DNP Programs in Virginia

University of Virginia's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care program stands out as a transformative hybrid pathway for advanced nursing professionals. Focused exclusively on primary care pediatrics, the program equips students with comprehensive skills in pediatric healthcare delivery. Students engage in 750 clinical practicum hours, gaining expertise in well-child visits, acute illness management, and family-centered interventions. The curriculum combines online learning with monthly in-person sessions, providing flexibility for working nurses. Graduates are thoroughly prepared for certification exams and autonomous practice, with a strong emphasis on community health needs and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Hybrid learning format
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• Full and part-time options
• Certification exam preparation
• Community-based primary care focus
• Interdisciplinary team collaboration
• Tuition: $21,302 (VA residents)
• 3.0 minimum GPA required
• Multiple entry pathways

UVA's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) represents a cutting-edge program designed to elevate nursing leadership and clinical expertise. Offering multiple entry pathways from BSN and MSN, the hybrid program spans three years with comprehensive curriculum covering advanced clinical skills, healthcare systems leadership, and scholarly project development. Students benefit from 8 specialty track options, guaranteed admission for UVA alumni, and mentorship from expert faculty. The program requires no prior clinical experience and emphasizes transformative healthcare practice through evidence-based methodologies, preparing nurses to drive systemic healthcare innovations.

• Hybrid learning format
• 3-year BSN to DNP pathway
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• 8 specialty track options
• No prior clinical experience required
• Guaranteed admission for UVA alumni
• Mentorship from expert faculty
• Multiple entry pathways
• Scholarly project requirement
• Leadership and policy focus

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty at UVA's DNP program provides an advanced educational pathway for nurses seeking comprehensive primary care expertise. Through a hybrid learning model featuring monthly in-person classes and online coursework, students develop sophisticated skills in patient care across lifespans. The program includes 750 clinical practicum hours, certification exam preparation, and multiple clinical placement opportunities. Designed for both full-time and part-time students, the curriculum emphasizes community-based healthcare, professional development, and scholarly project completion, positioning graduates as leaders in evolving healthcare landscapes.

• Hybrid learning format
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• Full and part-time options
• Certification exam eligibility
• Multiple clinical placement sites
• 3.0 minimum GPA requirement
• DNP pathway for BSN/MSN
• Comprehensive scholarly project
• Advanced practice preparation

UVA's Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program delivers intensive training for nurses specializing in complex patient care. The hybrid curriculum focuses on developing advanced diagnostic skills, clinical decision-making capabilities, and leadership competencies for managing adolescent and adult acute, critical, and chronic conditions. Students complete 750 clinical practicum hours across diverse healthcare settings, preparing for certification and professional practice. The 33-month DNP pathway offers individualized clinical plans, nationwide placement options, and a scholarly project requirement, ensuring graduates are equipped to address sophisticated healthcare challenges.

• Hybrid learning model
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• Certification exam preparation
• 33-month DNP pathway
• Individualized clinical plans
• Advanced practice specialty focus
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Multiple entry pathways
• Scholarly project requirement
• Nationwide clinical placement options

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty within UVA's DNP program offers a comprehensive pathway for nurses committed to primary and preventative healthcare. Utilizing a dynamic hybrid learning model, the program combines monthly in-person classes with online coursework, providing flexibility and depth. Students gain 750 clinical practicum hours, expert faculty mentorship, and comprehensive preparation for FNP certification. The curriculum emphasizes community-based healthcare across patient lifespans, with full-time completion possible in 33 months. Graduates emerge as skilled practitioners ready to meet growing healthcare demands and drive patient-centered care initiatives.

• Hybrid learning format
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• Full- and part-time options
• Monthly in-person classes
• Guaranteed admission for alumni
• Multiple entry pathways
• Expert faculty mentorship
• Certification exam eligibility
• Comprehensive clinical placement support

• Hybrid learning format
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• Advanced practice nurse preparation
• Certification exam eligibility
• UVA alumni guaranteed admission
• Multiple entry pathways
• Diverse clinical placement sites
• Scholarly project requirement
• Multiple degree options

• Hybrid learning format
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• ANCC certification eligibility
• Mentored by expert faculty
• Scholarly project requirement
• Multiple entry pathways
• Nationwide clinical placement opportunities
• Full-time completion in 33 months

• Hybrid learning format
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• Full and part-time options
• 750 clinical practicum hours
• Clinical simulation learning center
• Multiple clinical placement sites
• 3.0 minimum GPA requirement
• DNP pathway available
• UVA alumni guaranteed admission
• Advanced practice certification eligible

VCU's DNP program in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive advanced clinical training for nurses seeking transformative healthcare leadership. The hybrid format enables professionals to develop sophisticated decision-making skills and evidence-based practices across adult patient spectrums. Students gain critical competencies in acute care settings, learning to implement innovative healthcare strategies and interprofessional collaboration techniques. The program emphasizes strategic leadership development, preparing graduates to drive meaningful healthcare improvements through advanced clinical expertise and policy innovation.

• Hybrid program format
• Multiple entry pathways
• Four diverse concentrations
• Advanced clinical preparation
• Leadership development focus
• Evidence-based practice emphasis
• Post-B.S. and Post-M.S. options

Virginia Commonwealth University's Family Nurse Practitioner DNP concentration offers a dynamic 3.5-year hybrid program targeting comprehensive primary care excellence. Designed for bachelor's-prepared nurses, the curriculum focuses on wellness, preventative care, and chronic disease management across diverse patient populations. Students receive extensive clinical placement support, benefit from training at a Magnet-designated health center, and develop advanced practice skills. The program's evidence-based approach and practice-focused methodology ensure graduates are well-prepared for high-impact primary care roles.

• 3.5-year part-time hybrid program
• Primary care focus for all ages
• Clinical placement support
• Evidence-based curriculum
• Practice-focused doctoral degree
• Interdisciplinary learning opportunities
• No dissertation required
• Can complete project at workplace

VCU's Nursing Leadership and Organizational Science DNP concentration prepares nurses for high-level administrative roles through a comprehensive 3.5-year online program. Students develop advanced strategic skills in healthcare management, policy development, and systemic change implementation. The curriculum emphasizes financial management, performance improvement, and innovative healthcare environment creation. Graduates are equipped to become nurse executives, quality improvement leaders, and healthcare policy strategists, with a robust academic foundation and practical experience in driving organizational transformation.

• 3.5-year part-time online program
• Fully online lecture courses
• Practice-focused doctoral degree
• Leadership role preparation
• Interdisciplinary learning environment
• No dissertation required
• Practicum in practice settings
• Bachelor's degree entry requirement
• Project-based learning approach

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP concentration at VCU provides an innovative 3.5-year hybrid program for registered nurses seeking advanced mental health expertise. Students develop comprehensive skills in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and leadership strategies through evidence-based training. The program combines rigorous academic preparation with hands-on clinical experiences, enabling graduates to excel as mental health practitioners, administrators, and educators. Interprofessional learning opportunities and clinical placement support ensure students are prepared to transform mental healthcare delivery.

• 3.5-year part-time hybrid program
• Bachelor's in nursing required
• Clinical placement support provided
• Evidence-based mental health curriculum
• Practice-focused doctoral degree
• Advanced clinical skills development
• Interprofessional learning opportunities
• Train at Magnet-designated VCU Health

Virginia Commonwealth University's Nursing Informatics DNP concentration offers a flexible 40-credit online program for technology-driven nurses. Designed for working professionals, the curriculum focuses on leveraging healthcare information systems to enhance patient care. Students develop critical skills in health information technology, system leadership, and evidence-based practice. With no admissions test required and a focus on technological innovation, graduates are prepared to drive transformative changes in healthcare delivery through advanced informatics expertise.

• 40-credit online post-master's pathway
• Flexible format with campus visits
• No admissions test required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Completion within 8 calendar years
• 500 practice hours required
• Focuses on healthcare technology
• Leadership-oriented curriculum
• DNP project capstone experience

• Hybrid program format
• Primary care across lifespan
• Two entry pathways available
• Evidence-based practice focus
• Leadership skill development

Radford University's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Family Nurse Practitioner provides a transformative online educational pathway for registered nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise. The CCNE-accredited program distinguishes itself through comprehensive training featuring over 1,000 clinical hours and flexible distance learning options. Post-BSN and post-MSN tracks accommodate diverse professional backgrounds, with competitive admission requirements of 3.0-3.5 GPA. Students develop sophisticated leadership skills while preparing for primary healthcare delivery across patient lifecycles, emphasizing research-based methodologies and personalized residency experiences.

• Online and hybrid format
• Over 1,000 clinical hours
• CCNE and SACSCOC accredited
• Flexible distance-based learning
• Post-BSN and post-MSN tracks
• 3.0-3.5 GPA requirement
• Professional leadership focus
• Personalized residency program

Radford University's Nurse Leadership DNP program cultivates innovative healthcare leaders through a dynamic online curriculum. Focusing on strategic management, evidence-based practice, and healthcare policy expertise, the program equips nurses to transform complex healthcare environments. Students develop advanced interprofessional collaboration skills, learning to drive quality improvement initiatives and advocate for patient-centered care. The program prepares graduates to assume high-level leadership roles across diverse healthcare settings.

• Online Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Advanced leadership curriculum
• Prepares healthcare leaders
• Evidence-based practice focus
• Interprofessional collaboration skills
• Healthcare policy knowledge
• Quality improvement strategies

Radford University's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP concentration offers a comprehensive online program addressing complex behavioral health challenges. Students develop advanced clinical reasoning skills through evidence-based psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. The curriculum emphasizes mental health promotion, disease prevention, and holistic treatment strategies across patient lifecycles. Graduates become specialized advanced practice nurses prepared to deliver nuanced mental health care for individuals, families, and community groups.

• Online Doctoral Nursing Program
• ANCC Certification Eligible
• Advanced Mental Health Practice
• Lifespan Care Approach
• Evidence-Based Interventions

Radford University's Nurse Leadership DNP empowers experienced nurses to advance careers through a flexible online program. Targeting post-MSN professionals, the curriculum develops strategic healthcare leadership skills essential for high-level roles like chief nursing officer. Without GRE/GMAT requirements and a 3.5 GPA threshold, the program provides comprehensive training in driving healthcare innovation. Graduates emerge prepared to implement quality improvement strategies in complex healthcare environments.

• Online and hybrid format
• CCNE and SACSCOC accredited
• Over 1,000 clinical hours
• Post-MSN track available
• No GRE/GMAT required
• Minimum 3.5 GPA needed
• Three reference letters required
• Rolling admission process
• Tailored residency experience
• Career advancement opportunities

James Madison University's online DNP in Healthcare Systems Leadership prepares advanced nursing professionals to drive transformative healthcare innovations. This flexible program offers no GRE requirement and accommodates post-bachelor's and post-master's students with individualized study plans. Focusing on systems leadership, students develop critical skills to influence healthcare policy and organizational strategies. With competitive tuition, 1:1 advising support, and AACN/CCNE accreditation, the program equips nurses to lead systemic improvements and enhance healthcare delivery across diverse environments.

• Fully online DNP program
• Healthcare Systems Leadership concentration
• 40-46 credit hours
• No GRE required
• AACN/CCNE accredited
• Competitive tuition
• 1:1 advising support
• Full and part-time options
• Flexible practicum sites
• Small cohort sizes

James Madison University's online Doctor of Nursing Practice offers an Advanced Practice Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner concentration, preparing nurses for innovative healthcare leadership. The flexible program accommodates working professionals through full-time and part-time options, requiring 40-46 credits and 1,000 practice hours. Students gain comprehensive skills in evidence-based practice and healthcare systems leadership, emerging as highly skilled practitioners capable of transforming patient care, influencing health policy, and driving interprofessional healthcare improvements.

• Fully online DNP program
• 40-46 credit total program
• 1,000 practice hours required
• Multiple concentration options
• CCNE accredited program

James Madison University's online DNP in Healthcare Systems Leadership empowers nursing professionals to drive systemic healthcare improvements. This rigorous program provides a robust evidence-based practice foundation, requiring 40-46 credits and 1,000 practice hours. Students develop strategic leadership skills to influence policy, transform healthcare delivery, and enhance patient care. The program prepares graduates to work effectively within interprofessional teams, implementing quality improvements and addressing complex healthcare challenges at organizational levels.

• Online and part-time options
• 40-46 total credits
• 1,000 practice hours required
• CCNE accredited program
• Evidence-based practice focus
• Healthcare Systems Leadership concentration

James Madison University's hybrid DNP program specializes in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner concentration, offering BSN-prepared nurses an advanced pathway to expert practice. The three-year, full-time curriculum blends online and face-to-face learning, ensuring comprehensive education and personalized attention through small cohort sizes. Students receive clinical placement assistance and advanced practice certification preparation, aligning with American Association of Colleges of Nursing competencies. Graduates emerge as highly skilled practitioners ready to deliver exceptional patient care.

• Hybrid learning format
• Three-year full-time plan
• Two concentration options
• January program start
• Small cohort sizes
• Dedicated program coordinator
• Clinical placement assistance
• Advanced practice certification preparation