Oklahoma faces significant shortages in healthcare providers. Currently, 75 of the 77 counties in Oklahoma are considered health professional shortage areas, and the state has just 7.5 nurses for every 1,000 residents.
That said, the state is working hard to attract new talent to help fill these gaps. For example, the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma was awarded federal grants to improve the critical nursing shortage, aiming to increase the number of nurse practitioners in rural areas in the state and nursing educators to train the next generation of bedside nurses. (We cover this university’s DNP programs in detail below.)
For nurses interested in helping to address shortages in primary care and as nursing leaders and educators, Oklahoma offers a variety of DNP options that can prepare you to take your career to the next level.
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Oklahoma DNP Programs Quick Facts:
- Universities Offering DNP Programs in Oklahoma: 4
- CCNE Accredited DNP Programs in The State: 9
- ACEN Accredited DNP Programs in the State: 7
- Average Tuition Costs: $15,540 to $30,600+ for public universities, $17,700 to $38,900 for private universities
DNP Programs in Oklahoma
Four schools in Oklahoma offer DNP programs, and while that may not seem like a lot, the variety of programs available is impressive. There are options for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses and a number of specialties to choose from.
Oklahoma BSN/MSN to DNP Programs
Three universities in the state offer DNP programs with a hybrid structure, with most of the classwork being completed online, but requiring students to come to campus for in-person learning in addition to completing the 1,000 hours needed to attain a DNP.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
- Alva, Oklahoma
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 73
Clinical Hours: 1,020
Tuition: $420 per credit + fees for residents; $674 per credit hour for non-residents; $350 additional cost for on-campus summer intensive
Program Overview:
Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) offers a BSN to DNP track for nurses who are interested in pursuing an FNP specialty. This 73-credit program consists of 1,020 practicum hours and can be completed in three years full-time and four years part-time.
Classes for this program are held online, but students are required to attend an on-campus residency in July before clinical experiences begin. During residency week, which runs from Sunday to Friday, students are required to live in campus dorms and attend in-person learning sessions.
NWOSU also offers an advanced placement option for APRNs who are already practicing as FNPs. This track is 37 to 39 credits and can be completed in about two years.
Oklahoma City University
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $590 per credit hour + fees
Program Overview:
Oklahoma City University offers an impressive variety of options for nurses interested in pursuing a DNP, including entry points for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses. The university’s Kramer School of Nursing offers three BSN to DNP tracks: family nurse practitioner (66 credits), adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (67 credits), and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (68 credits). All of these tracks can be completed in three years and have minimal residency requirements, but in-person learning is required for each.
The Kramer School of Nursing also offers several MSN to DNP options, all of which take two to three years to complete. These tracks include a 30 to 32-credit MSN to DNP Nurse Educator program, MSN to DNP Community-Based Public Health, and MSN to DNP Executive Leadership program. There is also a post-master’s to DNP completion program for MSN-prepared nurses with a clinical focus, including nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or clinical nurse specialists.
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $401.20 per credit + fees for residents; $1120.20 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center offers more DNP options than any other school in the state, including a wide range of options for BSN-prepared nurses. Note that these programs are considered hybrid with online and in-person requirements, though the specific requirements vary by program.
For nurses who wish to pursue careers as nurse practitioners, OUHSC offers a few different focus areas, all of which take three to four years to complete. These programs include an FNP DNP track, an NNP DNP track, a PMHNP DNP track, and a general Nursing Practice DNP for students who are completing an MSN and wish to continue on to a terminal degree.
Another option at OUHSC is to pursue a doctorate as a clinical nurse specialist. The school offers two BSN to CNS DNP tracks to choose from: an Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP track and a Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP track.
Students can also choose an Executive Leadership pathway that takes about three to four years to complete.
Online DNP Programs in Oklahoma
The DNP programs are offered 100% online, making them a convenient option for students who intend to continue working while pursuing their degrees.
Oklahoma Online BSN/MSN to DNP Programs
The online programs at Oklahoma Wesleyan University prepare nurses for roles in leadership, informatics, and education. While coursework is delivered entirely online, in-person clinical components may be required for some specialities.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Bartlesville, Oklahoma
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $28,764 to $43,146 total per program + fees (about $799 to $864 per credit + fees)
Program Overview:
Oklahoma Wesleyan University offers various DNP tracks for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses.
BSN-prepared nurses can earn a DNP in executive leadership with a focus on informatics, administration, or nursing education. There is also a post-master’s option available for APRNs, nurse educators, and administrators, as well as BSN-prepared nurses with a master’s in another field.
These programs are offered entirely online and can be completed in as little as two years for those who attend full-time. That said, OKWU offers flexible options, allowing students to take one class at a time to fit their studies around their work and personal lives. Some tracks may require direct, in-person clinical experiences, and students with an MSN can transfer up to 500 clinical hours to meet the program’s clinical requirements.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Oklahoma
These programs can vary in length for various reasons, but if you’re looking for those that you can complete in the shortest period of time, consider the programs below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
The programs at Oklahoma Wesleyan University can be completed in as little as two years. If you’re interested in an NP role, the programs at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma City University can be completed in three years.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The Advanced Placement option at Northwestern Oklahoma State University can be completed in two years.
Best DNP Programs in Oklahoma
What school is the best school depends on what you’re looking to specialize in, and most of the schools in this state offer something unique. For example, Oklahoma City University offers an MSN to DNP Community-Based Public Health track that you won’t find in any other school in the state, and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center offers DNP options for nurses who wish to pursue careers as clinical nurse specialists, as well as the only NNP DNP track in Oklahoma.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Oklahoma
Costs and fees vary significantly from one school to the next, but when looking at a purely per-credit cost, the most affordable option in Oklahoma is the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, which is $401.20 per credit + fees for residents, though that price jumps significantly for non-residents to $1120.20 per credit + fees.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a close second at $420 per credit + fees for residents and only $674 per credit hour for non-residents.