Shape the Future of Healthcare with a DNP.
Healthcare is changing rapidly, demanding leaders who can translate research into practice, influence health policy and lead complex healthcare systems. Gonzaga University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares experienced nurses to step into terminal practice leadership without stepping away from their careers.
Grounded in our Jesuit tradition of Cura Personalis or Care for the Whole Person, our DNP program empowers you to drive meaningful, ethical change across organizations and communities.
Why Earn Your DNP at Gonzaga?
While an MSN prepares you to practice, a DNP prepares you to lead and transform health care systems.
- Terminal Degree: Reach the highest level of clinical and operational leadership in nursing.
- Project-Focused Practicum: Design a practice-focused scholarly project tailored directly to your practice or administrative interests.
- Designed for Working Professionals: 100% online asynchronous coursework paired with two immersive virtual experiences.
- Proven Distance Education: Gonzaga has decades of experience delivering high-quality, mentor-supported online nursing education.
- Flexible Practicum Pathways: Fulfill the accreditation required hours by applying your MSN practicum hours and earning a minimum of 360 hours directly through your DNP project.
Financing Your DNP.
There are many ways to pay for your degree. From federal financial aid, to scholarships, to payment plans, Gonzaga can help you navigate the process and decide the best way for you to finance your degree.
Gonzaga’s DNP Program is ideal for advanced practice nurses, educators and leaders who want to focus on evidence-based practice translation, healthcare policy, quality improvement and university-level teaching.
- Focus: Clinical systems quality improvement, health policy advocacy, program evaluation, and organizational change.
- Key Outcome: Prepare to lead clinical quality initiatives, educate the next generation of nurses or shape legislation.
You can also customize your DNP with an Optional Concentration in Systems Management.
Created in partnership with Gonzaga's School of Business Administration and designed for nurses seeking executive, administrative or C-suite roles. This concentration was created for advanced practice nurses who want to lead health care organizations or systems.
What You Can Do with a DNP.
A DNP opens executive and specialized pathways where doctorate-level expertise is required:
- Executive Leadership
- CNO, VP of Clinical Services, Quality Assurance Leadership
- Quality, Safety & Risk Management Leadership
- Health Policy Advisory & Legislative Advocacy Roles
- University Faculty & Clinical Educator Positions
- Healthcare Practice Ownership or System Optimization
Program Structure:
- Format: Online asynchronous with 2 synchronous online immersions
- Credits: 30 Credits
- Credits: 33 Credits with Concentration
- Completion Time: 20 months
- Part-Time Option Available
- Part-Time Option Available
Gonzaga is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Gonzaga University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
