Simmons University Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Simmons University School of Nursing offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to MSN-prepared nurses with a clinical license or who are nurse managers. The program combines evidence-based research and practice with analytics and leadership to advance nursing knowledge and skills to the highest level possible.

Learning outcomes focus on organizational leadership for safe and efficient healthcare delivery, practice-based research and evidence-based practice, ethics, current technology, informatics, healthcare policy design and implementation, interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based intervention, and population health. Graduates of the program will be prepared to become leaders in various healthcare settings, transforming organizational policies, systems, and outcomes.

DNP courses cover ethical and legal issues in nursing leadership, advanced research methods, professional leadership, epidemiology, informatics, quality improvement, and biostatistics. Two courses are taken each term for four terms, with the remaining terms dedicated to the DNP project. Nursing@Simmons incorporates the eight DNP Essentials published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) into the curriculum.

DNP students come to the Boston, Massachusetts, campus for a weekend Doctoral Symposium for Emerging Nurse Leaders. Here students present their DNP projects to faculty and fellow cohorts, attend skills workshops and guest lectures, participate in social events, and network with others.

Coursework for the graduate DNP program is fully online and includes the weekend immersion and 1,000 practice hours. No GRE/GMAT is required for application. Cohorts begin in May and September, and students complete the program in seven, 14-week sessions. Applicants must hold Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) board certification in a clinical specialty such as nurse practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), or be a nurse manager, preferably holding board certification in management. At least two years of professional clinical or leadership work experience is required, and a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale is preferred.

Online DNP courses include weekly, live class sessions, interactive assignments, research projects, and other components between live classes. Simmons University takes a student-first, hands-on, community approach to the online experience. Collaborative learning, diversity, relationship-building, face-to-face interaction, and online student groups all play important roles in the online experience. Interactive coursework may include readings, video lectures, and peer discussions with collaborative capabilities such as question-and-answer, annotation, and writing and video features.

The online Doctor of Nursing Practice program comprises 30 credits plus at least 1,000 clinical hours, which may include completed MSN clinical hours plus hours spent on the DNP project. Courses include Ethical/Legal Issues in Advanced Practice; Health Policy; Epidemiology; Advanced Research Methods; Professional Leadership and Practice Change; Informatics; Quality Improvement in Healthcare; and Biostatistics. The DNP Project Seminar course is completed over three, 14-week sessions.

Simmons University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).