Nearly every state in the county is facing a nursing shortage, including Iowa. The state is taking multiple measures to help address this problem, including offering tax credits for nurses who work as preceptors and loan repayment benefits for some advanced practitioners.
By pursuing a DNP degree in Iowa, you can put yourself in a position where you can play a key role in educating the next generation of nurses or making far-reaching management decisions to attract people to the job and retain the hard-working professionals who have already chosen this career.
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DNP Programs in Iowa
There are a variety of DNP options in Iowa with different specializations, entry points, and in-person requirements. Below, we detail seven DNP programs offered by colleges and universities in the state to help you determine which is the best path for you.
Note that, according to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, all DNP programs must include a minimum of 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours, including those 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.
Iowa BSN to DNP Programs
There are several options for students who prefer more face-to-face learning as opposed to a program that is completely online. Morningside University offers a hybrid BSN to DNP track (as well as an MSN to DNP option with an on-campus residency).
Morningside University
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $795 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Morningside University offers two tracks for its DNP Transformative Leader program. In the BSN to DNP Transformative Leadership track, BSN-prepared nurses first complete a 40 credit MSN with a Clinical Nurse Leader focus before entering the DNP program. MSN courses are both online and in-person. This track is 69 credits and 1,000 clinical hours total.
The MSN to DNP Transformative Leadership track consists of 34 credits and has 500 hours built into the program. Courses for the post-MSN track are online, but there is one on-campus residency for competency demonstration and DNP project dissemination. Full time students can complete this program in only 17 months.
Iowa MSN to DNP Programs
There are also options for MSN-prepared nurses who are looking for a program that provides in-peron learning, including one hybrid program and one on-campus option.
Clarke University
- Dubuque, Iowa
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 81
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $880 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Clarke University offers a unique 81-credit MSN to DNP Health Leadership and Practice track that prepares students to find creative solutions to a number of healthcare challenges. All classes are hybrid and meet on campus on the first and third Thursday of every month. This program uses a cohort model with only 20 students in each group.
Mount Mercy University
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Campus
Modality: On campus
Credit Hours: 30
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $950 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
This MSN to DNP at Mount Mercy is designed for nurses who are already practicing as nurse practitioners. It is an extremely flexible program, and a great choice for nurses who prefer in-person learning. Students can choose to take classes in five or ten week blocks and can even take one class at a time. It is possible to complete this program in as little as 12 months.
Online DNP Programs in Iowa
Online programs are convenient for nurses who wish to continue working full-time while pursuing their DNP.
Iowa Online MSN to DNP Programs
There are three online MSN to DNP programs to choose from in Iowa, though some may have minimal on-campus or in-person requirements.
Allen College
- Waterloo, Iowa
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 33
Clinical Hours: 400
Tuition: $948 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP at Allen College features classes that are completely online. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as two years, but part-time options are also available. Students must have completed at least 600 post-BSN hours to start the program, but applicants with less than 600 hours who are selected for admission can complete the necessary hours by taking additional credits.
Briar Cliff University
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 480
Tuition: $525 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Briar Cliif’s MSN to DNP track is designed for nurses who are already certified nurse practitioners. While this program does not prepare students for an additional certification, it does prepare practicing NPs to take their practice to the next level. Students will complete 480 clinical hours throughout the program and can complete in only two years.
Graceland University-Lamoni
- Lamoni, Iowa
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 31
Clinical Hours: 636
Tuition: $730 per credit + fees ($620 per credit + fees for Graceland alumni)
Program Overview:
Graceland University’s MSN to DNP program is delivered in a 16 week trimester schedule and can be completed in two years. All courses are online, though in-person field experiences and faculty-supervised project hours are required. This program also gives students the option to add a post-graduate certificate in either nursing education, leadership, or rural health. Each is 12 additional credits, and while not required to obtain a doctorate, they can be beneficial for students who wish to specialize in any of these three areas.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Iowa
The lengths of these programs can vary based on a number of factors, including entry points and how many clinical hours students have accrued before entering the program. If you’re looking to complete your degree as quickly as possible, consider one of the programs below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
There’s only one BSN to DNP track in Iowa. The BSN to DNP Transformative Leadership track at Morningside University takes about three and a half years to complete.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The shortest MSN to DNP option is the MSN to DNP Transformative Leadership at Morningside University, which some students can complete in as little as 17 months.
Best DNP Programs in Iowa
The best program for you is the one that suits your needs as far as learning style, budget, and previous education. That said, Iowa offers some unique options, including the BSN to DNP Transformative Leadership and MSN to DNP Transformative Leadership at Morningside University and the MSN to DNP Health Leadership and Practice at Clarke University.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Iowa
The most affordable DNP program in Iowa is at Briar Cliff University at $525 per credit + fees. Other affordable options include Morningside University at $795 per credit + fees and Graceland University-Lamoni at $730 per credit + fees.