Looking for a way to open up a whole new realm of professional nursing opportunities in Delaware? Think about enrolling in one of the DNP programs in Delaware. Whether you seek specialized training in a specific clinical role and patient population or you’re interested in the complexities of healthcare management, a Doctor of Nursing Practice diploma will help you achieve your ambition. DNP degrees offer excellent compensation and job security: DNP-educated nurses in the First State earn $1412,230 annually, and job opportunities are expected to rise by 55 percent in the next decade. Intrigued? This list of the best DNP programs in Delaware can help you get started.
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Delaware (Online & Campus) for 2025.
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Delaware must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN-, CCEA-, or CCNE-accredited nursing school and be eligible for RN licensure in Delaware. Applicants must provide official transcripts from all post-secondary schools and have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher. You must also provide a written statement of goals and objectives, a curriculum vitae or resume, and three letters of recommendation. Candidates who meet preliminary admission requirements must also successfully complete an interview with the DNP Program Coordinator and DNP Subcommittee members. To remain in the program, you must complete one year of full-time work experience as a registered nurse prior to enrolling in your first clinical course.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program at the University of Delaware is an excellent option for registered nurses holding a national certification who wish to pursue a terminal nursing degree. The program is designed for part-time study and delivered in a hybrid format, catering to working nurses.
The program features a 36-credit curriculum. In this pathway, you will take classes, including Population Healthcare Informatics, Evidence-Based Practice, and Policy & Finance for Healthcare Delivery. All DNP students are required to obtain a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. The MSN-to-DNP program includes 336 indirect clinical hours. However, the number of hours you need to complete will be determined by GAP analysis to ensure you meet the 1,000-hour requirement.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at the University of Delaware, you must have a Master of Science in Nursing earned at an ACEN-, CNEA, or CCNE-accredited nursing school. You must have a current, unencumbered license to practice as an RN in Delaware or be eligible for licensure in Delaware and have certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. You must provide a professional resume or curriculum vitae, official college transcripts reflecting a minimum master's GPA of 3.5, three letters of recommendation, and a written goals statement. An admission interview is also required.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At the University of Delaware, students in the DNP program participate in simulation-based learning experiences in the school’s Center for Simulation Innovation, Interdisciplinary Education, and Entrepreneurship. The center is a state-of-the-art simulation lab that is designed to resemble real-life patient care facilities and features audiovisual technology, hospital equipment, task trainers, high-fidelity mannequins, and patient actors from the school's Healthcare Theatre program.Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Advanced Practice and Leadership
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Wilmington University is home to an excellent DNP program in Delaware. The program is available with options to specialize in Advanced Practice or Leadership. New classes are admitted three times yearly in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. The post-master’s DNP program is available in an online format that includes a few optional synchronous meetings, or you choose to enroll in the weekend hybrid option. Both the Advanced Practice and Leadership pathways are designed to be completed in 28 months or seven semesters.
The Advanced Practice concentration is a 33-credit pathway that includes 500 experiential engagement hours, and the Leadership concentration is a 45-credit pathway that includes 1,000 practice experience hours.
The curriculum for both pathways includes eight DNP core courses, including Healthcare Leadership & Innovation, Epidemiology & Population Health, Healthcare Informatics, and Healthcare Economics as well as a year-long DNP Project. The Leadership concentration also includes four practice experience courses.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission to the Advanced Practice pathway of the DNP program requires current national board certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, or Clinical Nurse Specialist). Candidates seeking admission to the Leadership pathway must be currently employed in an advanced nursing practice specialty, including executive leadership, health policy, nursing administration, population health, or informatics.
All candidates must complete a Doctoral Application. Applicants must have a BSN or a bachelor's degree in any discipline and an entry-level MSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program OR a master's degree in nursing and/or master's degree in a health-related discipline (MBA, MHA, MPH). You must have a college GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, you must provide official transcripts from any post-secondary school you have attended, a current resume or CV, one letter of recommendation, proof of a valid U.S. RN license, and an APRN license an APRN National Board Certification (Advanced Practice Concentration Applicants only), and an admissions essay.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At Wilmington University, DNP faculty are doctorally prepared and have extensive experience in clinical practice and nursing education. Their mentorship and support during the program will help guide you to success as you prepare to transition and earn your terminal degree in nursing.S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2 |
Hourly | $67.90 |
Weekly | $2,716 |
Monthly | $11,770 |
Annual | $141,230 |
Hourly | $49.95 |
Weekly | $1,998 |
Monthly | $8,660 |
Annual | $103,900 |
Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
1-4 Years of Experience | $56.52 | $2,261 | $9,800 | $117,570 |
5-9 Years of Experience | $66.72 | $2,669 | $11,570 | $138,780 |
10-19 Years of Experience | $74.30 | $2,972 | $12,880 | $154,550 |
20 Years or More Experience | $88.79 | $3,552 | $15,390 | $184,690 |
Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
Dover | $67.23 | $2,689 | $11,650 | $139,840 |
Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
Number | % | ||
Dentist | $227,200 | -$85,970 | -37.84% |
Optometrist | $141,480 | -$250 | -0.18% |
Nurse With DNP | $141,230 | $0 | 0.00% |
Pharmacist | $137,430 | $3,800 | 2.77% |
Physician Assistant | $136,270 | $4,960 | 3.64% |
Veterinarian | $123,420 | $17,810 | 14.43% |
Radiation Therapist | $115,940 | $25,290 | 21.81% |
Physical Therapist | $104,530 | $36,700 | 35.11% |
Dental Hygienist | $98,660 | $42,570 | 43.15% |
Occupational Therapist | $94,180 | $47,050 | 49.96% |
Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,070 | $49,160 | 53.39% |
Audiologist | $88,370 | $52,860 | 59.82% |