DNP Programs in Florida (FL)

Though Florida is often called “The Sunshine State”, it could be called the nursing state. Compared to other states, Florida boasts a large number of colleges and universities that offer Doctor of Nursing degrees. The DNP programs can be found from one end of the state to the other.

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Barry University
Division of Nursing

Barry University’s Division of Nursing offers two pathways to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree: a post-Master’s and post-Baccalaureate pathway.

The post-Baccalaureate DNP program is an alternative to the existing MSN degree program. The program requires students to complete 80 credit hours of course work. The course work can be completed in 4 years as a part-time student. Students will also be required to complete 1000 hours of clinical residency work and a scholarly (Capstone) project.

Applicants to the post-Baccalaureate DNP program are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited school or be a registered nurse with a Bachelor’s degree in some other related field.

The post-Masters DNP program is a 38 credit hour program. It can be completed in seven semesters of part-time study. Up to 500 clinical hours from their MSN program can be applied towards the 1000 hours of clinical residency work required for the DNP.

Applicants to the post-Master’s program are required to have a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program. Their cumulative graduate GPA must be 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

11300 NE 2nd Ave
Miami Shores, FL 33161
(305) 899-3800


Florida Atlantic University
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice program to those interested in becoming nursing leaders. Graduates are trained to shape and evaluate practice medels in a variety of settings. There are two pathways to earning a DNP at Florida Atlantic: a BSN to DNP pathway and a post-Master’s pathway.

The BSN to DNP pathway requires a minimum of 80 credit hours of course work. Students are required to complete 1000 hours of clinical practice. The program is offered part-time through weekend classes that are web-assisted.

Applicants to the BSN to DNP program must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program. Their undergraduate GPA must be at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. And acceptable scores must be obtained on either the GRE or MAT exam.

The post-Master’s pathway was designed to prepare Advanced Practice Nurses and Nurse Administrators in practice leadership. Students are required to complete a minimum of 41 credit hours of course work.

Applicants to the post-Master’s pathway must hold a Master’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program with a minimum graduate cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0. Prospective students also need acceptable scores on the GRE or MAT.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33731
(561) 297-2945


Florida International University
College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Florida International University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a post-Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The program requires 42 credit hours of course work, and can be completed in 6 semesters.

Applicants to the program hold a Master’s degree or post-Master’s Certificate in an Advanced Practice Nursing specialty role from an accredited institution. Prospective students must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale. They must have a Florida license as an ARNP.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

11200 SW 8th Street
HLS 485
Miami, FL 33199
(305) 348-7703


Florida State University
College of Nursing

Florida State University’s College of Nursing offer’s a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. It is a 90 credit hour BSN to DNP program, but prospective students holding an MSN degree can tranfer up to 42 credit hours into the program.
FSU offers two DNP tracks:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Health Systems Leadership

They utilize interactive video conferencing from the Tallahassee campus to also offer DNP courses to Panama City and Sarasota-Bradenton. Other courses are offered fully online. All students are required to attend an orientation on the main Tallahassee campus, and Family Nurse Practioner students are required to attend one additional intensive weekend in Tallahassee.

Applicants are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program. They must have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Prospective students must hold an unencumbered license as a registered nurse. Students must have an acceptable score on the GRE or MAT test.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

PO Box 3064310
Tallahassee, FL 32306
(850) 644-3296


Jacksonville University
School of Nursing

Jacksonville University’s School of Nursing offers a post-Masters pathway to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The program requires students to complete 39-42 hours of course work.

Applicants to the program must possess a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program with a graduate GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Prospective students must be licensed in Florida as an ARNP or CNS.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

2800 University Blvd N
Jacksonville, FL 32211
(800) 225-2027


University of Central Florida
College of Nursing

University of Central Florida’s College of Nursing offers both a post-Baccalaureate and post-Master’s pathway to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The school offers both full-time and part-time options.

UCF’s post-Baccalaureate program prepares graduates for three advanced practice specialty roles:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Along the way to their DNP, students in this program will earn a Master of Science in Nursing or certificate allowing them to sit for certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse, become licenses as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner, and start working as a CNS or NP will finishing the DNP degree.

The post-Master’s DNP program offers two tracks:

  • Advanced Practice Nurse
  • Nurse Executive
Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

12201 Research Parkway
Suite 300
Orlando, FL 32826
(407) 823-2744


University of Florida
College of Nursing

University of Florida’s College of Nursing offers both a post-BSN and post-Master’s pathway to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The practice-focused program is designed to prepare expert nurses in specialized areas of advanced practice.

UF’s BSN to DNP program requires 93 credit hours of course work. The program can be completed in 2.5 years for full-time students and 4.5-5 years of study for part-time students.

The BSN to DNP program prepares students for careers in the following specialty roles:

  • Acute Care Nurse practioner
  • Adult Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The courses are offered primarily online, but some courses are taught on campus in Gainesville or Jacksonville.

Applicants to the BSN to DNP program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Prospective students must be eligible for licensure in Florida as a registered nurse. They must have an acceptable score on the GRE.

UF’s post-Masters program is offered in the following specialty roles:

  • Acute Care Nurse Practioner
  • Adult Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Midwifery
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

The post-Masters program, similar to the post-Baccalaureate program, is offered primarily online. However, students may be required to attend on campus as much as once per semester.

Applicants to the post-Master’s program must hold a Master’s degree in Nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program with a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Prospective students must be licensed or eligible to be licensed in Florida as an RN or ARNP. They must also have acceptable scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

PO Box 100197
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-3261


University of Miami
School of Nursing and Health Studies

University of Miami’s School of Nursing and Health Studies offers a post-Master’s pathway to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The program is designed to prepare nurses for the most advanced level of nursing practice.

The UM DNP program is a one year, full-time 38 credit hour program. They do not currently offer a part-time option. Students enter and graduate from the program together as part of a cohort. Classes are offered one long weekend (Fri, Sat, and Sun) per month for 12 consecutive months. Between those classes, students are assigned online components and practical experiences.

Applicants to the DNP program must hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, preferably in Nursing. Those holding non-Nursing Master’s degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Prospective students must hold a valid license as a registered nurse as well as licensure as an APRN or nation certification in a nursing specialty.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

PO Box 248153
Coral Gables, FL 33124
(305) 284-3666


University of North Florida
School of Nursing

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program from University of North Florida’s School of Nursing is an MSN to DNP program designed for nurses who already hold an advanced nursing practice specialty certification.

The program is taught primarily online. However, there are two courses which are taugh in a hybrid format requiring both online and in-person components.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
(904) 620-1000


University of South Florida
College of Nursing

University of South Florida’s College of Nursing offers a post-Master’s pathway to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The program prepares students for advanced independent clinical practice. The DNP curriculum requires 52 credit hours.

Applicants to the DNP program at USF must hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited program. They must have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Prospective students must also be nationally certified and licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse (CRNA, NP, CNM, or CNS).

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd
MDC Box 22
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 974-2191