Like many states in the country, Kansas is facing a looming nursing shortage. Research has found that 29% of registered nurses plan to retire in the coming years, and enrollments in nursing programs are down 39% over the last decade.
Practicing nurses can help lessen the sting of these shortages in many ways, including returning to the bedside, changing specialties, researching the state of nursing, developing solutions, and educating the next generation of nurses. By pursuing a DNP, nurses earn a terminal degree that can open many doors and allow them to contribute to solving the nursing shortage in a meaningful way.
Kansas DNP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured Kansas DNP Schools | 6 institutions (full directory below) |
| DNP Track Types Covered | BSN-to-DNP entry, MSN-to-DNP advancement, Post-Master’s DNP Certificate, Executive DNP |
| Practice Authority | Full — Kansas NPs can practice autonomously, with full prescriptive authority (2022 legislation) |
| Licensing Board | Kansas State Board of Nursing |
| Typical Program Length | 3–4 years BSN-to-DNP; 18–24 months MSN-to-DNP; 12–18 months Post-Master’s DNP Certificate |
| Required Clinical Hours | 1,000+ (AACN DNP Essentials) |
| Kansas NP Mean Annual Wage | $126,000 (BLS OES, May 2024) |
| AACN 2025 Alignment | All DNP programs aligned with the AACN Essentials and 2025 DNP position statement |
| National NP Growth (2023–33) | +46% — BLS Occupational Outlook |
| Certifying Bodies | AANPCB, ANCC, PNCB |
2026 Updates — What Changed for Kansas DNP Programs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — Kansas NP mean annual wage was $126,000. The Kansas City and Wichita metros lead the state.
- AACN 2025 DNP Position Statement — The AACN reaffirmed its position that the DNP is the appropriate terminal degree for advanced practice nursing. CCNE-accredited programs continue to align curricula with the 2025 Essentials.
- Kansas-specific update — Kansas transitioned to full practice authority in 2022. KU Medical Center anchors academic DNP preparation; Wichita State, Washburn, Fort Hays, and Pittsburg State serve regional markets.
- WHNP → WHGRNP rebrand — NCC has expanded the Women’s Health NP scope to include gender-related care; track currency varies by school.
- 6 Kansas schools tracked — current Kansas DNP-track institutions verified against CCNE and ACEN directories.
Educational Routes to Earning a DNP in Kansas
There’s no single path to the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Five route types appear across Kansas schools listed on this page — each suits a different starting credential and timeline.
1. BSN-to-DNP (Direct Doctoral Entry)
For BSN-prepared RNs who want to enter the doctoral path directly without first earning a separate master’s degree. Typical length: 3 to 4 years full-time, 1,000+ clinical hours, and an APRN specialty (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP, PNP, etc.). This is the fastest-growing entry path, aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement.
2. MSN-to-DNP (Post-Master’s Advancement)
For nurses who already hold an MSN-NP and want to add doctoral preparation without changing specialties. Typical length: 18 to 24 months part-time, focused on advanced systems leadership, evidence-based practice, and a doctoral capstone project. Many MSN-to-DNP programs accept clinical hours from the prior master’s, requiring fewer additional hours overall.
3. Post-Master’s DNP Certificate
For existing MSN-NP holders who want a credentialed doctoral certificate without a full DNP degree. Typical length: 12 to 18 months. Provides AACN Essentials coursework alignment without the full doctoral capstone. The NP Certifications hub covers credential combinations in depth.
4. Executive DNP (Leadership Track)
For nurses pursuing administrative, health-system, or population-health roles rather than direct clinical practice. Typical length: 24 to 36 months. Curriculum emphasizes nursing administration, quality improvement, informatics, and policy. Suited for current nurse managers, CNOs, and policy-track candidates.
5. Direct-Entry RN-to-DNP (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)
For career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The student earns an accelerated BSN (12 to 16 months), then enters the BSN-to-DNP track. Total time-to-DNP: typically 4.5 to 5.5 years from the start of accelerated BSN. Kansas’s flagship direct-entry option is KU Medical Center’s Master of Science in Nursing entry pathway.
Kansas DNP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured Kansas DNP Schools | 6 institutions (full directory below) |
| DNP Track Types Covered | BSN-to-DNP entry, MSN-to-DNP advancement, Post-Master’s DNP Certificate, Executive DNP |
| Practice Authority | Full — Kansas NPs can practice autonomously, with full prescriptive authority (2022 legislation) |
| Licensing Board | Kansas State Board of Nursing |
| Typical Program Length | 3–4 years BSN-to-DNP; 18–24 months MSN-to-DNP; 12–18 months Post-Master’s DNP Certificate |
| Required Clinical Hours | 1,000+ (AACN DNP Essentials) |
| Kansas NP Mean Annual Wage | $126,000 (BLS OES, May 2024) |
| AACN 2025 Alignment | All DNP programs aligned with the AACN Essentials and 2025 DNP position statement |
| National NP Growth (2023–33) | +46% — BLS Occupational Outlook |
| Certifying Bodies | AANPCB, ANCC, PNCB |
2026 Updates — What Changed for Kansas DNP Programs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — Kansas NP mean annual wage was $126,000. The Kansas City and Wichita metros lead the state.
- AACN 2025 DNP Position Statement — The AACN reaffirmed its position that the DNP is the appropriate terminal degree for advanced practice nursing. CCNE-accredited programs continue to align curricula with the 2025 Essentials.
- Kansas-specific update — Kansas transitioned to full practice authority in 2022. KU Medical Center anchors academic DNP preparation; Wichita State, Washburn, Fort Hays, and Pittsburg State serve regional markets.
- WHNP → WHGRNP rebrand — NCC has expanded the Women’s Health NP scope to include gender-related care; track currency varies by school.
- 6 Kansas schools tracked — current Kansas DNP-track institutions verified against CCNE and ACEN directories.
Educational Routes to Earning a DNP in Kansas
There’s no single path to the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Five route types appear across Kansas schools listed on this page — each suits a different starting credential and timeline.
1. BSN-to-DNP (Direct Doctoral Entry)
For BSN-prepared RNs who want to enter the doctoral path directly without first earning a separate master’s degree. Typical length: 3 to 4 years full-time, 1,000+ clinical hours, and an APRN specialty (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP, PNP, etc.). This is the fastest-growing entry path, aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement.
2. MSN-to-DNP (Post-Master’s Advancement)
For nurses who already hold an MSN-NP and want to add doctoral preparation without changing specialties. Typical length: 18 to 24 months part-time, focused on advanced systems leadership, evidence-based practice, and a doctoral capstone project. Many MSN-to-DNP programs accept clinical hours from the prior master’s, requiring fewer additional hours overall.
3. Post-Master’s DNP Certificate
For existing MSN-NP holders who want a credentialed doctoral certificate without a full DNP degree. Typical length: 12 to 18 months. Provides AACN Essentials coursework alignment without the full doctoral capstone. The NP Certifications hub covers credential combinations in depth.
4. Executive DNP (Leadership Track)
For nurses pursuing administrative, health-system, or population-health roles rather than direct clinical practice. Typical length: 24 to 36 months. Curriculum emphasizes nursing administration, quality improvement, informatics, and policy. Suited for current nurse managers, CNOs, and policy-track candidates.
5. Direct-Entry RN-to-DNP (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)
For career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The student earns an accelerated BSN (12 to 16 months), then enters the BSN-to-DNP track. Total time-to-DNP: typically 4.5 to 5.5 years from the start of accelerated BSN. Kansas’s flagship direct-entry option is KU Medical Center’s Master of Science in Nursing entry pathway.
DNP Programs in Kansas
Kansas offers various DNP programs, all of which have primarily online components. Below, we cover the various programs available in the state to help you find one that fits your needs and busy schedule.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing require all DNP programs to have a total of 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours. This total includes hours accrued during master’s-level programs. The clinical hours listed in the summaries below include the number of credits each DNP program has built into the curriculum to help satisfy the 1,000 hour requirement.
Online DNP Programs in Kansas
All of the DNP programs in Kansas that are not focused on preparing to work as a nurse practitioner are offered primarily online, making them flexible options for working professionals. There are options for both BSN and MSN-prepared nurses.
Kansas Online BSN to DNP Programs
University of Kansas
- Kansas City, Kansas
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with some on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $457.70 per credit + fees for residents; $1,075.50 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Kansas offers the most DNP options of any school in the state, including three BSN to DNP tracks. The BSN to DNP Organizational Leadership option is 74 credits, the BSN to DNP Public Health Nursing is 75 credits, and the BSN to DNP Health Informatics is 73 credits; all three programs take a little more than three years to complete. Most of the BSN to DNP program courses are online, but in-person clinical experiences and on-campus experiences may be required.
There are also three MSN to DNP options: the MSN to DNP Organizational Leadership, MSN to DNP Population Health and MSN to DNP Health Informatics. All three tracks are 32 credits and all but two courses are held entirely online and take a little more than two years to complete.
Kansas Online MSN to DNP Programs
Fort Hays State University
- Hays, Kansas
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with one on-campus requirement
Credit Hours: 30 to 33
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $453.68 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The Fort Hays State University MSN to DNP uses a cohort model with classes beginning every summer, but students can apply as Nursing Graduate Non-degree students and take up to six credits before being admitted to the DNP program to get a head start. This program does not have any preceptored clinicals. Students complete 600 hours (200 over three semesters) working on a DNP project. All courses are online, including some synchronous sessions, and there is one on-campus requirement at the end of the two-year program where students present their projects.
Pittsburg State University
- Pittsburg, Kansas
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $569 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
MSN-prepared nurses have three options at Pittsburg State University, all of which are offered online. In the MSN to DNP Leadership track, students have two areas of emphasis: educational leadership and organizational leadership. Both tracks are 34 credits.
The MSN to DNP with Education Emphasis is designed for APRNs who want to transition into nursing education. It’s 39 credits and takes as little as 18 months to complete. There’s also an MSN to DNP option for APRNs that focuses more on leadership at the bedside or the boardroom.
Rasmussen University-Kansas
- Overland Park and Topeka, Kansas
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 48 to 63
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $738 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
At Rasmussen University, the MSN to DNP program has two specializations: executive leadership and public health and policy. Both specializations are 48 to 63 credits, depending on how many clinical hours the student needs to complete. All courses are online, and there are no on-campus requirements. Some students can complete the program in as little as 21 months.
Washburn University
- Topeka, Kansas
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 540
Tuition: $727 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN APRN to DNP option at Washburn University is for MSN-prepared nurses who are practicing as nurse practitioners. Students can pursue a second nurse practitioner specialty for 54 credits or pursue only the DNP for 40 credits. The program features synchronous and asynchronous online classes and has a minimum of 540 clinical hours. The generic program takes three years to complete.
Wichita State University
- Wichita, Kansas
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 29
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $338.87 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP track at Wichita State University uses a cohort model that begins every spring. This program has 29 credits with no clinical components. All courses are online, and there are various types of online course experiences throughout the program. Students can complete their degree in two to three years.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Kansas
Many DNP programs are between two and four years, but some can be completed in a shorter time frame. If you want to complete your degree quickly, consider one of the programs below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
All of the BSN programs in Kansas are offered by the University of Kansas and take a little more than three years to complete.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The MSN to DNP with Education Emphasis at Pittsburg State University can be completed in as little as 18 months. The next shortest are the online programs at Rasmussen University-Kansas, which can be completed in as little as 21 months.
Best DNP Programs in Kansas
What program is best depends on what you’re looking for. There are several generalist options, but there are also some unique specialties to choose from. For example, the University of Kansas offers three BSN to DNP options (BSN to DNP Organizational Leadership, BSN to DNP Public Health Nursing, and BSN to DNP Health Informatics) and three MSN to DNP options (MSN to DNP Organizational Leadership, MSN to DNP Population Health and MSN to DNP Health Informatics).
Cheapest DNP Programs in Kansas
Kansas has some very affordable DNP programs. The most affordable is at Wichita State University, which is $338.87 per credit + fees. The University of Kansas is next at only $457.70 per credit + fees, and the Fort Hays State University program is $453.68 per credit + fees.