Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program graduate will possess advanced competencies for increasingly complex practice, faculty, and leadership roles in nursing. The curriculum focuses on integrating nursing science with knowledge from ethics, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences as the basis for the highest level of evidence-based nursing practice. The program is comprehensive and time-efficient, and fosters motivated, self-directed learners who are able to utilize the highest levels of education to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes. The DNP program equips students with mastery in the areas of leadership, evidencebased practice, policy, scholarship, and interprofessional collaboration. This program aims to fulfill the recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) guidelines as prescribed in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (October 2006) and The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations (August 2015).

Program Mission

The College of Nursing at Keiser University utilizes a “student first” philosophy to increase access to nursing education for a varied student body at the undergraduate and graduate level and prepares students to provide holistic nursing care to improve individual, community, and global health outcomes.

Program Goals

1. Incorporate theory and knowledge from nursing science with the biophysical, psychosocial, analytical and organizational sciences as the foundation for the highest level of nursing practice.
2. Integrate information technology and an evidence-based approach in clinical scholarship to critically evaluate, design, and implement health care services and educational programs for individuals, populations and systems.
3. Develop standards of nursing practice to deliver culturally competent, high quality health services to individuals, populations and systems.
4. Enact leadership, critical thinking and effective communications skills to design, evaluate, and improve the implementation of quality nursing services and educational programs.
5. Analyze the epidemiological, financial, sociopolitical and organizational forces in the health care environment at the systems level, within ethical, legal and humanistic frameworks.
6. Lead interdisciplinary collaboration to facilitate and improve desired health outcomes for individuals, populations and systems.
7. Create scholarly written communication that informs clinical practice and that leads to systems and organizational change that will improve health care delivery and health outcomes.

Applicants desiring to enter Keiser University must submit an application to the Admissions Office well in advance of the start date. This permits proper scheduling and ensures availability of classroom space. Applications for Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall semesters should be made as early as possible, as these entry dates are normally the time of greatest enrollment.

Credit for courses or degrees completed at another institution is subject to approval by the Dean of Academic Affairs. These courses or degrees must be similar in content and duration to those offered in the program for which an applicant has applied. The Dean of Academic Affairs makes the final decision of accepted transfer credits from the received transcript. However, only courses listed on official transcripts receive permanent official transfer credit. To grant such credit, Keiser University must receive official transcript directly from the previous institution by the end of a student’s first semester. Keiser University requires that, at a minimum, a student complete at least one third of the credit hours required for any graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree through instruction offered by Keiser University. Active duty, reservists, and National Guard service members who are students can complete at a minimum one third of a program at any time through the University. Transfer students are informed in writing of any credits accepted as transferable. Preliminary notification is presented, in most cases, prior to enrollment but in no case later than the end of a transfer student's first semester. Students are responsible for having official transcripts sent to Keiser University from all former institution(s). It may be necessary for students to forfeit some previously earned credit in the transfer process since college philosophies, objectives and programs may vary and change from year to year. Keiser University does not make any blanket assurances or guarantees regarding the acceptance or transferability of credits from other institutions. Each credit evaluation is conducted on a caseby-case basis in accordance with university policy.

Keiser University may accept transfer credits from a college or university recognized by the by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Coursework must be equivalent in content, level, and credit hours to the corresponding Keiser University course/s.

Qualified, accepted doctoral degree seeking students may transfer a maximum of 18 graduate level credits, but no more than two-thirds of the total credit hours (whichever is less), required for the program unless otherwise specified by a programmatic accreditor.

Acceptable courses will be equivalent to a B grade or higher unless otherwise specified by programmatic requirements. Courses represented with a Pass or Satisfactory grade may be transferable at the discretion of the program chair and/or appropriate program Dean.

Courses in the DNP program are eight weeks in length and scheduled for one or two courses concurrently.

Keiser University publishes this program as 36.0 graduate semester credit hours, approximately 24 months in length (this will vary if a student transfers in credits).

Keiser University’s Graduate School Academic Calendar runs three semesters a year, beginning in January, May and August, and each semester is made up of two eight-week terms — six start dates a year.

Keiser University publishes the Doctor of Nursing Practice as 18 to 24 months.

Keiser University charges tuition and education fees per semester, based on scheduled credit hours. Each semester is 16 weeks. The rates below are the university’s published Tuition and Fee Disclosure for the Graduate School, effective Fall Semester 2026, and are subject to annual review.

An education fee of $750.00 per semester is charged for all graduate-level programs. One-time charges on enrolment are an application fee of $55.00 and a registration fee of $145.00.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice requires one two-day doctoral residency at the Flagship campus, charged at $1,000.00 (Doctoral Residency 1 On-campus training). Students are responsible for the cost of their travel, accommodations, food, and other expenses associated with their residencies.

Financial aid

Grants are not available at the graduate level, but federal student loans and scholarships are available to those who qualify. Students seeking aid complete the FAFSA using the university’s federal school code, 015159.

Career Pathways in Nursing Practice

DNP graduates from Keiser University prepare for advanced practice nursing roles, nursing leadership positions in healthcare organizations, and faculty positions in nursing schools. This terminal degree will provide you with the skills needed to pursue and excel in relevant leadership opportunities, such as:

• Director of nursing
• Lead nurse educator
• Quality assurance nurse consultant
• Nurse manager
• Clinical director
• Nurse practitioner in specialty areas
• Clinical nurse specialists
• healthcare leadership roles
• DNP faculty positions
• Healthcare administration executives
• Public health program directors
• Patient safety officers

Keiser University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed for advanced practice registered nurses ready to advance their careers through doctoral study. With flexible online learning and required residency, the program aligns with your nursing leadership goals and professional and personal commitments. Whether you’re looking to move into executive healthcare leadership roles, influence health policy reform, or contribute to nursing education, Keiser provides the advanced nursing education and practical insight needed to make a lasting impact in the field.