DNP Programs in Minnesota (MN)

The Land of 10,000 Lakes has no shortage of colleges and universities offering Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. There are several accredited schools in Minnesota where one can earn a DNP degree.

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Augsburg College

Augsburg College offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to Master’s prepared nurses seeking the highest level in advanced nursing practice in a variety of health care setting. Part-time students are expected to complete the program within 3 years.

The program prepares graduates to site for the following advanced certification exams:

  • Advanced Transcultural Nursing (through the Transcultural Nursing Certification Commission or TCNCC)
  • Advanced Practice Holistic Nursing (through the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation or AHNCC)
Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

2211 Riverside Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612) 330-1101


Capella University
School of Public Service Leadership

Capella University offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The program requires 52 quarter credits for completion. It is offered completely online with the exception of a 6 day residency.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

Capella Tower
225 South 6th Street
9th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(866) 283-7921


Metropolitan State University
College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Metropolitan State University currently offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree through their College of Nursing and Health Sciences. There are three ways the nurses can enter the program.

MSU offers a BSN to DNP track for registered nurses with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing who wish to become an Advanced Practice Nurse with the specialty role of Family Nurse Practitioner. The program requires 79 credit hours taken full-time for nine semesters.

MSU also offers a post-Masters track for Master’s prepared Advanced Practice Nurses and nursing leaders in advanced nursing practice. The program requires 37-38 credit hours and is five semesters long.

Students holding an entry level Master’s degree in Nursing can enter the DNP program through the post-Entry Level Master’s option.

All students entering the program, must hold a BS or BA in Nursing from a regionally and nationally (CCNE or NLNAC) accredited program with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Post-Master’s applicants must hold a Master of Science in Nursing from a regionally and nationally (CCNE or NLNAC) accredited program with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Candidates for the post-Master’s program must be nationally certified if required for practice as a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse-Midwife, or Nurse Anesthetist.

Before being allowed to begin the practicum experience, all students must hold a current unencumbered license as a registered nurse in Minnesota and the state(s) where the practicum experience will be performed.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

700 East 7th Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651) 793-1378


Minnesota State University – Mankato
School of Nursing

Minnesota State University – Mankato’s School of Nursing offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. They offer both a post-Baccalaureate and post-Master’s entry option to the DNP program. Those entering the post-Baccalaureate will be prepared to sit for certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

The program is taught using a blended format utilizing synchronous and asynchronous online delivery formats with a couple of campus visits required. One is an immersion class typically in August or September following admission to the program. The other is for the presentation of their scholarly Capstone Project near the end of the program.

Applicants to the post-Baccalaureate program must hold a BSN/BS/BA degree from a nationally (CCNE or NLNAC) accredited nursing program with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. If the GPA requirement cannot be met then students will be required to submit GRE test scores. Candidates must be licensed as a registered nurse in the US and be eligible for licensure in Minnesota.

Applicants to the post-Master’s program must hold a Master’s degree in nursing from a nationally (CCNE or NLNAC) accredited program with a 3.0 or higher graduate GPA. Licensure as an RN in the US is required as is eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse in Minnesota. Candidates must be certified as an Advanced Practice Nurse, and have two years of post BSN nursing experience.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

360 Wissink Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 389-6826


Minnesota State University at Moorhead

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

213 Lommen Hall
1104 7th Avenue
Moorhead, MN 56563
(218) 477-2693


St. Catherine University
Henrietta Schmoll School of Health

St. Catherine University’s Henrietta Schmoll School of Health has offered the Doctor of Nursing Practice program since 2008. St. Kate’s DNP program was designed to prepare nurses as expert clinicians, educators and leaders to meet the needs of an ever changing health care system.

Applicants must old a Master’s degree in Nursing from a nationally (CCNE or NLNAC) accredited program with a 3.0 or higher graduate GPA. Candidates must have two years of recent clinical practice nursing experience, and currently hold a position in advanced nursing practice like Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse-Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Executive, Nurse Educator or Nurse Informatician.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission

Contact Information:

2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
(800) 945-4599


The College of St. Scholastica
School of Nursing

The School of Nursing at The College of St. Scholastica offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. They offer two entry options: a post-Baccalaureate (BSN to DNP) option and a post-Master’s (MSN to DNP) option.

The BSN to DNP program prepares nurses for advanced practice in one of the following specialty roles:

  • Adult Clinical Nurses Specialist
  • Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Students can add a gerontological specialty role to any of the above to obtain a dual specialization. The BSN to DNP is delivered in a blended format combining online courses with minimal meetings on campus.

The MSN to DNP program was designed for current Advanced Practice Nurses. The post-Master’s program is delivered completely online making it possible for students to continue to work. Students can opt for either a part-time or full-time plan of study.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 723-6000


University of Minnesota
School of Nursing

In 2007, the School of Nursing at The University of Minnesota introduced their Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Prospective students have two entry options into the program: a 3 year BSN to DNP program and a post-Master’s program.

Regardless of entry, the courses are delivered using an executive format where most courses are online but some on campus sessions are also required: three sessions in the Fall and Spring as well as two in the Summer for a total of eight per year. APRN courses in the 2nd year of the BSN to DNP program will likely require additional on campus sessions.

Students can choose from the following specialty roles:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Health/Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Health/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Health/Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Nurse Anesthetist
  • Nurse-Midwife
  • Nursing Informatics
  • Public Health Nursing
  • Public Health Nursing – Adolescent Nursing
  • Health Innovation and Leadership
  • Integrative Health and Healing

Applicants to the BSN to DNP program must hold a Bachelor’s degree or an entry-level Master’s degree in Nursing, preferably with a 3.4 or higher GPA. Candidates must be licensed as a registered nurse in the state where they plan to complete their clinical courses. The GRE is required for all prospective students for this program.

Applicants to the post-Masters DNP program must hold both a Bachelor’s or higher entry level nursing degree from a regionally accredited institution as well as a Master’s degree in Nursing with an advanced practice specialty from a regionally accredited program. The GRE is generally not required for entry.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

5-160 Weaver-Densford Hall
308 Harvard Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 625-7980


Winona State University

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

PO Box 5838
Winona, MN 55987
(800) 342-5978