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ABOUT THE MSN TO DNP PATHWAY

Why Pursue a DNP at Cedarville?

Delivered from a Christian worldview, a DNP degree from Cedarville University will prepare you as an exceptional Christian nurse practitioner or nurse leader who will make a Gospel impact through nursing. You will be equipped to lead and collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary medical team to improve patient and population health outcomes. You will choose from two tracks: Nurse Practitioner (Family or Pediatric) or Nursing Leadership.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioner positions are expected to increase by 45% in the next 10 years, and a DNP from Cedarville will prepare you to meet this demand.

The MSN to DNP pathway allows MSN-prepared nurses to complete a DNP degree, customized to your career goals, in 35-70 credit hours. The total hours will be determined by an MSN transcript review and your desired track.

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$3,000 Scholarship Offer

A limited number of $3,000 scholarships are now available to new graduate nursing students with financial need. Apply now to see if you qualify!

What Sets Cedarville Apart?

  • Biblical Worldview
    All courses are built on the solid foundation of Scripture.

  • Advanced Practice
    Cedarville's DNP will equip you with the training and skills you need to serve as an advanced practice nurse.

  • MSN to DNP
    All DNP courses are offered in an online format, with flexible part-time and full-time completion options.

Program Overview

Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Highlights

Convenient — All DNP courses are offered in a convenient 7- or 14-week online format.

Flexible — Part-time and full-time completion options.

Outstanding Christian Faculty  — You will be taught and mentored by faculty members who have both high academic credentials and clinical experience. They are passionate about helping you use nursing as a ministry.

Affordable — Cedarville’s DNP is affordably priced, and financial aid and scholarships are available.

What Can You Do With a DNP?

As a graduate of the DNP program, you will be qualified to seek national certification and employment as a nurse practitioner or serve as a nurse leader. You will find open doors to professionally and financially rewarding careers like:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Manager
  • Nurse Educator
  • Nurse Executive

Stewarding Your Gifts With a Graduate Degree

Listen as Cedarville's president, Dr. Thomas White, discusses how our graduate programs can help you steward your God-given talents for His glory.

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Nurse Practitioner track: 

You will complete 600 hours of direct care clinical experience in various aspects of primary healthcare across the lifespan. 

You will participate in four required 2–3-day on-campus experiences, which include face-to-face instruction of course materials and simulation experiences using our state-of-the-art, high- and low-fidelity simulators. As part of these simulations, faculty will guide you through clinical decision-making, gaining advanced practice nursing skills and competencies 

Nurse Leadership track: 

You will work collaboratively with other online students in discussion boards and group work. 

Admission, Costs and Aid, Start Dates

Admission Requirements — The first step in your graduate school journey at Cedarville is to apply for admission.

DNP Admission Requirements

Costs and Financial Aid — Your decision to pursue quality, Christian graduate education represents a valuable investment in your career and professional development. To assure your degree is also affordable, Cedarville graduate programs are competitively priced and can be supplemented with a variety of financial aid, including a potential $3,000 – $5,000 scholarship provided by generous donors to assist graduate nursing students who have financial need.

DNP Cost Information

Program Start Dates — You can enroll and begin classes in January, May, or August.

Program Curriculum

You will take 35-38 credit hours of DNP courses plus required specialty courses for your chosen track as determined by a transcript analysis from your MSN.

  • Biblical and Theological Foundations for Graduate Study (or Bible minor or approved alternative)
  • EBP 1: Foundation of Scholarly Inquiry
  • Biostatistics
  • Healthcare Informatics
  • Scholarly Writing
  • EBP 2: Application of Scholarly Inquiry
  • Quality Improvement and Safety
  • Population Health and Epidemiology
  • Advocacy and Resource Management
  • Ethical Healthcare Delivery in Organizations and Systems
  • Scholarly Practice Integration
  • Electives

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is a best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Graduate
  • Online
Female Healthcare worker in a hospital setting.

From Our Faculty:

  • Cedarville University’s graduate nursing programs and curriculum prepare graduate students for advanced nursing practice roles and to use nursing as a ministry for Jesus Christ. We maintain academic excellence through diverse expertise of the faculty and low student-faculty ratios.
    Kim Higginbotham, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS Assistant Dean, Director of Graduate Nursing Programs, PNP Area of Focus Coordinator
    Kim Higginbotham
Learn About Career Services

Program Contacts

Photo of Kim Higginbotham

Kim Higginbotham, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS

Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Director of Graduate Nursing Programs, PNP Area of Focus Coordinator

Contact

Photo of Cliff Fawcett

Cliff Fawcett, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., F.N.P.-C., M.E.D.

Coordinator of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) focus area, Associate Professor of Nursing

Contact

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Chu-Yu Huang, Ph.D., R.N.

Coordinator of Research, Professor of Nursing

Contact

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Anne Russell, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.S.-B.C.

Associate Professor of Nursing

Contact

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Becka Wagner, Ed.D., R.N., C.N.E., M.S.N., M.S.N./E.D.

Coordinator of the Nurse Educator (NE) focus area, Associate Professor of Nursing

Contact

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Aimee Wallis

Graduate Enrollment Advisor

Contact

School of Nursing

Program News