15 Best DNP Programs in Florida – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
DNP programs in Florida are designed for advance practice registered nurses who are interested in evidence-based clinical practice rather than clinical research. DNPs in the Sunshine State may work in medical centers drafting treatment protocols, as professors in colleges or universities, or for state and local government agencies writing healthcare policies. On average, a Florida-based DNP earns $118,200 annually. Many DNP programs in the Sunshine State offer distance learning models that allow you to study while still meeting job and family commitments. Interested in finding out more about this dynamic career trajectory? Review the list below of the 15 best DNP programs in Florida for 2025.
WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA (ONLINE & CAMPUS)?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 15 Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Florida (Online & Campus).
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP and
MSN to DNP
University of Florida's doctorate is counted among the best DNP programs in Florida for innovation in education and research, no wonder the U.S. News & World Report ranks it among the top 25 graduate programs in the nation. The program's strong focus on leadership has produced many nurse leaders who have transformed healthcare in the state and beyond. Offered mainly through online coursework, you can pursue this advanced degree without keeping your current job on hold.
BSN to DNP Tracks:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner,
Family Nurse Practitioner,
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner,
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
This BSN to DNP pathway is designed for RNs with a baccalaureate degree, preparing you for specialization in adult-gerontology acute care, family health, pediatric acute care, pediatric primary care, or psychiatric mental health. This program requires completing 75 to 78 credits, depending on the specialty you select. The coursework spans across eight semesters, with most students taking 9 to 10 credits each semester. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the specialization exam within your population foci.
MSN to DNP:
To be eligible for this MSN to DNP track you must be an APRN prepared with a master's in nursing. The program starts twice a year in fall and spring and requires completing 35 credits and 528 clinical hours. You will learn about quality improvement practice initiatives, health policy & finance, research methods, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, nursing informatics & management, health systems leadership, and health promotion.
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP (Nurse Anesthesia) and
MSN to DNP
A nursing school that has played a pivotal role in improving the health of Hispanic communities in South Florida and South America, the University of Miami offers one of the sought-after DNP programs in Forida. Here, you will be trained for clinical excellence through a rigorous curriculum and extensive clinical experiences at its simulation lab as well as the college's twelve clinical partners. Furthermore, its multi-cultural and diverse environment prepare you to offer culturally sensitive and evidence-based nursing care, both locally and globally.
BSN to DNP (Nurse Anesthesia):
This BSN to DNP program that prepares you for the Nurse Anesthesia certification is open to BSN graduates with an active RN license. The program offers a rigorous curriculum, and it is advisable to refrain from full-time employment during the 36 months of this program. Graduation requires completing 124 credits and 3164 hours of clinical practice.
MSN to DNP:
This is a hybrid DNP program that can be pursued after you complete your master's in nursing. Offered twice a year, in fall and spring, you must complete 39 to 47 credits which can span through one or two years, depending on the study plan you enroll. Some of the courses you take include technology in healthcare, biostatistical applications for nursing, health policy, structure in health care organizations, population-based health, translational science, healthcare economics, and global health.
Programs Offered:
DNP
Florida State University designs its DNP program keeping the working nurse in mind by offering an online coursework with part-time & full-time schedules and clinical experiences arranged in your geographical location. Depending on your educational background and interest, you can choose from the BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP and specialize either as a family nurse practitioner, acute care nurse practitioner, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP),
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), and
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
You can pursue this Florida Doctor of Nursing degree either after completing your baccalaureate education or after earning a master's in nursing. The program prepares you for the certification exam in your chosen area of emphasis in addition to teaching you the highest level of clinical skills and knowledge to transform healthcare. While after a BSN, you require completing 79 credits and 1035 hours of clinical practice, post an MSN, your plan of study is designed depending on your previously completed coursework. Apart from the specialty-specific courses, you will be educated in health care policy, leadership, biostatistics, healthcare finances, economics, population health & applied epidemiology, entrepreneurship, and managing information & technology in health.
Programs Offered:
DNP
University of South Florida is one of the well-known DNP schools in FL that prepares you with advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, and evidence-based practice. With over 1,000 clinical partners, as a DNP student here, you will be provided with diverse hands-on experiences at various community healthcare settings. The college's research projects related to cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, chronic illness, biobehavioral mechanisms, allow you to pursue any of these areas of advanced healthcare.
DNP Tracks:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care,
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care,
Family Health,
Occupational Health/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care,
Oncology/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, and
Pediatric Health
This DNP program is available to BSN as well as MSN graduates. The population-based curriculum is offered with specialization options in adult-gerontology acute care, primary care, family health, occupational health/adult-gerontology primary care, oncology/adult-gerontology primary care, and pediatric health. While after a BSN you must complete 75 credits, if you enter the program post an MSN you must earn a minimum of 30 credits to graduate. The BSN to DNP coursework mainly comprises of core requirements, specialty-specific courses, practice management, a practicum, and a doctoral project.
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP and
Post Masters DNP
Florida Atlantic University has been shaping the careers of nurses, training them to provide safe and high-quality patient care in an interdisciplinary healthcare environment. With an emphasis on advanced care for culturally diverse and vulnerable populations, the college offers its doctoral degree through two pathways of a BSN to DNP and an MSN to DNP. Here, you will complete your education through various formats of online classes, live weekly sessions, and intensive weekends
BSN to DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioners and Adult/Gerontological Nurse Preparing you for certification either as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Nurse, this DNP program is open to BSN graduates with an unencumbered RN license. Graduation requires completing around 80 to 81 credits in courses that educate you in quantitative methods, theory-guided models, epidemiology, advanced pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, public policy, healthcare systems leadership & finance, and management of health within your chosen population foci.
Post-Master's DNP:
To meet the admission requirements of this post master's DNP program in FL, you must have completed your MSN and be certified as an advanced practice nurse. The program is designed for working nurses and offered only in a part-time schedule. During the eight semesters of this program, you focus on leadership, clinical excellence, nursing theory, cultural competence, population health, promotion of health, and prevention of disease.
Programs Offered:
DNP (BSN to DNP and Post-Master's DNP)
If you are keen on completing a Florida DNP program that is delivered by an expert faculty comprising of endowed chairs and national fellows then you may want to shortlist University of Central Florida. Here, not only is the faculty adept at delivering an online coursework, the active research its members engage in is aimed towards improving safety and health outcomes for the aging and vulnerable populations. The university has also garnered praise for this pre-eminent research and has been ranked by the U.S. News & World Report among the Most Innovative Schools in the nation.
BSN to DNP Tracks:
Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner,
Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and
Family Nurse Practitioner
Whether you choose to specialize in adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary, or family health, with this BSN to DNP program you can achieve clinical excellence to make an impact on the delivery of healthcare within your chosen population foci. Offered in a hybrid format, you can complete this program either in a part-time or full-time format. To qualify for admission, you must have completed your baccalaureate in nursing and carry an unencumbered RN license in Florida. Depending on the track you enroll, credit requirements will be around 76 including 1080 hours of clinical practice. Most students complete this program within 12 semesters on a part-time basis or within 9 semesters if enrolled in the full-time schedule.
Post-Master's DNP Tracks:
Nurse Executive
This post-master's DNP is meant for advanced practice nurses who are keen on achieving the terminal degree in nursing while retaining their current specialization. Also, students who are keen on becoming a Nurse Executive can enter this program, provided they have completed their MSN preferably in Leadership and Management. While the direct-patient care DNP track prepares you to lead change in a clinical setting, the indirect-patient care track is focused on preparing you for leadership and management roles in a complex healthcare environment. Regardless of the track you choose, you must complete 42 credits and 1000 hours of clinical practice.
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP,
Traditional DNP and
DNP (Nurse Anesthetist)
Florida International University has been pioneering advanced nursing education by integrating cultural competency into an evidence-based curriculum. This DNP school in Florida has been ranked among the top DNP schools in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report. The evidence-based curriculum aims at improving the quality of healthcare across all sections of the population.
BSN to DNP Tracks:
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Health Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner As an RN, this program can seamlessly prepare you with a DNP degree in conjunction with specialization in either adult-gerontology primary care, family health, pediatric primary care, or psychiatric mental health. The program can be completed within 10 semesters with credits ranging from 77 to 81 credits, depending on the track you enroll in.
Traditional DNP:
One of the well-known online DNP programs in Florida, this traditional DNP is open to MSN graduates who have earned the degree with a minimum GPA of 3.25. To graduate you must complete 36 credits in courses such as healthcare finance & economics, translational research, patient safety & quality improvement, healthcare informatics, analytical methods for evidence-based and organizational dynamics.
DNP ( Nurse Anesthetist):
This is a nine-semester program which is available to BSN graduates and leads to certification as a nurse anesthetist. Graduation requires completion of 107 credits which can be completed only on a full-time basis hence employment during the program is not advisable. The program entails going through rigorous didactic and clinical sessions, with clinical training beginning during the third semester through simulation experiences at the college's state-of-art simulation lab. Included in the curriculum are 3,180 hours of clinical hours which comprise lab as well as clinical experiences in various specialty settings of general surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, OB/Gyn, cardiac, and vascular and thoracic surgery.
Programs Offered:
Post-Baccalaureate DNP and
Post-Master's DNP
Barry University has played a significant role in addressing the need for advanced health care in Florida by producing excellent nurse leaders. Also, the university has contributed towards the state's nursing faculty shortage by having its DNP graduates teach for four years in exchange for the Nurse Faculty Loan. For over 10 years now, the university has received funding, helping students achieve affordable doctoral education through its faculty loan program.
Post-Baccalaureate DNP Tracks:
Anesthesiology,
Family Nurse Practitioner and
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
This BSN to DNP program which qualifies for a 30% tuition discount can be completed within 12 semesters, on a part-time basis. Typically designed for working nurses, the coursework is delivered through a combination of online classes and on-campus class-schedules once a week. The program is offered in three areas of emphasis, anesthesiology, family health, or adult-gerontology acute care. The practice-focused DNP degree emphasizes healthcare leadership, improvement of healthcare, and reducing disparities. To graduate you must complete 79 to 86 credits in graduate core, advanced practice, and specialty-specific courses.
Post-Master's DNP Tracks:
Anesthesiology
The post-master's DNP track is meant for certified registered nurse anesthetists keen on expanding their professional knowledge and skills to the highest possible level. The 37-credit curriculum builds up on your previous degree, educating you in leadership, policy, scientific foundations, healthcare informatics, finance and business management in anesthesia practice, advances in anesthesia and perioperative safety, risk reduction, & outcomes assessment.
Programs Offered:
Post-MSN to DNP
Are you looking at online DNP programs in Florida that offer a community-based curriculum? If so, you may want to learn about the University of Florida's doctoral education. Here, through convenient online classes, you will be prepared to offer the highest level of patient care to individuals, families, populations, and communities across the lifespan. Also, depending on your previous experience, there may be no dissertation required. You will only be required to complete a clinical residency within your local community. The evidence-based curriculum focuses on healthcare informatics, applied health statistics, public policy implications, and role development in advance practice nursing.
Post-MSN to DNP Tracks:
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner,
Family Nurse Practitioner, and
Nurse Anesthesiology
This top-ranking DNP program is open to MSN graduates with an active RN license in their state of residence. The DNP is degree is offered in conjunction with three specialization options; Psychiatric Mental Health, Family Health, and Nurse Anesthesia, so depending on your interests you can enroll in an area of emphasis. Regardless of your chosen track, you will complete around 48 credits within 24 months. The program starts thrice a year and is offered in an accelerated format.
Programs Offered:
DNP (BSN to DNP and Post-MSN DNP)
Jacksonville University's doctoral education prepares nurse leaders who are proficient in influencing health and well-being for culturally diverse individuals and populations. This Florida Doctor of Nursing Practice program is offered with flexible scheduling options to easily fit into the lives of busy working nurses. With a choice of direct and indirect patient care tracks, the college prepares you with a DNP degree through two pathways of a post-BSN and an MSN to DNP.
BSN to DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner and
Leadership
This BSN to DNP can be pursued after you complete your BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.3 and earn an active RN license in Florida. The hybrid program is available with specialization options in family health and leadership. If you are seeking to improve family medicine then you must enroll in the FNP track, whereas the leadership track is suited for those aspiring to hold senior leadership positions in healthcare. While the FNP track requires completing 70 credits and 1000 clinical hours, with the leadership program you must complete 59 credits.
Post-MSN DNP Tracks:
Advanced Practice and
Leadership
This MSN to DNP track builds up on your MSN and takes around 2 to 3 years to complete. The program is designed for advanced practice nurses who either want to achieve clinical excellence in their current specialization or are keen on specializing as a Nurse Leader by enrolling in the Leadership track. While to be eligible for the advanced practice track you must already be certified as an advanced practice nurse, the leadership track is suited for APRNs working in education or administration within the health care field. Depending on the track you enroll, graduation requires completing a minimum of 36 credits and 270 clinical hours.
Programs Offered:
B.S.N. to D.N.P. and M.S.N. to D.N.P.
Florida Gulf Coast University's graduates are in demand for their excellent clinical skills and impressive first-time pass rates on the certification exam. The college's innovative research and academic & community partnerships have led to producing nurse leaders who have transformed healthcare in the state and beyond. The low student to faculty ratio and individualized attention makes way for effective mentorship and building of meaningful connections with faculty and peers.
B.S.N. to D.N.P. Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner and
Nurse Anesthesiology
This BSN to DNP program is offered with specialization options in family health and nurse anesthesia and prepares you for the certification exam in your chosen area of emphasis. To be considered for admission you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and an unrestricted RN license in Florida. Depending on the track you enroll you require earning 81 to 84 credits which can be completed either on a part-time or full-time basis.
M.S.N. to D.N.P. Tracks:
Nurse Practitioner and
Nurse Anesthesiology
To qualify for this MSN to DNP track you must have completed your master's degree in nursing along with being certified either as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse-midwife. By enrolling in this program, you will enhance your advanced practice knowledge by strengthening scientific foundation and critical thinking skills. Depending on your previous degree, you must earn around 36 credits, by taking full-time or part-time classes.
Programs Offered:
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP),
Nurse Anesthesia Practice, DNAP (Entry-into-Practice), and
Nurse Anesthesia Practice, DNAP (Post-Master's)
Keiser University prepares you for the highest level of nursing practice through three DNP programs that emphasize evidence-based practice, leadership, scholarship, and interprofessional collaboration. Keiser also offers elective courses in education, clinical practice, and administration, so you can complete these courses in your specific area of interest and further expand on your nursing doctorate.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP):
To be eligible for this program you must have completed a master's in nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, an active RN or APRN license is required. The program requires completing 36 credits, comprising 21 credits in core, 4 credits in the DNP project, 8 credits in practice immersion, and 3 credits in an elective course.
Nurse Anesthesia Practice, DNAP (Entry-into-Practice):
By completing this program you can explore roles in anesthesia either in advanced practice, education, or leadership. To be eligible for this program you must have a BSN and a registered nurse license. During the 36 months of this program, you must complete 90 credits in didactic and clinical courses which finally lead to the nurse anesthesia national certification.
Nurse Anesthesia Practice, DNAP (Post-Master's):
If you are searching for online DNP programs in Forida that are meant for certified nurse anesthetists prepared with an MSN, then this program can be a befitting choice. The program builds upon your previous degree, by further deepening your knowledge to provide the highest quality of care in anesthesia. To graduate you must earn around 36 credits which most students complete within 24 months.
Programs Offered:
B.S.N. to D.N.P.
Are you seeking to take the next step into your nursing career? If so, why not ponder over obtaining both an MSN and a DNP from Nova Southeastern University. Here, the online coursework is designed to suit the needs of working registered nurses, allowing them to pursue the terminal degree seamlessly without keeping their current job on hold. The DNP degree is offered in conjunction with several direct and indirect patient care specialties.
B.S.N. to D.N.P. Tracks:
AGACNP, Executive Nurse Leadership, FNP, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, and PMHNP
A BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 makes you eligible for this BSN to DNP program in Florida. Depending on your interest, you can choose to enroll either in the AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP practitioner tracks, or opt for any of the indirect patient care tracks which include Nurse Leadership, Nursing Education, or Nursing Informatics. Graduation requires completing 69 to 75 credits in core graduate and specialty-specific courses.
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP and
Post-Master's to DNP
Palm Beach Atlantic University offers a well-rounded education, grounded in Christian values of compassion and serving the patient as a whole. The school's solid reputation due to its robust training and talented faculty has greatly contributed to the state's advanced practice nursing workforce. Integrating biblical, historical, theoretical, and practical components, the hybrid nature of its coursework provides you the convenience of online classes with the personal touch of monthly once on-campus classes.
BSN to DNP Tracks:
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner,
Executive Leadership,
Family Nurse Practitioner, and
Psychiatric Mental Health Care Nurse Practitioner
This BSN to DNP program in Florida prepares you to improve the delivery of healthcare in rural as well as urban settings. As a BSN graduate with an RN license, you can complete this program within nine semesters and explore leadership roles in healthcare. Depending on where you find your calling, you can enroll in any of the NP tracks or choose to complete the Executive Leadership track in conjunction with your DNP. The program requires completing 71 to 76 credits, upon completion of which you will be eligible to take the certification exam within your chosen population foci. As a plus, you can take the certification exam even before graduation if you wish to join the workforce rather quickly.
Post-Master's to DNP:
If you are aspiring to expand your nursing practice you can consider completing this 41 to 43 credit coursework that educates you in evidence-based practice, organizational leadership, healthcare policy, global perspectives of healthcare, faith & science, and healthcare economics & finance. The program also offers elective courses in healthcare administration and independent practice management, so you can choose to complete the one that matches your career goals.
Programs Offered:
BSN-Entry and MSN-Entry
University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences offers a doctorate with two entry points, one after a BSN and the other after completing a master's in nursing. Unlike other DNP programs in Florida, here you can complete the entire coursework online and choose to participate in optional on-campus immersions. With the six start dates, you can begin with your advanced nursing education whenever you are ready.
BSN-Entry Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Executive You can earn your DNP seamlessly after a BSN by enrolling in this BSN to DNP program which is offered with two specialization options; Family Health and Nurse Executive. While the FNP track requires completing 71 credits and 1035 clinical hours, the Nurse Executive entails earning 64 credits and 1000 hours of clinical practice.
MSN-Entry:
To be eligible for this program you must have an MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. While entering this program as an MSN graduate requires completing 42 to 52 credits, if you enroll as a nurse educator or nurse executive you must earn 30 credits to graduate. Alternatively, certified FNPs require earning 22 credits in DNP core courses. The curriculum mainly stresses on organizational leadership, healthcare policy, interprofessional approaches to regional & global health, and quality management in healthcare.
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