A doctor of nursing practice or DNP degree is the highest level of education someone can achieve in this field. Many NP programs offer DNP options, but there are other areas where nurses can pursue this terminal degree, including education, business, and leadership.
DNP Programs Accepting Pennsylvania Applicants
DNP Programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers a variety of options for nurses who wish to pursue a DNP. Many are clustered around major cities, like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but there are universities all across the state that offer some type of DNP program.
Online DNP Programs in Pennsylvania
All of the DNP programs in Pennsylvania have an online component, with most of them offering primary distance learning and some requiring on-campus intensives or face-to-face coursework. Below are the DNP options available in the Keystone State.
Pennsylvania Online BSN to DNP Programs
Some universities offer BSN to DNP tracks that don’t require students to complete a separate MSN degree. Most of these schools also offer post-master’s DNP options, too. We cover those below.
Duquesne University
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Online with on-campus requirements
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,765 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Duquesne’s BSN to DNP Executive Nurse Leadership runs 56 credits across four years. Two post-MSN tracks round out the catalog: the MSN to DNP Clinical Leadership and the MSN to DNP Executive Nurse Leadership and Health Care Management, both 35 credits completed in two years. Duquesne positions its DNP offerings for Pittsburgh-area nurse executives and clinical leaders.
All DNP classes at Duquesne University are delivered online, and although the number of credits and course content vary, the programs have similar requirements and structure. Students are required to participate in two on-campus visits throughout the program. The first is a two- or three-day orientation at the downtown Pittsburgh campus, which will include sessions focusing on scholarly writing and presentation skills. Students will also meet their faculty mentors at this time and learn more about the required Practice Project. At the end of the program, students return to campus to present their projects to faculty and classmates.
These programs also all require students to complete 1,000 practicum hours. (Note: Nurses who practice as NPs are automatically granted 500 hours. Those with advanced practice certification may also be granted 500 hours.) These programs allow students to complete these hours in various ways, including attending conferences, reading and reviewing case studies, and going on a mission trip where they provide nursing care.
Misericordia University
- Dalla, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $870 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Misericordia sits in Northeastern PA and runs multiple fully-online DNP pathways, which makes it a fit for working nurses across the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre region and beyond. The curriculum supports both entry-level BSN-to-DNP applicants and post-master’s nurses seeking the terminal degree.
Bachelor’s prepared nurses can enter the BSN to DNP track, which awards an MSN with a specialization as either an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner or family nurse practitioner before continuing into post-master’s courses. Credits and clinical hours depend on specialization.
Nurses who already have a master’s degree have two DNP options. Each requires applicants to be board-certified as either a registered nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified clinical nurse specialist. The 27-credit MSN to DNP track and the 36-credit MSN to DNP Education track are offered part-time and can be completed in two calendar years.
Pennsylvania State University
- State College, Pennsylvania
- Online with in-person intensives
Modality: Online with in-person intensives
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,027 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Penn State delivers its online DNP through World Campus, taught by Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing faculty. The BSN to DNP Leadership track targets nurse administrators. The MSN to DNP Leadership track admits both nurse administrators and practicing APRNs. Total credits vary by prior education and experience, typically running around 61.
Students in these programs complete most courses online but must attend in-person intensives and deliver a DNP project oral presentation. Those in the BSN track are considered full-time students and take at least three courses in the fall and spring and must complete all required clinical hours.
Students in the MSN to DNP program take at least two courses a semester in the fall and spring, with additional courses offered in the summer. This track also requires 1,000 clinical hours, though 550 may be transferred from MSN-level courses.
Temple University
Temple University’s Barnett College of Public Health offers a BSN-to-DNP program with two nurse practitioner concentrations: Family-Individual Across the Lifespan (FNP) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP). The 68-credit curriculum includes 1,000 clinical hours (832 direct patient care and 168 DNP experience hours). The program is available as a three-year full-time or four-year part-time option and is CCNE accredited. Temple also offers a post-master’s DNP for Health Systems Leadership.
Thomas Jefferson University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Online with in-person requirements
Modality: Online with in-person requirements
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,298 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Thomas Jefferson runs DNP programs across multiple specialty tracks, with a BSN-prepared entry option in addition to the post-master’s pathways. The Philadelphia academic medical center clinical network gives students access to Jefferson Health placements across the region.
The BSN to DNP track requires BSN-prepared nurses to complete master’s level work as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, family/individual across the lifespan, neonatal nurse practitioner, pediatric primary care nurse practitioner, or women’s health gender related nurse practitioner. The student completes the coursework, receives an MSN, and enters the DNP program directly. This option takes four to six years to complete with online courses and some in-person requirements.
MSN-prepared nurses can enter the 32-credit MSN to DNP Clinical Practice track. Classes are offered online, and the program takes two to five years to complete. There is also a 32-credit MSN to DNP Leadership option that can be completed in two to five years.
Widener University
- Chester, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,030 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Widener runs two fully-online DNP programs with leadership-focused curricula. The BSN to DNP track focuses on Health Systems Leadership at 73 credits with 1,061 clinical hours, completable in 14 semesters (under five calendar years) on the recommended course sequence. Widener’s fully-online delivery fits working nurses across the Delaware Valley.
This university also offers a 37-credit MSN to DNP option with 560 clinical hours. Students generally complete this program in eight semesters or just under three calendar years.
Widener offers flexible programs for working professionals, allowing students to progress at their own pace. While each program has a recommended course load, students have a seven-year time limit to complete the program.
Pennsylvania Online MSN to DNP Programs
The 19 online post-master’s DNP programs below are designed for nurses in Pennsylvania who already have a master’s degree and significant clinical or supervisory experience. Note that the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education requires all DNP graduates to complete 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours, so that is what all of these programs require. Clinical hours provided in the program are noted in the program overview.
DeSales University
- Center Valley, Pennsylvania
- Online with in-person residencies
Modality: Online with in-person residencies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $975 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
DeSales offers two MSN-to-DNP options for APRNs practicing across NP, CNS, CNM, and CRNA roles. The MSN to DNP Clinical Leadership is 35 credits, completable in seven semesters full-time or ten semesters part-time, with 525 residency hours plus a scholarly project and portfolio. The MSN to DNP + MBA Clinical Leadership is 68 credits with 525 residency hours — a dual credential uncommon in PA.
DeSales also offers options for nurses with an MSN in health administration, health policy, clinical informatics, clinical leadership/clinical nurse leader, or public health. The MSN to DNP Executive Leadership track is 41 to 48 credits with 525 residency hours and can be completed in seven semesters full-time. Part-time options are also available, allowing students to complete the program in either ten or thirteen semesters. This specialization also offers a unique dual MSN to DNP + MBA Executive Leadership track that is 63 to 68 credits with 525 residency hours. It can be completed in as little as 12 months full-time or 17 semesters part-time.
All of these programs offer online coursework, but in-person on-campus residency weekends are required.
Carlow University
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 34
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $950 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Carlow’s MSN to DNP Systems Leadership uses online synchronous delivery with students progressing through the program together as a cohort. The program includes a scholarly project alongside the coursework. Carlow sits in Pittsburgh and pairs the DNP with its Catholic liberal-arts framing.
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
- Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $593 per credit + fees for residents, $871 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania delivers the lowest per-credit DNP tuition in the state at $593 for residents, which makes it the standout affordability pick. Multiple pathway options cover BSN-prepared and MSN-prepared entry points, with the combined campuses (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield) offering clinical placement support across central and northeast PA.
The 33-credit MSN to DNP track is offered entirely online through all four of the university’s campuses. It offers rolling admission, and students can start the program during any semester and attend classes full-time or part-time.
Another option is the MSN to DNP Advanced Practice track. This program is available online and consists of 29 credits completed over two years. Coursework is flexible, with asynchronous core classes and synchronous clinical courses. The program also includes 500 required clinical hours. To be considered for this track, applicants must have completed graduate-level advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology courses. MSN-prepared nurses who complete a nurse practitioner program are likely to meet these requirements.
The third option at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is the MSN to DNP Nurse Executive track. This program consists of 29 credits completed over two years with flexible, 100% online coursework. A total of 1,000 clinical hours are required, with 500 built into the curriculum. Students must also complete an evidence-based quality improvement project throughout the program.
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,115 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Drexel’s MSN to DNP is built for APRNs seeking a practice-focused alternative to PhD programs. The 45-credit program runs in four 10-week quarters per year rather than two semesters, which lets students move through more coursework in less calendar time. The program requires 1,000 clinical hours and a DNP project.
Gannon University
- Erie, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 23 to 32
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $900 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Gannon’s MSN to DNP runs 23 to 32 credits depending on how many clinical hours applicants bring from their master’s. The program targets nurse administrators, nurse educators, and certified APRNs. Part-time online delivery with an evidence-based clinical project fits working nurses in the Erie region and beyond.
The DNP program at Gannon offers rolling admissions and multiple start dates. All applicants undergo a gap analysis, and the program can be completed in four to six semesters.
Gwynedd Mercy University
- Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 39
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1026 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Gwynedd Mercy’s MSN to DNP finishes in two to three years part-time, with online synchronous and asynchronous coursework plus 400 clinical hours and a scholarly project. The program admits practicing NPs, CRNAs, CNSs, and other APRNs in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Holy Family University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,200 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Holy Family University runs two MSN-to-DNP tracks for practicing APRNs. The Northeast Philadelphia campus and Newtown extension deliver hybrid coursework that fits working nurses across the Philadelphia metro.
Advanced practice nurses can enroll in the MSN to DNP Leadership for the Advanced Practice Nurse track, while those with other MSN degrees can choose the MSN to DNP Leadership track.
The MSN to DNP Leadership track is 35 credits with 1,000 clinical hours, and the MSN to DNP Leadership for the Advanced Practice Nurses is 36 credits with 500 clinical hours and 500 transfer clinical hours accepted.
Each program can be completed full or part-time, with classes beginning in the fall or spring.
La Roche University
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 26
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $1,056 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
La Roche’s MSN to DNP is a 26-credit program for APRNs with at least one year of post-licensure RN experience. The curriculum emphasizes close faculty mentorship, professional networking, and research across chronic disease and public health topics. Full-time completion is three semesters; part-time runs six. La Roche is ACEN-accredited, which is an uncommon distinction in PA.
La Salle University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Online with on-campus intensives
Modality: Online with on-campus intensives
Credit Hours: 34
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,135 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
La Salle’s MSN to DNP supports both part-time and full-time pacing. Part-time students carry three credits per semester; full-time students carry six. Classes are delivered online with yearly on-campus immersions, which fits Philadelphia-area APRNs who want minimal campus attendance.
This program requires 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours, 500 of which are included in the plan of study and the remaining 500 from previous experience and MSN programs. Those who need additional hours can complete them throughout the program practicum, and they can occur at the student’s place of employment or at a facility where the student is licensed to practice. The Le Salle DNP program is practice-focused with a strong clinical component and a final Scholarly Project.
Messiah University
- Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 1,000
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $940 per credit, no fee tuition
Program Overview:
Messiah runs two post-master’s DNP tracks aimed at different career paths. The MSN to DNP Nursing Leadership admits practicing NPs, CNMs, CNSs, CRNAs, nurse educators, nurse administrators, CNLs, and nurses from other fields seeking leadership-level doctoral training. An alternative nursing-education-focused MSN to DNP track serves nurses pursuing the terminal degree for nurse educator careers.
The MSN to DNP Nursing Educator track is designed for advanced practice nurses, nurse educators, nurse administrators, clinical nurse leaders, and nurses in other fields who wish to pursue a career in nurse education. This option is 26 to 35 credits.
These programs each require 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours and the completion of a scholarly project. Both DNP options offer year-round entry and can be completed in as little as two years.
Neumann University
- Aston, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 34
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $860 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Neumann’s MSN to DNP prepares nurses for leadership roles across nursing education, direct healthcare practice, and system administration. The program takes 7 to 10 semesters depending on course load, delivered fully online with full-time and part-time options. Neumann’s ACEN accreditation gives it a distinction among PA DNP programs.
This program requires 1,000 post-BSN practicum hours and accepts 500 transfer hours from MSN-level education. An additional 504 practicum hours are included in the program. Nurses who did not complete 500 clinical hours in their master’s programs will complete the necessary hours in additional practicum courses throughout the DNP program.
Pennsylvania Western University
- Clarion and Edinboro, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 27
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $671 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
PennWest’s MSN to DNP runs 27 credits in a flexible online format completable in as little as five semesters part-time. The cohort model starts each May, and applicants with master’s in related fields (MBA, MHSc) can apply if they also hold a BSN. The program requires 1,000 total clinical hours, with MSN-level hours accepted toward the total.
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Online with in-person requirements
Modality: Online with in-person requirements
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: Varies, between $77,373 and $70,197 for the entire program + fees
Program Overview:
Penn offers two MSN-to-DNP tracks for APRNs, delivered through the School of Nursing at the Philadelphia campus. The tracks leverage Penn Medicine’s clinical network, which positions Penn as the research-intensive academic medical center option for a doctorate in PA.
The MSN to DNP option offers online courses and is flexible enough for students to balance school and a full-time career. This program consists of ten course units designed to be completed in 21 months. Classes are asynchronous, though some courses may have synchronous components. There are also two all-day virtual online intensives. The first is for first-year students and takes place at the beginning of the program, and the second is for second-year students to prepare for project development.
The MSN to DNP Executive Leadership has 11 course units. All classes are offered online, but students must attend a one-week on-campus intensive, during which they will attend the Wharton Nursing Leaders Program. This program can be completed while working full-time from any location.
Both programs require a DNP Scholarly Project and 1,000 clinical hours.
University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Campus
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 41
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,255 per credit + fees for residents; $1,534 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
Pitt’s MSN to DNP Health Systems Executive Leadership admits APRNs with at least two years of management experience. The program runs six terms (two calendar years) full-time, with part-time options available. UPMC connections give students access to one of the country’s largest integrated health systems for clinical leadership placements.
Classes for this program are entirely online, and no campus visits are required. While 1,000 credits are required to complete this program, hours accumulated during master’s-level programs may count toward this total. There are 420 practicum hours built into the program, but additional practicum classes may be needed, depending on the type of master’s degree the student has completed.
University of Scranton
- Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 30
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $772 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Scranton’s MSN to DNP Leadership is a 30-credit online program built for practicing APRNs. Full-time completion runs 21 months; part-time students can take up to six years depending on course load. Scranton’s Jesuit identity shapes the curriculum around service-oriented leadership values.
Students must complete a scholarly capstone project and 1,000 clinical hours. Advanced practice nurses receive credit for the clinical hours they accumulated in their master’s programs.
Villanova University
- Villanova, Pennsylvania
- Online with on-campus requirements
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: 29
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,430 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Villanova’s MSN to DNP runs 29 credits in flexible online synchronous delivery, with three pace options: full-time, part-time, and flex. The format fits APRNs across the Philadelphia metro who want a Catholic liberal-arts doctorate without sacrificing schedule flexibility.
Full-time students complete the program in five continuous semesters, meeting online two nights a week, while part-time students complete it in eight continuous semesters, attending classes one or two nights a week. The flex program is the most flexible of all the options, with students taking classes one or two nights a week for eleven consecutive semesters. Online synchronous courses are generally offered on Tuesday or Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Students must also attend on-campus residencies for one day in the fall and spring and one to three days in the summer. Advanced practice nurses can transfer 500 clinical hours toward the 1,000-hour requirement; the remaining 500 are included in the program.
Waynesburg University
- Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
- Online with on-campus requirements
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $845 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Waynesburg’s MSN to DNP runs 36 credits across three to four years, with year-round class attendance and a mix of 8-week and 16-week courses. Most coursework is online with some required on-campus visits. The flexible scheduling targets APRNs in southwestern PA who want to continue working through the doctorate.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
- West Chester, Pennsylvania
- Online with on-campus requirements
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: 35
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $671 per credit + fees for residents; $684 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
West Chester’s MSN to DNP builds around three curriculum pillars: nursing science, leadership, and practice. The cohort-based program finishes in as few as nine consecutive semesters. Classes are online except for one required on-campus weekend at the start. Rolling admission with fall matriculation positions West Chester as a flexible public-affiliated pick for practicing APRNs in southeastern PA.
Wilkes University
- Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 32
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,025 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Wilkes’s MSN to DNP delivers 100% online coursework in 12-week course blocks, with three start dates per year so students can begin outside the typical fall-spring cycle. Full-time students can finish in six terms — just under two years — which positions Wilkes as one of the shorter PA online MSN-to-DNP options.
This program requires 1,000 clinical hours, including clinical hours amassed when completing MSN programs. Students who do not have at least 400 hours from their master’s and postgraduate programs can take an electric practicum course to complete the required number of hours.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Pennsylvania
DNP completion times in PA vary substantially. The fastest BSN-to-DNP options are Misericordia University at three years and Widener University at just under three years. Most post-master’s DNP programs finish in about two years, with a few coming in faster — DeSales University’s MSN-to-DNP runs 21 months on an accelerated schedule, and Carlow University’s post-master’s DNP can be completed in under two years. Pace varies based on full-time vs. part-time enrollment and whether students carry over clinical hours from their master’s.
DNP Salary in Pennsylvania
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania earn a mean annual wage of approximately $124,590, with the national median at $129,210. DNP-prepared nurses often command higher salaries due to their advanced clinical expertise and leadership training. Salaries vary by specialty, employer, and region, with DNPs in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metro areas typically earning more. As a Full Practice Authority state, Pennsylvania offers DNP-prepared NPs greater autonomy and expanding career opportunities.
Compare DNP Programs in Pennsylvania
| School | Pathway | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Duquesne University | BSN to DNP | Online + Campus |
| Misericordia University | BSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| Penn State University | BSN to DNP | Online + Campus |
| Temple University | BSN-to-DNP | Hybrid |
| Thomas Jefferson University | BSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| Widener University | BSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| DeSales University | MSN to DNP | Online |
| Carlow University | MSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| Commonwealth University of PA | MSN to DNP | Online |
| Drexel University | MSN to DNP | Online |
| Gannon University | MSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | MSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| Holy Family University | MSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| La Roche University | MSN to DNP | Online |
| La Salle University | MSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| Messiah University | MSN to DNP | Online |
| Neumann University | MSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| PA Western University | MSN to DNP | Online |
| University of Pennsylvania | MSN to DNP | On-Campus |
| University of Pittsburgh | MSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| University of Scranton | MSN to DNP | Online |
| Villanova University | MSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| Waynesburg University | MSN to DNP | Online |
| West Chester University | MSN to DNP | Hybrid |
| Wilkes University | MSN to DNP | Online |
Best DNP Programs in Pennsylvania
Best fit depends on clinical specialty and career intent. For clinical-leadership-plus-business training, DeSales University’s MSN-to-DNP + MBA tracks (Clinical Leadership and Executive Leadership variants) offer a dual credential uncommon in PA. For nursing education track doctorates, Misericordia University and Messiah University both build curricula around nurse educator preparation. For the Philadelphia academic medical center path, the University of Pennsylvania runs the most research-intensive DNP in the state. The University of Pittsburgh’s DNP catalog is the broadest, with multiple specialty tracks and clinical placements across UPMC. Villanova’s DNP adds strong hybrid delivery with a Catholic liberal-arts framing that fits applicants seeking a values-driven program.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Pennsylvania
Per-credit tuition on PA DNP programs varies from under $600 to over $1,800 depending on school type. The most affordable is Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania at $593 per credit plus fees for residents and $871 for non-residents — the only sub-$600 option in the state. Misericordia University, DeSales University, Carlow University, Gannon University, Messiah University, Neumann University, Pennsylvania Western University, University of Scranton, Waynesburg University, and West Chester University of Pennsylvania all cluster in the lower-to-mid private-tier range. Per-credit cost is only part of the total picture — fees, clinical placement costs, and program pace all add up. Residents consistently pay less than non-residents at the public-affiliated schools.
Frequently Asked Questions About DNP Programs in Pennsylvania
How many DNP programs are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania offers 24 accredited DNP programs across the state, including 5 BSN-to-DNP pathways and 19 MSN-to-DNP programs. Programs are available in a range of specialties including FNP, AGNP, PNP, PMHNP, and executive leadership.
What is the average DNP salary in Pennsylvania?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania earn a mean annual wage of approximately $124,590. DNP-prepared nurses with advanced specializations and leadership roles often earn above this average.
What is the difference between a BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP program?
BSN-to-DNP programs are designed for bachelor’s-prepared nurses who want to earn a doctoral degree without first completing a master’s. MSN-to-DNP programs are post-master’s pathways for nurses who already hold an MSN and want to advance to the doctoral level. BSN-to-DNP programs typically take 3-4 years, while MSN-to-DNP programs are usually 1-2 years.
Can DNP-prepared NPs practice independently in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania became a Full Practice Authority state under Act 68 of 2022, effective in 2025. After completing a three-year collaborative agreement period, DNP-prepared NPs can practice independently without physician oversight.
Are there online DNP programs in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Many Pennsylvania universities offer online or hybrid DNP programs, including Drexel University, DeSales University, Commonwealth University, and Messiah University. Most online programs still require in-person clinical rotations.