered Florida or multi-state RN license or eligibility. The program looks for demonstrated ability or potential for clinical excellence and leadership.
4. NursingCAS and UF application

   Submit both the NursingCAS application and the UF Professional Program Application. Official transcripts from every college or university attended are reviewed through NursingCAS only; UF Admissions copies are not reviewed.
5. Supporting materials

   Include three letters of reference and a current CV or resume. If you completed coursework outside the United States, submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from a NACES member with credits, grades, and GPA.
6. Clinical hours and specialty requirements

   UF does not list a universal completed clinical hours form at application, but advanced-practice tracks require supervised or precepted Florida clinical experience each semester after enrollment. For the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP track, UF requires at least one year of ICU or emergency department experience at the time of application; CCRN certification is recommended.
7. Post-admission clearance

   After admission, you must complete a criminal background check, fingerprinting, drug testing, and health requirements including immunizations. For the 2026 incoming class, health documentation was due by August 26, 2026.

What Does UF's MSN-to-DNP Cost for In-State Students?

UF lists 2025-2026 DNP per-credit tuition at $530.69 for Florida residents and $1,327.88 for non-residents. For the in-state 35-credit MSN-to-DNP pathway, UF's published cost with fees ranges from $22,289 to $22,439; the out-of-state range is $50,191 to $50,341. UF does not publish a separate technology fee line, so course software and simulation costs are reflected in tuition and the other required fees shown below.

Inside the UF DNP Curriculum: 35 Credits, 660 Clinical Hours, and Hybrid Format

The University of Florida's MSN to DNP curriculum, one of the DNP programs in Florida, requires 35 credits and 660 clinical hours in a hybrid delivery model built for working advanced practice nurses.

How the 35 Credits Break Down

The 35-credit MSN to DNP plan is UF's post-master's route for nurses with a master's degree in nursing and an active Florida ARNP license, reflecting common MSN to DNP program expectations. The BSN to DNP track is longer: 75 to 78 credits across 8 semesters. For the MSN to DNP path, the published materials do not offer an itemized credit split, but the structure clearly organizes around doctoral core coursework, specialty clinical practicum hours, and the DNP project. The 660 required clinical hours are embedded in practicum courses rather than treated as a separate requirement. Individual practicum experiences range from 60 to 240 hours depending on the course and specialty, so students have some flexibility in how those hours are distributed across the standard five-semester sequence. Part-time study is available, but the published five-semester plan serves as the default full-time pace. Eligibility for the 35-credit plan includes an active Florida ARNP license and current advanced practice activity, so the curriculum presumes you are already practicing and can bring real cases into course discussions and clinical evaluations.

Online Format and Campus Time

UF describes the MSN to DNP as online with minimal campus attendance. The design targets working advanced practice nurses, and the program materials do not list recurring synchronous online class meetings for this track. Prospective students should still confirm with the College of Nursing whether any live sessions or brief campus visits apply to their specialty before choosing a part-time plan. The part-time option may extend the timeline beyond five semesters, but UF does not publish a separate part-time credit sequence here, so nurses should ask the program coordinator how part-time status affects financial aid, clinical pacing, and graduation. For the BSN to DNP route, UF uses online delivery with periodic campus visits. Those in-person components are tied to health assessment, clinical courses, simulation training, and skill development, so BSN-entry students should expect more structured campus time than MSN-entry students. BSN to DNP students also follow a required course sequence, which matters when planning clinical prerequisites and campus visits.

Clinical Placements and Project Support

MSN to DNP students with an active Florida ARNP license often complete practicum hours in their current advanced practice setting, but UF tracks all clinical experiences through the EXXAT system. Faculty site visits are generally limited to a 90-mile radius, which means supervision and project site visits are practical for students practicing in Florida. Those outside the radius should ask about exceptions or virtual site support. Individual practicum courses require 60 to 240 clinical hours, so students need to plan schedule blocks carefully. The DNP project in this DNP program fits into the same clinical structure: students identify a practice problem at a placement site, apply doctoral-level scholarship, and document the work through the clinical tracking system and faculty guidance. For BSN to DNP students, clinical placement location is Florida, so out-of-state nurses should confirm feasibility before applying.

Is UF DNP Accredited? CCNE Status and Florida State Approval

National accreditation and state approval are not the same thing. CCNE status speaks to national academic standards and whether the credential will be recognized by employers and other institutions; Florida Board of Nursing approval confirms the College of Nursing meets state expectations for nursing education. The University of Florida DNP holds both.

CCNE Accreditation and Review Cycle

The University of Florida College of Nursing states that its BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP tracks hold CCNE accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In spring 2022, UF announced that CCNE issued a recommendation for the best-possible 10-year accreditation following a review cycle that included a virtual site visit November 8-10, 2021. The next CCNE review is scheduled for fall 2031.

Florida State Board of Nursing Approval

UF's undergraduate catalog describes the College of Nursing's degree programs as approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing and CCNE-accredited, with the DNP listed among the advanced programs. Florida's Nursing Compare tool lists programs as Approved, Approved/Probationary, or Accredited, and only those categories are included. For post-licensure DNP students, state approval functions as an educational quality signal; advanced practice certification and licensure requirements remain separate steps with the Florida Board of Nursing or national certifying bodies.

Why Accreditation Matters

CCNE accreditation helps with employer recognition because many hospitals and health systems expect advanced-practice nurses to graduate from a nationally accredited program. It also supports graduate transfer credit if you later change programs or pursue another degree. For current details, check the CCNE directory at ccneaccreditation.org or the UF College of Nursing accreditation page.

How UF Compares to Other Florida DNP Programs: FGCU and UCF

UF, FGCU, and UCF arrange the Doctor of Nursing Practice in different ways. UF's BSN-to-DNP path is outlined as eight full-time semesters, and the MSN-to-DNP option calls for minimal campus attendance. UCF's Advanced Practice Nurse DNP runs online and part-time with two required virtual intensives each year, while FGCU's program duration and delivery format were not spelled out on its retrieved official pages.

Choosing the Right UF DNP Track: Key Factors to Weigh

Choosing a UF DNP track is less about identifying a single best option and more about matching your clinical interests, current degree, schedule, and budget to a path you can sustain while working. The right track should move you toward the certification and practice setting you actually want, not just the one that looks most convenient on paper.

Match Your Track to Your Clinical Interests

Like many NP programs in Florida, UF's DNP options typically center on advanced practice roles such as family nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. The best starting question is not which program is ranked highest but which patient population and practice setting you want to work in long term.

• FNP: Strong fit for primary care, community clinics, and lifespan care across outpatient settings.
• PMHNP: Strong fit if your goal is behavioral health, psychiatric assessment, medication management, or telehealth mental health practice.
• AGACNP: Strong fit for hospital-based acute and critical care, including inpatient specialty units and emergency or intensivist settings.

If you are torn between tracks, ask UF's admissions office whether a current student or faculty member can discuss typical clinical placements and certification pathways for the specialty you are considering.

Compare Entry Point, Format, and Budget

Your entry point changes the total time and cost. BSN-prepared RNs often enter through a BSN to DNP pathway, while MSN-prepared advanced practice nurses may complete a post-master's DNP with different credit expectations. Like many online DNP programs, UF's hybrid delivery is built for working APRNs: most coursework is online, but you should expect scheduled campus visits for orientation, intensives, or simulation. That means budgeting for travel and time off, not just tuition and fees.

Cost also depends on residency, track, and the number of credits your entry point requires. Use UF's current per-credit tuition and fee schedule for your track instead of relying on a single program-wide average. Federal financial aid, employer tuition benefits, and graduate assistantships may reduce the out-of-pocket total, but the first step is knowing your actual required credits.

Take the Next Step

Before finalizing your choice, consult DNP application tips and contact UF's DNP admissions office to confirm current prerequisites, campus visit dates, and application deadlines. Register for an information session if one is available. A short conversation with an admissions representative can clarify whether your prior MSN coursework transfers and whether your preferred specialty has upcoming cohort availability. That single step often resolves more than hours of independent research.

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