9 Best DNP Programs in Connecticut – 2025
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Why is enrolling in one of the DNP programs in Connecticut such an attractive option right now? Because demand for DNP services in the Nutmeg State is taking off. Analysts say employment opportunities for Connecticut RNs with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree will increase by 45 percent within 10 years. DNP paychecks in Connecticut reflect this high demand: DNP-educated RNs earn an average salary of $147,560 annually. A DNP can prepare you to be either an advanced practice RN or a high-level nurse manager. Want to learn more? This guide to the 9 best DNP programs in Connecticut is the ideal starting point.
WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN CONNECTICUT (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 9 Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Connecticut (Online & Campus) for 2025.
1. Yale University - Orange
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Healthcare Leadership, Systems, & Policy and Clinical
Yale's 38-credit MSN-to-DNP/Healthcare Leadership, Systems, & Policy track is designed for aspiring nurse executives who want to perform at their finest, while the 37-credit MSN-to-DNP/Clinical track is tailored for Advanced Practice RNs interested in the clinical process and developing new protocols in their field of expertise. The two tracks feature an identical DNP core with classes like "Evidence for the Doctor of Nursing Practice," "Use of Data: Healthcare Informatics," and "Quality and Safety in Healthcare Organizations," as well as a two-semester scholarly DNP project.
Yale's MSN-to-DNP combines online coursework with three visits to the university's campus in New Haven throughout the course of study. The program includes 500 practicum hours, so you'll need to transfer 500 clinical hours from your MSN studies to make up your 1,000-clinical-hours DNP requirement. You can complete your clinical rotations at a healthcare facility in your own community. Courses start in the fall semester. Submit your application through NursingCAS.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• U.S. News & World Report ranks Yale University's MSN-to-DNP/Healthcare Leadership, Systems, & Policy specialization the sixth-best graduate program in nursing leadership in the nation.• Yale University will admit RNs with master's degrees in public health, healthcare administration, and business administration into its MSN-to-DNP program, as well as RNs with MSN degrees.
2. University of Connecticut - Storrs
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nursing, and Nursing Administration & Leadership
Once admitted into the program, you'll work closely with UConn's School of Nursing to customize a study plan that meets your specific needs. The university doesn't offer a traditional BSN-to-DNP program as such; instead, students complete a BSN-to-MSN track, and then, after earning their Master's of Science in Nursing degree, continue pursuing an MSN-to-DNP track. They will take courses relevant to their chosen specialty during the BSN-to-MSN track and foundational DNP coursework during the MSN-to-DNP track.
Foundational DNP courses include "Evidence Based Practice for the Scholarship of Application," "Health Service Statistics & Research Methods," and "Scientific and Theoretical Underpinnings." The BSN-to-DNP curriculum also includes a three-semester DNP project, which you'll present as both a scholarly manuscript and a peer-reviewed poster. All tracks involve a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. The University of Connecticut maintains a network of more than 300 clinical training sites throughout Connecticut and the nation, including UConn Health, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
This DNP program in Connecticut offers full-time and part-time enrollment, but most students enroll part-time. AGACNP, full-time NNP, and Nursing Administration & Leadership students begin coursework in the fall. The FNP track accepts new cohorts in the summer semester, while the part-time NNP track accepts new cohorts in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. The University of Connecticut's BSN-to-DNP program has a rolling admissions policy, so if this school is your top choice, apply early. AGACNP applicants must log at least 2,080 professional hours in an acute care setting; prospective NNP students must meet the same threshold in a Level 3 or higher nursery.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Connecticut's MSN-to-DNP is a streamlined program that focuses on foundational DNP coursework. As noted above, many students take it as the second phase of a BSN-to-DNP degree. The 32-credit program consists of 22 credits of coursework and 10 credits of practicums and seminars. Full-time students can complete the sequence in five semesters (20 months), while part-time students can complete it in seven semesters (28 months). New students can begin this program in the spring and fall semesters.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The University of Connecticut's BSN-to-DNP/Nursing Administration track qualifies you to sit for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership's Certified Nurse Manager & Leader and Certified in Executive Nursing Practice credentials, as well as the American Nurses Association's Nurse Executive Certification and Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification credentials.• 96 percent of UConn's FNP grads pass their national nurse practitioner certification exams the first time they take them.
3. Fairfield University - Fairfield
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, and Nurse Anesthesia
This is one of the DNP programs in Connecticut that uses a hybrid format, combining online coursework with campus sessions focused on skills-immersion activities. APRN students will complete their DNP coursework before they begin coursework that's relevant to their specialization, but the Nurse Anesthesia curriculum integrates nursing theory with clinical anesthesia classes. Courses like "Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice," "Research Translation for Clinical Practice," and "Information Technology for Healthcare Improvement" will prepare you for a three-semester DNP project. You'll complete your practicums at medical facilities throughout Connecticut, like Yale New Haven Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, and Greenwich Hospital.
The BSN-to-DNP/Nurse Anesthesia track accepts new cohorts in the summer semester, but new students start the APRN tracks in the fall semester. Students in the FNP and PMHNP tracks can enroll full-time and graduate in eight semesters (32 months) or part-time and graduate in 11 semesters (32 months), but Nurse Midwifery and Nurse Anesthesia students must enroll full-time and complete the program in three years. All applicants must hold a current Connecticut RN license and have earned a BSN from an accredited nursing program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Already have an MSN degree? Want to take the next step toward leadership and clinical excellence? Fairfield University's 30- to 32-credit MSN-to-DNP can be completed in 18 months full-time or 24 months part-time. You'll be able to choose between a hybrid or an online program; online students will attend synchronous evening courses, providing ample opportunities to interact with their instructors and peers.
The curriculum includes the same foundational courses as Fairfield's BSN-to-DNP program. You can transfer up to 600 clinical hours from your MSN studies toward your 1,000 practicum/immersion hours requirement. This program accepts new students in the spring and fall semesters. Applicants must hold a master's degree in nursing from an accredited program with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher and a valid Connecticut RN license.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Though Fairfield University is a Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition, its nursing curriculum does not emphasize Catholic dogma, and the university is open to students of all faith backgrounds.• U.S News & World Report ranks Fairfield University's Nurse Midwifery track the 17th best in the nation. One hundred percent of Fairfield University's Nurse Midwifery grads pass their national certification boards on their first attempt.
• Fairfield University also offers an MSN-to-DNP/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner option for nurses who already hold APRN certification and want to expand their scope of practice to include mental health skills.
4. Sacred Heart University - Fairfield
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Nursing Education and Executive Leadership
Both FNP and foundational DNP courses are integrated into the curriculum from your very first semester. You'll prepare for a four-semester DNP project by taking foundational courses like "Healthcare Research/Statistical Foundations," "Leading Quality Initiatives & Information Systems," and "Evidence Based Practice."
Entry into this program occurs in the fall semester. Sacred Heart University uses a rolling admissions policy, closing to new admissions once it has filled its cohort slots with qualified candidates. All applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in their BSN studies and a valid RN license in the state where they will be doing their clinical rotations.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Sacred Heart University's MSN-to-DNP/Nursing Education and MSN-to-DNP/Executive Leadership tracks are expressly designed for nurses who've completed a nursing master's in any specialty and are ready to step into administrative and executive roles outside the clinical setting. Each track requires 34 credits. Coursework is taught via distance learning, though you will need to visit the university's campus in Fairfield approximately once a semester for an all-day learning session. Your MSN clinical hours will count toward the DNP-required practice hours. Once you're admitted into the program, the university will conduct a gap analysis to determine how many additional hours you'll need to reach the required post-baccalaureate 1,000 hours.
The foundational DNP curriculum parallels that of the post-baccalaureate tracks. New students start this program in the fall semester. Full-time students can complete the program in three years, while part-time students can graduate in four years. This program is only open to nurses who have maintained a 3.0 grade point average while earning their MSN and who possess a valid RN license in the state where they'll be doing clinical rotations.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• While Sacred Heart University is a Catholic school, it was founded by laypeople, its students include individuals of all beliefs and backgrounds, and the university's nursing curriculum is holistic rather than denominational.• Sacred Heart University’s DNP track is ranked #6 nationwide by U.S. News & World Report.
5. Quinnipiac University - Hamden
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Care of Populations and Nursing Leadership
This DNP program in Connecticut accepts new students every fall. If you enroll full-time, you can expect to graduate in two years, but three-year and four-year options are also available if you want to pursue the program part-time. This program is only available to students who've earned both a BSN and an MSN degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, possess a valid RN license in the state where they'll complete clinical rotations, and have at least 1 year of full-time RN or APRN experience.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• MSN-to-DNP coursework utilizes an asynchronous format, making Quinnipiac's program an excellent choice for nurses who are juggling educational goals with professional and personal commitments.• The American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation has endorsed Quinnipiac University's nursing programs.
6. University of Saint Joseph Connecticut - West Hartford
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
While you'll be able to access many of your educational materials online, this is one of the DNP programs in Connecticut that requires in-person attendance at the university's campus in West Hartford. Classes meet weekly in the early evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to accommodate the schedules of working nurses. Core DNP courses include "Research Translation for Evidence-Based Practice," "Statistical Analysis for Advanced Nursing Practice," and "Role Development and Scholarly Writing." As part of your studies, you'll complete a three-semester DNP project.
Full-time students can complete this program in 10 semesters (40 months). New students enter the program in the fall semester. Applicants must be licensed as RNs in the state of Connecticut and participate in an on-campus interview.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: As a nurse who already has a master's degree in nursing, you have two options when you enroll in the MSN-to-DNP program at Saint Joseph University (Connecticut). You can enroll in a streamlined 35-credit track that focuses exclusively on core DNP content, or you can expand your scope of practice by choosing between a 65-credit FNP or 65-credit PMHNP track, both of which are identical to SJU's BSN-to-DNP offerings. You'll graduate from the 35-credit track in six semesters (24 months) and the 65-credit tracks in 10 semesters (40 months).
When you enroll in SJUCT's MSN-to-DNP program, the Department of Nursing will customize a study plan for you, based in part on the credits and clinical hours you completed during your MSN studies. Study plans for applicants pursuing the two APRN tracks will include supervised patient care experiences. All applicants must sit for a live interview and have an MSN with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher and a valid RN license in the state where they'll be pursuing practicums.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Though Saint Joseph University (Connecticut) is a Catholic school, its student body includes individuals from many different religious backgrounds, and its nursing curriculum does not promulgate Catholic doctrines.• SJUCT's PMHNP track boasts a 100 percent first-time pass rate on national nurse practitioner certification boards.
7. University of Hartford - West Hartford
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
Courses like "Quality and Safety in Health Care Practice," "Knowledge for Advanced Nursing Practice," and "Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice I & II" will prepare you for a DNP project in the final two semesters of the program. Full-time students can expect to complete this degree in two years. Applicants to this program must have an MSN with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a valid RN license in the state where they'll be doing practicums.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The University of Hartford's MSN-to-DNP program has a strong business focus and offers management courses in partnership with UHart’s prestigious Barney School of Business.• Graduates of this program qualify to sit for the Certified Associate in Project Management or Project Management Professional exams.
8. Post University - Waterbury
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Educational Leadership, Executive Leadership, Informatics Leadership, and Professional Leadership
Apart from practicums (which you can do at a healthcare facility in your own hometown), this DNP program in Connecticut is 100 percent online. Core DNP courses like "Leadership: Setting the Example," "Health Services Research," and "Health Statistics" will lay the groundwork for a two-semester DNP project. The curriculum blends synchronous and asynchronous elements. The program is open to students who hold a BSN, an MSN, and an unencumbered RN license in the state where they'll complete practicums.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Are you a nurse with a master's degree in business, education, health administration, or some other non-nursing field? Post University offers a bridge program that will allow you to enter the Executive Leadership and Informatics Leadership specializations.• Post University offers six entry points into this program! You can start the program in January, March, May, July, September, or November.
9. Western Connecticut State University - Danbury
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
Courses like "Qualitative Research," "Quantitative Research," and "Quality, Risk Management and Use of Biostatistics" will equip you with the knowledge and analytical skills you need to undertake a challenging DNP project. Apart from practicums and August residencies on the university's Danbury campus, all coursework is delivered online. Western Connecticut State University's MSN-to-DNP program accepts new students in the fall semester.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Live in New Jersey or New York? You'll pay the same tuition as Connecticut residents when you enroll in Western Connecticut State University's MSN-to-DNP program. Residents of other New England states enjoy a significant tuition discount, too, thanks to WCSU's participation in the New England Board of Higher Education's Regional Student Program.• Western Connecticut State University's MSN-to-DNP admission policies don't contain a practice requirement. Even if you just graduated from your MSN program, you can jump right into WCSU's post-master's clinical nursing doctorate program.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In Connecticut?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In Connecticut?
| 9 |
3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Connecticut?
| Hourly | $70.94 |
| Weekly | $2,838 |
| Monthly | $12,300 |
| Annual | $147,560 |
4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In Connecticut?
| Hourly | $52.19 |
| Weekly | $2,088 |
| Monthly | $9,050 |
| Annual | $108,560 |
5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In Connecticut?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $59.05 | $2,362 | $10,240 | $122,830 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $69.71 | $2,788 | $12,080 | $145,000 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $77.63 | $3,105 | $13,460 | $161,480 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $92.77 | $3,711 | $16,080 | $192,970 |
6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Connecticut By Metro?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk | $73.03 | $2,921 | $12,660 | $151,900 |
| Danbury | $73.14 | $2,926 | $12,680 | $152,130 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | $71.12 | $2,845 | $12,330 | $147,930 |
| New Haven | $70.04 | $2,802 | $12,140 | $145,680 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly | $69.76 | $2,791 | $12,090 | $145,110 |
| Waterbury | $71.52 | $2,861 | $12,400 | $148,770 |
7. Average DNP Salary In Connecticut VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Connecticut
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $215,340 | -$67,780 | -31.48% |
| Podiatrist | $177,240 | -$29,680 | -16.75% |
| Optometrist | $151,270 | -$3,710 | -2.45% |
| Physician Assistant | $149,300 | -$1,740 | -1.17% |
| Nurse With DNP | $147,560 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Veterinarian | $139,230 | +$8,330 | +5.98% |
| Pharmacist | $133,490 | +$14,070 | +10.54% |
| Radiation Therapist | $106,920 | +$40,640 | +38.01% |
| Physical Therapist | $103,870 | +$43,690 | +42.06% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,500 | +$45,060 | +43.96% |
| Chiropractor | $97,200 | +$50,360 | +51.81% |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,220 | +$51,340 | +53.36% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,220 | +$53,340 | +56.61% |
| Audiologist | $89,940 | +$57,620 | +64.06% |
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPHPattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.
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