The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is one of the highest levels of education available to nurses. It is designed to help nurses advance in their careers, either in an advanced nursing job or a leadership role within their organization. If you are an advanced practice nurse and are ready to take your career to the next level, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program will provide you with the skills you need to lead change in healthcare delivery by improving patient outcomes, influencing policy, and shaping future generations of nurses.

The need is more acute than ever. By 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates demand for advanced practicing nurses (DNPs and nurse practitioners or NPs) will grow by 31%--much faster than other professions in healthcare. The average national salary is $135,830 with Massachusetts among the top-paying states.

The Regis DNP program is customized so that you will be able to specialize based on the elective classes you select. All students will meet with their faculty advisor to develop their own personalized curriculum plan.

Depending on your exact interests and specialization, earning your DNP can prepare you for a variety of job titles and roles including nursing education, advanced patient care, clinical research, policy making, and senior level management within your organization.

Note: You can get your DNP at our Weston campus with hybrid classes or through our fully online program.

We invite you to download the MSN to DNP flyer to hear what a student has to say about their experience and more!

Want to learn more about this program?

88%
program completion rate
89%
average rate of employment
36
months to complete
36
average credit hours
$1,425
cost per credit
$51,300
Total Tuition*

* Does not include fees. Based on the academic year 2023-2024. Cost per credit and total cost subject to inflation.

Curriculum

All Regis College DNP students are expected to complete a 27-credit core curriculum, as well as nine elective credits. This includes coursework on advanced research methods, as well as four scholarly project classes which allow you to explore in-depth critical issues in healthcare and share your work with the healthcare community. The length of the DNP program can be as little as two years, depending on how many courses a student takes each semester. (A maximum of nine graduate credits may be accepted for transfer).

View the detailed curriculum.

I found the classes, with their hybrid format, to be conducive to my schedule. It is a challenging program, but provides excellent learning experiences for students. I was able to enhance my teaching practice techniques as an educator and improved my own critical thinking strategies through Regis' DNP program.
Ann Corcoran

Program Outcomes

Eighty-eight percent of our DNP students will complete the program, and 89% will be employed within two years of graduation. Graduates are currently working at Good Samaritan Medical Center, Greater Lawrence Psychiatric Association, Fitchburg State University, and many other locations.

Upon graduating our DNP program, you will have the skills needed to evaluate the theoretical foundations for nursing, synthesize evidence from research and theory to enhance delivery of quality health care, and generate knowledge through research and/or evidence-based practice to advance the nursing profession.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program