17 Best DNP Programs in Ohio – 2025
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Interested in taking on nursing leadership roles in the Buckeye State? Graduating from one of the DNP programs in Ohio will give you a head start! Doctor of Nursing Practice programs prepare you for the highest level of patient care and executive nurse management. Graduates of Ohio DNP programs become nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse managers, nurse executives, and nurse educators. Your compensation will match your enhanced skill levels: RNs with DNPs make $132,360 annually in Ohio. You’ll be a hot commodity with healthcare employers, too, and demand for your services will rise by 43 percent in the next decade. Learn more by perusing this collection of the 17 best DNP programs in Ohio.
WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN OHIO (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 17 Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Ohio (Online & Campus) for 2025.
1. The Ohio State University - Columbus
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesia
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Clinical Expert and Nurse Executive
Depending upon the track you choose, your study plan will consist of 79 to 96 credits and a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours, which many students fulfill at hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities in the Greater Columbus Metropolitan Area and other parts of Ohio. If you live out of state, the university's College of Nursing will try to find an appropriate clinical placement for you in your own geographic region, but if they don't succeed, you may have to complete your practicums in the Buckeye State.
The Nurse Anesthesia, PMHNP, and NNP tracks are only available as distance learning programs. Nurse Anesthesia students must visit the university's Columbus campus for a week during the summer semester of their first year and for one day per clinical course in their second and third years. NNP students must travel to the campus four times during their last four semesters for skills workshops and evaluations.
You'll have your choice of enrolling in the AGACNP, FNP, and PACNP tracks online or on campus, but if you enroll online, you'll have to make three to four campus visits during the final semesters of your program for hands-on training sessions and clinical appraisals. The AGPCNP, Nurse-Midwifery, PPCNP, and WHNP tracks are only taught on campus. Online courses have synchronous and asynchronous components.
Full-time students can complete this program in nine semesters (36 months). However, most students enroll part-time and complete the curriculum in 12 semesters (48 months) so that they can continue working while they're in school. Core DNP courses include "Implementation of Evidence Based Practice," "Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Methods," and "Healthcare Economics and Finance." In your final year, you'll complete a two-semester DNP Final project that focuses on turning nursing theory and research into practice. Ohio State University accepts new cohorts into its BSN-to-DNP program each fall. This program is open to BSN-educated students with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and an active RN license in the state where they'll be doing clinical rotations. Nurse Anesthesia applicants must have at least one year of professional experience in a critical care practice setting.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Are you an RN with a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) looking for enhanced employment possibilities and a higher earning potential? Ohio State University offers an MSN-to-DNP program with two concentrations: a Clinical Expert Track that's open to nurses who already hold an APRN certification and a Nurse Executive Track. Note that students pursuing the Nurse Executive Track do not need an MSN, as long as they have a BSN and a master's degree in a field like business administration or public health.
You'll complete 38 to 45 credits depending upon the track and electives you choose. In addition to your concentration coursework, your curriculum will include foundational DNP classes and a DNP Final Project. As with all DNP programs, you're required to log a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours, but you may be able to transfer some of your nursing master's clinical hours toward your DNP requirement. You'll be able to do your clinical rotations at a hospital or clinic in the area where you live.
Full-time students can complete this program in six semesters (24 months), and part-time students in nine semesters (36 months). Newly admitted students begin courses in the fall semester.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Out of 159 DNP programs in the U.S., U.S. News & World Report ranks Ohio State University ninth.• Upon successful completion of the first part of the program, Ohio State University's BSN-to-DNP program students are awarded an MSN degree.
• Ohio State University will let you complete your clinical rotations at the healthcare facility where you work, so long as you are on a different unit and your manager is not your preceptor.
2. Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Nurse Anesthesia
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Practice Leadership, Educational Leadership, and Executive Leadership
CWRU's BSN-to-DNP/Nurse Anesthesia track requires a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical experience. You'll pursue clinical hands-on training at medical centers throughout the Cleveland metro, including the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, and Butler Memorial Hospital.
CWRU's BSN-to-DNP program does not accept part-time students. You'll graduate in nine semesters (36 months). All applicants must have an Ohio RN license and at least two years of critical care experience (or one year of critical care experience with a specialty certification). New cohorts join this program in the summer semester.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Already have an MSN but interested in attaining nursing's practice-oriented terminal degree? Case Western Reserve University offers a 34-credit MSN-to-DNP program with three nonclinical concentrations: Educational Leadership, Practice Leadership, and Executive Leadership. Many courses are delivered online, while others, though taught in the classroom, only require you to spend three to six days per semester at the university's Cleveland campus.
In addition to courses pertinent to your concentration track, you'll take core DNP classes and complete a DNP project. You'll be able to complete your 1,000 clinical hours in the state where you live. Full-time students may be able to earn their degree in six semesters (24 months), while part-time students have up to five years to complete the program. Classes begin in the fall.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• In 1979, Case Western Reserve University awarded the world's first doctorate in nursing practice.• Case Western Reserve University’s DNP program is rated #14 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
• Case Western Reserve University offers a dual doctorate DNP/PhD program.
3. University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Health Nursing, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Public Health Nursing, Systems Leadership, and Nurse Anesthesia
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Health Nursing, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Public Health Nursing, and Systems Leadership
All specialties except for Nurse Anesthesia are primarily taught online using an asynchronous format, but require two visits to the university's campus. All DNP students attend a one-day orientation at the start of their studies, and all DNP students attend a summer workshop that focuses on preparing, writing, and presenting their DNP projects. Students who live within 100 miles of campus will also be expected to come to the university in person to defend their DNP projects. You'll be able to participate in 1,000 practicum hours at a healthcare facility near your home.
Nurse Anesthesia coursework is taught on campus, and you'll have the opportunity to complete practicums at some of the top hospitals in the Greater Cincinnati Area, including the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and OB Unit, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Mercy Medical Center.
As is the case with most DNP programs in Ohio, the University of Cincinnati's DNP tracks share a common core curriculum that includes classes like "Planning, Management, and Evaluation of Programs and Projects," "Essentials of Research Methods for Evidence Based Practice," and "Health Care Policy for the Doctoral Prepared Nurse," as well as a DNP project. Full-time students can expect to graduate in nine semesters (36 months). All applicants must have at least one year of full-time nursing experience, and applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia track must have at least one year of professional experience in a critical care setting as well as an Ohio RN license. Classes start in the fall.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you enroll in the University of Cincinnati's MSN-to-DNP program, you'll be able to pursue any of the same specialty concentrations you would have had you enrolled in the BSN-to-DNP program, except for Nurse Anesthesia. The curricula for the two programs are roughly the same; the chief differences are that you won't have to repeat and can apply your MSN practicum hours toward your DNP practicum requirements, so you won't have to complete as many clinical hours. The University of Cincinnati's BSN-to-DNP program has entry points in the fall and spring semesters.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The University of Cincinnati has the seventh-best Nurse Anesthesia program in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.• The University of Cincinnati's DNP students have the opportunity to participate in the College of Nursing's study abroad program, building partnerships with nursing instructors and institutions across the globe.
4. Mount Saint Joseph University - Cincinnati
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Health Systems Leadership
Didactic coursework is delivered online, for the most part in an asynchronous format. However, you will have to participate in synchronous, real-time video conferencing sessions at the beginning and end of each semester. You can complete your practicums at a hospital or clinic near your home. You'll only need to complete 400 clinical hours at Mount Saint Joseph University; the remainder of your 1,000 clinical hours for the DNP requirement can be satisfied by transferring your MSN clinical hours.
Applicants must have one or two years of professional nursing experience. This DNP program in Ohio accepts new students in the fall semester.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Though Mount Saint Joseph University is a Catholic institution, the school actively fosters an inclusive environment, and Catholic religious perspectives do not shape its nursing curriculum.• You don't have to have an MSN to enroll in Mount Saint Joseph University's MSN-to-DNP program. The university will also accept students with a master's degree in a related field, so long as they hold a BSN.
5. University of Toledo - Toledo
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Executive
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Executive, and Clinical Practice Leadership
Except for your clinical placements, the program is fully online, utilizing an asynchronous platform, which makes it very convenient for working RNS who need to learn at their own pace. You must complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours at a medical facility in either Ohio or Michigan, so all applicants must be licensed in one of those two states. Full-time students can complete this program in 10 semesters (40 months), but the University of Toledo also offers part-time enrollment options. New cohorts are admitted once a year in the fall semester. Applications must be submitted through NursingCAS.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Already have a nursing master's degree? Interested in expanding your RN expertise to the very highest level of professionalism? The University of Toledo offers four concentrations for students enrolled in its MSN-to-DNP program: a 69- to 74-credit FNP track, a 69- to 74-credit PMHNP track, a 59-credit Nurse Executive track, and a 41-credit Clinical Practice Leadership track. The MSN-to-DNP/Clinical Practice Leadership track will take full-time students seven semesters (28 months) to complete, while the other three tracks will take 10 semesters (40 months) to complete.
The curriculum of foundational DNP coursework and three-semester DNP project is almost identical to the university's BSN-to-DNP curriculum, but you may be able to apply some of your MSN practicum hours toward the 1,000 clinical hours DNP requirement. UToledo has clinical partnerships with some of the finest healthcare facilities throughout eastern Ohio and southern Michigan, including the University of Toledo Medical Center. These are the hospitals and clinics where you'll complete your clinical rotations. This DNP program in Ohio is offered online. Courses begin in the fall semester.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The University of Toledo participates in the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment program, which will repay up to 85 percent of the debt you incurred enrolling in its DNP program, provided you work for at least two years in an eligible nursing program or at an eligible healthcare facility with a serious shortage of nurses.• UToledo's College of Nursing sponsors missions to Honduras and other locations where graduate nursing students can learn what it feels like to deliver healthcare outside the United States.
6. Ohio University - Athens
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Gero-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nurse Leader, and Nurse Anesthesia
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Leader
Courses are mostly offered online using asynchronous technology. However, you will have to travel to the university's campus in Athens three times for orientation, a pre-practicum clinical intensive, and a final session that focuses on passing your boards or certification exam. Each course lasts seven weeks. Alongside specialty-focused coursework and practicums, you'll enroll in core DNP classes such as "Health Policy and Advocacy" and "Business/Finance Resource Allocation," while also completing a scholarly DNP project.
You'll be able to complete your clinical rotations at a medical facility close to where you live and work. Ohio University only accepts students into this program who have at least two years of professional nursing experience and an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher. Most students complete the program in nine to 12 semesters (36 to 48 months). You'll start this program in the fall semester.
In addition to its traditional BSN-to-DNP tracks, Ohio University also offers a 70-credit BSN-to-DNP/Nurse Anesthesia track in partnership with the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center. Though many of its DNP core courses are offered online, classes pertaining to the anesthesia specialty are taught Monday through Friday in classrooms at either the Ohio University Dublin Integrated Education Center or the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Education Center. You will also make extensive use of Ohio University's state-of-the-art simulation labs and participate in clinical rotations through many different practice settings at clinical sites throughout the Columbus and Dayton metropolitan areas, such as OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and Nationwide Children's Hospital. Practicums begin in your second year of studies. You'll complete 2,300 practicum hours.
Ohio University's BSN-to-DNP/Nurse Anesthesia track is a full-time program from which you'll graduate in nine semesters (36 months). You must have a BSN with a 3.2 grade point average and an Ohio RN license to be accepted into this program. Classes begin in the fall semester.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Technically, Ohio University doesn't offer any concentrations in its pared-down, 37-credit MSN-to-DNP curriculum, but students have the option of pairing their DNP studies with a post-graduate certificate in FNP, AGACNP, PMHNP, Nurse Executive, or Nurse Educator studies. Students must also complete 1,000 clinical practicum hours, but they may be able to receive credit for clinical hours they completed while earning their Master's of Science in Nursing.
The curriculum for this program includes core DNP courses and a DNP project, which can be either a paper or a poster presentation, focusing on an evidence-based implementation that promotes quality healthcare delivery. Most of the coursework is available online, but you will have to visit the university's campus in Athens a minimum of three times for face-to-face sessions. By taking a part-time schedule of two to three courses each semester, you'll graduate in six semesters (24 months). Courses start in the fall.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Ohio University's nurse practitioner students must pass a comprehensive exam (modeled after their certification exam) and submit a professional e-portfolio as a condition of graduation.• DNP students at Ohio University enjoy substantial cost savings thanks to the school's public university tuition structure.
7. Kent State University - Kent
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Executive Nurse, Nurse Administration & Executive Leadership, and Practice Leadership
Kent State University offers six advanced practice specialties in conjunction with its BSN-to-DNP program. The 70- to 71-credit Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist track, 75-credit PMHNP track, and 76-credit WHNP track are offered 100 percent online; the AGACNP, AGPCNP, and FNP tracks are presented in a hybrid format that combines online learning with visits to the university's Kent campus.
Like other DNP programs in Ohio, Kent State University's BSN-to-DNP program requires you to complete 1,000 hours of practicum experience, which you can do at a local healthcare facility in your own area. KSU's BSN-to-DNP program takes 12 semesters (48 months) to complete. You can begin this program in either the spring or fall semester.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Kent State University offers three 34-credit nonclinical concentrations within its MSN-to-DNP degree: a Nurse Executive track, a Nursing Administration and Executive Leadership track, and a Practice Leadership track. You'll be able to access your coursework via distance learning technology, and you can apply the clinical hours you completed for your MSN toward your practicum requirement of 1,000 hours. Clinical rotations can be carried out at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities in your own hometown.
DNP core courses and DNP project commitments are exactly the same in KSU's MSN-to-DNP curriculum as they are in its BSN-to-DNP curriculum. If you're a full-time student, you can expect to graduate in five semesters (20 months). This MSN-to-DNP program offers start dates in the fall and spring.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At the end of their second year of studies, students enrolled in Kent State University's BSN-to-DNP APRN tracks will be awarded an MSN and will have the option to take their nurse practitioner certification examinations.• Kent State University has been recognized three times for the excellence of its DNP and other nursing programs as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing.
8. Mount Carmel College of Nursing - Columbus
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Clinical Practice Leadership, Executive Healthcare Leadership, and Executive Academic Leadership
Though the majority of coursework in this DNP program in Ohio will be delivered online, you'll attend two four-to-five-day immersion experiences at the college's campus in Columbus during your first and second semesters. You'll also participate in 500 hours of clinical practicums at a healthcare facility in your own area. (Your MSN practicum hours will be transferred over and applied to your 1,000-hour DNP requirement.) Most students spend 20 to 25 hours a week on their studies, taking two courses per semester, and graduating in five semesters (18 months). The college accepts new students into this program in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. All applicants to the MSN-to-DNP/Clinical Practice Leadership track must hold APRN certification.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Mount Carmel College of Nursing is affiliated with the Catholic Church. While the school opens its doors to students of all faith backgrounds, Catholic doctrines do have some influence on the college's nursing curriculum.• Mount Carmel College of Nursing will accept RNs without an MSN into its MSN-to-DNP Executive Healthcare Leadership and Executive Academic Leadership tracks if they have a nursing bachelor's degree and hold a master's degree in a related discipline.
9. Xavier University - Cincinnati
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Leadership & Population Health
The foundational DNP curriculum includes classes like "Applications of Advanced Research Methodologies," "Advanced Evidence Based Practice," and "Evaluation and Analytics of Outcomes in Health Care." Working with an organizational stakeholder, you'll spend your final three semesters planning, implementing, and evaluating a scholarly DNP project that focuses on some aspect of population health. This program begins in the fall semester.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Xavier University is a Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition. Jesuit values, such as the sacredness of life, are incorporated to some extent into its nursing curriculum, but the university strives to be a welcoming place for individuals of all faith denominations.• Like several other DNP programs in Ohio, Xavier University will accept students who don't hold an MSN into its MSN-to-DNP program so long as those students have a BSN and a master's degree in a related field.
10. The University of Akron - Akron
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Nurse Anesthesia
Didactic coursework, which makes up a good part of your first year of studies, is delivered online in a synchronous format one day a week. You will participate in frequent simulation and laboratory exercises, which will require traveling to the university's campus in Akron. This program accepts new students in the summer semester and takes nine semesters (36 months) to complete. Applicants must have an Ohio RN license and have at least one year of experience in critical care, as well as be certified as a CCRN (Certified Critical Care Registered Nurse).
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Graduates of the University of Akron's BSN-to-DNP/Nurse Anesthesia program have a first-time pass rate of 98 percent on their certification exams.• The University of Akron also offers a 37-credit MSN-to-DNP program for APRNs who are interested in transitioning to leadership roles within the healthcare sector.
11. Ursuline College - Pepper Pike
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Nurse Anesthesia
You'll begin participating in clinical rotations in your second year, completing more than 2,000 practicum hours at clinical sites in Ohio, Alabama, Florida, Washington State, and Tennessee. Foundational DNP courses include "Scientific and Theoretical Foundation," "Scientific Writing for Nurse Professionals I, II & III," and "Evaluation Strategies for Quality." You'll also complete a three-semester capstone DNP project that will entail using the development, implementation, and evaluation skills you've learned in your doctoral coursework.
This program is only open to BSN-educated nurses who are CCRN-certified and have at least one year of full-time critical care experience. Additionally, applicants must document that they've spent at least one day shadowing a certified registered nurse anesthetist. This BSN-to-DNP program accepts new cohorts in the spring semester.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Ursuline College's MSN-to-DNP program may be one of the best DNP programs in Ohio for working nurses who already have a Master's of Science in Nursing degree because it's only 38 credits, and apart from clinical rotations, it's offered entirely online. The curriculum consists of core DNP courses like "Scientific Writing for Nurse Professionals," "Interdisciplinary Organizational Leadership," and "Epidemiology for Population Health," and a four-part capstone DNP project.
Most students pursue this program part-time, graduating in two to three years. The length of the program will really depend upon how many clinical residency hours you'll need to take, which will vary with the number of MSN clinical hours you can transfer over to meet the 1,000-hour DNP requirement. You'll be able to complete your practicums at a medical facility in your own hometown. You can start this program in the fall or spring. All applicants must have at least one year of professional experience as a registered nurse.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Though Ursuline College welcomes students of all faiths, it is a deeply Catholic school, and its nursing curriculum reflects Catholic doctrine.• The National League for Nursing has designated Ursuline College's Breen School of Nursing a national Center of Excellence.
12. Youngstown State University - Youngstown
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Nurse Anesthesia
The program is taught in classrooms at the university's campus in Youngstown. You'll participate in clinical practicum experiences at leading healthcare facilities, primarily within the Mercy Health System, such as St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, St. Joseph Warren Hospital, The Surgery Center Howland, and Akron Children's of the Mahoning Valley. You'll graduate from this nurse anesthesia program in nine semesters (36 months). Courses begin in the summer semester. You'll have to apply separately to Youngstown State University and the St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists. All applicants must hold Ohio RN licensure, be CCRN-certified, and have at least one year of critical care experience (though two years is preferred).
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Youngstown State University only admits 20 students a year into each of its BSN-to-DNP/Nurse Anesthesia cohorts so that students will have the opportunity for personal attention from their instructors.• Clinical opportunities for Youngstown State University BSN-to-DNP/Nurse Anesthesia students include a wide range of surgical specialties, including cardiac, thoracic, neurosurgical, obstetrics, pediatrics, and outpatient procedures.
13. Walsh University - North Canton
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Core DNP courses like "Nursing Science Advanced Practice: Theory/Foundations," "Translating Evidence to Clinical Practice," and "Healthcare Finance/Economics" are interspersed with family nurse practice seminars and practicums, and a DNP project. If you're a full-time student, you'll be able to complete the curriculum in nine semesters (36 months), while part-time students can complete it in 12 semesters (48 months). This DNP program in Ohio has entry points in the spring, summer, and fall semesters.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Walsh University's MSN-to-DNP degree is designed for MSN-educated nurses who want to take the next step up on the professional ladder. The 34-credit curriculum comprises foundational DNP coursework and a DNP project only, though if you want to specialize in a nursing concentration, you have the option of doing so with a post-MSN FNP or Nurse Educator certificate.
Online courses span eight-week and 16-week sessions. If you pursue this program full-time, you can graduate in five semesters (20 months). Walsh University's MSN-to-DNP program offers start dates in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Depending upon your prior clinical experience, you'll complete 500 to 1,000 clinical hours, and you can do so at a hospital or clinic in your own community.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Walsh University is governed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. While it accepts students from many different religious backgrounds into its DNP programs, its nursing curriculum is aligned with Catholic religious values.• Walsh University BSN-to-DNP students will be awarded an MSN once they've completed all their master's degree requirements. This typically occurs halfway through the BSN-to-DNP program.
14. Wright State University - Dayton
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
You'll graduate in six semesters (24 months) if you enroll full-time, but Wright State University also offers part-time enrollment. This DNP program in Ohio accepts new cohorts in the fall semester. You must submit separate applications to Wright State University Graduate School and the School of Nursing.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Wright State University's MSN-to-DNP program includes additional training in informatics and patient care technology that supports data-driven decision-making.• Wright State University offers one of the lowest tuition rates for its MSN-to-DNP program to be found in the state of Ohio.
15. Ashland University - Mansfield
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Health Systems Leadership
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Advanced Practice and Health Systems Leadership
Both tracks share a common set of core courses, which include foundational DNP classes such as "DNP Role and Interprofessionalism," "Healthcare Delivery, Quality and Safety," and "Health Policy and Advocacy." You'll also participate in a scholarly DNP project that addresses a challenge related to advanced practice nursing and implements a solution that will improve health outcomes for patient populations. Like many of the best DNP programs in Ohio, Ashland University delivers its BSN-to-DNP program online, providing maximum flexibility for working RNs.
Required clinical hours, including track-specific rotations and residency hours that support DNP role development, total 1,000. You'll be able to satisfy this requirement at a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare facility in your own community. Though the majority of your coursework will be accessible online, you will have to visit the university's campus in Mansfield for a Doctoral Week Residency, shortly after classes begin, and skills intensives during APRN assessment classes and other FNP courses. You'll begin this program in the fall semester.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Ashland University offers two non-clinical concentrations in conjunction with its MSN-to-DNP program: a 32- to 38-credit Advanced Practice specialty and a 49- to 57-credit Health Systems Leadership specialty. Both tracks require 1,000 clinical hours, but you can transfer up to 700 clinical hours from your MSN program, pending approval by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
You can complete the MSN-to-DNP/Advanced Practice track in as few as six semesters (24 months) and the MSN-to-DNP/Health Systems Leadership track in nine semesters. Coursework will be presented online primarily, but you must attend a one-week residency on campus during your first semester of classes. Applicants must have an MSN and at least one year of professional APRN experience. Classes start in the fall.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Ashland University boasts a 100 percent first-time pass rate for graduates from its BSN-to-DNP/FNP program.• Ashland University offers one of Ohio's most affordable DNP degree programs.
16. Lourdes University - Sylvania
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Nurse Anesthesia
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Leadership and Population Health
You'll enroll in foundational DNP courses like "Quality Improvement and Data Management," "Leadership and Economic Concepts for Advanced Nursing," and "Translational Research for Advanced Practice." You'll also complete a four-semester DNP research, implementation, and evaluation project. This program starts in the summer semester. Applicants must have an Ohio RN license, significant experience working in a critical care practice setting, be ACLS- and PALS- (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certified, and have at least eight to 16 hours of experience shadowing a working nurse anesthetist.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: For MSN-prepared RNs seeking to advance their professional trajectory, Lourdes University offers two tracks: MSN-to-DNP/Leadership and MSN-to-DNP/Population Health. Both tracks involve 37 credits and 1,000 clinical hours (though you may be able to apply some or all of your MSN clinical hours toward your DNP clinical requirement). The curriculum comprises online asynchronous coursework, experiential learning, completion of the DNP project, and validation of competencies. Full-time students can start the program in the summer semester and complete the curriculum in six semesters (24 months). If you'd prefer to take summer semesters off, you can start this DNP program in Ohio in the fall semester and graduate in 36 months.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Lourdes University is a Catholic institution of higher learning within the Franciscan tradition. Its nursing curriculum is not rooted in Catholic doctrines, however, and it welcomes students from a wide variety of faith backgrounds.• 88 percent of Lourdes University Nurse Anesthesia grads pass their national anesthesia certification examination the very first time they take it.
17. Franklin University - Columbus
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Leadership
You'll enroll in core DNP courses and electives like "Leadership, Policy, and Interprofessional Collaboration," "Clinical Prevention and Health Care Outcomes," and "Healthcare Delivery Systems." Additionally, you'll complete a DNP project focusing on the delivery of safe, high-quality healthcare at the organizational level. Coursework is 100 percent online with no campus residencies, and you'll be able to complete your clinical rotations at a healthcare facility convenient to where you live and work. Whenever possible, Franklin University will make sure you'll be paired with the same preceptor at the same clinical site throughout your clinical DNP experiences. This program offers four start dates: two in the fall, one in the spring, and one in the summer.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Franklin University also offers an MSN-to-DNP program with the same specialties as the BSN-to-DNP program.• Students in the APRN tracks of the BSN-to-DNP program qualify to receive an automatic $2,000 Smart Start scholarship toward their tuition and fees; students pursuing the Leader track receive a $1,500 Smart Start scholarship.
• Franklin University offers students the opportunity to earn microcredentials in areas like DNP Nursing Health Informatics, DNP Public Service Leadership, and DNP Administration-Healthcare Delivery and Operations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In Ohio?
| 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 Ohio?
| 18 |
3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Ohio?
| Hourly | $63.63 |
| Weekly | $2,545 |
| Monthly | $11,030 |
| Annual | $132,360 |
4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In Ohio?
| Hourly | $46.82 |
| Weekly | $1,873 |
| Monthly | $8,120 |
| Annual | $97,380 |
5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In Ohio?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $52.97 | $2,119 | $9,180 | $110,180 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $62.53 | $2,501 | $10,840 | $130,060 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $69.64 | $2,786 | $12,070 | $144,850 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $83.22 | $3,329 | $14,420 | $173,090 |
6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Ohio By Metro?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Akron | $62.90 | $2,516 | $10,900 | $130,840 |
| Canton-Massillon | $60.93 | $2,437 | $10,560 | $126,730 |
| Cincinnati | $63.88 | $2,555 | $11,070 | $132,880 |
| Cleveland-Elyria | $67.22 | $2,689 | $11,650 | $139,810 |
| Columbus | $63.82 | $2,553 | $11,060 | $132,740 |
| Dayton | $65.09 | $2,604 | $11,280 | $135,390 |
| Lima | $60.76 | $2,431 | $10,530 | $126,390 |
| Mansfield | $60.29 | $2,412 | $10,450 | $125,400 |
| Springfield | $59.71 | $2,388 | $10,350 | $124,190 |
| Toledo | $62.47 | $2,499 | $10,830 | $129,930 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman | $54.38 | $2,175 | $9,430 | $113,110 |
7. Average DNP Salary In Ohio VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Ohio
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $186,880 | -$54,520 | -29.17% |
| Nurse With DNP | $132,360 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Optometrist | $129,000 | +$3,360 | +2.60% |
| Pharmacist | $124,850 | +$7,510 | +6.02% |
| Podiatrist | $120,120 | +$12,240 | +10.19% |
| Physician Assistant | $119,950 | +$12,410 | +10.35% |
| Veterinarian | $115,250 | +$17,110 | +14.85% |
| Physical Therapist | $97,890 | +$34,470 | +35.21% |
| Radiation Therapist | $92,860 | +$39,500 | +42.54% |
| Chiropractor | $92,290 | +$40,070 | +43.42% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $90,830 | +$41,530 | +45.72% |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,490 | +$42,870 | +47.90% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,260 | +$53,100 | +66.99% |
| Audiologist | $78,560 | +$53,800 | +68.48% |
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPHPattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.
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