States across the country are facing nursing shortages, and Missouri is taking steps to address these challenges. Governor Mike Parson has authorized $5 million in grant funding to ensure the future generations of nurses in the state get the hands-on training they need to fill these roles. These grants are primarily aimed at increasing nursing school faculty salaries, training nurse educators, and investing in modern equipment, like clinical simulations.
Doctorate-prepared nurses are qualified to teach in Missouri, particularly in institutions of higher learning. By completing a DNP degree, nurses can also work in leadership roles to help improve working conditions and nurse retention.
If you’re thinking about pursuing a terminal nursing degree in Missouri, there are multiple programs available across the state. Below, we take a closer look at some of these programs to help you find one that suits your needs.
Missouri DNP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured Missouri 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 | Restricted — MO NPs require a collaborative practice arrangement with a physician |
| Licensing Board | Missouri 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) |
| Missouri NP Mean Annual Wage | $122,300 (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 Missouri DNP Programs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — MO NP mean annual wage was $122,300. St. Louis and Kansas City lead.
- 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.
- Missouri-specific update — WashU-affiliated Goldfarb, Saint Louis U, and Mizzou anchor academic-medical-center DNP prep. UMKC and Missouri State (Springfield) serve the remaining major metros.
- WHNP → WHGRNP rebrand — NCC has expanded the Women’s Health NP scope to include gender-related care; track currency varies by school.
- 6 Missouri schools tracked — current Missouri DNP-track institutions verified against CCNE and ACEN directories.
Educational Routes to Earning a DNP in Missouri
There’s no single path to the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Five route types appear across Missouri 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. MO’s flagship direct-entry option is Goldfarb’s Direct-Entry MSN-to-DNP pathway.
DNP Programs in Missouri
Missouri offers several DNP programs with multiple entry points and formats. All of these programs have an online component, but coursework and on-campus requirements vary.
According to the bodies that accredit DNP programs, each must have a minimum of 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours. Hours accrued during MSN programs counts toward this total, so while every DNP program has its own clinical requirements, they each require students to reach this 1,000-hour total. 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.
Missouri BSN to DNP Programs
All of the DNP programs in Missouri have an online component, but the three BSN to DNP options below have more on-campus requirements than others. We also cover the three MSN programs offered by these schools below, two of which have regular on-campus requirements.
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $834 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing offers multiple DNP tracks, including a BSN to DNP Health Systems Executive Nurse Leadership. This 51-credit program includes 1500 clinical hours. It takes nine terms or about three years to complete. Most classes are online, but students may be required to come to campus for in-person learning throughout the program.
MSN-prepared students can also apply to the above program, but the School of Nursing also offers a 30-credit MSN to DNP program focused on preparing students for leadership roles. Students can transfer 500 clinical hours into the program to help meet the 1,000-hour requirement. All classes are held online, and there are no on-campus requirements.
Missouri State University-Springfield
- Springfield, Missouri
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: Varies
Program Overview:
The 63-credit BSN to DNP Practice Leadership program at Missouri State University-Springfield is primarily online, but students are required to be on campus for in-person classes at least one day a week. Full-time students can complete the program in three years. The cost of this program is $44,450.50 for the entire program, or about $705 a credit plus fees.
Students in the MSN to DNP Leadership complete 32 credits and 528 clinical hours. Classes in the post-MSN program are 100% online, but students must come to campus once or twice throughout the program. This option can be completed in two years. It costs about $20,122 for the program, or about $628 per credit with fees.
University of Missouri-St Louis
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $933 per credit + fees for residents; $1,821 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Missouri-St Louis BSN to DNP Leadership in Healthcare Systems program is between 51 and 60 credits with 1,000 clinical hours, 600 of which must be in direct patient care. Most coursework is online, with some courses being taught live. There are also four on-campus immersions that last for two to three days each. Full-time students can complete the program in three years, part-time in four.
The 33-credit MSN to DNP Leadership track is also primarily online with six on-campus intensives throughout the program that last three days each. Full-time students can complete the programs in two years.
Online DNP Programs in Missouri
An online program is a convenient choice for nurses who plan to continue working while completing their degree. Missouri has several programs that are online with little to no in-person requirements.
Missouri Online BSN to DNP Programs
University of Missouri-Columbia has an online program with BSN and MSN entry points with some on-campus requirements.
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Columbia, Missouri
- Campus
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: 43 to 46
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $630 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The BSN/MSN to DNP Clinical Leadership and Innovation program at Mizzou has two entry points. For students with a masters in nursing or another related field, the number of credits and clinical hours varies depending on previous education; students will take between 43 and 46 credits and complete between 510 to 1020 clinical hours.
All courses are delivered online, but students are required to come to campus for learning experiences throughout the program, including a five-day orientation before the program begins. BSN students can also apply for this program but will have to complete a MSN before entering DNP-level courses. The BSN to DNP route is 75 to 78 credits with 1020 clinical hours. Students starting with an MSN can complete the program in three years.
Missouri Online MSN to DNP Programs
There are two MSN to DNP programs in Missouri that are offered online with few on-campus requirements.
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
- Kirksville, Missouri
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 33
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $850 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP at A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies uses an evidence-based approach to prepare nurses to take on leadership roles and develop solutions to the challenges nurses encounter day to day. This program is online and allows students to complete their clinical practices in their own communities. Students also complete DNP projects focusing on reviewing existing nursing literature and coming up with ways to improve patient care, shape policy, or implement innovation.
Saint Louis University
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with one campus visit
Credit Hours: 31
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $1,370 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP track at Saint Louis University offers online courses with one required visit to the St. Louis campus at the end of the program for DNP project presentation. The program begins in August each year. Full and part-time options are available; full-time students can complete the program in two years and one semester.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Missouri
The lengths of these programs can vary depending on various factors, including previous education and experience. If you’re looking for a program that you can finish quickly, consider those below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
Many of the BSN to DNP programs can be completed in as little as three years, including the BSN to DNP Health Systems Executive Nurse Leadership at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, the BSN to DNP Practice Leadership at Missouri State University-Springfield, and the BSN to DNP Leadership in Healthcare Systems at the University of Missouri-St Louis.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The MSN to DNP at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences can be completed in 1.75 to 2 years. Many of the other options can be complete in two years, too, including the MSN to DNP Leadership at University of Missouri-St Louis, the MSN to DNP at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, the MSN to DNP Leadership at Missouri State University-Springfield, and the MSN to DNP Leadership at University of Missouri-St Louis.
Best DNP Programs in Missouri
The best DNP program depends on various factors, like whether you have a BSN or MSN and if you want to spend any time on campus. Some of the more interesting programs in Missouri include the BSN/MSN to DNP Clinical Leadership and Innovation at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the BSN to DNP Practice Leadership program at Missouri State University-Springfield, which requires more on-campus learning than any other program in the state.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Missouri
Every school has its own fee structure and may have additional costs, so it can be difficult to determine the precise cost of these programs. When looking purely at cost per credit, the most affordable is the program at University of Missouri-Columbia at $630 per credit + fees. The programs at Missouri State University-Springfield are also affordable, costing between $628 and $705 per credit plus fees.