DNP Programs in North Dakota – 2025


Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

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.


WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN NORTH DAKOTA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

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


1. North Dakota State University - Fargo


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: North Dakota State University offers an outstanding post-bachelor’s DNP program for RNs who want to become Family Nurse Practitioners. The program is designed as a campus-based pathway, giving you opportunities for face-to-face instruction and interaction with faculty and peers.

This DNP program in North Dakota features an 83-credit curriculum consisting of core graduate courses, practice core courses, and specialty courses. At NDSU, you will study in classes like Population Health & Epidemiology for Advanced Practice Nursing, Advanced Pharmacology, and Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice. The program also includes 1,020 clinical practicum hours. Program faculty secure clinical placements to ensure you have adequate experiences in diverse settings.

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.
• One thing I believe is important to know before choosing a nursing program is what the faculty are like. If you find a program with diverse faculty with a broad range of experiences, your learning experience is likely to be better than that of students in programs where faculty are inexperienced. At NDSU, the Family Nurse Practitioner DNP program is taught by eight faculty members with more than 100 years of combined clinical nursing experience. You will benefit from their expertise and insight as you advance your nursing knowledge and reach your academic and professional goals.


2. University of Mary - Bismarck


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 Program Details: The University of Mary is home to one of the top post-baccalaureate DNP programs in North Dakota. The program admits students in the fall of each academic year and takes two years and seven months to complete.

The BSN-to-DNP program is designed with an on-site/online model. The on-site component of the program features face-to-face encounters on campus on designated days during select semesters and one week of campus attendance in the last semester. All other classroom instruction is delivered online.

The BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program is an 86-credit pathway. The curriculum is comprised of core nursing courses and Family Nurse Practitioner specialty courses. You will take classes, including Common & Chronic Health Management, Acute & Emergent Problems, Advanced Anatomy & Physiology, and Health Promotion & Clinical Prevention.

The BSN-to-DNP pathway also includes 1,280 experiential learning hours. Clinical practicums occur under the supervision of clinical faculty or approved preceptors. Faculty collaborate with students to arrange clinical experiences near the student's home community when possible.

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.
• Graduates of the DNP programs at the University of Mary have excellent certification exam pass rates, high employment rates, and report high satisfaction rates with the program on post-graduation surveys. Each of these factors indicates a strong program.


3. University of North Dakota - Grand Forks


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 Program Details: The University of North Dakota is an outstanding school with opportunities for bachelor’s-prepared RNs to earn a doctorate in nursing. The school’s BSN-to-DNP program in North Dakota offers three pathways: Family or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia.

The FNP and PMHNP pathways are available to students in both part-time and full-time options and can be completed in eight to 11 semesters. Both pathways offer online didactic coursework and in-person clinicals in primary and specialty care settings. Most coursework is asynchronous; however, occasional synchronous meeting times may be scheduled at various times throughout the programs. The Family Nurse Practitioner program is an 83-credit pathway, and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner pathway requires the completion of 85 credits.

The Nurse Anesthesia program takes three years to complete and is designed for full-time study. In the first year of this pathway, most of your time will be spent on campus at the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines. The remaining two years feature combined classroom time and travel to clinicals in cities within North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Students in the Nurse Anesthesia program at UND must complete at least 2,000 clinical hours, including participation in at least 600 anesthesia cases.

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!
• The University of South Dakota reports graduates of its BSN-to-DNP programs demonstrate outstanding success on national certification exams following the completion of their programs. Certification test success is one of the main factors I encourage prospective students to consider when deciding where to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In North Dakota?




2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In North Dakota?


3


3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In North Dakota?


Hourly$66.16
Weekly$2,647
Monthly$11,470
Annual$137,620


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


Hourly$48.68
Weekly$1,947
Monthly$8,440
Annual$101,250


5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In North Dakota?


Level of ExperienceHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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


6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In North Dakota By Metro?


MetroHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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


7. Average DNP Salary In North Dakota Vs. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In North Dakota


Job TitleAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Dentist$182,840-$45,220-24.73%
Optometrist$140,620-$3,000-2.13%
Nurse With DNP$137,620$00.00%
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%


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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