DNP Programs in New Hampshire – 2025

Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

In the healthcare industry, credentials matter, and for New Hampshire nurses, a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is the most useful and versatile credential you can get. Graduates of DNP programs in New Hampshire earn $140,830 a year on average, and their employment opportunities—already numerous—are expected to jump by 51 percent in the next 10 years. A DNP program can train you to give the highest quality patient care as an APRN or to become an outstanding executive nurse manager. Learn more about the many advantages of a DNP degree with this list of the best DNP programs in New Hampshire.

WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in New Hampshire (Online & Campus) for 2025.

1. University of New Hampshire - Durham

Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Clinical Nurse Leader, Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: From the time I was a teenager, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in nursing. Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to work in various settings, caring for patients of all ages across diverse backgrounds. One of the things I love about nursing is that there really is no limit to the things you can learn and do. If you are a nurse with dreams of learning more and expanding your scope of practice, there are several paths from which to choose. For example, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree through the BSN-to-DNP program in New Hampshire offered at the University of New Hampshire.

The BSN to DNP pathway is a comprehensive program that combines advanced clinical training with leadership and policy education. The program is delivered in an online format, consisting of asynchronous didactic instruction, delivered over eight-week terms, and in-person clinical practicums. It can be completed in three years if you enroll full-time or in an average of four years if you pursue the degree on a part-time basis. The PMHNP pathway offers start dates in the fall and spring semesters. The remaining post-baccalaureate DNP pathways begin annually in the fall.

This post-baccalaureate DNP program offers the option to specialize in the Clinical Nurse Leader concentration, or you may choose one of three nurse practitioner specializations: Primary Care Family NP, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, or Psychiatric Mental Health NP. The Clinical Nurse Leader program comprises a 60-credit curriculum and includes 1,000 clinical hours. 500 hours are directly related to the role of nurse leadership, and the remaining 500 are earned through the completion of the DNP Scholarly Project.

The three nurse practitioner options require between 72 and 78 credits and include 1,250 practicum hours, 750 of which are direct patient care hours and 500 earned via completion of a required DNP Scholarly Project. Clinicals are arranged collaboratively and occur in settings, including family practice clinics, community care settings, urgent care clinics, hospitals, specialty clinics, behavioral health clinics, and private practices, depending on your chosen specialty.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program, you need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and an active, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the United States. You are required to provide a Professional Statement that includes a written essay describing a clinical experience that demonstrates your critical thinking ability and readiness to enter doctoral training. Additionally, you must submit three letters of recommendation, official transcripts from all post-secondary schools reflecting a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, and an updated resume. After an initial review of your application, you may be asked to participate in an admission interview with the program’s faculty. Candidates with at least one year of clinical nursing experience are preferred.

MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN to DNP program is designed for nurses who already hold an MSN and want to elevate their practice to the highest level of clinical practice. It emphasizes leadership, systems thinking, and evidence-based innovation. New students are admitted to the program twice each year, with start dates in January and August. The program can be completed in 1.5 to 2.5 years, depending on whether you enroll on a part-time or full-time basis. The online format features asynchronous course delivery delivered in eight-week terms.

The post-master's DNP program does not include NP certification, as it is designed for students who already hold an advanced practice certification or leadership role. The curriculum consists of core and DNP Scholarly Project courses and requires the completion of 21 to 33 credits. In this program, you will take classes, including Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Health Systems Policy, Economics, & Financial Planning, Evidence-Based Practice Models, and Creative Leadership: Embracing Disruption & Innovation.

An individual plan of study will be created based on your interests and academic needs. Upon admission to the program, a doctoral committee will review your graduate transcripts and may grant a course waiver for one or more DNP core classes. Additionally, you may apply to receive credit for up to 500 master’s program clinical hours toward the 1,000 practicum hours, which are required to earn the DNP.

MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To qualify as an eligible candidate for the MSN-to-DNP program at the University of New Hampshire, you must hold a Master of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution and have an active RN license and APRN certification (if applicable). You must provide three letters of professional recommendation, a current resume or curriculum vitae, a Personal Statement outlining your academic and professional goals, and a proposed scholarly project area. While a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5 is preferred, candidates with a grade point average of at least 3.2 will be considered. In some cases, an interview with program faculty may be required before an offer of admission is granted.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• Students enrolled in the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of New Hampshire earn both an MSN and a DNP. Once the MSN degree is conferred, you will be eligible to sit for national certification in your chosen specialty, and you will then continue to progress in the program, earning the DNP.
• Something I have learned through my experience as a nurse educator is that classroom performance is not the truest indicator of how successful a student/graduate will be in their career. When I speak with prospective students about choosing a nursing program, I recommend looking for schools that have high retention and completion rates, as well as graduates who achieve high success rates on national certification exams, when applicable. The University of New Hampshire has all these, which is one reason it is ranked as one of the best DNP programs in New Hampshire.
• At the University of New Hampshire, you will be immersed in a culture of mentorship. Program faculty and preceptors are experienced nurse leaders and clinicians who provide personalized guidance throughout the program, helping to promote and ensure your success.

2. Rivier University - Nashua

Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Systems Leadership

MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Professional Practice and Systems Leadership

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program at Rivier University is designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice roles in leadership within healthcare systems. The program can be completed in five years of full-time study or six and a half years of part-time study. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and new cohorts are admitted for each spring and fall semester.

The program offers online didactic coursework and minimal campus visits and features a 69-credit curriculum. In this pathway, you will take classes such as Health Research Methods, Epidemiology in Advanced Practice Nursing, and Crisis Management & Conflict Resolution. Additionally, you will complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. Clinicals consist of both direct patient care and leadership hours as well as hours earned through the completion of a DNP Scholarly Project.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution and an active, unencumbered RN license are required to be eligible for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program. You are asked to submit a resume or curriculum vitae, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from each college or university you previously attended. Candidates with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 are preferred. You may be asked to participate in an interview with program faculty as part of the admission process.

MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The post-master's DNP program is an excellent option for nurses who have already earned a graduate degree but wish to achieve a terminal doctorate. The program is designed to prepare you as an expert clinician with the ability to lead in the healthcare industry and to advocate for change to improve healthcare delivery and environments. You can complete the program in two and a half years if you enroll full-time or four and a half years if you enroll part-time.

The MSN-to-DNP program offers two tracks: Professional Practice and Systems Leadership. The curriculum plans for both post-master's pathways require the completion of 39 credits. The program features an online learning format with only four face-to-face meetings required on campus.

All DNP students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. Typically, students enter the MSN-to-DNP program having already earned 500 clinical hours in their master's nursing program. In this case, you will only need to complete the 500 additional hours required through the DNP Project.

MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the post-master's DNP program at Rivier, you must hold a current master’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing and have a current, unrestricted RN license. If you plan to pursue the Professional Practice Track, you must have an unencumbered APRN license. You are required to submit two letters of recommendation, a scholarly essay, and a current CV or resume. You must also provide official transcripts from all post-secondary schools you attended. Transcripts should show the completion of a graduate-level statistics course taken within the previous three years and a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.2 or better. Additionally, verification of at least 500 clinical hours from your master’s nursing program is required.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• When you pursue your DNP degree at Rivier University, you will receive guidance and instruction from nursing leaders with a broad range of doctoral degrees. Program faculty are experts in clinically focused, research-based nursing education and patient care. With their knowledge and insight, you will learn and grow, developing the essential skills needed to succeed in Professional Practice and Systems Leadership.
• As a nurse educator, I cannot stress enough the importance of demonstrating cultural competence when providing patient care and working within your teams. One of the things I appreciate about the DNP programs in New Hampshire at Rivier University is that they are rooted in a mission to improve patient and organizational outcomes through culturally competent, evidence-based, interprofessional collaboration and systems leadership.
• Choosing the right DNP program requires careful consideration of several key factors. I always encourage potential students to look at school and program rankings to determine if they are a good fit. Nursing schools and programs that have a history of success are good choices, as they have already proven themselves to have a high-quality program. For example, the DNP program in New Hampshire at Rivier University is recognized as a top program for Doctor of Nursing Practice education by U.S. News & World Report.
• If there is one concern that most prospective students express about earning a graduate degree, like the DNP, it is the program cost. Rivier University offers competitive cost-per-credit tuition, making it an excellent choice.


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In New Hampshire?

2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In New Hampshire?

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3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In New Hampshire?

4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In New Hampshire?

5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In New Hampshire?

6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In New Hampshire By Metro?

7. Average DNP Salary In New Hampshire VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In New Hampshire

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