A doctorate of nursing or DNP is the highest level of education someone can achieve in this field. While many nurse practitioner programs offer DNP options, there are many other routes that nurses can take to pursue a terminal degree. In New York, most DNP programs focus on clinical practice rather than education or leadership. Here’s a closer look at the DNP options available in the Empire State for nurses with either a BSN or MSN.
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DNP Programs in New York
New York offers a variety of DNP programs, some offered primarily online while others are traditional programs taught on campus in in-person classes. Some programs offer multiple entry points while others are more narrow, catering only to nurses with specific NP degrees.
Per the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, DNP programs all require 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours. This total includes hours 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.
New York BSN to DNP Programs
Online education and distance learning may be increasingly popular, but some of universities and colleges in New York require students to come to campus to attend classes. Here are three universities that offer programs with in-person learning.
Binghamton University
- Binghamton, New York
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,047 per credit + fees for residents; $1,353 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
In addition to multiple DNP options for nurse practitioners, Binghamton University also offers a doctorate-level program for nurses who wish to act as clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) in adult gerontological primary care and a post-master’s option for those who already have an MSN and wish to pursue a terminal degree.
While the roles of CNS and NP have some overlap, NPs work more in direct patient care, while CNSs focus more on education, administration, and research. The BSN to DNP CNS track has 77 to 78 credits and is designed for nurses with either a BSN or an MSN who are not practicing NPs. It takes three years to complete. Most courses are offered online, but students may be required to come to campus one to two days a week.
Binghamton also offers an Advanced Standing DNP track for nurses who are practicing NPs or are already CNSs. This option is 35 to 38 credits, depending on the applicant’s specialization. This program takes two years to complete, and most of the coursework is offered online, but students will need to be on campus approximately one day a week for the first three semesters.
The BSN to DNP track has 1,300 clinical hours, and the Advanced Standing DNP program has 540.
Molloy University
- Rockville Centre, New York
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,630 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Molloy College offers multiple DNP options for those wishing to practice as NPs as well as an adult clinical nurse specialist (A-CNS) option. The A-CNS DNP program has two entry points, the BSN to Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP and the MSN to Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP.
Post-BSN students will first complete the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program before beginning their doctoral-level courses, while nurses who already have a master’s as APRNs receive advanced standing. This program is offered in a hybrid format, with both in-person evening and hybrid classes. Those entering the part-time program with a BSN can complete the program in five years; those with an MSN in three.
Touro University
- Brooklyn, New York
- On campus
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,380 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Touro University’s cohort-based DNP program is offered in-person on the school’s Brooklyn campus. It offers two starting points: a BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP track. These programs have an FNP focus and are designed for students wishing to pursue a terminal degree as an FNP. The BSN track is 80 credits with 1040 clinical hours and takes three years to complete full-time; the MSN track is 42 credits with 680 clinical hours and takes 2.5 years to complete full time. Nurses who already have an MSN will be granted advanced standing and can transfer up to 38 credits into the DNP program.
New York MSN to DNP Programs
Post-master’s students who are interested in pursuing a DNP by attending classes in-person have several options. Below are five MSN to DNP programs in New York that are either hybrid or taught completely on campus.
College of Staten Island CUNY
- Staten Island, New York
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 75
Clinical Hours: 500
Tuition: $620 per credit + fees for residents; $1,000 per credit + fees for residents
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program at the College of Staten Island is for master’s-prepared nurses who are already certified as Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists. This program is offered in conjunction with the school’s AGNP DNP option and has many overlapping courses, but students in the CNS program focus their coursework, clinical hours, and competency development on their role.
This is a hybrid program that offers some online courses, but some classes require on-campus attendance, usually one evening a week. Depending on previous education and course load, many students finish the program within three years. This program includes 500 clinical hours, and nurses can apply for advanced standing.
Dominican University New York
- Orangeburg, New York
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 40
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $1,190 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The DNP program at Dominican University New York is designed for nurses who are already certified family NPs and want to pursue a terminal degree. This FNP to DNP track can be completed in as little as two years or six trimesters. The hybrid format requires students to come to campus twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and complete 1,000 clinical hours between their combined master’ s-level FNP and DNP work.
Le Moyne College
- Syracuse, New York
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 29
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $1,050 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Le Moyne College’s doctorate nursing program is for nurses who already practice as FNPs. This FNP to DNP option is offered in a hybrid format. Most coursework can be completed asynchronously online, but students will have to attend on-campus sessions. While the program is 29 credits, the program of study can be individualized based on previous education and experience.
New York University
- New York, New York
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 400
Tuition: $2,400 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
At NYU, the MSN to DNP program has multiple entry points. MSN-prepared nurses who are not NPs or nurse midwives can enter the Advanced Certificate to DNP program, and nurses who have MSN degrees and are NPs or midwives are granted advanced standing.
Advanced standing students will complete 36 credits and 400 clinical hours. Advanced Certificate to DNP students must obtain a post-master’s certificate as an NP or nurse midwife while completing the DNP courses. The number of credits and clinical hours will depend on the chosen NP specialty.
Courses for this program are taught in person on campus, with DNP-level leadership courses combining online coursework with monthly on-campus meetings.
Wagner College
- Staten Island, New York
- On campus
Modality: On campus
Credit Hours: 39
Clinical Hours: 400
Tuition: $15,840 per year + fees
Program Overview:
The post-master’s DNP program at Wagner College is designed for advanced practice nurses with an FNP focus from a program accredited by a national organization. This FNP to DNP program can be completed in seven semesters, including two summer sessions. It includes 400 clinical hours. Students entering the program with less than 600 hours will receive a gap analysis and may need to take additional clinical courses to meet the 1,000 hour requirement. Classes are held in-person at the school’s Staten Island campus one evening per week.
Online DNP Programs in New York
The Empire State is also home to many online DNP options for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses.
New York Online BSN to DNP Programs
Post-BSN students looking for an experience that is primarily online can consider the programs at Russell Sage College and the University of Roche. Both of these schools offer primarily distance learning, though students do have to come to campus for labs or intensives. (Note that these schools also offer MSN tracks with the same general format.)
Russell Sage College
- Troy, New York
- Online with on-campus labs
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 offers two entry points: a BSN to DNP and an MSN to DNP track.
The BSN track allows nurses to earn a DNP without getting a master’s degree. This program is 72 credits and includes between 1,150 and 1,200 clinical hours. Full-time students can complete it in three years, and part-time students in five.
The MSN option for nurse practitioners is 24 credits with 500 clinical hours. Part-time, this program takes two years to complete without summer studies, but full-time students can complete it in as little as one calendar year, including summer classes.
Classwork is online and asynchronous, but students must come to campus between four and six times for health assessment labs.
University of Rochester
- Rochester, New York
- Online with in-person intensives
Modality: Online with in-person intensives
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $1,740 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The BSN to DNP program at the University of Rochester allows nurses with a bachelor’s to pursue a specialty practice area, like FNP or PNP, or as a clinical nurse leader and complete a terminal degree. Including summer sessions, this part-time program takes between five and six years to complete.
Students entering the MSN to DNP program generally take a year to complete coursework, taking two courses every semester, and then beginning the clinical portion of the program. This program takes 2.5 to three years to complete.
This program also requires a DNP project in which the student designs and implements an initiative to influence policy or improve clinical practice. Students must also create a scholarly paper based on their project and publicly defend it during their final semester.
New York Online MSN to DNP Programs
Post-master’s students have a few online DNP options to choose from in New York. of the three programs with primarily online coursework listed below, only one requires on-campus intensives.
Pace University
- New York, New York
- Online with on-campus intensives
Modality: Online with on-campus intensives
Credit Hours: 33
Clinical Hours: 450
Tuition: $1,460 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Pace University’s online part-time MSN to DNP program is designed for nurses who already have an MSN and are state-certified as FNPs, AGACNPs, and PMHNPs. It includes five synchronous online classes each semester with two on-campus intensives throughout the program: one for program orientation at the beginning of the program and one at the end, where students present their DNP projects. This program includes 450 of the 1,000 post-BSN hours needed to complete the program.
Pace also has a bridge option for advanced practice nurses specializing in adult-primary care, pediatric, geriatric, and women’s health who want to obtain an FNP, AGACNP, or PMHNP certification and their DNP. For these nurses, the school will perform a gap analysis to determine what additional clinical work is required.
SUNY Brockport
- Brockport, New York
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 30
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $942 per credit + fees for residents; $1,130 per credit + fees for non-residents;
Program Overview:
With the exception of clinical requirements, this 30-credit MSN to DNP at SUNY Brockport is offered entirely online. Students will complete five didactic courses and complete and disseminate a clinically-based project. Students take one class at a time, making it possible to work around a full-time work schedule.
This program is designed specifically for practicing FNPs. Nurses who are NPs in other specialities can apply for the school’s certificate of advanced study and enter directly into the DNP program upon completion.
University at Buffalo
- Buffalo, New Yorks
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 400 non-clinical hours
Tuition: $1,047 per credit hour per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP program at the University of Buffalo is designed for nurses who already hold a national certification as an advanced practice nurse, including AGPNP, AG clinical nurse specialist, PNP, FNP, nurse anesthetist, women’s health NP, or mental health NP. The program takes five to seven semesters to complete with asynchronous classes offered entirely online.
This program incorporates 400 non-clinical hours that include case consultations, patient education, meeting, conferences, etc. Students will also complete a DNP project tailored to student interests that can be completed in conjunction with the nurse’s current employer.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in New York
The lengths of these programs can vary depending on previous background and education. Because some of these programs are tailored only to FNPs or AGNPs, some nurses may need to complete additional courses, which will extend the length of their program. Generally, though, if you’re interested in completing a DNP in as short a time as possible, consider one of the programs below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
While some BSN to DNP programs in New York can take as many as five years to complete, full time students in the program at Binghamton University Touro University, and Russell Sage College take only three years.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The shortest MSN to DNP program in New York is at Russell Sage College. Full-time students can complete it in as little as one year. Binghamton University and Dominican University New York are also on the short side and can be completed in only two years.
Best DNP Programs in New York
The best DNP programs in New York vary based on what degree you have when entering the program. For example, if you are practicing as an AGNP, the MSN to DNP Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program at the College of Staten Island may be a good choice because it is designed for your speciality, and you won’t have to worry about taking any bridge courses or completing another MSN or certificate first. The same could also be said about the programs that cater to those who are practicing FNPs, like the programs at Touro University, Dominican University New York, Le Moyne College, Wagner College, and SUNY Brockport.
Cheapest DNP Programs in New York
The most affordable DNP program in New York is at the College of Staten Island CUNY at $620 a credit for state residents. There are two other schools that come in at under $1,000 a credit for residents: Russell Sage College at $950 per credit and SUNY Brockport at $942 per credit. Not that this is the cost per credit only. Each school and program will also have associated fees and other charges that will raise the total cost.