One of the highest levels of education for someone in the nursing field is a doctor of nursing practice or DNP degree. Many nurse practitioner programs offer this option, but there are DNP programs available for nurses interested in other areas as well. Below, we take a closer look at the DNP options available in Iowa.
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DNP Programs in Iowa
Iowa offers various DNP programs, each with different features that make them unique. Most of these programs are for nurses who already have an MSN, but there is an option for BSN-prepared nurses, too. Clinical and on-campus requirements vary per school and program, and you’ll find options whether you’re looking for something entirely online or prefer to come to campus.
DNP programs all require 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours, per the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, but clinical hours accrued during master’s-level programs count toward this total. The clinical hours listed in the summaries below include the number of credits each DNP program offers toward this 1,000-hour requirement.
Iowa BSN to DNP Programs
Clarke University offers a BSN to DNP program in the health and leadership specialty. The BSN program is offered in a hybrid format, but the MSN to DNP bridge program is entirely online.
Clarke University
- Dubuque, Iowa
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $880 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Clarke University offers several DNP options, including two nurse practitioner tracks and a BSN to DNP Health Leadership and Practice program. The Health Leadership and Practice track is 81 credits with 1,000 clinical hours and can be completed in three years full-time or five years part-time. Classes are hybrid, meeting in-person on the first and third Thursday of each month.
The university also offers an MSN to DNP Bridge Program for nurses with a master’s degree. This option requires 39 to 48 credits, depending on previous education and clinical experience. The MSN bridge program is mostly online, but there are occasional face-to-face meetings on the Dubuque campus. Most students complete the program in two years.
Iowa MSN to DNP Programs
Two schools in Iowa offer MSN to DNP programs for those who wish to pursue a specialty other than NP and are not online. One program is entirely on campus, while the other is hybrid.
Mount Mercy University
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Campus
Modality: On-campus
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $950 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP a Mount Mercy is unique in a few ways. First, it’s the only program in the state held entirely on campus with no online learning component. Second, it’s designed to be flexible and accommodating. Students take one class at a time in either five or 10-week blocks. Nurses who are already practicing as nurse practitioners will complete 27 credits and can graduate in as little as 12 months. Those with MSNs in other areas will take 45 credits and can finish in 24 months.
University of Iowa
- Iowa City, Iowa
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,191 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The University of Iowa offers several DNP options with flexible online and hybrid courses. There are two Health Systems options: a 45-credit, 640-hour MSN to DNP Health Systems track that takes three years to complete and a 55-credit, 1000-hour MSN to DNP Health Systems for non-Health Systems master’s students that takes four years.
There is also a 29-credit, 370-hour Post-APRN to DNP option that can be completed in either two or three years.
Online DNP Programs in Iowa
Online programs are convenient for nurses who intend to continue working while attending school. In Iowa, there are three online MSN to DNP programs.
Iowa Online MSN to DNP Programs
Three schools in Iowa offer DNP programs that are entirely online. We detail them below.
Allen College
- Waterloo, Iowa
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 33
Clinical Hours: 400
Tuition: $948 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The innovative systems leadership-focused MSN to DNP program at Allen College is offered entirely online. The program includes 400 clinical hours; students entering this track with less than 600 hours from their master’s level education will need to take additional clinical courses to meet the 1,000-hour requirement. Most students complete the program in two years full-time, but part-time options are also available.
Briar Cliff University
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 480
Tuition: $525 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Briar Cliff University’s MSN to DNP track offers convenient and flexible online courses and includes 480 clinical hours. While many programs focus on a DNP project, students in Briar Cliff’s program satisfy these hourly requirements through coursework and other experiences throughout the coursework. This program takes two years or six semesters to complete.
Graceland University
- Lamoni, Iowa
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 31
Clinical Hours: 636
Tuition: $730 per semester + fees
Program Overview:
Graceland University’s MSN to DNP online program is 31 semester hours with a minimum of 636 clinical practice hours and field experiences. A unique thing about Graceland’s program is that it offers three certificates that students can complete to specialize: a nurse educator certificate, a leadership certificate, or a rural health certificate. All of these are 12 semester hours and can be completed during or after completion of the primary DNP curriculum.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Iowa
The lengths of these programs vary slightly. If you’re interested in the shortest options, consider the programs below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
There’s only one BSN to DNP program in Iowa, the BSN to DNP Health Leadership and Practice program at Clarke University. It can be completed in three years full-time or five years part-time.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The shortest MSN program is the MSN to DNP at Mount Mercy University, which takes 12 months for nurses who are practicing as APRNs.
Best DNP Programs in Iowa
The best DNP program will vary depending on what you are looking for. The MSN to DNP program at Mount Mercy University has a flexible five or 10-week class structure, and courses are held entirely on campus. This program is an excellent option for students who prefer a traditional classroom experience.
Another interesting option is the MSN to DNP at Graceland University, which has optional certificates that allow students to specialize in education, leadership, or rural health.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Iowa
Comparing the cost of these programs isn’t completely straightforward, as every school has its own fees and cost structure. That said, when looking strictly at the per-credit cost, Briar Cliff University is the most affordable at $525 per credit. Graceland University is the next most affordable at $730 per credit.