DNP Programs in Montana – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Doesn’t it make sense to get the best bang for your buck when you’re investing large sums in your Montana nursing education? Now that the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is widely considered the terminal degree for advanced practice RNs, it’s the wisest investment for nurses who want to advance their careers and increase their salaries. Graduates of DNP programs in Montana in the Big Sky State can expect to average $134,260 a year and enjoy employment opportunities that are expected to increase by 51 percent. So what are you waiting for? Find out more with this guide to the best DNP programs in Montana.
WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN MONTANA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Montana (Online & Campus) for 2025.
1. Montana State University - Bozeman
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse-Midwifery
You may enroll part-time and complete the program in four years, or if you choose to enroll full-time, you can complete it in three years. The BSN-to-DNP program is delivered in a hybrid format, blending online distance accessible coursework with periodic on-campus intensives. This learning structure makes the program an excellent choice for working professionals and students who live in rural areas.
Each pathway requires the completion of 82 course credits. Students take core courses, including Evidence-Based Practice & Research Translation, Population Health & Epidemiology, and Interprofessional Collaboration. You will then progress to specialty courses relevant to your chosen concentration. The FNP track covers primary care across the lifespan, pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health, and chronic disease management. The Nurse-Midwifery pathway includes content such as prenatal and postpartum care, labor and delivery, reproductive health, and newborn care. The PMHNP program focuses on psychiatric assessment, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and crisis intervention.
You will participate in periodic on-campus intensives that feature high-fidelity simulation to develop essential skills. All BSN-to-DNP students complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. MSU coordinates clinical placements close to your home community, when possible. Clinical settings are determined by your chosen specialty track and the availability of clinical sites and preceptors. MSU faculty collaborate to ensure you have adequate and appropriate clinical experiences.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program, you must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited upper division nursing program and hold an active, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in Montana. You need to submit three personal essay answers, three professional references, and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions where you completed coursework (even if a degree was not conferred). Your transcripts should reflect a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and show the completion of undergraduate courses in statistics and research.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program at Montana State University is designed for currently licensed, certified, and practicing APRNs who do not wish to earn an additional population-focused national certification. The program takes an average of two to three years to complete, based on a GAP analysis of your previous nursing transcripts and your decision to enroll part-time or full-time. New cohorts are admitted in the fall semester each year.
All graduate courses are distance learning, combining synchronous and asynchronous activities. The post-master’s DNP program requires the completion of 37 credits. The curriculum includes classes such as Finance & Budget in Healthcare Systems, Vulnerability & Healthcare in Diverse Communities, Ethics, Law, & Policy for Advocacy in Healthcare, and Advanced Nursing Leadership & Roles. After an analysis of your master’s transcripts and a review of the clinical hours you completed in the MSN program, a personalized plan of study will be developed to determine the number of clinical hours you must complete in this featured DNP program in Montana. To meet DNP competencies and be eligible to receive the DNP, you must accomplish at least 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applications for the MSN-to-DNP program are conducted through the MSU Graduate School. To be considered, you must begin by creating an account via MSU’s graduate application portal. You need a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program, a current, unrestricted RN license, and a current APRN certification. You are required to submit answers to three personal essay prompts, official transcripts from all post-secondary schools you previously attended with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0, and three professional references who can speak to your motivation, work ethic, writing ability, and nursing knowledge.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Having been raised in a rural community, I understand firsthand the impact of limited resources or access to healthcare services on patients. One of the things I like about the DNP program at Montana State University is its commitment to improving healthcare access in frontier and rural communities. The DNP curriculum and clinical experiences are tailored to address the unique challenges of patients and the challenges practitioners face when practicing in these underserved areas.• Having a strong support system when pursuing your DNP is crucial for success. While family and friends are excellent sources of support, it is essential to know the type of support a school or program offers before committing to it. For instance, Montana State University provides comprehensive support for DNP students, including academic advising and mentorship, clinical placement coordination, and more.
• The school offers career services and job placement assistance, which have proven most successful when graduates begin job searches. In fact, MSU reports that graduates of the DNP program have outstanding job placement rates, with most employed in a DNP role within six months of completing the program.
• As a nurse educator, I tend to scrutinize schools and programs more than others do. I suppose it is because I know what it takes to prepare highly qualified, confident nurses and practitioners, and I want prospective students to find the program that will challenge them. I am impressed by the DNP program at MSU, as it offers a transformative educational experience for any nurse committed to leadership, rural health advocacy, and clinical excellence. In my opinion, as a student in this program, you will be prepared to improve patient and organizational outcomes, lead change, and shape the future of healthcare.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In Montana?
| 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 Montana?
| 1 |
3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Montana?
| Hourly | $64.55 |
| Weekly | $2,582 |
| Monthly | $11,190 |
| Annual | $134,260 |
4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In Montana?
| Hourly | $47.49 |
| Weekly | $1,899 |
| Monthly | $8,230 |
| Annual | $98,770 |
5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In Montana?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $53.73 | $2,149 | $9,310 | $111,760 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $63.43 | $2,537 | $10,990 | $131,930 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $70.63 | $2,825 | $12,240 | $146,920 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $84.41 | $3,377 | $14,630 | $175,580 |
6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Montana By Metro?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Billings | $66.19 | $2,648 | $11,470 | $137,670 |
| Great Falls | $62.02 | $2,481 | $10,750 | $129,010 |
| Missoula | $62.06 | $2,483 | $10,760 | $129,090 |
7. Average DNP Salary In Montana VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Montana
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $204,410 | -$70,150 | -34.32% |
| Nurse With DNP | $134,260 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,450 | +$1,810 | +1.37% |
| Pharmacist | $131,260 | +$3,000 | +2.29% |
| Optometrist | $123,890 | +$10,370 | +8.37% |
| Radiation Therapist | $114,210 | +$20,050 | +17.56% |
| Veterinarian | $94,070 | +$40,190 | +42.72% |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,990 | +$45,270 | +50.87% |
| Audiologist | $88,310 | +$45,950 | +52.03% |
| Occupational Therapist | $87,380 | +$46,880 | +53.65% |
| Physical Therapist | $85,550 | +$48,710 | +56.94% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,970 | +$52,290 | +63.79% |
| Chiropractor | $77,170 | +$57,090 | +73.98% |
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.
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