10 Best DNP Programs in Minnesota – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Minnesota advanced practice nurses who’ve earned Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees are known for the influence they exert on nursing practice specifically and healthcare delivery generally. Is this select cadre one that you’ve dreamed of joining? Then check out DNP programs in Minnesota. DNP programs in the Land of Lakes fuse online and campus components so that you don’t have to put the rest of your life on hold while you’re pursuing your educational goals. Minnesota DNPs make $137,320 a year on average. Ready to find out more? The list below contains pertinent information on the 10 best DNP programs in Minnesota for 2025.


WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN MINNESOTA (ONLINE & CAMPUS)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 10 Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Minnesota (Online & Campus).


1) University of Minnesota - Minneapolis


Programs Offered:

DNP

Counted among the best DNP programs in Minnesota, the doctoral degree at University of Minnesota offers a broad range of specialization options. With state-of-art simulation learning, here, you will develop skills in clinical excellence, evidence-based research, and leadership. The program prepares you for certification either as an NP, clinical nurse specialist, nurse-midwife, or nurse anesthetist. Depending on your interests and career goals, you can also choose from getting certified in nursing informatics, nursing leadership, or public health nursing. This wide spectrum of learning is well supported by a distinguished faculty who actively engage in research projects to improve healthcare and evidently so, the nursing school receives generous research grants each year, amounting to almost $6 million.

DNP Tracks:
Adult/Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Innovation and Leadership, Integrative Health and Healing, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse-Midwifery, Nursing Informatics, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner

This DNP program is offered as a BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP pathway. While BSN graduates must be licensed as RNs in Minnesota, students entering after masters additionally also need to be certified in any one of the advanced practice roles. If you enter this program after a BSN, you can complete it within three years, taking full-time classes, whereas post an MSN you take almost one year to complete the online coursework.


2) The College of Saint Scholastica - Duluth


Programs Offered:

DNP (BSN to DNP and Post-Graduate DNP)

By offering one of the reputable DNP programs in Minnesota, College of Saint Scholastica prepares advanced practice nurses to transform healthcare delivery in urban as well as rural areas of the state. Based on the guidelines of the AACN, this doctorate is designed to suit the needs of working nurses. The coursework is primarily delivered through the distance learning format with minimal on-campus requirements and clinicals arranged within your community. With focus on the healthcare of rural and underserved areas, here, you are also trained in telehealth to provide effective care to remote localities.

DNP Tracks:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This DNP degree is open to BSN graduates who have an unencumbered RN license. With this program, you can seamlessly take your baccalaureate education to the doctoral level along with gaining eligibility to get certified in your chosen area of emphasis. Depending on whether you choose to specialize in adult-gerontology, family health, or psychiatric mental health, you must complete 79 to 83 credits to graduate.

Post-Graduate DNP:
If you have completed your masters and looking at online DNP programs in Minnesota to attain your doctorate, then you must search no further than this post-graduate DNP program, typically designed for MSN graduates. With an emphasis on leadership and change management, you can complete the entire coursework online, while visiting the campus only for the clinical project proposal and final DNP project. The 32-credit coursework takes two years to complete, after which you can play leadership roles in any type of healthcare organization.


3) Saint Catherine University - Saint Paul


Programs Offered:

Nurse Practitioner (DNP), Post-Master's (DNP), and Dual Degree (DNP)

Saint Catherine University is committed to the health improvement of the vulnerable and underserved populations and accordingly trains its DNP graduates to strive towards health equity. If you are seeking affordable DNP programs in Minnesota, then here, you can obtain the terminal nursing at competitive tuition costs, in addition to the several loans and grants which you may avail to further lessen the financial burden. Furthermore, if you are working at any of the St. Kate's partner organizations you will be eligible for a 10% tuition discount.

Nurse Practitioner (DNP) Tracks:
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) and Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

Typically meant for APRNs prepared at the master's level seeking a second certification, this DNP program offers two specialization options, pediatric NP, and an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner. You can also enter this program after a BSN for which you require completing 73 credits in MSN, advanced practice, DNP core, and specialty-specific courses. If you enter after an MSN-APRN degree, a tailor-made study plan will be designed depending on your previously completed coursework.

Post-Master's (DNP):
This post-master's DNP program is planned for MSN graduates keen on impacting healthcare in a complex healthcare environment. As a graduate of this program, you will be able to use evidence-based knowledge to lead healthcare projects and design health policies. The 33 to 35 credits take around 18 months to complete and culminate in a DNP project. Also, if you are interested in taking up teaching in the future, you are offered the option of completing elective courses from the nurse educator program.

Dual Degree (DNP) Tracks:
DNP/MBA, DNP/MHI, DNP/MAHS, and DNP/MAHS

This DNP school in Minnesota offers you the unique opportunity to combine the DNP coursework with a master’s in another interprofessional field. So, depending on your interest and career goals you can combine the DNP with either a master’s in Business Administration, Health Informatics, Holistic Studies, or with Organizational Leadership. By completing this dual degree, you will be prepared to hold pivotal positions in education, administration, and healthcare. To qualify for this program, you must be a bachelor’s prepared nurse with an active RN license. The coursework is offered in a hybrid format and requires three years to complete. Graduation entails earning credits ranging from 66 to 72, depending on the dual degree track you enter.


4) Bethel University - St. Paul


Programs Offered:

DNP

Bethel University offers one of the best online DNP programs in Minnesota that prepares you for various promising careers such as that of a nurse leader, administrator, researcher, public health official, or an autonomous nurse practitioner. Bethel's education is focused on enhanced critical thinking, leadership, and management skills. The college's faculty trains you to provide holistic care by taking into account various factors that can influence a patient's health and well-being.

DNP Tracks:
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice + M.A. Strategic Leadership, and Doctor of Nursing Practice + MBA

This DNP program can be pursued either as a single degree or in combination with a master's in strategic leadership or business administration. If you have completed your MSN and are keen on clinical leadership then you can consider earning the DNP degree by completing 36 to 39 credits which can be conveniently taken online.

Alternatively, if you are inclined towards leadership in healthcare, the dual DNP + MA Strategic Leadership will be better suited. Also, for those seeking management positions in healthcare, the college offers a DNP in combination with an MBA. To be eligible for either of the dual tracks you must have completed your BSN and hold an active RN license. To earn your dual degree, you are required to complete 71 to 72 credits through a combination of online and on-campus classes. While the single track takes two years, completing either of the dual tracks requires three years of full-time study.


5) Augsburg University - Minneapolis


Programs Offered:

DNP

DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Transcultural Nursing Leadership (TCN)

Whether you desire to advance your career to the highest level or are simply keen on transforming healthcare, with Augsburg University's DNP programs you can effectively achieve both these goals. This is the only Minnesota DNP program that offers a doctorate, emphasizing transcultural nursing leadership. As an Auggie DNP graduate, you will be able to offer advanced evidence-based care to a diverse and underserved patient population, both locally and globally.

The DNP program is offered with a choice of two specializations, Family Nurse Practitioner and Transcultural Nursing Leadership. While the FNP track is open to BSN graduates, to be able to specialize in TNL you must have completed your masters in nursing.

The DNP-FNP program comprises 56 credits in didactic courses, 4 in seminar credits, and 24 credits in clinical learning. Precisely, the clinical learning entails completing a total of 1080 hours, including 405 for the DNP and the remaining 675 for clinical practice. As a graduate of the FNP track, you will gain the eligibility to take the certification exam within the chosen population focus.

On the other hand, the DNP-TNL track which prepares you to reduce health disparities in diverse populations comprises a total of 33 credits and takes 20 months to complete. Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to take the certification exam in Advanced Transcultural Nursing.


6) Metropolitan State University - St. Paul


Programs Offered:

DNP

Metropolitan State University is a nursing school that values holistic health and therefore trains its graduate nurses to practice evidence-based holistic nursing care. Here, you benefit from the college's solid community partnerships and a curriculum that aims to improve health for the underserved and vulnerable populations. The college offers its DNP program in Minnesota in conjunction with two advanced practice tracks of family nurse practitioner and nurse anesthesia.

DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner DNP and Nurse Anesthetist DNP

If you are keen on improving primary care, then you can opt for the FNP track, or else enroll in the Nurse Anesthetist track that trains you to administer safe anesthesia in a variety of settings. Enrolling into the FNP track after an MSN requires completing 64 credits, whereas if you enter post a BSN, the credit requirement goes up to 80. Also, a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical practice is required, including the practicum and scholarship work. On the other hand, to be eligible for the nurse anesthetist track, you must have at least completed a BSN and have an active RN license. The 91-credit curriculum includes clinical experiences at partner hospitals particularly in pediatrics and rural health.


7) Capella University - Minneapolis


Programs Offered:

DNP

If you are a working nurse, ready to take the next step into your career, you can choose enrolling in one of the top online DNP programs in Minnesota that trains you without having to attend school. With 25 years of online doctoral education, Capella University is known for its evidence-based nurse graduates who have influenced healthcare within the state and beyond. As a plus, if you work for any of Capella's 600 community and corporate partners you can avail of a discount on your tuition fee.

DNP Tracks:
DNP and DNP- Preparatory Program

If you are an MSN prepared registered nurse, with this DNP program you can achieve doctoral education progressing through it either as part of a cohort or taking the flexpath where you decide the pace of your coursework. Alternatively, if you are an RN with non-nursing master’s degree then you can opt for the preparatory program where you will take three preparatory courses before starting with the DNP curriculum. Regardless of the path you enroll, you will build on leadership and critical thinking skills, in addition to strengthening your scientific foundation to develop means of improving healthcare delivery. Along with the preparatory courses, earning the DNP requires completing 52 credits, otherwise, you must complete 52 credits to graduate with a doctoral degree.


8) Winona State University - Winona


Programs Offered:

DNP (BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP)

With its growing elderly population, Minnesota offers bright prospects to advanced practice nurses prepared at the doctoral who can lead and transform healthcare delivery. By completing your DNP in Minnesota from a top nursing school like Winona State University you can open up an array of high paying opportunities across the state. Training you to provide patient-centric care, its DNP program is offered with several specialization options along with a choice of various formats; on-campus, online, or hybrid.

DNP Tracks:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Leadership: Nursing and Organizational Leadership, Nursing Leadership: Practice and Leadership Innovations, and Psychiatric-mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Baccalaureate DNP only)

You could be either a BSN or MSN graduate, with this DNP program you can expand your nursing practice, taking it to the highest possible level. Depending on your goals and interests, you can choose from either the practitioner tracks or complete your DNP in conjunction with the CNS or nursing leadership track. Depending on whether you enter after a BSN or MSN and choose either the part-time or full-time schedule, you can complete your DNP degree within two to four years. In addition to your graduate core and specialty-specific courses, the college also offers a wide range of elective courses that you can take to enhance a specific skill set. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the certification exam in your chosen area of emphasis.


9) Walden University - Minneapolis


Programs Offered:

DNP

Out of all the DNP programs in Minnesota, Walden University produces the highest number of advanced practice nurses in the state. A Doctorally prepared faculty, no residency requirements, online classes, and several financial aid opportunities make Walden’s DNP a rather sought-after choice. Throughout your DNP training here, you will focus on solving healthcare issues and improving healthcare delivery across all sections of the population.

This DNP program is open to MSN prepared registered nurses who desire a doctorate in nursing. The 53-credit curriculum can be stretched up to a maximum time frame of eight years, although most students complete it within 2 to 3 years. Some of the courses you take include foundations of doctoral study, methods of evidence-based practice, healthcare informatics, epidemiology & population health, health policy & advocacy. The college also offers an optional DNP Intensive retreat which is a week-long experience where you will gain a clear understanding as to how to go about completing your DNP project successfully.


10) Minnesota State University Mankato - Mankato


Programs Offered:

DNP BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP

Do you find your calling in family health care? If so, completing a DNP program from Minnesota State University-Mankato that offers a family-focused curriculum can be a good idea. Here, you will practice clinical skills at the college's 16,000 square feet Maverick Family Simulation Center that is well-equipped with hi-fidelity mannikins, covering extensive hands-on learning from infants to adults. The program is mainly offered online with once a month campus visit to the Edina location.

BSN to DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner

This Minnesota Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares undergraduate nurses with the terminal nursing degree, seamlessly within three years of full-time study. The 80-credit curriculum builds up on your baccalaureate education by combining rigorous didactic courses and clinical learning experiences, emphasizing nursing care of individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. Graduation necessitates completing core MSN, advanced practice courses, an evidence-based practice course, and finally a capstone course.

MSN to DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner

This coursework is open to MSN graduates with an unencumbered RN license. Although a minimum of 27 credits are required to graduate, an individualized plan will be prepared based on your educational background. Through the two years of the program, you complete courses in healthcare informatics, quality improvement & safety for NPs, healthcare policy, family mental health nursing, genetics & genomics for family nursing, and program implementation & management. The program culminates with a seminar and practicum courses where you evaluate and disseminate program outcomes.


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