4 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Connecticut – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Can getting your DNP degree enhance your professional options within Connecticut’s healthcare industry? The answer is, “Yes!” Graduating from one of the BSN to DNP programs in Connecticut takes a comparatively short time and can raise your average salary to $140,890 a year. A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree will enable you to view nursing practice from a systemic perspective, empowering you to lead a healthcare team, analyze the healthcare industry, or take the forefront in clinical interventions. Get started on an exciting new career path by exploring our list of the 4 best BSN to DNP programs in Connecticut for 2025.


WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN TO DNP PROGRAMS IN CONNECTICUT (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 4 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Connecticut (Online & Campus).)

1. University of Connecticut - Storrs


Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nursing, and Nurse Leader


Program Details: University of Connecticut’s BSN to DNP program offers comprehensive and rigorous training to prepare you for high-quality advanced practice nursing. Counted among the best BSN-to-DNP programs in Connecticut, the program emphasizes clinical experiences and specialized training within your chosen area of focus. The BSN to DNP program offers five concentrations; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nursing, and Nurse Leader.

Depending on the concentration your choose, you’ll require to complete around 74 to 80 credits. You can complete this program either full-time or part-time. While the full-time program spans three years, if you choose the part-time schedule, you’ll complete the BSN to DNP coursework within four years.

This BSN to DNP program includes courses in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, organizational & systems leadership, health policy, financial management, and nursing leadership. As a graduate of this program, you’ll be equipped with excellent skills in critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice.

Admission Requirements: To gain admission into this BSN-to-DNP program in Connecticut, regardless of the specialization, you must have a bachelor of science in nursing degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, the school requires you to possess a current RN and unencumbered license in Connecticut. Besides, you must have completed a statistics course with a minimum grade of C. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must submit three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, official transcripts, and a resume.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Connecticut BSN-to-DNP Students

• University of Connecticut nursing school ranks among the top schools in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• University of Connecticut nursing school receives generous funding for its innovative research. Because of the school’s extensive research activity, you’ll be able to participate and enhance your critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills.
• With a wide network of clinical affiliates across the state, the University of Connecticut’s BSN to DNP program offers you a wide range of clinical experiences across the state.


2. Fairfield University - Fairfield


Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, and Nurse Midwifery


Program Details: If you are looking at completing your doctorate from one of the best BSN-to-DNP programs in Connecticut, then Fairfield University’s BSN-to-DNP program is an excellent choice. Through a rigorous curriculum, here, you’ll receive personalized attention under the mentorship of an expert faculty. Training you for nursing leadership, the school offers four advanced practice nursing tracks; family health, psychiatric mental health, nursing anesthesia, and nurse-midwifery.

Depending on the BSN to DNP track you choose, you’ll require to complete around 75 to 77 credits and at least 1000 hours of clinical practice. The BSN to DNP coursework regardless of the track comprises core graduate courses that teach you epidemiology & biostatistics, advanced health policy, research methods for evidence-based practice, healthcare finance, healthcare informatics, leadership & interprofessional collaboration. In addition, each BSN to DNP track comprises advanced practice courses in advanced health assessment, advanced physiology & pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology. Further, for each track, you’ll require completing courses in your chosen focus area.

Admission Requirements: The admission policy of this BSN-to-DNP program in Connecticut requires you to have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, you are required to possess an active RN license in your state of practice. To fulfill your application, you must submit a professional resume, a personal statement, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a copy of your current RN license.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Fairfield University BSN-to-DNP Students

• Fairfield University’s BSN-to-DNP program ranks among the best in the nation and #3 in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Your BSN to DNP education at Fairfield University is grounded in Jesuit values that groom you to provide ethically, legally, and socially-just care to patients from diverse backgrounds.
• At Fairfield University, you’ll be provided ample practice experiences at the nursing school’s state-of-art simulation lab, after which you’ll move to real-world clinical experiences at a variety of clinical sites across the state.


3. Sacred Heart University - Fairfield


Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner


Program Details: With an acute shortage of physicians in the nation, Sacred Heart University’s BSN to DNP program can position you as a primary care provider who is equipped with the highest level of clinical skills. Among the sought-after BSN-to-DNP programs in Connecticut, the program is designed for BSN-prepared nurses who are keen on acquiring the DNP-FNP degree. The program teaches you to use evidence-based practice to enhance health outcomes for individuals, patients, and communities of all age groups.

The BSN to DNP-FNP curriculum, comprising 69 credits, takes three years to complete. The program is also offered part-time, taking almost four years to finish. During the duration of the program, you’ll learn several topics such as family theory, advanced pathophysiology, healthcare policy & advocacy, advanced pharmacology, leading quality initiatives, advanced health assessment, and epidemiology & population health. You’ll also gain proficiency in disease management, project proposal development, and primary care management of patients across the lifespan.

Admission Requirements: To qualify for this BSN-to-DNP program in Connecticut, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.2. In addition, you must submit your official transcripts, a personal essay, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a copy of your valid RN license.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Sacred Heart University BSN-to-DNP Students

• Out of all the BSN-to-DNP programs in Connecticut, Sacred Heart University’s BSN-to-DNP-FNP program stands out for offering the FNP courses concurrently with the graduate core courses. Because you start with the FNP courses as early as the first semester, by the time you graduate, you’ll be well prepared to apply your professional skills in various types of primary care settings.
• Sacred Heart University’s BSN-to-DNP program is offered in a hybrid format, offering you the best of online and on-campus learning. So, along with the convenience of online classes, you’ll attend six in-person classes every semester, where you’ll closely interact with faculty and your peers.
• Sacred Heart University emphasizes interprofessional education and therefore provides you with several opportunities to interact with students of other healthcare disciplines. Also, you’ll be able to participate in several service learning experiences, where not only will you hone professional skills in a variety of interdisciplinary healthcare settings, but you’ll gain fulfillment by serving patients from underserved and vulnerable backgrounds.
• Sacred Heart University’s BSN-to-DNP program ranks among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.


4. University of Saint Joseph - West Hartford


Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)


Program Details: University of Saint Joseph’s doctorate comprises two specializations, including family health and psychiatric mental health. Offered in a hybrid format, this BSN-to-DNP program in Connecticut offers a fine blend of on-campus sessions with online classes.

Regardless of the BSN to DNP specialization you choose, you’ll complete the rigorous curriculum that prepares you to play leadership roles within your chosen practice area. The program trains you in core competencies of evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, population health, quality & safety, interprofessional partnership, systems-based practice, healthcare informatics, professionalism, and nursing leadership.

Graduation requires you to complete 76 credits in graduate core and specialization-specific courses. If you opt for the FNP specialization, you’ll learn advanced practice in pediatric primary care, advanced practice in adult & geriatric primary care, and women’s health. On the other hand, if you choose the PMHNP specialization, you’ll master skills in advanced practice in psychiatric mental health nursing and the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. Both these BSN to DNP tracks end with a DNP scholarly project.

Admission Requirements: This BSN-to-DNP program in Connecticut is open to baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, your RN license must be valid and unencumbered in CT. Further to fulfill the admission requirements, you must submit two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, a resume, and a copy of your RN license.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Saint Joseph BSN-to-DNP Students

• University of Saint Joseph’s BSN to DNP program is ranked among the U.S. News & World Report’s best programs in the nation.
• University of Saint Joseph nursing school offers a Catholic environment where you are nurtured for professional as well as personal growth. You’ll leave the school, with a strong commitment to compassionate care for patients from diverse backgrounds, especially underserved and vulnerable populations.
• University of Saint Joseph’s BSN to DNP program emphasizes clinical training. Accordingly, the school provides individualized attention by maintaining a small student-faculty clinical ratio of 1:6. Further, its well-equipped simulation lab offers plenty of learning experiences under the supervision of expert faculty members, helping you gain strong clinical skills.


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