9 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Virginia – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Are you a BSN-educated nurse in Virginia interested in higher pay and better opportunities for professional advancement? Enrolling in one of the BSN to DNP programs in Virginia can make you far more marketable in the Old Dominion State’s highly competitive healthcare marketplace. The minimum education level in Virginia for advanced practice nursing is shifting toward the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. A DNP will give you the knowledge and skills to qualify for the best jobs. DNP-educated nurses in the Old Dominion State make an average salary of $125,340 annually. Reading through this list of the 9 best BSN to DNP programs in Virginia for 2025 will help you get started.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN TO DNP PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
(Based on our
ranking methodology, the following are the 9 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Virginia (Online & Campus).)
Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: If graduating from one of the best BSN-to-DNP programs in Virginia is high on your mind, then you must learn about the University of Virginia’s BSN-to-DNP options. With a wide range of BSN to DNP specializations, you can choose to enter the field of either adult-gerontology care, family health, neonatal care, pediatrics, or psychiatric mental health.
Regardless of the BSN to DNP option you choose, you’ll be equipped with the highest level of clinical knowledge to play roles in advanced nursing practice, research, education, and administration.
University of Virginia’s accelerated BSN to DNP coursework which is offered on a full-time basis takes three years to complete. Every DNP track starts with core courses that form a solid foundation for specialized knowledge that follows. The core courses cover topics such as advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, healthcare informatics, advanced pharmacology, health policy, evidence-based practice, and quality & safety in healthcare systems. Thereafter you complete the specialization-specific courses. Graduation requires you to complete credits anywhere from 73 to 93, depending on the DNP track you choose.
Admission Requirements: Admission into this BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia is rather competitive. To qualify, you must have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Also, you must have a valid RN license with at least two years of experience as a nurse. Also, to enhance your chances of admission, it is preferred that you demonstrate leadership qualities. Aside from this, you must be prepared to submit your official transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Virginia BSN-to-DNP Students
• University of Virginia nursing school’s BSN to DNP ranks among the top in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• University of Virginia nursing school offers several global learning opportunities that BSN to DNP students can take advantage of.
• The BSN-to-DNP program offered by the University of Virginia nursing school offers competitive tuition costs compared to other BSN-to-DNP programs in Virginia.
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Leadership & Organizational Science
Program Details: Whether you desire to enhance patient safety or improve health outcomes, at Virginia Commonwealth University, you will be able to achieve the highest practice degree of a DNP. The college’s BSN-to-DNP program which ranks among the popular BSN-to-DNP programs in Virginia comes with specialization options in family health, psychiatric mental health, adult gerontology acute care, and nursing leadership.
If you choose any of the NP tracks, you require completing 66 credits, whereas the leadership specialization comprises a total of 63 credits. All the BSN to DNP tracks require completing core courses that cover statistical methods for quality improvement, evidence-based practice, epidemiology & population health, health policy, and nursing leadership. Further, the NP tracks require completing courses in advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced health assessment. Besides, every NP track requires completing courses in the healthcare management of your chosen population focus.
If you enroll in the leadership and organizational science track, you’ll complete courses that teach you holistic leadership in healthcare delivery, project & planned change management, budgeting & finance, and human resource management.
Admission Requirements: To apply for this BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia, you must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, you must have a current and unencumbered RN license in the U.S. Additionally, the school requires you to submit your official transcripts, three references, a personal statement, and a resume.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Virginia Commonwealth University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Virginia Commonwealth University’s BSN to DNP program is highly regarded and ranks among the best in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report.
• Because the Virginia Commonwealth University nursing school collaborates with Langston Center for Innovation in Quality and Safety a lot of opportunities open up where you can engage in health improvement initiatives.
• The nursing school is part of VCU Health System, which is a nationally recognized Magnet hospital. So, as a BSN to DNP student, you’ll be able to explore plenty of learning opportunities in an interdisciplinary healthcare environment.
3. Old Dominion University - Norfolk
Specialties Offered: Nurse Anesthesia
Program Details: Old Dominion University offers one of the best BSN-to-DNP programs in Virginia and it's certainly for a good reason. With an engaging learning experience, the school’s BSN to DNP program produces exceptional nurse anesthetists who are prepared to provide anesthesia care in diverse healthcare settings, including urban, rural, and underserved areas.
The BSN to DNP-CRNA program is offered once a year in May and takes 36 months to complete. Graduation requires you to complete 103-credit coursework that is offered through a combination of on-campus and online classes. The program includes well-designed didactic courses and diverse clinical experiences. You’ll learn about advanced physiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, pathophysiology, evidence-based practice, and leadership & interprofessional practice in healthcare. In addition, you’ll master basic and advanced principles of anesthesia practice. During the last semester of the program, you complete a DNP capstone project.
Admission Requirements: If you are keen on applying to Old Dominion University’s BSN to DNP program, then you must foremost have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Besides, your RN license must be current and unencumbered. Additionally, you must submit three references, a personal goal statement, a resume, and all your official transcripts.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Old Dominion University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Old Dominion University nursing school has more than 50 years of experience in training a competent workforce of nurses. Over the years, the school has constantly updated its nursing curriculum to stay abreast of the changing healthcare needs and the BSN to DNP program is no different.
• In an intimate learning environment in small-sized classes of 15 to 20 students, at this nursing school, you’ll not only receive personalized attention but also be able to build close connections with faculty and peers.
• This BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia offers a competitive tuition rate so that you don’t burn a hole in your pocket. Aside from this, if you have to complete your clinical training at a distant site, the school even pays for your housing while you stay there to complete your clinicals.
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Administration
Program Details: Do you see yourself as a nursing expert? Are you aspiring to improve patient care at all levels? Well, then enrolling in George Mason University’s BSN to DNP program can be a great idea. With an innovative and collaborative learning environment, at this nursing school, you’ll be mentored by nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty members.
Here, you can complete your doctoral training either in family health, adult gerontology care, psychiatric mental health, or nursing administration, based on where you find your calling. Regardless of the BSN to DNP specialization you choose, you’ll build a strong core in evidence-based practice, health policy, nursing leadership & administration, healthcare improvement, statistics, and healthcare informatics. Further, you’ll also complete courses specific to your chosen population.
Graduation requires you to complete a total of 72 credits in graduate core courses, advanced practice competency courses, and a DNP project. Included in your training are a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical practice.
Admission Requirements: To qualify for admission into this BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, your RN license must be valid and current. Additionally, the school requires you to submit a resume, a statement of purpose, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential George Mason University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Out of all the BSN-to-DNP programs in Virginia, George Mason University’s BSN-to-DNP program stands out for its research and expertise in public health, community health, global health, and innovative practice.
• George Mason University’s BSN to DNP program ranks among the top in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• George Mason University nursing school is a military-friendly school. So, if you come from a defense background, you can expect great support in terms of enrollment and funding options.
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: The best BSN-to-DNP programs in Virginia not only offer exceptional clinical training but are also respected by employers in Virginia and beyond. Radford University offers one such DNP program that prepares you for leadership either in family health or psychiatric mental health, depending on what you choose.
While the family health specialization prepares you to provide primary care to patients across the lifespan, the psychiatric mental health track emphasizes mental health promotion and disease prevention. Both these DNP tracks are offered online with only two or three campus intensives. Regardless of the DNP specialization you choose, you are required to complete 50 credits and around 600 hours of clinical practice.
Admission Requirements: To gain admission into this BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, your RN license must be valid in your state of practice. The admission office also requires you to submit your official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. Also, the school requires you to have completed a statistics course with a minimum grade of C.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Radford University BSN-to-DNP Students
• At Radford University nursing school, you will be provided ample opportunities to interact with other healthcare professionals, so that when you leave the school after earning your BSN to DNP degree, you are equipped with excellent skills in interprofessional collaboration.
• Radford University’s BSN to DNP program reports an excellent placement rate, having almost all of its graduates working in a variety of practice settings, including, outpatient clinics, long-term facilities, employment services, occupational health, and government agencies, to name a few.
• Radford University nursing school ranks among the top BSN to DNP programs in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: If you are searching for faith-based online BSN-to-DNP programs in Virginia, then Marymount University’s DNP program can be a befitting choice. A Catholic environment that is committed to service and ethical leadership and health equity, here, you can complete your doctoral training either in family health or psychiatric mental health. Some of the courses you take teach you advanced health assessment, innovative models of care delivery, epidemiology, leadership, and quality & ethics in healthcare.
This BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia comprises MSN & DNP core courses, in addition to NP-specific courses. To graduate, regardless of the specialization, you must complete around 63 to 70 credits and at least 1000 hours of clinical practice. Most of the coursework is offered online with barely any campus visits required for intensives. You’ll complete this program within 10 semesters of full-time study.
Admission Requirements: To gain admission into this BSN to DNP program, you must have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, your RN license must be active and unencumbered in your state of practice. Besides, the school requires you to have at least one year of work experience as a nurse.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Marymount University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Marymount University’s BSN to DNP education ranks among the top in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report. In addition, the program also ranks highly for veterans.
• Marymount University nursing school proudly reports an excellent pass rate on the NP national certification exams.
• The nursing school is highly supportive of your success as a BSN to DNP student. Besides, the school’s placement team even helps you find a suitable clinical placement within your home community, this too without any extra charge.
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: James Madison University’s BSN to DNP program prepares you for the highest level of clinical practice as an NP. Through a highly engaging learning experience, the school prepares you for two in-demand careers, including family health and adult gerontology primary care. Whether you choose to complete your doctorate in family health or adult gerontology primary care, you will leave the school with excellent specialized skills and a DNP degree. An MSN, however, will not be conferred as part of this BSN to DNP program.
This BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia, regardless of the specialization, requires the completion of 77 credits and 1000 hours of clinical practice. The coursework is offered in a hybrid format, taking three years of full-time study.
The post-BSN to DNP coursework requires you to complete 65 credits in graduate core and specialization-specific courses. The topics covered include advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, nursing research, advanced nursing role development, and organizational behavior in healthcare. In addition, you’ll also learn about epidemiology & population assessment, health policy & advocacy, analytical methods for health care, and issues & methods in translational inquiry.
Admission Requirements: To qualify for admission into this BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.2. In addition, your RN license must be active and unencumbered in Virginia. Further, the school requires you to submit your official transcripts, a current resume, and a personal goal statement.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential James Madison University BSN-to-DNP Students
• With more than 40 years of nursing education, James Madison University has produced many nurse leaders who have impacted healthcare delivery across the nation. Its BSN to DNP program builds on this rich experience, making it relevant to the evolving needs of nursing practice.
• James Madison University’s BSN to DNP program maintains small-sized cohorts. So, you can benefit from personalized attention under the mentorship of its acclaimed faculty.
• Because James Madison University nursing school offers a highly engaging learning experience, you’ll be able to participate in a plethora of learning experiences, including lab simulations, study abroad trips, health policy advocacy, and community outreach and research initiatives.
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: If you want to accelerate your nursing career by obtaining your training from one of the well-known BSN-to-DNP programs in Virginia, then you may want to consider Shenandoah University’s DNP program as an option. The BSN to DNP program is offered in two rewarding fields of advanced practice nursing, including family health and psychiatric mental health.
Offered in a 100% online format, this BSN to DNP program is aligned with the evolving needs of the advanced practice nursing field. Regardless of the BSN to DNP track you choose, to graduate, you’ll require to complete 74-75 credits and a minimum of 1100 hours of clinical practice.
Both the BSN to DNP -NP tracks comprise core courses that cover topics such as advanced concepts in physiology & pathophysiology, epidemiology & population health, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment. In addition, you’ll master concepts in research and evidence-based practice, healthcare informatics, healthcare leadership, project implementation, and data analysis.
Further, if you choose the FNP track, you’ll complete courses in the primary care of individuals and families across the lifespan. On the other hand, the PMHNP specialization includes courses in the foundations of psychotherapy, behavioral neuroscience, and the management of mental health patients.
Admission Requirements: If you are interested in applying to this BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia, then you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, you must have completed prerequisite courses in health assessment, statistics, and chemistry. Further, to fulfill the admission requirements, the school requires you to submit your unofficial transcripts, unencumbered license, three letters of recommendation, and an essay.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Shenandoah University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Shenandoah University nursing school offers study abroad trips through its Global Experiential Learning Program. These faculty-led trips during the summer, spring, and winter break not only offer a rich learning experience but also help you earn a few extra credits.
• If you are an alumnus of Shenandoah University, then you may be eligible for a tuition discount.
• This nursing school’s faculty is highly committed to your academic and professional success. Besides, being active practitioners, faculty members bring their valuable real-world knowledge to the DNP classroom.
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: By completing your BSN to DNP program from Liberty University, you can attain leadership in either family health or psychiatric mental health. With two in-demand advanced practice fields, this online BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia prepares you with the highest level of clinical practice skills.
Regardless of whether you choose the FNP or PMHNP specialization, you can graduate with a doctorate within three years of full-time study. The coursework mainly entails completing core nursing courses, advanced practice classes, a DNP project, and clinical courses. Graduation requires you to complete around 78 credits and a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical practice.
The core coursework which is common to both the DNP tracks covers topics such as advanced nursing research, application of evidence-based practice, healthcare informatics, leadership, health policy, interprofessional collaboration, healthcare operations & financial management, and healthcare research. In addition, the advanced practice core courses teach you advanced physiology & pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology. Aside from this, you’ll complete courses in your chosen NP specialization.
Admission Requirements: To qualify for admission, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, the school requires you to complete undergraduate-level courses in statistics, research, and health assessment. Besides, you must submit a copy of your current RN licensure, official transcripts, a resume, and letters of recommendation.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Liberty University BSN-to-DNP Students
• In addition to offering affordable tuition costs, Liberty University’s BSN to DNP program also offers discounts to military students and veterans.
• Liberty University nursing school offers 100% of the BSN to DNP coursework online, however, it requires you to attend one intensive on campus. During this intensive session, you’ll gain ample clinical practice at the school’s state-of-art simulation lab. Besides, you’ll be able to build professional connections with faculty and peers.
• The BSN to DNP faculty at Liberty University is highly experienced, having several years of practice experience. Further, the program allows weekly online meetings with faculty members, where you can gain valuable insights during personalized interaction.
• This BSN-to-DNP program in Virginia offers you optional elective courses in nursing education. If you opt to complete these courses, you’ll be able to take up the role of a nurse educator within your chosen area of focus.
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