Research has determined that, in 2021, Arkansas only had 76% of the registered nurses it needed to meet the care demands in the state. The state is taking steps to meet these demands, though, including $20 million in grants aimed at upgrading the skills of medical professionals, increasing the capacity of nursing programs, and offering tuition reimbursement for some programs.
Nurses with advanced degrees can contribute to resolving this shortage in various ways, and those with terminal degrees are uniquely positioned to help. Whether you want to teach the next generation of nurses or take leadership positions that enable you to make decisions that can increase retention, a DNP can help you get there.
Arkansas DNP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured Arkansas DNP Schools | 4 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 | Reduced — Arkansas NPs require a collaborative practice agreement with a physician for prescriptive authority |
| Licensing Board | Arkansas 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) |
| Arkansas NP Mean Annual Wage | $118,000 (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 Arkansas DNP Programs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — Arkansas NP mean annual wage was $118,000. Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville) 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.
- Arkansas-specific update — Arkansas maintains a reduced practice authority model. UAMS in Little Rock anchors academic-medical-center DNP preparation; University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), UCA (Conway), and Arkansas State (Jonesboro) 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.
- 4 Arkansas schools tracked — current Arkansas DNP-track institutions verified against CCNE and ACEN directories.
Educational Routes to Earning a DNP in Arkansas
There’s no single path to the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Five route types appear across Arkansas 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. Arkansas’s flagship direct-entry option is UAMS’s Accelerated BSN-to-DNP pathway.
Arkansas DNP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured Arkansas DNP Schools | 4 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 | Reduced — Arkansas NPs require a collaborative practice agreement with a physician for prescriptive authority |
| Licensing Board | Arkansas 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) |
| Arkansas NP Mean Annual Wage | $118,000 (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 Arkansas DNP Programs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — Arkansas NP mean annual wage was $118,000. Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville) 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.
- Arkansas-specific update — Arkansas maintains a reduced practice authority model. UAMS in Little Rock anchors academic-medical-center DNP preparation; University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), UCA (Conway), and Arkansas State (Jonesboro) 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.
- 4 Arkansas schools tracked — current Arkansas DNP-track institutions verified against CCNE and ACEN directories.
Educational Routes to Earning a DNP in Arkansas
There’s no single path to the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Five route types appear across Arkansas 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. Arkansas’s flagship direct-entry option is UAMS’s Accelerated BSN-to-DNP pathway.
DNP Programs in Arkansas
Arkansas has multiple online DNP programs for nurses who already have a master’s degree. Some programs require on-campus visits, while others can be completed entirely online.
Note that the bodies that accredit these programs, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, require all DNP programs to have 1,000 clinical hours. However, any hours obtained in an MSN program count toward this total. The clinical hours listed in the summaries below include the number of hours built into the program’s curriculum to help satisfy this requirement.
Online DNP Programs in Arkansas
There are seven DNP programs in Arkansas that are offered online. Some have minimal in-person requirements, while others do not require students to come to campus at all. Below, we cover the details to help you find which program meets your needs.
Arkansas Online MSN to DNP Programs
Each of these seven online programs is a little different, and there are various specialties available.
Arkansas State University
- Jonesboro, Arkansas
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 540
Tuition: $550 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The 36-credit MSN to DNP General Practice program at Arkansas State University has 540 clinical hours incorporated into the program. Classes are 100% online, and students and assignments can be tailored to the student’s workplace to ensure their education relates to their career goals.
Arkansas State has two other tracks that are offered in a similar format, including an MSN to DNP Education track, which prepares students for careers as nursing educators, and an MSN to DNP Leadership track, which prepares students for leadership roles. These programs are also 36 credits with 100% online classes. Each of these three programs can be completed full or part-time; full-time students can finish in as little as 12 months.
University of Arkansas
- Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person requirements
Credit Hours: 42
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $583.11 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The University of Arkansas’ MSN to DNP program is for nurses who wish to pursue a terminal degree with a clinical focus. This 42-credit program is designed for students who have an MSN. Most classes are offered online, but several campus visits may be required throughout the program. Full-time students can complete the program in two years.
In partnership with the Walton Graduate School of Business, nurses can also pursue a MSN to DNP/MBA. This program is designed for advanced practice nurses and prepares nurses for executive positions. Graduates earn two degrees in three years, completing 63 total credits. Most of the coursework is online, though students will need to come to campus one Saturday every month for the MBA portion of the program.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: 43
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $510 per credit + fees for residents; $888 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ MSN to DNP Leadership program is designed for professionals already working as advanced practice nurses. It is offered online, and students can attend classes live or watch recorded sessions when their schedule permits and must attend a two-day orientation at the beginning of the program. This program can be completed either full- or part-time in five or seven semesters or about two to three years.
University of Central Arkansas
- Conway, Arkansas
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 34 to 38
Clinical Hours: 360
Tuition: $376.69 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Any nurse with a master’s degree can apply for the MSN to DNP track at the University of Central Arkansas, regardless of specialty. This online, part-time program is 34 to 38 credits, depending on MSN clinical practice hours. It starts every summer and takes six consecutive semesters or two years to complete.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Arkansas
The length of a DNP program depends on a number of factors, including previous education and experience, specialization, and whether you plan to attend full- or part-time. If you’re interested in completing your degree as quickly as possible, consider the programs below.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The shortest MSN to DNP programs are the MSN to DNP options at Arkansas State University, the MSN to DNP General Practice, MSN to DNP Education, and MSN to DNP Leadership tracks. Most of the other programs take between two and three years to complete.
Best DNP Programs in Arkansas
The best program for you is the one that meets your needs, but some interesting programs in Arkansas stand out, including the MSN to DNP/MBA program at the University of Arkansas, which is a unique option for those who wish to work in upper management.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Arkansas
The cost of these programs can vary significantly. Every school has its own fees and other charges. That said, when looking only at the cost per credit, the most affordable option is the program at the University of Central Arkansas at $376.69 per credit + fees. However, many of the programs in this state are reasonably priced.