Like many states, Vermont faces a nursing shortage. The reasons for this are complex, but one contributing factor is a shortage of nursing instructors.
DNP-prepared nurses are uniquely positioned to help meet these challenges. Not only are they qualified to teach the next generation of nurses, but, depending on their specialty, they can also address critical gaps in primary care and contribute to policy decisions that can enhance recruitment and retention.
If you’re a nurse in Vermont interested in pursuing a DNP, check out the programs below to learn more about the options available in the Green Mountain State and regionally.
Vermont DNP Programs Quick Facts:
- Universities Offering DNP Programs in Vermont: 1
- CCNE Accredited DNP Programs in the state: 1
- ACEN Accredited DNP Programs in the state: 0
- Average Tuition Costs: About $50,000, depending on entry point
Vermont DNP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured Vermont 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 | Full — Vermont NPs can practice autonomously after 2 years of collaborative practice; full prescriptive authority |
| Licensing Board | Vermont 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) |
| Vermont NP Mean Annual Wage | $117,000 (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 Vermont DNP Programs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — Vermont NP mean annual wage was $117,000. Burlington (Chittenden County) leads the state; UVM Medical Center is the largest clinical placement site.
- 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.
- Vermont-specific update — Vermont is a full-practice-authority state. UVM anchors DNP preparation with academic-medical-center clinical placement. Norwich University runs an online MSN-FNP for working New England RNs. Cross-border DNP options at UMass, USM, and Russell Sage also serve Vermont students.
- WHNP → WHGRNP rebrand — NCC has expanded the Women’s Health NP scope to include gender-related care; track currency varies by school.
- 4 Vermont schools tracked — current Vermont DNP-track institutions verified against CCNE and ACEN directories.
Educational Routes to Earning a DNP in Vermont
There’s no single path to the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Five route types appear across Vermont 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. Vermont’s direct-entry option is UVM’s Master of Nursing entry pathway.
DNP Programs in Vermont
There is only one school in Vermont that offers a DNP program: the University of Vermont. UVM offers a unique program with a range of entry points and two clinical specialties: FNP and AGNP.
Vermont BSN to DNP Programs
One aspect that makes the University of Vermont program unique is that it’s an on-campus program, providing students with the opportunity to learn in a traditional setting. This UVM program offers entry points for BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses, as well as a direct entry option for nurses with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
University of Vermont
- Burlington, Vermont
- Campus
Modality: On campus
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $692 per credit + fees for residents; $1,200 per credit per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Vermont offers two DNP options, both of which are on-campus programs. The BSN or MSN to DNP program offers two tracks: a 76-credit FNP track and a 69.5-credit AGNP option. Both tracks require 1,000 hours of clinical experience, with 800 to 870 hours of direct patient care and an additional 130 to 130.5 hours of practicum experience for the DNP project. Both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses are accepted into this program. BSN-prepared nurses can complete the program in three calendar years, while MSN-prepared nurses can complete it in two.
UVM also offers a unique Direct Entry DNP for Non-Nursing Majors for students who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. In this track, students take a year of nursing courses and then enter directly into either the AGNP or FNP track, completing between 106 and 112.5 total. This option takes about four years to complete.
Key highlights:
- Entry points for BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses, as well as RNs with bachelor’s degrees in other fields
- Clinically-focused specializations
Additional considerations:
- Classes take place on campus
Accreditation:
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Regional Options
For those seeking online options or alternative concentrations, several regional colleges and universities are available to consider. We cover three options below.
Russell Sage College
- Troy, New York
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with on-campus labs
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $950 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The DNP program at Russell Sage College is another option for residents of Vermont. This school offers two entry points: a BSN to DNP and an MSN to DNP track.
The BSN track enables nurses to earn a DNP without first obtaining a master’s degree. This program is 72 credits with between 1,150 and 1,200 clinical hours. Full-time students can complete it in three years, while part-time students can complete it in five years.
The MSN option is for nurse practitioners and 24 credits with 500 clinical hours. Part-time, it takes two years to complete and requires no summer studies. Full-time students can complete it in as little as one calendar year, but have to attend summer classes.
Online classwork is asynchronous, but students must visit the Troy campus between four and six times for health assessment labs, which is approximately a three-hour drive from Montpelier.
Key highlights:
- Online, asynchronous coursework makes these programs a good option for distance learning
- Tracks for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses
Additional considerations:
- Multiple campus visits required, so check commute times before applying
Accreditation:
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
University of Massachusetts
- Amherst, Massachusetts
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $825 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The University of Massachusetts is another option for students in Vermont interested in pursuing a DNP. Here, students with either a BSN or a DNP can enter the DNP Public Health Nurse Leader program. BSN-prepared students can complete the program in four or five years, depending on whether they attend classes full-time or part-time; MSN-prepared students can complete it in two to three years. In addition to required online coursework, students will also complete 504 practicum hours working on a population health project.
The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at UMass also offers an MSN to DNP option designed for APRNs. This program can be completed in two to three years and includes a one-semester on-campus practicum in the final semester. The Amherst campus is about a 2.5-hour drive south of Montpelier.
Key highlights:
- DNP in Public Health Nurse Leader program open to applicants with either a BSN or an MSN
- Meets Vermont state requirements
Additional considerations:
- The MSN to DNP option, designed for APRNs, has one on-campus practicum
Accreditation:
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
University of New Hampshire
- Durham, New Hampshire
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with on-campus intensives
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $880 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of New Hampshire is another option for nurses in Vermont who wish to pursue a DNP. The BSN to DNP options here are primarily online, but there are some in-person requirements at the Durham campus, which is in southeast New Hampshire, about a three-hour drive from Montpelier.
BSN-prepared nurses have four options:
- BSN to AGACNP DNP track (76 credits
- BSN to Clinical Nurse Leader DNP track (60 credits),
- BSN to FNP DNP track (80 credits)
- BSN to PMHNP track (80 credits).
Each program takes approximately four years to complete. However, the exact length of time may vary depending on each student’s prior experience and education, as well as whether they attend full-time or part-time. The FNP, AGNP, and PMHNP programs require 750 hours of hands-on clinical hours, while the Clinical Nurse Leader program requires 500.
UNH also offers a 33-credit MSN to DNP option that students can complete in as little as 18 months, depending on their previous education and experience. This program provides asynchronous classes, making it a convenient option for working professionals.
Each of these programs features online, asynchronous courses, and there are opportunities for on-campus learning and other events throughout the program.
Key highlights:
- Asynchronous classes make these programs a good fit for Vermont students
- On-campus intensives for some specialties
Additional considerations:
- Consider commute time to campus before applying
- RNs with a master’s degree in any field are eligible to apply
Accreditation:
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Vermont
There’s only one DNP program in Vermont, but it offers multiple entry points, which determine the time it takes to complete.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
The BSN to DNP track at UVM takes three years to complete.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
For nurses entering UVM’s program with an MSN, it can be completed in two years.
Best DNP Programs in Vermont
The best DNP track in Vermont is the only DNP track in the state, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some really special aspects about the program at the University of Vermont. First, the on-campus format may be somewhat rare, but some students perform better in a traditional classroom. Plus, it offers three entry points, making it accessible to a diverse range of students.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Vermont
The DNP programs at the University of Vermont cost $692 per credit, plus fees.
FAQs
What are the admission requirements for Vermont DNP programs?
Admission requirements for the DNP programs at UVM include a BSN, RN licensure in Vermont, a college GPA of at least 3.0, three letters of recommendation, and prerequisite courses in statistics and basic physical assessment. GRE scores are not required, but can be submitted to strengthen an application.
Are there online or hybrid DNP programs available in Vermont?
No, the only DNP program available in Vermont is at the University of Vermont, and it is an on-campus program. However, numerous regional options in New York and Massachusetts may offer hybrid or online learning opportunities to students in Vermont.
How long does it take to complete a DNP program in Vermont?
The DNP program at the University of Vermont can be completed in two, three, or four years, depending on whether the student enters with an MSN, BSN, or directly into the program.