Prepare to thrive in a fast-growing career with a DNP from Florida Southern College
- Program Overview
- Course List
- Admission Requirements
- Next Steps
Join a new generation of innovative nurse leaders.
Discover a future-focused, innovative nursing education program with Florida Southern College. Our Doctor of Nursing Practice is a leadership-focused post-master’s program of study designed to prepare graduates in healthcare policy and advocacy, finance, information systems, project management, and organizational leadership. Our 100% online modality ensures flexibility and accessibility as you uplevel your career.
Shape the Future of Healthcare with a DNP degree from Florida Southern College
Prepare for advanced roles by equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills needed for upward career mobility and better job opportunities across the healthcare continuum. Become an innovative nurse leader and reach your full potential as a health systems leader with a DNP from Florida Southern.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Florida Southern College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Invest in Your Success
Learn More, Earn More
A DNP degree from Florida Southern College will prepare you for the highest level of advanced nursing practice. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data clearly show that with each level of education attained, individuals have access to higher-level and better-paying jobs.
In the U.S., the median salary for individuals with a doctoral degree is approximately 20% higher compared to those with a master's degree. In 2023, the median pay for health services leaders and managers in the U.S. was $110,680.
In High Demand
Employment opportunities for health system leaders and managers are projected to grow by 28% by 2032—much faster than the average for all other occupations in the U.S.
Return on Your Investment
DNP program tuition is competitively priced at $775 per credit hour to provide students with a high return rate on their education investment. Out-of-state students pay the same rate and our online coursework makes it easy for students living in the region and beyond to complete program requirements.
Showcasing Excellence in Scholarship and Evidence Translation
Our students are solving real-life problems in healthcare organizations through the DNP project and practicum experiences. Without being tethered to a preceptor and through a mentored immersion experience, students will demonstrate advanced leadership competencies through the development, implementation, and evaluation of a practice improvement initiative.
Start your DNP program year-round at FSC. To learn more, complete the form to request your degree e-guide.
Prepare for Advanced Roles
Doctor of Nursing Practice Learning Outcomes
DNP students are required to demonstrate a broad set of advanced-level nursing and leadership competencies defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).
Upon completion of the program, DNP students will be able to:
- Demonstrate socially and professionally responsible nursing leadership
- Lead the translation of evidence to improve healthcare systems and outcomes
- Design, implement, and evaluate population health improvement strategies
- Incorporate informatics processes and technologies to manage and improve healthcare
Take your career to the next level! Complete the form to request your degree e-guide.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Admission Requirements
Completed online application
Official transcripts of all graduate-level work
- A master's degree in nursing from an accredited CNEA, ACEN, or CCNE program with certification as a Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Nurse Practitioner at a regionally accredited college or university
OR
- A nursing master's degree in nursing leadership, health policy, population or community health, or informatics from a nationally accredited CNEA, ACEN, or CCNE program at a regionally accredited college or university
Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in graduate-level coursework
Résumé or CV of educational and work experience
Licensure as a Registered Nurse or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse without restriction in the state, territory, or local where the student will complete DNP Project or Practicum requirements
Complete a virtual interview at the discretion of the faculty (by invitation only)
Doctor of Nursing Practice FAQs
What is the focus of your DNP program?
Rather than direct patient practice, Florida Southern College's DNP program focuses on nursing leadership, administration, healthcare policy and advocacy, and project management.
Is this an on-campus program?
The DNP program is completed fully online with tremendous faculty support and regular virtual meetings with your advisor to keep you on track.
Do you require the GRE for admission?
No, we do not require the GRE for consideration for admission to our nursing programs.
How does the DNP differ from a PhD in Nursing?
While both are terminal degrees within nursing, the DNP focuses on practice in direct and indirect care roles while the focus of the PhD is on nursing research. Indirect care roles include healthcare leadership or administration, health policy, and informatics.
All of the staff took the time to teach the required information, but more importantly, they took the time to make sure I had an understanding of the information given. The DNP program at Florida Southern College will help you to develop great relationships with your peers. My educational journey would have been so difficult without Dr.Michael's guidance, encouragement, and counseling. She had so much patience when I had to ask questions. To accommodate my work schedule, sometimes we had to meet on Zoom in the afternoon and on weekends. Florida Southern College is the place to attend for your next educational journey. The faculty will educate you on the tools needed to go to the next level of leadership. The class/cohort size is small, which allows faculty and students to have a closer relationship which allows a better success rate.
Tawana Cooper, DNP, APRN,WHNP-C