Purdue Global Online DNP & Post-Master’s Nursing Certificate Programs

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Online Post-Master's Certificate - Executive Leader
• Online Post-Master's Certificate - Nurse Educator

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By Sara Navratil Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore Reviewed By School

Updated January 10, 2024

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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.

The School of Nursing at Purdue Global offers an online doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program and post-master’s certificates (PMCs) with executive leader and nurse educator concentrations. Students complete coursework 100 percent online and no campus visits are required.

Applicants to the DNP program must hold a master’s degree with an advanced nursing practice specialty and at least 1,000 clinical hours as a registered nurse. Up to 500 supervised clinical practicum hours may be transferred in and counted toward the 1,000 post-baccalaureate hour requirement for the DNP degree. The DNP is delivered through the traditional course pathway only.

Purdue Global offers two learning pathways for post-master’s certificates. The first is the traditional online course format with one to two courses per ten-week term. Students can complete the five-credit courses in approximately one year.

The DNP program prepares graduates to promote change within health care systems and organizations through the use of technology, evidence-based practice, and collaboration. Emphasis areas include leadership, health care policy, information systems, health care delivery systems, epidemiology and population health, and advanced clinical practice. DNP careers may include medical and health services managers, nurse practitioners, and nurse leaders.†

The executive leader PMC prepares graduates to serve in leadership roles. Graduates of this concentration may be prepared to sit for the nurse executive or nurse executive advanced certification exams offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).‡

The nurse educator PMC prepares graduates to serve as educators in higher education settings as well as in health care settings. Graduates of this concentration may be prepared to take the certified nurse educator (CNE) exam through the National League for Nursing and the nursing professional development exam through the ANCC.‡

Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The post-master’s certificate and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Purdue Global is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and offers several other graduate healthcare-related degrees, including an MSN and MSN to DNP program.

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the post-master’s certificate programs must have earned a master’s degree with an upper-level nursing major with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Online applications must include an application fee, proof of RN licensure, official transcripts, and a criminal background check. Proof of English language proficiency may be required as necessary. Note that residents of Tennessee may not participate at this time.

Applicants to the DNP program must hold a master’s degree in nursing with APRN or another high-level nursing major with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Application materials include official transcripts, proof of completion of a graduate-level statistics course and a nursing research course with a grade of “B” or higher, a resume or CV verifying work experience of at least 1,000 RN clinical hours, two letters of reference, and a personal statement.

DNP applicants also complete an informational interview with an admissions advisor and may be requested to complete an interview with a representative of the DNP program. Please note that residents of the following states and territories may not participate in the DNP program at this time: Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.

Study Plan: Courses for the online post-master’s program run in ten-week terms. Students should expect to spend 15 hours per week on each five-credit course. Through the traditional learning pathway, students are allowed to take two courses per term. Typically students complete the certificate programs in 12 months but can finish more quickly by taking more courses in each term.

Start dates land about once per month. ExcelTrack® students may complete the certificate more quickly depending on prior education and experience and the speed with which they complete the modules.

DNP courses are five to six credits each and include up to 1,000 clinical practice hours and a DNP project. Students may transfer in up to 500 clinical hours from the MSN degree if approved. Depending on prior education, the DNP degree comprises 48 to 57 credits and takes about 1.5 years to complete full-time. Start dates land five times per year. Online nursing program coursework is delivered 100 percent online and clinicals are completed locally.

DNP Curriculum: The DNP program comprises 48 to 57 credits, depending on prior post-baccalaureate clinical hours and education. The DNP curriculum includes the following courses: scientific foundations for practice doctorate; epidemiology and social determinants of population health; DNP project – analytical methods and project proposal; ethics, policy, and advocacy for population health; clinical decision-making for practice doctorate; transforming the health are organization; data-driven decision-making; DNP project implementation and evaluation; and DNP project dissemination. Independent studies are available as needed up to nine additional credits.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: Executive leader certificate courses include leadership, organizational theory, and behavior; health care finance, strategic planning, and budgeting; human resource management; innovation and health care information technology – administrative and advanced practice priorities; applying principles of advanced nursing practice – clinical; and evaluating and disseminating principles of advanced nursing practice – clinical.

Nurse educator courses include teaching and learning theories and strategies; curriculum design, assessment, and evaluation; advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning; the signs of advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology; applying principles of advanced nursing practice – clinical; and evaluating and disseminating principles of advanced nursing practice – clinical.

Online Experience: Purdue Global divides traditional courses into one-week units which include course discussions, assessments, and projects/papers. Some courses include synchronous learning seminars. Faculty and peers interact through email and message boards and faculty members keep online office hours for help and advisement.

Online student services may include access to the following: Sigma Theta Tau honor society, the Purdue Global Library, Student Life and Alumni Engagement, academic advisors, 24/7 technical support, and career counseling.

On-Site Requirements: The coursework for the online post-master’s certificate and DNP programs is 100 percent online with no campus visit requirements. Students complete 200 hours of clinicals locally for the PMC programs and up to 1,000 clinical practice hours for the DNP program.

The Purdue Global online post-master’s certificate and online DNP tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Purdue Global School of Nursing for full tuition expenses.

There are several avenues for funding graduate programs. First, students may wish to apply for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans through the FAFSA. Another option is the Purdue Global partner program in which employees of partner organizations may receive tuition reductions and may earn college credit through corporate training programs. Additionally, tuition is reduced for military personnel, their spouses, and military veterans.§

Finally, graduate nursing students may check with their employers as to the availability of a tuition reimbursement program or check into outside funding through community and private organizations.

† Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment.

‡ Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the ​Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

§ May not be combined with other Purdue Global tuition reductions or ExcelTrack® pricing. Tuition rates are subject to change at Purdue Global’s discretion at any time and, as a result, the tuition price may change.

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online MHA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.