Can a DNP degree expand your professional nursing horizons in North Dakota? Emphatically yes! A DNP diploma will prepare you to assume leadership roles in a variety of nursing specialties ranging from hands-on patient care to executive nurse management. As a graduate of one of the DNP programs in North Dakota, you’ll enjoy a high salary and job security: in the Peace Garden State, DNP-educated nurses make $137,620 yearly, and demand for their services—already high—will increase by 48 percent within 10 years. Ready to invest in your nursing future? This list of the best DNP programs in North Dakota will tell you how.
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in North Dakota (Online & Campus) for 2025.
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at North Dakota State University is contingent upon meeting the following criteria. You must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Applicants must complete a graduate school application and provide three professional references, proof of an unencumbered RN license, and an essay that includes a narrative of professional goals and experiences. Preference is given to candidates with at least one year of experience as a registered nurse.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• North Dakota State University’s FNP program is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in its Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice category.Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Nursing Organizational Leadership
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree earned at an accredited nursing school and a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. You must provide proof of an active, unencumbered RN license in your state of residence, three letters of reference, a CV or resume, and official transcripts from any post-secondary school you have attended.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The post-master's DNP program at the University of Mary is a 20-month program. New cohorts are admitted in the fall annually. The program follows an online format, with one visit to campus required in the last semester.
The 32-credit curriculum for the MSN-to-DNP program features classes, including Data-Driven Quality Improvement in Healthcare, Interprofessional Collaboration, Epidemiology & Population Health, and Healthcare Policy & Advocacy.
The program includes 300-800 clinical hours. All students in the DNP program are required to earn a total of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. Once the total clinical hours from your master’s nursing program are verified, the actual number of hours you need in the MSN-to-DNP program will be determined.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the post-master's DNP program, you must have earned a Master of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program and have a current, unrestricted license to practice as an RN in your state of residence. In addition to completing a general admission application, you must provide transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities, a current resume or curriculum vitae, a DNP writing sample (based on provided prompts), and three letters of recommendation. A nursing GPA of 3.0 is required.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At the University of Mary, your previous education and work experience matter! You can choose to test or have a portfolio review to determine your eligibility for prior learning credits. Also, military experience may count toward your degree. An admissions advisor will work with you to determine your eligibility.Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesia
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates for the BSN-to-DNP program must show proof of completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program and a current RN license in the United States in good standing. All applicants must complete an online admissions application and provide copies of official transcripts from each college or university where college credit was earned and have a minimum cumulative and minimum undergraduate science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, all candidates must submit a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a professional resume or CV. Nurse Anesthesia candidates must have a minimum of one year of critical care nursing experience that was completed within the United States, its territories, or a United States military hospital outside of the U.S.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of North Dakota also offers a post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice program to eligible candidates. The program offers a flexible, mostly asynchronous online learning format, which makes it an excellent choice for working professionals. The MSN-to-DNP program admits students in the fall semester annually and takes five semesters to complete.
The post-master's DNP curriculum is a 37-credit pathway. You will study Healthcare Economics, Finance, & Leadership, Integrated Leadership DNP Core Concepts, and Evidence-Based Research.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the post-master's DNP program at the University of North Dakota, you must have an MSN earned at an accredited school of nursing. After completing an admissions application, you must provide some required supplemental documents for review. Documentation needed to determine eligibility includes official transcripts from all colleges and universities where you attempted any credit (undergraduate and graduate coursework), a Statement of Goals or Personal Statement, three academic or professional references, and a current CV or resume.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines at the University of North Dakota has a 100-year history of educating nursing students! With the school’s proven track record of preparing highly educated, sought-after graduate nurses, it is no wonder that UND is a great option for a DNP program in South Dakota!S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
3 |
Hourly | $66.16 |
Weekly | $2,647 |
Monthly | $11,470 |
Annual | $137,620 |
Hourly | $48.68 |
Weekly | $1,947 |
Monthly | $8,440 |
Annual | $101,250 |
Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
1-4 Years of Experience | $55.08 | $2,203 | $9,550 | $114,560 |
5-9 Years of Experience | $65.01 | $2,601 | $11,270 | $135,230 |
10-19 Years of Experience | $72.40 | $2,896 | $12,550 | $150,600 |
20 Years or More Experience | $86.52 | $3,461 | $15,000 | $179,970 |
Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
Bismarck | $65.60 | $2,624 | $11,370 | $136,450 |
Fargo | $67.91 | $2,716 | $11,770 | $141,250 |
Grand Forks | $66.05 | $2,642 | $11,450 | $137,380 |
Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
Number | % | ||
Dentist | $182,840 | -$45,220 | -24.73% |
Optometrist | $140,620 | -$3,000 | -2.13% |
Nurse With DNP | $137,620 | $0 | 0.00% |
Physician Assistant | $127,350 | +$10,270 | +8.06% |
Pharmacist | $127,260 | +$10,360 | +8.14% |
Veterinarian | $107,460 | +$30,160 | +28.07% |
Physical Therapist | $88,430 | +$49,190 | +55.63% |
Audiologist | $86,040 | +$51,580 | +59.95% |
Occupational Therapist | $82,450 | +$55,170 | +66.91% |
Chiropractor | $80,200 | +$57,420 | +71.60% |
Dental Hygienist | $80,130 | +$57,490 | +71.75% |
Speech-Language Pathologist | $72,900 | +$64,720 | +88.78% |